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The Reptiles & Amphibians of Madagascar
Tour Code: MDG10A 20-day holiday in search of Madagascar's treasure trove of unique and extraordinary reptile and amphibian species.
£8,995
£8,095
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Madagascar is a must-visit destination for any naturalist, hosting an unmatched suite of exciting species across the wildlife groups. This 20-day holiday showcases the sheer brilliance of Madagascar’s incredible biodiversity, particularly its wealth of reptiles and amphibians. This special holiday is limited to just one departure per year – early bookings are strongly recommended to avoid disappointment!
We begin the holiday with a one night stay in the island’s capital, Antananarivo, more commonly known by its colloquial short-hand form Tana. Here we will meet one of Madagascar’s top herpetology guides who will guide us throughout the itinerary. The next morning, we fly from Tana to Antsiranana in the far north of the island from where we enjoy a three night stay in Joffreville, perfectly situated for day walks inside the superb Montagne d'Ambre National Park and exciting nocturnal walks nearby. Here we can quickly encounter a mouth-watering suite of wildlife including Panther Chameleon, Blue-nosed Chameleon, Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko, Giant Day Gecko, Madagascar Tree Boa, Madagascar Bright-eyed Frog, Green Mantella, seven species of lemur, Amber Mountain Rock Thrush, Cuckoo-roller, Pitta-like Ground-roller, Nelicourvi Weaver, Souimanga Sunbird, Hooked-billed Vanga and much more.
- A huge diversity of chameleons including such special species as Parson's, Panther, Big-nosed, Canopy, Short-horned, and many others.
- Extraordinary Uroplatus leaf-tailed geckos including Giant, Satanic, Mossy, Spearpoint, and Henkel’s, and Beautiful Phelsuma day geckos including Giant, Standing’s, Lined, Modest and Peacock.
- Search for the island’s special snakes including Madagascar Tree Boa, Duméril’s Ground Boa, Giant Madagascar Hognose Snake and many more.
- Endemic amphibians including Green Mantella, Toliara Rain Frog, Madagascan Bullfrog and numerous bright-eyed frogs.
- Superlative wildlife throughout including Northern Sportive Lemur, Grey Mouse Lemur, Crowned Lemur, vangas, Crested and Running Couas, Long-tailed and Pitta-like Ground Rollers, Madagascar Crested Ibis, baobabs and a kaleidoscope of invertebrates.
- Led by an expert local naturalist and a Naturetrek herpetologist.
Grading
Grade B. The terrain of the reserves, coupled with the heat and humidity, demand a good level of fitness and a sense of adventure! All overland travel in 4x4s.
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.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
All accommodation is of very good quality and the best in the area. All rooms are en suite.
- Food:
All meals included, starting with dinner on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 19
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Claude Rambeloson
Claude studied at the University of Antananarivo and has been involved with the tourism industry for over two decades, travelling widely in his home country of Madagascar. He initially started as a national guide in Madagascar but following his tour leader training course in the UK in 2006, he’s since been acting as both Tour Leader and Naturalist Guide. He’s been working for Naturetrek since 2005 and has extensive knowledge of Madagascar’s fauna and flora through leading a considerable number of tours. Opportunities to join foreign experts on research within nature reserves and national parks helped Claude to develop a deep understanding of amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar and otherwise broadening his knowledge on his own research during quieter periods. Claude considers it as a job for love, a great passion with broad interests in Madagascar wildlife and he’s particularly very fond of herpetology, birds and mammals. Claude said he feels like an ambassador of his country and loves sharing his passion for wildlife with tourists and meeting people from different countries. Claude is a true nature enthusiast and speaks English, French and German.
2026
Tour Leader: Claude Rambeloson
Claude studied at the University of Antananarivo and has been involved with the tourism industry for over two decades, travelling widely in his home country of Madagascar. He initially started as a national guide in Madagascar but following his tour leader training course in the UK in 2006, he’s since been acting as both Tour Leader and Naturalist Guide. He’s been working for Naturetrek since 2005 and has extensive knowledge of Madagascar’s fauna and flora through leading a considerable number of tours. Opportunities to join foreign experts on research within nature reserves and national parks helped Claude to develop a deep understanding of amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar and otherwise broadening his knowledge on his own research during quieter periods. Claude considers it as a job for love, a great passion with broad interests in Madagascar wildlife and he’s particularly very fond of herpetology, birds and mammals. Claude said he feels like an ambassador of his country and loves sharing his passion for wildlife with tourists and meeting people from different countries. Claude is a true nature enthusiast and speaks English, French and German.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
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