Welcome to Madagascar, the lush paradise known for its extraordinary and unique wildlife! With 80% of the species found nowhere else on the planet, this incredible destination is a must-see for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Our exclusive photo tour will take you to the most photogenic and biodiverse locations Madagascar has to offer, providing you with unparalleled opportunities to capture stunning images in breathtaking surroundings.
Wide Range of Photographic Genres
We do some of everything on this trip! With lemurs as the stars, our primary genre of photography on this trip is mammal photography – behavior, portraits, and lemurs in the landscape. However, we also do landscape photography at the Avenue of the Baobabs, night sky photography if conditions are right, day and night macro photography on our field trips and night walks, and bird photography as we find stunning species on our walks. This is a robust trip in terms of all the imagery you’ll capture.
Small Group Size for Better Experiences
While the lemurs and other wildlife in many of our locations are accustomed to seeing people, they are still wild and can leave if they feel uncomfortable. By having a small group size, we are able to share more meaningful and enriching connections with wildlife and capture wonderful behaviors and activity.
Exclusive Lodges in the Heart of the Action
All of our lodges are located within the nature preserves, giving us unparalleled access to seeing and experience the magic of Madagascar. You will awaken to the echoing calls of Indri Indri that flow across the jungle, be greeted by Ring-tailed Lemurs on your veranda, and even be spied upon by Brown lemurs as they check out what you’re up to. There’s nothing quite like experiencing the wildlife of Madagascar and being in lodges that are in their habitat makes all the difference.
Four Incredibly Diverse and Rich Locations
Berenty Private Reserve: Known for its six species of lemurs, Berenty is particularly famous for the whimsical Verreaux’s Sifaka, which dances sideways across the ground and ricochets between thorny trees. You’ll also encounter the iconic Ring-tailed lemurs as they prance around with their tails held high. As we explore this remarkable “spiny forest,” keep your camera ready for sportive lemurs, radiated tortoises, colorful lizards, and elusive Madagascar fruit bats (Noisy Flying Foxes). Our lodge is nestled within the reserve, allowing us to embark on night hikes where we may photograph the adorable big-eyed mouse lemurs, the world’s smallest primates, along with incredible insects perfect for macro photography.
Morondava: Prepare to be enchanted by the dramatic landscapes of the Avenue of the Baobabs, where giant trees tower over the horizon. We will travel by private charter plane to reach this iconic location. Here, you’ll capture stunning images of these ancient trees, over 2000 years old during sunrise and sunset. During the day, we’ll venture into the Kirindy Forest, home to the rare giant jumping rat and the elusive Fossa, Madagascar’s largest mammalian carnivore. Here, you can observe seven species of lemurs, including the Red-tailed Sportive and Red-fronted Brown Lemurs.
As we travel to our next lodge, we’ll stop at a Private Reserve designed for macro photography. Here, you’ll have the chance to photograph unique reptiles that include geckos, chameleons and snakes as well as frogs. You will be amazed by the colors, camouflage and sizes of these rare species.
Andasibe/Vakona Forest: This biodiverse region is filled with extraordinary flora and fauna. You’ll be staying at a charming lodge located within the Vakona Forest Reserve, and we’ll embark on field trips to explore its treasures. In the VOIMMA Reserve, we’ll navigate the rainforest at night with headlamps and macro lenses, searching for elusive night lemurs, dazzling reptiles, colorful frogs, and spectacular insects.
Field Trip – Mantadia National Park: A highlight of any Madagascar trip, Mantadia National Park is home to 14 species of lemurs, 84 species of frogs, and 108 species of birds. We’ll hike through this verdant paradise in search of an incredible variety of wildlife, including the famed Indri Indri lemur, known for its haunting calls. This park is often regarded as the kingdom of orchids and while this is the dry season, we will still find some exotic species. This is also where we find the famed Long-necked Giraffe Weevil.
Field Trip – Analamazaotra Special Reserve: Enjoy a fun-filled day among lemurs! This is our second chance to find the Indri Indri in the forest as well as Diademed Sifakas, bamboo lemurs and more. We will do both morning and night hikes here.
Field Trip – Lemur Island: Lemur Island is home to a variety of lemur species, including Common Brown Lemurs, Bamboo Lemurs, Ruffed Lemurs, and Diademed Sifakas. This unique experience allows you to get up close and interact with these playful primates, creating unforgettable memories and incredible photographs.
Akanin’ny Nofy: Our journey culminates at Akanin’ny Nofy, where we’ll travel by speedboat to the stunning Palmarium Reserve. Nestled in a region called “Nest of Dreams,” you’ll find pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a forest dotted with orchids. This magical location is home to 10 species of lemurs that thrive in freedom, including Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, Coquerel’s Sifakas, crowned lemurs, mouse lemurs, and the iconic Indri Indri. We’ll also visit Aye-Aye Island, where you’ll have the mesmerizing opportunity to encounter and photograph the critically endangered Aye-Aye lemur.
Baby Season!
We timed our trip for both the dry season and for when lemurs have their babies. This makes for even more special moments as you enjoy capturing the wonderful care and comfort found within the lemur families.
Precious Wildlife, Fragile Habitat and an Uncertain Future
The wildlife and habitat of Madagascar is a fragile thing. Species here evolved in isolation on this ancient island and are not found anywhere else on earth. However, the future of the species found here is uncertain. With over 90% of its natural habitat already gone and 10% of what remains being lost each year, Madagascar is on the brink as are many of the wildlife found here. Ecotourism plays a significant role in protecting the habitat and species that remain.
Two instructors
Our tour is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You’ll have two instructors, Steve and Nicole, by your side throughout, to advise you on your settings as you capture images of a lifetime.
Nature Lover’s Trip: While we cannot offer a discount on this trip due to our need to keep the group size small, this is a terrific trip for the non-photographer spouse/friend who loves spending time with wildlife. We actually have a number of non-photographers who love nature join our trips because we are not only fun to travel with but also spend time with wildlife, watching and enjoying the behaviors and activity.
Fitness Level: Easy/Moderate. Much of our photography is done right around our lodges but we also do day and night hikes with our local naturalist guides. These walks last 2-3 hours but of course are optional. The pace is slow but may involve some bushwacking.
