Tropical Dry Forests to Visit
Looking to get away from your everyday cycle of school or work? Looking for cool places to visit that aren't as well known? Looking to spend time in nature? Here are some cool locations that are near tropical dry forest or are tropical dry forest!
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
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Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is located on the western coast of Madagascar. It is characterized by unique rock formations called karsts (tsingy is the Malagasy word), which are peaks formed by soluble rocks by erosion from surface or ground water (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2020). For its unique geological formations and high rates of endemism, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2020). While the national park is home to several ecoregions, sections of tropical dry forests can be found near and on the national park.
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More information on the national park can be found at the UNESCO World Heritage website!
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Tsingy (karst) peaks with intermittent vegetation seen in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Photo by Stephen Alvarez.
Gir National Park
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Gir National Park is located near the western coast of India, in Gujarat. The national park was created in 1965 as a response to protect the only population of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo leo). A 2015 count revealed 523 Asiatic lions, which was a 27% increase since 2010 (Gir National Park 2015). Tourists can take safari tours to see the lions in their natural habitat.
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More information for booking tours can be found at the Gir National Park tourism website!
Asiatic lions (Panthera leo leo) seen in the grasslands at Gir National Park. Photo by Mayankvagadiya.
Nino Konis Santana National Park
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Nino Konis Santana National Park is located in East Timor, near Tutuala. The national part spans the eastern side of the island and protects both terrestrial and marine environments. Established in 2007, the park is home to several species of birds, sea turtles, and large mammals (Ministry of Tourism Timor Leste 2016). Limestone caves with ancient rock art can be seen.
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More information can be found at the Ministry of Tourism Timor Leste website!
Mountain peak at Nino Konis Santana National Park. Photo by Don Franklin.
Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro
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Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro is a cave located in Sierra del Falcón, Venezuela. The national park was established in 1969 and several biomes are seen near the national park, including tropical dry forests. The cave has a subterranean river that is considered to be the largest in the country (“Parque Nacional Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro - EcuRed” 2020). Like the Cueva del Guacharos (another cave national park in Venezuela), it has a large population of oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis).
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More information can be found on the Ministry of Ecosocialism and Water website!*
Entrance to the cave of Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro park. Photo by Venezuela's Ministry of Ecosocialism and Water.
* means page is in Spanish.
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Citations:
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Gir National Park. 2015. Gir National Park. https://www.girnationalpark.in/.
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Ministry of Tourism Timor Leste. 2016, October 12. Nino Konis National Park. https://www.timorleste.tl/destinations/national-park/.
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Parque Nacional Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro - EcuRed. 2020. https://www.ecured.cu/Parque_Nacional_Cueva_de_la_Quebrada_del_Toro.
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2020. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/494.
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