Diverse Madagascar with Durrell

Wednesday 23^rd September 2009

Reef and Rainforest Tours is delighted to offer this much sought-after escorted small group itinerary taking in four highly contrasting areas of this unique island expertly led by Quentin Bloxam of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and local Malagasy guides.

The tour takes in the strange spiny and riverine forests of Ifotaka inhabited by ring-tailed lemurs, ‘dancing’ Verreauxs sifakas and other wildlife associated with this dry environment, as well as the rare chance to join a local gathering of the Antandroy tribal community, an important weekly event in their culture complete with wrestling!

Also visited is the exceptional tropical dry deciduous forest of Ankarafantsika (aka Ampijoroa), with its endemic populations of lemurs, birds and reptiles. Sacred crocodiles inhabit the lake, and there will be a chance to see the very rare Madagascar Fish Eagle with its haunting call as well as visit Durrell’s Angonoka Project to protect the Ploughshare tortoise, thought to be one of the ten most endangered animals in the world.

Then you would travel north to visit Montagne d’Ambre National Park – a world of primary rainforest and waterfalls amidst an arid plain. This is home to many lemurs, the northern ring tailed mongoose and many species of chameleons, brightly coloured day geckos and birds.

Finally, you would enjoy Ankarana Special Reserve, where you would explore this area of tsingy – a strangely eroded karst limestone landscape containing caves, sunken dry deciduous forests and many lemurs and other species such as the incredibly camouflaged leaf tailed gecko.

A veritable cornucopia of wildlife awaits the fortunate group members for Quentin’s 2009 escapade. We know you will have a great journey.

To find out more details about the trip, please click here.