Photo tour available for booking from October 8th to October 23rd, 2023

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

After completing the visa formalities, you will be picked up at the airport by one of our guides or directly by us. Depending on the arrival time, a hotel transfer and well-deserved rest will be on the agenda, but if time allows, various activities will also be offered. Overnight stay at "Villa Sibylle".

Day 2: From Antananarivo to Andasibe

• Wildlife Photography: Telephoto and Supertelephoto Photography in the Rainforest (Andasibe):

Choosing the right focal length is essential in wildlife photography. It's not always a case of "the longer, the better". We will explore the visual effects of different focal lengths and how they impact the composition and message of the image. How can you manipulate focal length, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using long focal lengths in terms of composition? How to handle telephoto and supertelephoto lenses in the field? We will also discuss different autofocus modes, AF sensors, and shooting modes. Additionally, we will cover light metering in extreme conditions and how to capture series of shots effectively.

Day 3: Lemurs in Andasibe

• Practical Workshop on Wildlife Photography: Telephoto and Super-telephoto Photography in the Rainforest (Andasibe):

During this workshop, participants will apply the knowledge gained from the previous day in the field. The goal is to photograph the various lemur species, especially the largest ones: the Indris, in the morning and forenoon.

• Practical Workshop on Wildlife Photography: Telephoto and Macro Photography at Night in the Rainforest (Andasibe):

Participants will head out in small groups for a night excursion after a brief briefing. The aim is to capture the diverse reptile and amphibian species of the rainforest. Different flash techniques will be demonstrated using examples, offering a fascinating approach to exploring the rainforest.

Day 4: Andasibe-Ankanin’ny Nofy

Embark on a photo adventure at the blue hour by the sea, capturing the vibrant, soft colors of the sunrise against the backdrop of wonderfully calm waters. As the sun sets, we will focus on reflections along the Canal de Pangalanes, setting up our tripods for various perspectives.

• Photo journey on the Canal de Pangalanes (East Coast):

From the river, you'll have a unique perspective of the land and wildlife. Join us on a leisurely photo safari along the Canal des Pangalanes. Whether you have your telephoto lens ready at all times or prefer to relax and observe nature, the canal offers a truly unique experience.

Day 5: Lake Tag

• Practical workshop on landscape photography: capturing sunrises and sunsets by the river and sea (East Coast).
• Night photography to visit the very rare Aye Aye lemurs.

Each day is different, just like each sunrise and sunset. We will use the dreamy lodge and its surroundings for new ideas and play with exposure time and light to create different looks in our photos. We will explore both the coast of the Indian Ocean and the mangroves of the Pangalanes Canal.

• Practical workshop on wildlife photography: telephoto and macro photography in the wildlife reserve (East Coast):

In small groups of 2-6 participants, we will explore the private reserve directly on the canal and have the opportunity to photograph numerous representatives of the Malagasy wildlife, such as lemurs and reptiles. We will refine your shooting techniques and implement interesting photo ideas.

Day 6: Dream Tag – Antananarivo

Long car ride back to Antananarivo.

Together, we will review your best works from the past few days and discuss the results constructively. Constructive criticism is what really helps us improve. What is already going well, what can we work on in the coming days, and most importantly, how?

Solution-oriented approaches will take your photography to the next level, and we will also have time to learn some editing techniques and possibilities together.

Day 7: Antananarivo-Ambalavao

• Landscape photography
• People, markets, daily life
• Rice fields and volcanic landscapes

Antsirabe is located 170km south of Antananarivo. This bustling city is a major economic hub, famous for its pleasant high-altitude climate and healing springs. Founded in the 19th century by Norwegian missionaries, Antsirabe has a more "European" feel compared to other cities in Madagascar, as seen in its magnificent colonial villas and regular urban layout.

In the hotel garden, you can find numerous chameleons hiding in the trees and observe some radiated tortoises on a small island in the middle of the lake.

Stay overnight at the "Chambres du Voyageur" hotel.

Day 8: Antsirabe to Ranomafana

• Photo Review: Landscape and Wildlife Photography (Antsirabe).
• Experience diverse landscapes from the highlands to the rainforest.

Leaving Antsirabe, we continue our journey to the winding roads of Ambositra. The landscape changes once again, with lush trees and vegetation. We pass through tree ferns and a giant waterfall in the rainforest on our way to Ranomafana, where we will stay at the Hotel Grenat.

Day 9: Ranomafana to Ambalavao

Early in the morning, the drive winds up numerous switchbacks to the park entrance: in the morning hours, the various lemur species are most active and the cloud forest then reveals its full magic. Depending on your fitness level and interests, different hiking trails can be undertaken, as there is plenty of time available since the drive to Ambalavao is relatively short.

Afterwards, you drive through many small villages, their colors ranging from red earth tones to bright red against a green backdrop. The landscape is lush green, the rice fields form a mosaic of all possible shades of green reflecting countless ponds. In Fianarantsoa, you visit the photo studio of the world-famous photographer Pierrot Men.

Then the drive continues further south on the well-paved road. Massive granite rocks, increasingly barren red laterite soil, and sparse grasses are visible, the landscape changes dramatically as you reach the pass with the beautiful viewpoint. From there, you can see far down into the valley of Ambalavao, peacefully nestled between the high mountains. The winding road descends into the valley, with vineyards appearing on both sides of the road, surrounded by a truly unique mountain scenery.

Overnight at Tsienimparihy Lodge

Day 10: Anja Park - Isalo

• Wildlife Photography Workshop: Telephoto and Macro Photography in Anja Reserve:
• Mountain Landscapes - Savannas
• Landscape Photography Workshop: Panoramas and Sunset (Anja Reserve)

Explore the Anja Reserve, a foothill of the Andringitra Massif. Search for the Kattas (Ring-tailed lemurs) for telephoto photography, and hunt for Dwarf Chameleons in the leaf litter to practice focus stacking techniques. Practice your skills on succulents ("cacti") on the rock plateaus.

Take in the breathtaking views from the rock plateaus in the Anja Reserve to experiment with landscape photography filters and panoramic techniques. The golden evening sun casting a warm glow on the landscape will make your camera sensors dance with joy.

Enjoy the Isalo Mountains at dusk and spend the night at "Relais de la Reine" in a stunning landscape.

Day 11: Isalo Mountains

Experience the wonders of the Isalo Massif, with its unique granite and sandstone sculptures, as well as its diverse flora and fauna. The Isalo National Park covers a large part of the massif to the north of the RN7. Made up of continental sandstone from the Jurassic period, the park showcases a variety of shapes, colors, and natural sculptures in different areas. Isalo is a vast area spanning almost 82,000 hectares, with an average elevation of 1000 meters.

Amidst the arid and mineral landscape, you'll find beautiful natural pools and waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.

The duration and difficulty of the day hike will be tailored to the participants' abilities. If desired, this pricey park can be easily replaced with a private hike from the lodge, offering the same landscapes to be enjoyed in peace.

Overnight stay at the "La reine d'Isalo" hotel

Day 12: Isalo - Ilakaka - Zombitse - Tulear - Ifaty

After exploring the unique landscape of Isalo National Park, we will travel through savannas and desert landscapes to reach Tulear, a coastal city known for its minimal rainfall. We are almost directly below the Tropic of Capricorn.

Along the way, we can visit sapphire mines in Ilakaka and catch our first glimpse of the towering baobab trees.

Zombitse Vohibasia National Park is also on our route and can be visited upon request. Here, the vegetation of the highlands merges with the peculiar plants of the deep south, with baobabs, kalanchoe, aloes, and euphorbias dominating the flora. The park is renowned for its birdlife, with one species being locally endemic, as well as an array of insects.

We will then continue our journey to Tulear and head north on the dirt road to reach Hotel Belladonna.

Day 13: Ifaty - Baobabs - Thorn Forest

There are numerous attractions on land and in the Mozambique Channel that are worth exploring. The "Reniala Reserve" offers deep insights into the unique flora and fauna of the southern thorn forests, while the "Turtle Village" is home to hundreds of rare turtles of all ages.

The view is breathtakingly beautiful, with the coral reef located 8 km to the west and the sea always calm, shimmering in incredible shades ranging from emerald green to indigo blue. Watching the sunset directly from the dune is an experience in itself.

Not far from the hotel is one of the most important fishing villages in the area, inhabited mainly by the Vezo people who are considered the best sailors. They build colorful pirogues made from balsa and other woods, equipped with sails and outriggers for transporting goods and, above all, fishing. Around 300 of these colorful pirogues set out early every morning and return loaded with tropical fish by late morning.

Overnight stay at the "Bella Donna" hotel

Day 14: Ifaty - Tulear- Antananarivo (Domestic Flight)

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ifaty and drive back to Tulear to the airport. There, we board a plane and fly up to Antananarivo, the capital where the journey began.

If the flight arrives in the morning, we have the opportunity to explore Antananarivo and its surroundings.

If the flight arrives late, we will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Dinner will be served there or at a special restaurant.

Overnight stay at Villa Sibylle

Day 15: Antananarivo and Surroundings

If time allows, there are still plenty of options to enjoy this last day in Madagascar, with the "Lemurs Park" being a particularly attractive choice located 22 km outside of Antananarivo, in case both young and old haven't had enough of the adorable animals. There are also plenty of other sights to see, and your tour guide will be happy to advise you!

Depending on your flight schedule, we will take you to the airport. With Air France, the flight back home is after midnight, so you will appreciate the option of a "Dayuse" at the hotel to relax and prepare for your flight in peace.

Accommodation or Day use at the guesthouse of the "Villa Sibylle."

Tag 16: Return flight