PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP TO MADAGASCAR

Global Itinerary for Photography Trip to Madagascar

Note: The following itinerary is not yet finalised as the flight times for domestic flights will only be known later. There may be a possibility that we need to adjust the order of the program, which could include staying longer or shorter at certain locations. Additionally, the program may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Day 1:
Arrival in Antananarivo

Upon arrival at the airport, we will obtain a visa (currently costing £20) and have the opportunity to exchange money. Following this, we will transfer to our hotel near the airport. If we arrive in the afternoon, we can also have dinner at the hotel.

Day 2:
Antananarivo – Andasibe

After breakfast, we will be transported by bus with a driver for about 5 hours to Andasibe. The route takes us along the winding “Route Nationale” 2 through a landscape filled with rice fields, rivers, and streams. Gradually, the vegetation thickens as we enter the rainforest area. Along the way, we will visit a reptile park featuring chameleons, lizards, frogs, and butterflies. Upon our arrival in Andasibe, we will embark on our first night walk through one of the private parks with a local guide who is familiar with the area.

We will stay 4 nights in a cozy lodge near the rainforest, where we can begin witnessing various animals right away.

Day 3 to 5:
Andasibe

The area around Andasibe consists of a cluster of beautiful reserves. In the mountainous rainforests, majestic tree ferns can be found. On the broad trunks within the humid canopy, numerous orchids, ferns, and other epiphytes bloom. With the assistance of a local guide, we will engage in photography in the various reserves. Early morning excursions are the most productive, and we will also venture out at night with flashlights. This region is the ideal place to hear, see, and photograph the indri, one of the most well-known lemurs. Lemurs were once widely distributed across Africa but were displaced by more dominant monkeys. In Madagascar, they have managed to survive. The indri is about the size of a three-year-old child and is impressively adorned with a shiny black and white coat, lemon-yellow eyes and black snouts. Their eerie, ghostly calls echo like whale songs, filling the rainforest with a strange melancholy.

With a bit of luck, over the next few days in the Andasibe area, we may spot up to 6 species of lemurs. During the day, we will photograph lemurs, chameleons, butterflies, and tropical frogs. At night, we will seek out lemurs, snakes, tree frogs, toads, geckos, and chameleons that can be easily found sleeping using a flashlight. All excursions are optional; if you feel like taking a break, you can still enjoy the surroundings of the accommodation. A visit to Vakona is also planned, a private park where there’s a great chance of getting up close and personal with Lemurs.

Day 6:
Andasibe – Manambato – Ankan’ny Nofy

The journey continues to Manambato (approximately 5 hours drive), a small village located along the 600-kilometer-long Canal de Pangalanes. We will be transported by motorboat to Akanin’ny Nofy on Lake Ampitabe (around 1.5 hours of sailing). Our hotel, Palmarium, where we will stay for 2 nights, consists of bungalows overlooking the lake. Just a 10-15 minute boat ride away is the private reserve of the same name – Palmarium. Here, semi-tame lemurs roam curiously in the hotel’s tropical garden, providing excellent photography opportunities.

The most special aspect of this location is the chance to see and photograph the aye-aye, a bizarre nocturnal lemur. Known for its unusual appearance, the aye-aye features bat-like ears, rodent-like teeth, and a long, skeletal middle finger on each hand. Using its teeth, it opens coconuts and employs its unique finger as a “spoon” to extract the coconut flesh.

Dag 7:
Ankan’ny Nofy

Enjoy a day dedicated to photographing lemurs in the private park just a 10-15 minute boat ride from the hotel. There is a restaurant on-site, allowing you to spend the entire day there, including lunch if desired. Ankanin’ny Nofy is situated between a canal and the sea. In the afternoon, you can also choose to take a walk to the sea. You’ll have time to select photos for the first review session after dinner. There will also be another opportunity to join the aye-aye excursion at night.

Day 8:
Boat Trip: Ankan’ny Nofy – Manambato – Antananarivo

This is a long travel day where we will engage with the local community and experience a bit of culture. Immediately after breakfast, we will depart by boat to Manambato. Afterward, we will drive along RN2 for about 8-9 hours toward Antananarivo. We will stop for lunch in Andasibe, and due to our flight the following day, we will spend the night near the airport.

Day 9:
Domestic Flight: Antananarivo– Maroantsetra

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Maroantsetra. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon will be yours to explore, with an option to visit a local “frog farm.” Maroantsetra is a pleasant, still relatively undiscovered town with a lovely harbour where you can observe fishermen coming in, allowing you to experience authentic local culture. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Maroantsetra (2 nights).

Day 10:
Maroantsetra – Nosy-Mangabe – Maroantsetra

Nosy Mangabe is an uninhabited tropical island located just two kilometres off the coast. The entire island has been declared a national park and is lushly forested. In this paradise, we will search for lemurs, birds, butterflies, chameleons, frogs, Phelsuma geckos, and leaf-tailed geckos with a local guide. The geckos are masters of camouflage, resembling tree bark and, when they realise they’ve been spotted, often throw their tails in the air, raise their heads, and open their mouths, revealing their red interiors—quite a bizarre sight! They can even emit a shrill call. You can round off your visit to this island with a swim in the crystal-clear water. At the end of the day, we’ll take a half-hour boat ride back to Maroantsetra.

Day 11:
Maroantsetra – Masoala

Immediately after breakfast, we will take a 2.5-hour boat ride to Masoala National Park. We will stay for 5 nights in a cozy lodge on the edge of the rainforest. This stunning location features pristine white sandy beaches, mangroves, emerald green forests, and crystal-clear waterfalls. As a nature photographer, you will truly thrive here, especially with landscape photography opportunities! The nice aspect of this location is that everything is accessible on foot, requiring no transportation. In this last unspoiled lowland rainforest of Madagascar, there are no roads; small paths lead you into the forest. Birds and mammals can be challenging to find, but friendly local guides have keen eyesight and will help track down wildlife. With a bit of luck, we may also encounter Madagascar’s largest predator, the quirky fossa. Resembling a small panther and the size of a large dog, the fossa is built like a civet cat. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at a basic lodge on the edge of the rainforest.

Day 12 to 15:
Masoala

Each day, we will embark on at least two photography excursions with a local guide. We may split our group as needed to enhance the experience. The lowland rainforest is alive with sounds— the calls of birds, lemurs, frogs, and crickets fill the air. You’ll smell decaying wood, tree ferns, mosses, and the subtle fragrance of vanilla. You might encounter spectacular orchids, bizarre insects, colourful tree frogs, tropical birds, and, of course, photogenic chameleons. Madagascar is home to 82 species of chameleons, with new species still being discovered. The smallest chameleon measures less than 10 centimetres, while the Parsons chameleon reaches 70 centimetres and even preys on small birds. All chameleon species are endemic, found nowhere else on Earth. They have phenomenal eyesight and can see everything that moves. Their eyes can swivel independently, and they shoot their long, sticky tongues to catch insects. For reptile lovers, chameleons are the cream of the crop, changing colour and presenting a photogenic profile in terms of shape and appearance. It is often noted that they can sometimes be fed grasshoppers, which they catch right on the spot— a thrilling photographic moment! The itinerary during these days is flexible and allows for individual preferences. This doesn’t mean we can accommodate all requests, but we will explore possibilities together as a group. In the midday hours, we have time to relax, select photos, or swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear sea water. A small village within walking distance offers opportunities to capture local culture, including rice and clove fields, with vanilla cultivation serving as an essential source of income for the Malagasy. On one evening, we will also hold the second photo review session.

Day 16:
Masoala – Maroantsetra – Antananarivo

Immediately after breakfast, we will return by boat to Maroantsetra, where we will take a domestic flight back to the capital. Depending on the flight schedule, there may be a short program in Maroantsetra or Antananarivo. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in Antananarivo, with departure in the late evening or the following day, depending on your flight schedule.

Day 17 Departure & day 18: Arrival in UK
Antananarivo – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, the trip comes to an end. We will either fly back during the day or at night back to the UK. We guarantee that you will have captured all the photographic opportunities and that your memory cards, luggage, and thoughts are filled with the incredible experiences you have gained during your stay on the exotic island of Madagascar!

Cost

This trip is bookable starting from £7,395 (this amount excludes international flights).

Single Room Supplement: £665

What’s Included

• All accommodations.
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (we do not provide lunch on travel days or upon arrival and departure).
• Local transportation (land and by boat).
• Domestic flights worth £430.
• Participants meeting (date and location to be announced).
• Guidance from a professional Nature Talks nature photographer.
• Local guides.
• Guarantee fund insurance.
• Entrance fees to all national parks.
• Photo reviews.
• All excursions (day and evening).

What’s Not Included

• Returns flights from UK to Antananarivo, ranging from £700 to £1,300 (we will assist with the booking).
• Visa costs.
• Alcoholic and soft drinks.
• Personal purchases.
• Travel and cancellation insurance.
• Supplement for single occupancy or sole use of a double room: £473.

Practical information 

Participants Meeting

Before the trip, we will organise a participants meeting so that you can get to know your fellow travellers and ask any questions you may have about the journey.

Accommodation

The hotels or lodges near the nature reserves typically consist of detached wooden bungalows for 1 or 2 people, each equipped with a private shower and toilet. Mosquito nets are always provided to keep insects at bay, and a fan is usually available as well.

Trip Intensity

This trip is not physically demanding, but the tropical temperatures, bumpy roads, and the ‘tropical schedule’ can make it feel more challenging. A good level of basic fitness is required, as we will undertake (sometimes lengthy) photography walks and carry our photography gear, as well as climb some hills or mountains.

Travel Arrangements

The flight from the UK to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, is not included in the trip price. However, we can assist you with booking your tickets free of charge. We will keep everyone updated so that we can book simultaneously. KLM, Air France, and Kenya Airways are among the airlines providing flights, with prices around £700 to £1,300.

Luggage

The (cabin) baggage limit is 20 kg per person for the flight. Your photography equipment (excluding tripods, which should be checked in as cabin baggage) should be carried as hand luggage, typically weighing no more than 10 kg. Besides your backpack, a small shoulder bag with your laptop is usually accepted, but it’s better to store your laptop in your camera bag if there’s room. Check the airline’s website for maximum dimensions and weight for hand luggage. You can also carry extra weight using a camera vest with sturdy pockets.

Transport and Flights

Transportation will be in a minibus operated by a local driver, and we will have unlimited mileage. Madagascar’s roads are quite poor, as it’s not like traveling in the UK; expect bumpiness and discomfort. This specific trip deliberately avoids the usual tourist routes taken by other travel organisations in favour of more off-road and nature-focused adventures. While tourist routes may have better roads, you shouldn’t expect too much from those either. For boat trips along the Canal de Pangalanes and to Nosy Mangabe Island, we will use stable boats. We will also take a domestic flight of about 1 hour from Maroantsetra to Antananarivo and back.

Packing List

Due to limited storage space in the bus, boat, and for the domestic flight, we ask you to limit your luggage, including your photography gear, and package everything in soft bags or suitcases, which are easier to stack.

Equipment

For this trip, we recommend bringing all photographic equipment necessary for macro and close-up photography, as well as telephoto and landscape photography based on your specialisation and preferences. After booking, you will receive a detailed packing list approximately four weeks before departure.

Climate and Clothing

In general, Madagascar enjoys pleasantly warm weather. Light clothing such as shorts and T-shirts are suitable for the daytime, along with something warm for the evenings. For evening excursions, a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers provide good protection against mosquito and sand flea bites. Clothing that has been pre-treated with mosquito repellent is helpful. A rain jacket is necessary for the rainforest. It’s also good to have sturdy, lightweight shoes that can get wet but dry quickly. A photography vest can be very handy! Appropriate clothing is appreciated when visiting local people and religious buildings.

Vaccinations

Before traveling to Madagascar, it is necessary to obtain the standard vaccinations for tropical countries. For the latest information on mandatory or recommended vaccinations, please visit the website of gov.uk for travellers advice. Anti-malaria medication is advisable. If you have not used it before, try it out first to ensure you have no allergic reactions. Additionally, it is always recommended to wear long sleeves and long pants to protect against mosquito and insect bites, and apply an anti-mosquito treatment (e.g., DEET) to exposed areas of your body.

Paspoort and Visa

To travel to Madagascar, you need a valid passport that remains valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Madagascar. You will also need a visa. You can apply for this in advance at the Madagascar consulate. A tourist visa for 30 days can also be obtained upon arrival in the country for £20.

Wildlife

Madagascar is a unique and exotic destination that is world-famous for its enormous diversity of flora and fauna. There are over 270 bird species, nearly half of which are endemic. In addition to stunning bird species, Madagascar is known for its remarkable mammals, including lemurs and reptiles. Did you know that two-thirds of all known chameleon species in the world are found on Madagascar? Below is an indication of what you may encounter, though it is not guaranteed. You will witness everything from mini chameleons to lemurs and the Malagasy giraffe beetle.

Expected Wildlife:

• Kingfishers
• Phelsuma geckos
• Chameleons
• Various lemurs, including the aye-aye
• Day geckos
• Lizards
• Frogs
• Butterflies
• Indri lemurs
• Various insects
• Various species of smaller lizards

The list of animals is extensive, and we may not have room for everything, but you can be sure to see some remarkable wildlife along the way!

Enjoy your adventure in Madagascar, where unique wildlife and stunning landscapes await!