Madagascar herping expedition
Madagascar
14 days / 13 nights
Based on 4 people
From €1425 per Person
Expedition Overview:
This Northern Madagascar herping expedition isn’t your average tour—it is a specialist-led journey designed for passionate wildlife travellers, herpetologists, and photographers. Rather than simply walking through the forest, we actively interpret the habitat—examining vegetation, tree trunks, leaf litter, streams, and forest edges where Madagascar’s most secretive species remain hidden.
Crafted from the ground up, this Madagascar herping expedition takes you deep into the wild to track, observe, and photograph some of the island’s rarest, most elusive, and least-photographed species. From nocturnal discoveries to daytime encounters, every moment is shaped around understanding and photographing Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity.
The itinerary
Herping expedition | From €1424 per person | Based on 4 People
Included
• Private vehicle with driver
• Fuel
• English-speaking wildlife guide
• All park entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Local guides in reserves and national parks
• Airport transfers
Note: I can suggest you the hotel to book in each itinerary.
Not Included
• International flights
• Domestic flight Antananarivo – Toliara
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees
• Accommodation
• Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
• Personal expenses
• Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities not mentioned in the program
Day 1 – Arrival in Nosy Be & First Night Expedition
Upon arrival in Nosy Be, you will meet your wildlife guide before transferring to your hotel to settle in and prepare for the adventure ahead. Before dinner, embark on your first nocturnal exploration in Lokobe National Park, searching for sleeping Brookesia minima, leaf-tailed geckos, frogs, various snake species, and the island’s fascinating nightlife as part of this madagascar herping expedition. Rather than simply walking through the forest, we actively read the habitat—checking vegetation, tree trunks, leaf litter, streams, and forest edges where Madagascar’s most secretive species hide. We will spend about two hours in the park.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Nosy Be
Day 2 – Nosy Be
Spend the morning exploring Lokobe National Park, where ancient rainforest shelters black lemurs, endemic birds, reptiles, and remarkable insects. After spending five hours in the forest, return to the hotel for lunch and a brief rest. In the afternoon, we will explore the surroundings of Ambatozavavy to spot wildlife outside of the park boundaries. Following an early dinner, head back into the forest for an extended 3-to-4-hour night hike focused on species that only emerge after dark, offering exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography on this madagascar herping expedition (subject to site management permission for an extended stay).
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Nosy Be
Day 3 – Nosy Be
After breakfast, explore Nosy Faly, a pristine island renowned for its exceptional reptile diversity. Guided by expert local knowledge, search for and photograph the spectacular Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), alongside rare tortoises and other fascinating endemic wildlife in their natural habitat. Return to Nosy Be for lunch before continuing the afternoon expedition to carefully selected place, where colourful day geckos and a variety of Madagascar’s unique reptiles provide outstanding wildlife photography opportunities on our madagascar herping expedition.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Nosy Be
Day 4 – Nosy Be to
Ankarana After breakfast, depart Nosy Be by boat for Ankify on the mainland before continuing by road to Ankarana National Park via the town of Ambilobe. Along the journey, keep your camera ready, as the route offers excellent opportunities to photograph different colour morphs of the Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), Zonosaurus lizards, and, with a little luck, several species of snakes. The adventure also includes crossing a river by local ferry, adding an authentic touch to this scenic transfer through northern Madagascar’s diverse landscapes.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Ankarana
Days 09 -11 – Sambava to Marojejy National Park
Over three unforgettable days, explore one of Madagascar’s richest rainforests, from lowland valleys to mountain slopes. Your journey begins with a 2-hour drive to the park office, followed by an initial 3-hour trek to reach the first campsite. Right from the start, this scenic walk offers great opportunities to spot birds, snakes, frogs, chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, and unusual insects. Day and night hikes will then maximize your chances to encounter rare wildlife, bamboo lemurs, various Uroplatus species, numerous frog species, multiple snakes, and—with luck—the magnificent Silky Sifaka in one of the island’s most pristine protected areas on this madagascar herping expedition. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight at Marojejy NP Mantella campsite
Day 8 – Daraina to Sambava
Journey through the North while watching the scenery dramatically change along the way. These transitional landscapes and roadside forests provide fantastic opportunities to encounter and photograph birds, iconic reptiles such as chameleons, and day geckos on our madagascar herping expedition. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight in Sambava
Day 5 – Ankarana
After breakfast, discover the spectacular limestone landscape of Ankarana National Park, home to vast caves, dramatic Tsingy formations, and dry deciduous forests. Both day and night hikes on this madagascar herping expedition focus on finding crowned lemurs, geckos, chameleons, snakes, owls, and numerous reptiles perfectly adapted to this unique ecosystem. Enjoy a half-day forest and Tsingy exploration, followed by a 2h night walk.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Ankarana
Day 6 – Ankarana to Daraina
Journey into one of Madagascar’s least-visited wildlife regions. After sunset, venture into the forest in search of rare reptiles, amphibians, and nocturnal mammals in an area celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity and remarkably low visitor numbers. Enjoy a three-hour night walk deep into the forest, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe and photograph some of Madagascar’s rarest and most elusive wildlife in their natural habitat.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Loky-Manambato (Basic accommodation)
Day 7 -Daraina
Dedicate the day to exploring the rich, pristine, and varied habitats of Loky-Manambato. With a flexible pace tuned to peak animal activity, you’ll have optimal time to track, observe, and capture stunning photographs of rare, micro-endemic wildlife in this remote paradise. After a short rest, head back into the forest for a second night walk along a different trail to maximize our chances of spotting new nocturnal species during this madagascar herping expedition.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight in Loky-Manambato (Basic accommodation)
Day 12 -Marojejy drive back to Vohemara
After breakfast, we depart Marojejy and drive back to Vohemar. Revisiting familiar habitats often reveals species missed on the outward journey, as wildlife activity changes with the time of day and weather conditions. Throughout the drive, we remain alert for additional reptiles, birds, and other endemic fauna before reaching Vohemar for the night. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight at Vohemara
Day 13 -Vohémar to Nosy Be
Following breakfast, we leave Vohemar and drive back to Ankify, making the most of our final hours on Madagascar’s mainland. The journey offers one last chance to scan roadside habitats for wildlife and capture any species missed earlier in the madagascar herping expedition. After lunch en route, we cross by speedboat to Nosy Be for our final overnight. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight in Nosy Be
Day 14 -Nosy Be & Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a relaxed morning before your private transfer to the airport. Your madagascar herping expedition concludes with an extraordinary collection of wildlife encounters and photographs from one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots.
Why choose a Northern Madagascar herping expedition?
A Northern Madagascar herping expedition offers an unmatched journey through three distinct ecological zones in a single trip. From searching for secretive reptiles hidden within the dramatic Tsingy limestone and dry deciduous forests of Ankarana, to tracking rare micro-endemic species in the remote dry forests of Loky-Manambato, every location reveals a completely new habitat. The adventure reaches its peak deep within the ancient, misty rainforests of Marojejy National Park—a world-renowned biodiversity hotspot.
Guided by an accredited national wildlife guide, this expedition is built for serious photographers and herpetologists seeking cryptic leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus), rare Panther Chameleons (Furcifer pardalis), endemic frogs, and elusive snakes. With private transportation, park permits, and field logistics fully managed, you can focus entirely on discovering and photographing Madagascar’s rarest wildlife.
Rarest wildlife photographed:
Capture extraordinary and seldom-seen species, from cryptic leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) and brilliant Panther Chameleons to rare micro-endemic frogs, brookesia vadoni and elusive rainforest birds hidden deep within the canopy.
✍️ Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Madagascar Herping Expedition
How do we access the remote wild regions of Northern Madagascar?
The expedition starts with an arrival on the island of Nosy Be, serving as our primary gateway to the North. From there, we navigate mainland coastal tracks, cross rivers by local ferry, and travel via dedicated 4×4 vehicles to access pristine ecosystems—from the dramatic limestone landscapes of Ankarana to the transitional dry forests of Loky-Manambato (Daraina) and the rugged mountain ranges of Marojejy National Park.
What physical fitness level is required for Marojejy National Park?
Marojejy National Park is a pristine, high-elevation rainforest that is physically demanding and a little bit more challenging than other parks. Reaching the deeper camp setups involves trekking uphill over steep, muddy, and humid trails. However, for serious herpetologists and macro-photographers, it is an absolute dream destination. The reward for tackling these rugged trails is unprecedented access to untouched primary habitats housing some of the world’s rarest reptiles, amphibians, and the critically endangered Silky Sifaka.
Why is December to February the ultimate time for a herping expedition in the North?
While Northern Madagascar offers incredible encounters year-round, the warmer, humid months from December to February mark the absolute peak for herpetofauna activity. During this warm wet season, rainforests like Marojejy and the dry habitats of Ankarana come alive. Amphibians and butterflies emerge in massive numbers for breeding displays, cryptic leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) are exceptionally active at night, and endemic chameleons exhibit their most vibrant, striking coloration—offering macro-photographers unmatched, world-class opportunities.
What is included when booking this 14-day expedition package?
This specialist expedition is fully inclusive of field logistics to ensure a seamless adventure. It covers private 4×4 transfers, speedboat crossings, national park permits, experienced local spotters and trackers, full board meals, and all accommodation (ranging from comfortable hotels to wilderness campsite setups in Marojejy). Most importantly, it includes multiple extended day and night hikes specially timed to maximize encounters with secretive nocturnal species.
