Madagascar Herping Tour
17 Days Herping Tours
Best period for this: Decembre to March
Route: Antananarivo – Andasibe – Vohimana – Palmarium – Ambositra – Ambalavao – Ranomafana – Antsirabe – Antananarivo
Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights.
Price €3836, based 2 people – Sharing room
This immersive Madagascar Herping Tour day and night takes you deep into the island’s most biodiverse habitats, from eastern rainforests to southern highland ecosystems. Designed for reptile and amphibian enthusiasts, the itinerary offers exceptional opportunities to observe chameleons, geckos, frogs, and endemic snakes in their natural environments. Guided day and night walks maximise sightings, including specialised nocturnal searches for rare and elusive species. You will explore renowned herping hotspots such as Andasibe, Vohimana, Palmarium, Ambalavao, and Ranomafana with experienced local wildlife experts. Perfect for photographers, naturalists, and serious herpers, this tour combines scientific discovery, authentic field experiences, and unforgettable encounters with Madagascar’s unique herpetofauna.
17-Day Madagascar Expedition – Intensive Herping Day and Night
This carefully designed journey combines Madagascar’s most biodiverse rainforests and highland ecosystems with daily opportunities for herping day and night. From eastern rainforests to southern habitats, this itinerary maximises encounters with chameleons, geckos, frogs, snakes, and nocturnal wildlife.
Day 1 – Arrival in Antananarivo
Arrival in Antananarivo, where you will be welcomed by your wildlife guide. Transfer to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, optional short city exploration and briefing about the upcoming herping day and night programme.
Overnight in Antananarivo.
Day 2 – Andasibe
Scenic drive east through Madagascar’s highlands and rainforest corridors to Andasibe.
Afternoon visit to Vakona Reserve for close wildlife encounters and introductory reptile observations.
Evening herping day and night session with a nocturnal walk focusing on chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, frogs, and night-active lemurs.
Overnight in Andasibe.
Day 3 – Andasibe
Full-day exploration of Mantadia National Park, one of the most pristine rainforest areas in eastern Madagascar. If time permits, afternoon dedicated to photography and a focused macro-herping session, allowing time to carefully scan trails, tree trunks, and understory vegetation.
In the evening, Maromizaha Reserve for a guided nocturnal hike. This session strengthens your herping day and night experience, as the forest transforms after dark and reveals a completely different level of activity.
Overnight in Andasibe.
Day 4 – Andasibe
Morning back to Maromizaha, dedicated to pristine rainforest exploration in Maromizaha, a prime hotspot for deep herping day and night enthusiasts. Visit Mitsinjo Community Reserve for community-led conservation and excellent reptile sightings. Night excursion at VOIMMA Community Reserve, one of the best areas for nocturnal amphibians and geckos.
Overnight in Andasibe.
Day 5 – Vohimana
Before driving to Vohimana we visit a surprise place and after visit, we drive to Vohimana Reserve, a less-visited rainforest ideal for focused herping day and night. Day forest walk targeting Calumma species, Uroplatus geckos. Evening nocturnal excursion for tree frogs, boas, and leaf-tailed geckos.
Overnight in Vohimana.
Day 6 – Palmarium (Akanin’ny Nofy)
Transfer by road and boat via the Pangalanes Canal to Palmarium Reserve.
After lunch at Palmarium restaurant, we explor the reserve. Night visit to observe the famous Aye-aye, adding a unique mammal highlight to your herping day and night programme.
Overnight at Palmarium.
Day 7 – Palmarium
Morning wildlife exploration in Palmarium. Visit Vohibola Forest Reserve with local guides for additional reptile diversity. Night walk dedicated to herping day and night, searching for frogs, geckos, and nocturnal reptiles.
Overnight at Palmarium.
Day 8 – Antananarivo
Boat transfer and return drive to Antananarivo. Evening at leisure.
Overnight in Antananarivo.
Day 9 – Ambositra
Drive south through Madagascar’s central highlands to Ambositra. Optional artisan visits in this cultural capital.
Overnight in Ambositra.
Day 10 – Ambalavao
Continue south to Ambalavao through dramatic highland scenery. Evening herping session targeting reptiles and amphibians in drier transitional habitats.
Overnight in Ambalavao.
Day 11 – Ranomafana
Morning exploration of surrounding habitats before continuing to Ranomafana. Arrival and short forest walk for initial reptile observations.
Overnight in Ranomafana.
Days 12–14 – Ranomafana National Park
Three Days of Intensive Herping Day and Night
Spend three immersive days exploring the extraordinary ecosystems of Ranomafana National Park, one of the richest rainforest environments in the country and a prime destination for serious herping day and night enthusiasts. These 3 consecutive days in Ranomafana allow for deeper habitat coverage, increased species diversity, and a truly comprehensive herping day and night experience in one of Madagascar’s most biologically productive rainforests.
Overnight in Ranomafana.
Day 15 – Antsirabe
Drive through highland landscapes back to Antsirabe, known for its lakes and colonial architecture.
Overnight in Antsirabe.
Day 16 – Antananarivo
Return drive to Antananarivo. Optional city visit and souvenir shopping.
Overnight in Antananarivo.
Day 17 – Departure
Transfer to the airport according to your international flight schedule.
End of your 17-day Madagascar herping day and night expedition.