Madagascar – Endemic Wildlife Photo Tour III 2024
US$7,650
person sharing
Spaces Available
1 Nov 2024 – 11 Nov 2024
Madagascar is often referred to as the “Eighth Continent”, and its exceptional fauna and flora have evolved over millions of years of isolation. This legendary uniqueness is reflected in many of the species we may encounter on the island, from birds to snakes and frogs to chameleons. The lemurs of Madagascar are another case in point, and this fascinating group of primates will be a major focus of this tour. We certainly will not neglect the colourful frogs, chameleons and fascinating flora of this appropriately named “laboratory of evolution”, with many fascinating examples on display daily during this tour. Virtually every plant and animal on the island is endemic, but sadly, most are threatened by continued habitat destruction, thus making Madagascar one of those “must-visit-soon” destinations.
Why this Photo Tour is for You
PHOTO TOUR LEADER
Dale Morris
11 Days
6 Guests + 1 ORYX Leader
Classic
Wildlife
- Destination
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Departure
Antananarivo
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person sharing
US$7,650
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Single Supplement
US$1,190
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Photographic Highlights
Tree dwelling Indri; Diurnal Black-and-white Ruffed and Red-bellied lemurs and Diademed Sifaka; Giraffe-necked weevil; spectacular birds including Cuckoo Roller and Giant Coua; “dancing” Verreaux’s Sifaka; up-close Ring-tailed Lemur; chameleons, frogs and geckos in a multitude of sizes, body shapes and colours.
- Guide
From our gallery
Best of Madagascar
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Day 1: Fly from Antananarivo to Fort Dauphin
Today we take a short flight to Fort Dauphin (also known as Taolagnaro), in the south-eastern corner of the country where we will overnight in a comfortable hotel.
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Day 2: Fort Dauphin to Berenty Lemur Reserve
After an early breakfast, our Madagascar photo tour departs for the world-famous private lemur reserve of Berenty. The reserve protects tall gallery forest along the Mandrare River, and various patches of xerophytic spiny forest away from the river. The main drawcards here are the photogenic Ring-tailed Lemur, which sport appealing “zebra striped” tails and whose mostly terrestrial nature make them a joy to photograph, and Verreaux’s Sifaka, the famed “dancing sifaka”. Berenty is also home to a large contingent of wildlife including noisy flying foxes, attractive birds including the ground-dwelling Giant Coua, and befitting of an area with a hot climate, a large number of lizards, skinks, geckos and chameleons.
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Days 3 & 4: Berenty Lemur Reserve
Berenty truly offers a lot to wildlife photographers, and we will be kept very busy during our stay here!
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Day 5: Berenty to Fort Dauphin, flight to Antananarivo
Today we depart Berenty and drive back to Fort Dauphin, where after we catch our flight back to Antananarivo. Here we will overnight before continuing our Madagascar photo tour in the mesic east of the country.
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Day 6: Drive Antananarivo to Perinet
Our Madagascar photo tour departs early for the drive eastwards across the Highland Plateau, before heading down the escarpment to the famous Andasibe area, home to the famous rainforest areas namely “Perinet” Reserve and Mantadia National Park.
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Day 7 to 9: Perinet
Whilst in the Perinet area, we will make a special effort to see and photograph the reserve’s most famous resident: the huge, singing lemurs known as the Indri. This area is also home to the noisy Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur, which sports impossibly luxuriant fur, and also Diademed Sifaka, one of the most handsome of all lemurs. However, these are not the only mammals on offer, and our excursions may reveal various lemurs including Common Brown and the colourful Red-bellied, roosting Eastern Woolly. At night, the tiny Goodman’s Mouse Lemur bounces through the vegetation, while careful inspection of forest paths may reveal a foraging Lowland Streaked Tenrec, a bizarre hedgehog-like mammal. Macro opportunities are endless, from Giraffe-necked Weavil and leaf-tailed geckos to colourful Mantella frogs and hulking chameleons. Photographic opportunities are superb during the day and at night, and both with telephoto and macro setups! Should time allow, we may also visit Mantadia National Park.
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Day 10: Perinet to Antananarivo
This morning on our Madagascar photo tour, we may visit an area that is dedicated to the conservation of lemurs, allowing us to enjoy and photograph these wonderful mammals at close quarters. Thereafter we will make our way back to the capital city in the highlands of Madagascar.
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Day 11: Depart Antananarivo
Today is the last day of this incredible adventure, and after breakfast our tour concludes. Depending on our departure flights home, we may visit a local market or do some street photography.
