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Wildlife Tours in 2011

Nick's Tour Diary

MADAGASCAR: A Land Lost in Time

Verreaux's Sifaka leaping Madagascar is a country like no other. Millions of years of isolation have led to the evolution of an array species found nowhere else. Add to this an extraordinary range of habitats and the result is a destination brimming with intrigue and excitement.

Helmet Vanga (Euryceros prevostii) The island’s most famous inhabitants are its lemurs – charming off-shoots of the primate family tree that have lifestyles as diverse as the forests they live in. Elegant white Verreaux’s Sifakas and charismatic Ring-tailed Lemurs make their home in the arid regions of the south, cuddly teddy-bear like Indri and gorgeous Diademed Sifaka live in the lush rain forests and only after dark do tiny Mouse and Dwarf Lemurs emerge from their tree holes and become active. The current scientific register lists nearly 100 species of lemur and on most two to three wee itineraries there's a reasonable chance of seeing more than 20 of these.

Male Parson's Chameleon There are several families of birds unique to the island; Vangas display a variety of beak shapes; Sunbird Asities buzz like hummingbirds and feed on nectar; Couas peck through leaf-litter like pheasants and colourful Ground Rollers haunt the darkest recesses of the forest.

Reptiles too abound - over 60% of the world’s chameleons live nowhere else and the amazing Leaf-tailed Gecko has near-perfect camouflage. Add to this a myriad of colourful tree frogs and multitude of peculiar insects and there is always something to grab your attention.

In summary, Madagascar is intoxicating – a strange and incongruous mixture of wildlife and culture combine to produce a country unlike any other. Memories of the friendly people and unique wildlife will linger and create the overriding experience of an island lost in time.

Nick & Madagascar

Nick with Diademed Sifaka Nick is well-known as a leading authority on the wildlife of Madagascar. He has travelled the length and breadth of the island, visited all the major national parks and reserves and has seen the majority of the island’s lemurs and other mammals in the wild, plus a very high proportion of the other endemic fauna. He has written several books on the island's wildlife, including the highly acclaimed Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide and his enthusiasm for the country and its natural history is infectious.

Natural Selection Gecko Logo 700Madagascar: An Island Apart
23rd October - 9th November 2011

 

Price From 5840 Euros (Ground Only)

Maximum Group Size 10
Current Availability - Please Enquire
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Red Ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra) calling This itinerary has been designed to encompass as much of Madagascar’s variety as is possible, without sacrificing the depth and quality of wildlife watching. We will visit four of the island’s prime sites – Masoala National Park, Kirindy Forest, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and Anjajavy Private Reserve – which between them, encompass mangroves and coastal forests, deciduous forest and lowland and mid-altitude rain forests.

Draceana in rainforest The Masoala Peninsula is the largest remaining tract of lowland rainforest on the island and is home to local specialties like Red Ruffed Lemur and Helmet Vanga. Our delightful rustic lodge is located behind a glorious golden beach, lapped by the crystal waters of the Bay of Antongil and adjacent to beautiful forest with trails leading immediately into this.

Male FosaKirindy in the west, offers perhaps the best chance of seeing the elusive Fosa – Madagascar’s largest carnivore and there are also elegant Verreaux’s Sifakas and numerous birds and reptiles. The journey to Kirindy will also take us through the famous Allé de Baobab a remarkable stand of statuesque giant Grandidier’ Baobabs.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is perhaps Madagascar’s premier rainforest reserve, offering close encounters with numerous lemurs like the Indri and beautiful Diademed Sifaka and an opportunity to glimpse some of the island’s most highly sought after birds.

Coastal deciduous forest Anjajavy, on the inaccessible north-west coast, is a private reserve complex that is as idyllic as it is intriguing. There are fascinating areas of coastal mangroves, limestone outcrops and dry-deciduous forest that support a wealth of wildlife, including endearing Coquerel’s Sifakas, (that are easily seen in the hotel grounds), Brown Lemurs and the rare Madagascar Fish Eagle. In addition the beach-front hotel is an oasis of beauty and tranquillity that prides itself in providing the very best in comfort and enjoyment.

Logo Papyrus Tours Madagascar: The Lemur's Realm
13th November - 1st December 2011

Price £4075
Current Availability - Yes
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Now in its 15th year, this is one of Papyrus Tours most popular and enduring trips. The Lemur's Realm tour combines many of Madagascar's most iconic and accessible locations in a relaxed and efficient way. Making use of comfortable accommodation throughout, this is an ideal itinerary for the first-timer or someone who'd rather avoid some of the more adventurous challenges that Madagascar can sometimes present.

Ring-tailed Lemurs basking

Indri leaping This tour begins in the far north east on the Masoala Peninsula, the island's largest remaining area of lowland rainforest, which is renowned for a varierty of lemurs, unusual birds and a host of reptiles and amphibians. The tour continues by following the course of the island's longest main road, Route Nationale 7, from Antananarivo to Toliara, along the way stopping at Ranomafana, Isalo and Zombitse National Parks - all top wildlife locations that are each dramatically different in character. At Berenty we will then see groups Ring-tailed Lemurs and skipping Verreaux's Sifakas, two of the most recognisable wildlife icons from the island. The final destination is Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, most famous for the Indri, but also home to numerous other lemurs and many birds, reptiles and amphibians.