Madagascar Photo Tour

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About the Tour

Madagascar is one of the world’s top destinations for wildlife photography. This exclusive 14-day Madagascar photography tour is designed for passionate and professional photographers looking to capture iconic lemurs, chameleons, geckos, frogs, reptiles, and extraordinary endemic species.

Our Madagascar tour fotográfico offers expert guidance, small groups, and the best opportunities to photograph rare wildlife in pristine habitats. Experience incredible encounters, perfect light, and unique biodiversity while creating a powerful portfolio in Madagascar.

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Date

October 01st–14th, 2027

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Activity level

Medium

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Available spaces

6

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Antananarivo

Upon your arrival at Antananarivo, we will pick you up from the airport to the hotel, where you will spend

one overnight stay.

Accommodation: IC Hotel or similar

Day 2 | Antananarivo – Ambositra

From Antananarivo, we travel through the southern highlands to Antsirabe, where we will have lunch, and

then continue to Ambositra, the capital of woodcarving

Accommodation: Hotel Artisan or similar

Day 3 | Ambositra – Ranomafana

We drive around 170 km from Ambositra to Ranomafana, a rainforest known for its chameleons. Along the

way, we stop for landscape photography and try to look for chameleons.

Accommodation: Hotel de Therme or similar

Day 4 | Ranomafana

After breakfast, we explore the rainforest in search of the golden bamboo lemur, Edwards’ sifaka, orchids,

amphibians, and reptiles, including the rare Satanic leaf-tailed gecko. In the evening, a nocturnal walk

focuses on chameleons and potentially mouse lemurs.

Accommodation: Hotel de Therme or similar

Day 5 | Ranomafana

Today we head back into the rainforest again to find more lemurs and a lots of reptiles and amphibians.

On the way back, we will focus on the Parson’s chameleon which is the largest chameleon in the world.

Accommodation: Hotel de Therme or similar

Day 6 | Ranomafana – Antsirabe

We drive back to the highlands, passing through Ambositra, famous for wood carving, with an optional stop to visit local workshops.

Accommodation: Hotel Voyageur or similar

Day 7 | Antsirabe – Andasibe

We drive approximately 320 km to Andasibe, our second rainforest destination rich in reptiles an amphibians.

Accommodation: Feony Ala or similar

Day 8 | Andasibe

We’ll visit Analamazaotra National Park today, home to the largest lemur in Madagascar, the Indri, and the most beautiful, the diademed sifaka. During our walk, we’ll also see chameleons and, with luck, leaf-tailed geckos.

Accommodation: Feony Ala or similar

Day 9 | Andasibe

Morning excursion to Maromizaha Forest to observe a lot of spieces of reptiles like the leaf tailed gecko (which is one of the higlhight of the reptiles in Madagascar) and rare chameleons such as Calumma roaloko and Calumma malthe.

Return to the hotel for rest, then, in the evening we return back at the same park for a night walk visit for reptiles and colorful frogs like Boophis boehmii.

Accommodation: Feony Ala or similar

Day 10 | Andasibe to Ankanin'ny nofy

After breakfast, we continue towards the east coast. We drive around 150 Km from Andasibe to Manambato where we board on our motorboat. It will take around 1 hour and a half to arrive at our Hotel the “Palmarium reserve” or “Ankanin’ny nofy” which means “the nest of dreams”

Accommodation: Palmarium Hotel

Day 11 | Ankanin'ny nofy

After breakfast, we head into the forest full of lemurs. Here you can indulge in photography at your leisure.

The motifs are numerous and almost always close at hand. In the evening, we take a boat to a small island, where we can find one the most famous lemur in Madagascar, the “Aye-aye”

Accommodation: Palmarium Hotel

Day 12 | Ankanin'ny nofy

Today, after breakfast, we follow a path along the beach to find some beautiful and colorful frogs and we go to a place where we can find the “Nepenthes Madascariensis” or the carnivor plants.

During the after you will have free time to relax before the long trip for the next day.

Accommodation: Palmarium Hotel

Day 13 | Ankanin'ny nofy to Antananarivo

After breakfast we say goodbye to the many lemurs and drive back towards the capital. If we have time, we could go to a souvenirs shop and spice shop before we check in our hotel

Accommodation: IC Hotel or similar

Day 14 | Antananarivo

Today we head to the airport, and it’s time to say goodbye.

Featured sightings

Lemurs

Chameleons

Geckos

Amphibians & Reptiles​

USD 5,600

Included

  • Transfers to and from the airport in Madagascar (arrival and departure).
  • All nights’ accommodation during the tour.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Guide throughout the trip.
  • Driver, vehicles, and fuel.
  • Transport by boat, train, or ferry.
  • Entrance fees to planned destinations, protected areas, and national parks.
  • Local guides in national parks, reserves, and other protected areas.
  • Port fees (for island crossings).
  • Travel insurance policy by R&V insurance company.
  • Single supplement: +USD 800

Not included

  • Long-haul international flights and domestic flights.
  • Drinks and water.
  • Personal hotel expenses (e.g., laundry service).
  • Tips.
  • Individual excursions not included in the itinerary.
  • Travel insurance (international health, accident, luggage, repatriation, trip cancellation).

General tips

To enhance your experience, it’s important to keep in mind some key factors that will make your stay in Madagascar smoother:

  • If you enjoy bringing souvenirs back home, we advise carrying extra cash to purchase items in the various localities we will visit (the local currency is the Malagasy ariary). We recommend exchanging approximately 1,600,000 MGA (around 400 EUR) on the first day at the hotel. In Madagascar, except in Palmarium, credit cards are not accepted.
  • Mosquito repellent (essential due to the presence of insects).
  • Sunscreen.
  • Long-sleeved clothing and a buff to protect yourself from the sun and insects.
  • Hat or cap.
  • Flashlight (preferably head-mounted) for night walks.
  • Cloth bag for wet or dirty clothes.
  • Water bottle for drinking water, as staying hydrated is key.
  • Comfortable and sturdy trekking shoes, ideal for uneven trails and varied terrains.

Photographic equipment

As photographers, we know how challenging it can be to decide how much gear to bring, as we always want to pack everything to make the most of the experience. Below are our recommendations for the type of equipment to bring:

  • Wide-angle lens (24-70 range).
  • Zoom lens, 200-600 mm range.
  • Rain cover for your equipment.
  • Tripod.
  • Flashes and macro equipment.
  • Extra batteries and memory cards.
  • Battery charger.
  • Cleaning kit.
  • Plug adapter if using international chargers.

Clothing

October to December is an ideal time to visit Madagascar, as it still falls within the dry season, with mostly warm and pleasant weather. Rainfall is rare during this time, though temperatures may rise toward the end of the period.

During the day, wear lightweight and breathable clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, to protect yourself from the sun and insects. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and trekking boots are essential, especially if you plan to explore trails or natural areas.

For mornings and evenings, which can be cool in some regions, bring a light jacket or sweater. Although rain is uncommon, a lightweight raincoat may be useful for unexpected weather changes. Opt for neutral colors to avoid disturbing wildlife, and dress in layers to adapt easily to temperature fluctuations.

Important: Bring sunscreen.

Jaime Culebra

tour leader

He is a conservation researcher and photographer from Spain. Holding two master’s degrees in Conservation and Environmental Education, he is the co-founder of Photo Wildlife Tours, an ecotourism company that promotes and organizes nature and research trips in various countries.

Throughout his career, Jaime has led numerous scientific expeditions, publishing dozens of articles on conservation, ecology, biogeography, species rediscovery, systematics, and taxonomy. He has described 14 new species of amphibians, significantly contributing to global biodiversity knowledge.

With a deep interest in social and environmental justice, Jaime focuses his photography on endangered species and ecosystems. His work has been featured in prestigious publications such as National Geographic and BBC Wildlife Magazine. He has also delivered workshops and lectures in several countries.

Do you need more information?

"One amazing experience, Jaime and Daniel are exceptional teachers, they take care of all details and make the time so enjoyable. 
I was travel from another country and even when was my responsibility before the workshop all the logistic, Daniel took care of recommendations and all information worthy for the staying. 
They create this immediate atmosphere of friendship that I appreciate a lot. 
The places they choose where to show us, are awesome, the people they work with stick to their mission of conservation, teaching and sustainable development. 
I can’t wait to take another adventure with them."
Ana Loáiciga Costa Rica
"I first met Jaime when he guided my group in the Amazon in 2015. The experience and the amount we learned was phenomenal. Jaime’s knowledge and enthusiasm when it comes to conservation shows in every part of the experience. He is able to display the perfect balance between education and adventure. I would recommend his services and I hope to be able to experience his unique way of showing you South America again."
Blake Freeman Canada
"While co-leading a personalized trip to Yasuni, Jaime was extremely friendly and enthusiastic, enhancing the trip with his attitude almost as much as by all the snakes (and occasional caimans) he found for me, despite less than ideal weather. We’ve remained friends for the three years, and I’m keen to join Jaime on future adventures and take even more advantage of his knowledge of Ecuador’s species and his skills as a photography teacher, as the Yasuni trip allowed me to take some of the best reptile and amphibian photos I’d obtained in over a decade as both a herpetologist and a photographer."
Phil Bowles England
"Jaime you were the best field guide we could ever have asked for and you made the experience very memorable, comedic and insightful. We learned many things about the reptiles and amphibians of the jungle. You were great!!
"
Gioby Suero USA
"Photo wildlife tours transformed my trip to Ecuador from a cool trip to an unforgettable photography experience. I spent my first few days in Ecuador with various other tour guides and companies, and while I got good pictures with them, it was not until meant Daniel for my photo wildlife tour that I realized how incredible his tours were. I was able to get up close and personal with birds and other animals in ways that I could have only dreamed of previously. I was no longer shooting through tree canopy’s for washed out pictures of birds, instead I was taking the most gorgeous pictures I have taken in my entire life! The accommodations were well above my expectations, and the food was fantastic! I do not think I will ever book a photography trip with any other company if possible. Daniel not only helped me improve my wildlife photography technique, but he spotted for me so I never missed a shot, and helped me gain a better understanding of how to capture the best pictures possible. I cannot recommend his tours enough. He was able to tailor my experience to exactly what I wanted out of my time in Ecuador."
David Baydush USA
"Daniel from Photo Wildlife Tours plans the perfect trips, with incredible attention to detail offering the best services available. Searching for the top local guides for maximizing the opportunities of great photos, as well as offering the best lodging and meal options. The trip couldn’t have been better, if you’re an avid photographer searching for intense days packed with activity this is your best choice (bring plenty of storage 😂)"
Lior Berman Costa Rica
"Amazing with amazing people. I love this trip, everything was wonderful."
Sebastian Valverde Ecuador
"Very enjoyable trip photographing stunning birds in Colombia. Our guide Daniel was superb. He made great efforts to get me in the right place to get the pictures I wanted. He 'focussed' on me, not his own photography.He was also very helpful with my wife who is not a photographer. I am sure that I will travel with him again. 5star!"
Philip Marazzi UK
"This trip was amazing. So much wildlife and a extremely knowledgeable and fun loving guide! Can't wait to book our next tour with Jaime!"
Matthew Kirby USA
"I had a good time. The lodging was great as well as all of the food provided. Javier was knowledgeable and very helpful. He was able to provide us with plenty of locations to photograph a great number of birds. I would recommend this trip for anyone interested in bird photography."
Ona G USA
"We were very happy to work with Carlos as our guide. He is a highly competent guide and adapted to our needs, helping us get the best possible photos. We truly appreciate his willingness to adjust the plan to suit us, and I would certainly be happy to work with him again. The driver, Louis, is excellent — he prioritizes safety and drives very carefully on difficult roads. We never had any incidents. Carlos and Louis make a great team, and we had a lot of fun at the end of the day."
Teng Ma China
"Overall it was a great trip and we all got some great photos at the end and also learnt a lot from the trip, that will make our next trip better."
Junan Chen USA
"Very knowledgeable tour guide and great driver too. We saw everything we wanted including watching the condors from above which was awesome."
Xu Liqing USA
"Overall, the tour met the stated goals of finding and photographing birds, reptiles, and mammals in Ecuador. Our guide, Daniel, is an expert on Ecuadorian wildlife and knew the answers to any questions we asked. He is also very knowledgeable about the photographic aspect of the tour, including equipment, setup, and preparing guests for animal behavior, angles, and settings to achieve the best shots. My main desire was to create beautiful images, not just documentary photos, and Daniel proved to be an excellent teacher with great personal talent. He is also a very nice person with a great personality, sense of humor, and deep knowledge of his subjects. Safety was always paramount throughout the tour, whether photographing a viper or standing on a cliff to photograph the condor. Daniel did an excellent job tying together all the elements of a great photographic wildlife tour, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a wildlife photography adventure in Ecuador."
Carl Waxman USA
"If it is a very memorable trip to shoot birds in Ecuador, I hope the next arrangement will be better! The bird guide Carlos is very professional and patient, thank you very much!"
Yuying Zhu China
"Very knowledgeable tour guide and great driver too. We saw everything we wanted including watching the condors from above which was awesome."
Wang Jun China
"Sebas really taught me a lot about photographing animals. It was very obvious from the beginning that he knew he wanted me to get better at shooting in full manual mode and he was very good at explaining the different aspects of photography. As a teacher myself I was very impressed with how he didn’t just tell me what to do to improve my photos, he guided me to figure it out for myself how to get more impressive photos."
Bert Austin UK
"I was on a 12 nights herping tour with herpetologist Jaime Culebras. I enjoyed every single part of the trip. Ecuador is an amazing biodiverse country. Jaime was a very respectful guide for both me and all the reptiles and amphibians we found. The food was so tasty. I visited Yasuni NP, Mindo and Canandé Reserve - all of this places were beyond my expectations. After that tour I can highly recommend Photo Wildlife Tours. I booked a new tour already. Can‘t wait to go…"
Daniel Doll Germany
"I traveled to Ecuador and saw more birds than I expected with photowildlifetours and Diche Mideros. Highly recommended."
Lenny Ferguson USA
"I had a wonderful photography tour to Chile and Brazil organized by Photo Wildlife Tours, led by Daniel Mideros. Every aspect of the trip was very thoughtfully planned and executed to optimize my time there. Daniel worked extra hard to ensure that I got the best sighting and great photographic opportunities. He also gives immense support on the field on both technical side of photography as well as post processing and presentation. I got a lot out of this tour, which will help me in my own journey of photography."
Kriti Waila Dubái