Where to go to see the Forest of Knives?

Animation movies have often piqued the interest of travelers in Madagascar and rightly so. With a variety of landscapes in Madagascar, one can not help but out the country on their bucket list. And amidst these various wonders is the Forest of Knives. The Tsingy de Bemaraha is also known as the Forest of Knives. The word Tsingys is indigenous to the Malagasy language and in English loosely translates to where one cannot walk barefoot. And if you wondering what these knives are, they are limestone formations.

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Located along the west coast, the knives are the result of approximately 200 million years of heavy tropical rainfall erosion. It is believed that the ground water from heavy rainfall entered the porous limestone’s and eventually caves and tunnels were created. But when the roofs of these tunnels and caves collapsed, giant spires emerged showcasing what stands today.

These forests are home to sharp, knife-like formations that stretch high up in the air and are also one of the least visited areas in the world owing to the razor sharp giant spires. While generally forests are found with lush green cover, the forest of knives are characterized by maze like corridors, humid caves and razors on the ground. The razors or knives are sharp enough to tear through equipment and flesh easily, making the place out of reach for all. One of the most dangerous places on the planet, it has been estimated that the forest has the largest underground cave system in the world. Navigating into the forest is complex, with tight spots in place.