The Reptiles & Amphibians of Madagascar

We next move to Ankarana where we will be situated on the eastern side of the reserve. Our stay here provides chance to enjoy such delights as Oustalet’s Chameleon, Plated Leaf Chameleon, the recently-described Ankarana Minute Leaf Chameleon, Henkel’s Leaf-tailed Gecko, Madagascar Tree Boa, Orange Tree Snake along with amphibians including Duméril’s Bright-eyed Frog, Kirindy Jumping Frog and Madagascan Bull Frog. Mammals to look out for here include Crowned Lemur, Sanford’s Brown Lemur, Northern Sportive Lemur, Grey Mouse Lemur, and the inquisitive Ring-tailed Vontsira. The wonderful birdlife includes Crested Coua, Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Buttonquail, White-breasted Mesite, Madagascar Crested Ibis and Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher. On our final afternoon we will return to Antsiranana for a one night stay to position ourselves for a flight to Tana to overnight before our exciting itinerary takes us to the southwest of the island.

The following morning, we take a flight south to Toliara and transfer to Ifaty for three nights. The spiney forest here is unique and our stay here includes visits to the incredible Reniala Reserve and the surrounding region. Here we can enjoy excursions to find Warty Chameleon, Standing’s and Modest Day Geckos, Duméril’s Ground Boa, Bernier’s Striped Snake, the sexually dimorphic Mahafaly Sand Snake, Madagascar Speckled Snake and amphibians including Western Bright-eyed Frog, Madagascan Bullfrog, and Toliara Rain Frog. The region of spiny forest around the Firenana River is home to two of Madagascar's most attractive and localised birds, the stunning Long-tailed Ground Roller and the Sub-desert Mesite. The other birdlife here includes Banded Kestrel, Archibold's Newtonia, Thamnornis Warbler, Lafresnaye's Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, Chabert's Vanga, Sickle-Billed Vanga and Running Coua.

The forest here is a botanical wonderland with 92% of spiny forest species endemic to Madagascar. The most striking of these are the strange spiny Didieraceae (Octopus Trees) whose trunks can grow up to 10 metres tall and curve to grow into the prevailing southerly wind. The forest also holds many fine examples of the Adansonia rubrostipa Baobab, Bottle Baobabs, aloes, and kalanchoe. After an incredible experience in the south of Madagascar we fly back to Tana to overnight, positioning ourselves for the final part of the itinerary, exploring Madagascar’s east.

In the morning, we make a 3.5-hour drive to Andasibe for a three night stay. Once again, we have the special opportunity to encounter some wonderful chameleon species including Madagascar’s largest in Parson’s Chameleon, the recently discovered Two-toned Chameleon, Big-nosed Chameleon, Yellow-green Chameleon, Perinet Chameleon, Canopy Chameleon, Big-nosed Chameleon and Brookesia including Brown Leaf Chameleon and Domergue’s Leaf Chameleon. Snakes here include ‘Fandrefiala’ Snake, Madagascar Cat-eyed Snake, Madagascar Tree Boa, Forest Madagascar Garter Snake, Striped Madagascar Garter Snake, Collared Bright Snake and Gluttonous Big-head Snake. There are some lovely Phelsuma to enjoy here including Lined Day Gecko, Madagascar Day Gecko, Small Lined Day Gecko and Peacock Day Gecko. A highlight for many will be the opportunity to find perhaps one of Madagascar’s most iconic reptiles in Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko. Night walks are extremely rewarding here and we will search for such amphibians as Free Madagascar Frog, Tsarafidy Madagascar Frog, Horned Grainy Frog, Betsileo Reed Frog, Spotted Bright-eyed Frog, and Bohm’s Bright-eyed Frog.

At the end of an incredible itinerary, we must leave Andasibe to return to Tana to overnight before our onwards journeys home.