Tropical Herping’s Madagascar herping and wildlife photography tour is the fourth such field trip offered by our team in the land of the chameleons. It is open to a select group of 2–6 participants who want photograph the incredibly endemic biodiversity of the world’s fourth largest island while learning side-by-side from our team of award-winning wildlife photographers.

Image showing herpetologist Jose Vieira holding an Anolis

Jose Vieira
Tour leader, photo instructor
Herpetologist with more than 10 years of experience leading photographic herping tours.

Image showing tour leader Frank Pichardo walking on a beach

Frank Pichardo
Tour leader, photo instructor
Wildlife photographer with more than 10 years of experience leading Tropical Herping tours.

Tour details

Description: A herping and wildlife photography tour open to a select group of 2–6 participants who want photograph the incredibly biodiversity of the world’s fourth largest island while learning from our team of award-winning wildlife photographers.

Main tour (14 nights): $8,976. $879 in single room.

Dates: June 27, 2026. May 15, 2027.

Group size: 2–6 people.

Day 1Antananarivo
Day 2Andasibe
Days 3–5Akanin’ny Nofy
Days 6–8Andasibe
Day 9Antananarivo
Days 10–12Kirindy
Days 13–15Ranomafana extension
Day 16Departure flights

How to reserve your spot?

  1. Read our cancellation policy below.

  2. Complete the contact form in the next step to let us know about your interests and experience and so we can check availability and give you further information about the tour.

  3. Review and approve the itinerary, invoice, and release of liability form we will send you.

  4. Make payment to confirm your booking.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend the tour, you are welcome to send someone in your place or apply to another Tropical Herping event. Given that we pre-pay all local services months in advance, credit or refund requests are not offered.

Important! Read the rules and recommendations.

What to bring? Check out our suggested packing list.

What is included?

Package based on two people sharing a room.

All meals and accommodation.

All river and road transfers.

Guides and tour leaders.

Domestic airfares.

National park entrance fees.

What is not included?

Additional nights due to flight cancellations.

Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and snacks.

Health/travel insurance.

International airfares.

Laundry.

Photo equipment.

Visa processing fees.

Booking form

Tour description

The tour will start at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, a lush rainforest home to the large Indri lemur, which is known for its distinctively loud song. The park’s rich biodiversity includes most of Madagascar’s iconic rainforest chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, and lemurs. You will then visit the paradisiac Akanin’ny Nofy reserve, which is located on a peninsula in eastern Madagascar, and is famous for its Aye-Ayes, Panther Chameleons, and carnivorous pitcher plants. The third spot will be the Kirindy Mitea National Park, which protects one of Madagascar’s most threatened habitats, the dry deciduous forest, and is considered one of the best places to see the Fossa, the island’s largest carnivore. It is a biodiversity hotspot for mammals, home to eight lemur species, and is also characterized by iconic flora, including three species of baobab trees, which dominate the landscape. Finally, this tour’s extension will take place in Ranomafana National Park, a critical sanctuary of humid rainforest, renowned for its high endemism, which includes at least twelve lemur species and fifteen species of chameleon.

Image of a Tasymena Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis tasymena)
Image of a Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)
Image of a Verreaux’s Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)
Image of a Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca)
Image of a Satanic Leaf-toad Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)
Image of a Giraffe Weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa)
Image of an Oshaughnessy’s Chameleon (Calumma oshaughnessyi)
Image of a Satanic Leaf-toad Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)
Image of a Red Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis pyrrhus)
Image of a Comet Moth (Argema mitrei)
Image of a Two-banded Chameleon (Furcifer balteatus)
Image of a Coquerel’s Sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)
Image of a Green Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis viridis)
Image of a Lesser Hedgehog-Tenrec (Echinops telfairi)
Image of a Graceful Ground-Gecko (Paroedura gracilis)
Image of a Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis)
Image of an Aye Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
Image of a Lowland Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus)
Image of a Fish-caled Gecko (Geckolepis sp)
Image of a Madagascar Tree-Boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis)
Image of an Emerald Jumping Spider (Asemonea ornatissima)
Image of an Antimena Chameleon (Furcifer antimena)
Image of an Indri (Indri indri)
Image of a Brown Mouse-Lemur (Microcebus rufus)
Image of a Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)
Image of a Warty Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis guibei)
Image of a Crowned Lemur (Eulemur coronatus)
Image of a Baron’s Mantella (Mantella baroni)
Image of a Madagascar Reed-Frog (Heterixalus madagascariensis)
Image of a Parson’s Chameleon (Calumma parsonii)
Image of a Madagascar Cone-headed Mantis (Chopardempusa neglecta)
Image of an Elongate Leaf Chameleon (Palleon nasus)
Image of a Madagascar Leaf-nosed Snake (Langaha madagascariensis)
Image of a Lance-nosed Chameleon (Calumma gallus)
Image of a Malagasy Giant Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti)
Image of a Standing’s Day-Gecko (Phelsuma standingi)
Image of a Thiel’s Pygmy-Chameleon (Brookesia thieli)
Image of a Big-nosed Chameleon (Calumma nasutum)
Image of a Black-and-White Ruffed-Lemur (Varecia variegata)

Frequently asked questions

Am I supposed to pay the tour price at once?

You can confirm your booking by making a 50% deposit and pay the remaining balance at least 60 days before departure.

Can I make a reservation for this tour but on 2027?

Yes, you can confirm your booking now by making a 20% deposit and pay the remaining balance at least 60 days before departure.

Does the tour take place during the nights?

The tour includes both diurnal and nocturnal activities.

How do I book my spot?

The first thing you need to do to reserve your spot in this tour is contact us using our booking form. Second, you will need to review and approve the itinerary, invoice, and release of liability we will send you. Finally, you will have to make a deposit to confirm your booking.

Can you get rubber boots for me?

No, we cannot get rubber boots for you in Madagascar. We suggest you purchase them before the tour begins.

Is there any chance to rent a snake hook?

We suggest you bring a collapsible snake hook, since there will be inland flights between some of the localities.

Is there a chance to arrange a private tour?

Yes, most of the tours we offer are private.

Will the tour be cancelled if one or more participants are unable to join?

This tour will run with no less than three participants. If one of two participants makes a reservation and then cancels, it would affect the tour if no payment has been made to lodges, transports, and guides (which usually cannot be refunded).

Which domestic flights should I purchase?

None. Domestic flights are included in the price of the tour.

What herping gear do you recommend?

We recommend that you bring a durable waterproof headlamp, a rain poncho, and a DSLR camera, ideally one with a macro lens and off-camera flash.

What if there is no other participant willing to share a room?

If you are willing to share the room, you do not have to pay the single supplement fee, regardless of whether you end up sharing the room or not.

What is the meeting point on the starting day?

Our team will pick you up at the Ivato International Airport (TNR).

What kind of trouser is needed?

You can bring any durable but lightweight trousers that are easy to dry.

Which vaccination certificates do I need?

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers who are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. While Yellow Fever is the primary required certificate, many other vaccinations are strongly recommended for travel to Madagascar, including: hepatitis B, typhoid fever, diphtheria/tetanus/polio, rabies.

Is there malaria in Madagascar?

Yes, malaria exists throughout the country, with the highest risk typically found in coastal and lowland areas. Travelers are generally advised to take preventative measures, such as taking anti-malaria prophylaxis, using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves/pants, and sleeping under an insecticide-treated net. Please consult your physician regarding which anti-malarial medication will be most suitable for you.

Will the guides catch the animals for the participants to take close-up pictures?

Whenever possible, all photography by participants will be done in-situ. Animals will only be handled if they are the focus of a research or conservation project.

Will there be laundry service, electricity, and wifi at all sites?

Usually there is electricity at all of the lodges we will visit. Wifi is available only around the reception area at some. Laundry service is usually available.

Will you pick us up at the airport upon arrival?

Yes, a member of our team will pick you up at the airport.