Interest list open

Madagascar Wildlife & Lemur Photography Expedition

Dancing sifakas, the indri, the aye-aye and giant baobabs under the Milky Way — Madagascar's endemic wonders in 17 days.

Madagascar
17 days / 16 nights
Flexible field days with day and night forest walks; internal flights and 4x4 road transfers between regions

Join the interest list

An expedition through some of the most singular and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet — lemurs and endemic wildlife, dry deciduous forests, cloud forest, the iconic baobabs and premium experiences designed for nature photographers.

The route crosses Madagascar’s emblematic regions: Berenty in the far south, Kirindy and the Avenue of the Baobabs on the west coast, the eastern cloud forest of Andasibe and the wetlands of Lake Ampitabe (Palmarium / Akanin’ny Nofy), using high-level lodges with privileged access to the photographic sites. The rhythm stays flexible around weather, wildlife activity and light — including night walks and a special Milky Way session among the baobabs on the new moon of 30 September.

Destination: Madagascar
Duration: 17 days / 16 nights
Group size: Maximum 8 travelers
Activity level: Flexible field days with day and night forest walks; internal flights and 4x4 road transfers between regions
Dates: 22 September – 8 October 2027
Price: Pricing available soon

Expedition highlights

Dancing sifakas and ring-tailed lemurs in Berenty's spiny forest
The fossa and nocturnal species in Kirindy's dry forest
Avenue of the Baobabs — sunrise, sunset and a new-moon Milky Way session
The indri's dawn song in the Andasibe rainforest
The elusive aye-aye on a night visit to Aye-Aye Island
Macro photography: chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, frogs and endemic insects

Who this expedition is for

Nature photographers drawn to endemic wildlife — lemurs, chameleons, geckos — and to landscape and night photography among the baobabs. Macro opportunities abound.

The photography experience

Madagascar is several photographic assignments in one, and this itinerary treats it that way. Berenty's spiny forest delivers the island's signature behavior — sifakas crossing open ground and ring-tailed lemur troops in soft morning light — while Kirindy's dry forest is the place to work the fossa and the nocturnal species that follow dusk. The Avenue of the Baobabs is scheduled for sunrise, sunset and, on a new-moon night, a Milky Way session over the trees.

In Andasibe the day begins with the indri's dawn song and continues into rainforest macro — chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos and frogs — with close guidance on lighting and composition at short range. A night outing seeks the aye-aye, one of the strangest portraits in nature. Your leader helps you shift between telephoto, landscape, astro and macro disciplines as the island demands them.

Day by day

Day 1 — Arrival in Antananarivo
Arrival in Antananarivo and official group meeting. Private transfer to the hotel, time to relax and prepare equipment, first dinner together and a general expedition briefing. Night in Antananarivo (Radisson Blu).
Days 2–5 — Berenty Reserve: southern spiny forest
Flight to Fort Dauphin and 4x4 transfer to Berenty Reserve in the island's far south. Three nights exploring this singular spiny forest — home to ring-tailed lemurs, the famous "dancing" Verreaux's sifaka, white-footed sportive lemurs, radiated tortoises and the giant coua — among Alluaudia trees and scattered baobabs, plus a Milky Way session under exceptionally dark skies. Return flight to Antananarivo on day 5.
Days 6–7 — Kirindy Reserve: dry deciduous forest
Flight to Morondava and road transfer to Kirindy Reserve — one of the best places in the world to photograph the fossa, Madagascar's largest predator. Day walks and a night walk in search of nocturnal species: red-fronted brown lemurs, Verreaux's sifaka, the giant jumping rat, pale fork-marked lemurs and the Madagascar nightjar.
Days 8–9 — Morondava: Avenue of the Baobabs
Two nights dedicated to the legendary Grandidier's baobabs: multiple sunrise and sunset sessions along the Avenue of the Baobabs, the Sacred Baobab and the "Baobabs in Love". On 30 September — new moon — a special night session photographing the Milky Way among the baobabs, one of the most anticipated moments of the expedition.
Days 10–12 — Andasibe rainforest
Flight back to Antananarivo and road transfer to Andasibe in the eastern cloud forest. Three nights visiting Andasibe National Park (Analamazotra), the private Vakona reserve and the Peyrieras reptile and amphibian reserve: the indri — the largest living lemur, famous for its song — diademed sifakas, Parson's chameleon, the Madagascar tree boa, and endless macro subjects.
Days 13–16 — Palmarium / Akanin'ny Nofy: Lake Ampitabe
Road transfer to Manambato and private boat along the Pangalanes Canal to Palmarium, on the shore of Lake Ampitabe. Three nights exploring this private reserve — black-and-white ruffed lemurs, brown and crowned lemurs, wildlife from the boat along the canals — including a night visit to Aye-Aye Island to photograph the elusive aye-aye. On 7 October, boat to Tamatave and flight back to Antananarivo for the final night.
Day 17 — Departure from Antananarivo
Private transfer to Ivato International Airport for international flights home.

On the ground

Accommodation

High-level lodges and hotels with privileged access to the photographic zones, including the Radisson Blu in Antananarivo, reserve lodges at Berenty and Kirindy, Morondava, Andasibe and Palmarium. Standard double/twin rooms with private bathroom.

Meals

All meals as specified at each lodge (half board or full board depending on the destination).

Transportation

Private vehicles with English-speaking drivers (fuel included); domestic flights in economy (Tana–Fort Dauphin–Tana, Tana–Morondava–Tana, Toamasina–Tana); private boat transfers on the Pangalanes Canal.

What is included

Included

Private airport reception in Antananarivo and all private transfers (airport / port / hotel)
Private boat transfers: Manambato–Akanin'ny Nofy and Akanin'ny Nofy–Tamatave
Private vehicles with English-speaking drivers, fuel included
Photographic leadership by Álvaro Cubero throughout the expedition
Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms with private bathroom
All meals specified at each lodge (half or full board by destination)
Entrances and local guide fees: Berenty, Kirindy, Peyrieras, Andasibe (Analamazotra), Vakona, Palmarium, Aye-Aye Island and the Royal Palace of Ambohimanga
Domestic flights in economy: Tana–Fort Dauphin–Tana, Tana–Morondava–Tana, Toamasina–Tana
Bottled water during transfers and activities; tourist taxes

Not included

International flights to and from Madagascar
Visa procedures or assistance
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Travel insurance (required)
Personal expenses and laundry
Gratuities for guides and local staff
Any service not listed in the inclusions

International airfare is not included. Travelers arrange and purchase their own international flights; we provide clear arrival guidance for every expedition.

Important considerations

The rhythm stays flexible around weather, wildlife activity and the best light, and includes night walks in search of nocturnal species. The Milky Way session among the baobabs is timed to the new moon of 30 September. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage, is required for all Okapi expeditions.

Your expedition leader

Álvaro Cubero

Co-Founder & Expedition Director · Wildlife Photographer

Álvaro Cubero is a wildlife photographer and expedition leader with more than a decade behind the camera — a Canon EOS Master Ambassador whose photographs have been published in National Geographic and reached the finals of the Smithsonian Photo Contest. He has organized and led photography expeditions and workshops in more than 25 countries across four continents, from the savannas…

Meet the whole team