Without a doubt, one of the most prestigious locations for anyone interested in capturing the natural world has to be Madagascar – it’s one of our most requested trips, and I am pleased to announce our visit to this remote and isolated island in June of 2026.
Separated from the Indian Peninsula roughly 88 million years ago, the flora and fauna of this, the world’s fourth-largest island, has been allowed to evolve in seclusion from the rest of the planet, leading to some truly spectacular and unique species. 90% of all life on this island can be found nowhere else on the planet.
We will visit the famous national parks of the region to photograph the bio-diversity to be found here – carnivorous plants, over fifty species of lemur, birds, lizards, and much much more. Our sources on the island will ensure we are seeking out these various anomalous creatures at the best times, with evening walks to capture nocturnally active species as they begin their nightly routines.
I also hope to capture a truly unique animal while we are here – the elusive fossa, Madagascar’s largest mammalian carnivore. Closely related to the mongoose family, fossa are widespread throughout the island, but in very sparse populations. Combined with the thick forested habitat it prefers, it can be a difficult animal to locate, but I think we are up to the task!
Led by Art Wolfe
Assisted by Gavriel Jecan
Limited to 10 participants
Transportation and Accommodation
All meals, lodging, and transportation specified on the itinerary are included. You will be responsible for your flight to and from Antananarivo. You are encouraged to arrive one day prior to the workshop so that there is no worry of flight delays causing any problems.
Itinerary
*This tour is just being finalized now, the itinerary will be adjusted with additional information when it becomes available.
June 5 Antananarivo
Arrive in Antananarivo airport where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel and dinner together with the group.
June 6 Diego Antananarivo-Morondava-Kirindy
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Morondava; we will be fetched by 4WD cars and drive directly to Kirindy. It is the best place in the whole island to observe fossa’s. It is also home to seven species of lemur. We will stop at the famous Baobab Avenue, then head north to Kirindy for nocturnal visit in search of Fossa.
June 7 Kirindy
Set out for a full day visit of Kirindy forest where we can find the common brown lemurs and the critically endangered Verreaux’s sifakas. These long-legged, seven-pound lemurs, white with dark patches, leap among tree trunks high in the canopy, propelled by their powerful hind legs but continually maintaining an upright posture. The remaining species are nocturnal: the rare Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur and Pygmy mouse-lemur, Fork-crowned lemur, Gray mouse lemur, Western fat-tailed dwarf lemur and Red-tailed sportive lemur.
We can also photograph a large variety of birds and other mammals. This evening we will have another nocturnal visit of the Kirindy forest in search of Fossa and other nocturnal animals.
June 8 Kirindy-Morondava
Today we will visit Kirindy forest again for more photo opportunities of lemurs and birds; then visit the Boababs in love and the Scared baobab then return to Morondava with a sunset stop on the Baobab Avenue.
June 9 Morondava
Today we will have an adventure traveling in a dug-out canoe through a mangrove, ending up in the fishermen village in Morondava.
June 10 Morondava-Antananarivo
This morning we will take some time to relax on the beach and/or take photographs of the local sailing boats in Morondava.
We will have an afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight back to Antananarivo.
Overnight in Antananarivo.
June 11 Antananarivo-Andasibe
After a city tour, we drive to Adasibe for our three nights stay. Vakona Forest Lodge is designed in line with local Malagasy architecture. The bungalows/rooms offer the traveller the desired comfort of en-suite bathrooms and verandas looking out into the forest of Andasibe National Park. Warmed by the central fireplace the dining room offers views outside whilst keeping warm or alternatively one can relax on the veranda that overlooks the lake.
At nightfall, set out for a nocturnal visit at Mitsinjo reserve
June 12 Andasibe
Today we visit Andasibe nature reserve where we may see birds, lemurs such as the Indri indri, Bamboo lemurs, Common brown lemurs and Red-bellied lemurs in the humid tropical forest. In the afternoon we will visit the Vakona lemur island where we will see additional species of lemurs.
Birds likely to be seen: White-throated rail, Madagascar spine tailed swift, Short-legged ground roller, White-headed vanga, Madagascar blue vanga, Tylas, Madagascar kestrel, Madagascar turtle dove, Blue coua, Collared nightjar, Madagascar kingfisher, Madagascar bee-eater, Madagascar wagtail, Long-billed tetraka, Madagascar paradise flycatcher.
June 13 Andasibe-Akanin’ny nofy
This day will begin with a drive to Manambato village where we embark onto boat to go to the Peninsula: Akanin’ny nofy. After check-in, visit of Palmarium reserve to spot some lemurs such as the Black and White ruffed lemurs as well as the sifaka.
At nightfall, we will have a boat excursion to spot the Aye Aye lemurs.
Birds likely to be seen: Madagascar Bulbul, Crested Coucals, Madagascar Green Sunbirds, Madagascar Kingfishers.
June 14 Palmarium Reserve
Today will be spent photographing in the Palmarium reserve to spot some lemurs such as the Black and White ruffed lemurs and the sifaka.
At nightfall, we will have another boat excursion to spot the Aye Aye lemurs.
Birds likely to be seen: Madagascar Bulbul, Crested Coucals, Madagascar Green Sunbirds, Madagascar Kingfishers.
June 15 Akanin’ny nofy-Tamatave-Antananarivo
This morning we have a 3 hour long journey on the Pangalanes canal to get to Tamatave. Then transfer directly to the airport for the flight back to Antananarivo.
Overnight in Antananarivo.
June 16 Antananarivo-Fort Dauphin-Berenty
This morning we will have a very early transfer to Antananarivo airport for the flight to Fort Dauphin. The city is dominated by splendid mountain chain, the chain of Anosy and the Peak St. Louis, on the north side of the city, which offers a unique and unspoiled view of the area. On the north, east and south the bright azure colors of the Indian Ocean take over the magnificent view.
We will be collected at the airport and then drive directly to Berenty. We will see a variety of endemic plants such as the Alluaudia, Pitcher plants, Spiny forests, Sisal plantations, Baobabs and typical villages during the drive to Berenty. We can stop to photograph along the way.
June 17 Berenty Reserve
Full day visit of Berenty reserve. Berenty reserve is a small private reserve set in the semi-arid Spiny Forest of the middle of what used to be Spiny Forest, but is now largely a sea of sisal fields. The reserve was created 70 years ago by the de Heaulme family as a private park to protect 250 hectares encompassing Spiny Forest and dry Tamarind gallery woodland along the Mandrare river. The reserve is home to six species of lemur and the south’s largest colony of Madagascar fruit bats. The easiness to observe sauntering Ring-tailed lemurs and ‘dancing’ Verreaux sifakas has turned this small protected area into one of the prime Madagascar’s primary destination.
June 18 Berenty-Fort Dauphin
Another half day visit of Berenty reserve, then we return to Fort dauphin.
June 19 Fort Dauphin-Antananarivo
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Antananarivo. Afternoon visit of Tsarasaotra park. The park is a classified RAMSAR site (International Convention on Wetlands) and is the smallest and only private site classified to date.
Birds likely to be seen: Cattle Egret, Squacco Heron, Blackcrowned Night Heron, Dimorphic Egret, Red-billed Teal, White-faced whistling Duck, Knob-billed duck, Madagascar Kingfisher, Madagascar bee-eater, Madagascar cisticola, & Madagascar swamp Warbler, Stripe throated jery, Madagascar crested drongo, Nelicourvi weaver, Madagascar red fody.
June 20
Transfer to the airport for international flights home.
End of tour
Closest Airports:
Ivato International Airport located in Antananarivo, Madagascar