This is an extension of the photo tour Marvelous nature in the kingdom of the lemurs – Madagascar. Read more here…
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
- Two nights of photography, with excellent lighting, of the aye-aye—the world’s largest nocturnal primate—in a private reserve
- Several species of lemurs, as well as fascinating reptiles and other herpetofauna
- The lodge’s private deciduous forest, home to a wide variety of wildlife – including the fearless indri – where you can roam freely
- Great opportunities for astrophotography if the skies are clear
- Photograph unique pitcher plants – carnivorous plants
- Excellent lodge by a large lagoon facing the sea, offering great opportunities for swimming and relaxation
- The tour leader shows you his best sites, and you get opportunities for photographic advice and tips in a small group of like-minded people
No animal in Madagascar is as steeped in legend as the aye-aye. It has long baffled the people of Madagascar and given rise to countless myths, stories, and superstitions. As early as the 1970s, alarm bells were ringing that the aye-aye was on the verge of disappearing entirely from Madagascar’s wildlife due to persecution and deforestation. Later research has shown that it occurs sparsely over much larger parts of the island than previously believed—though very scattered and with a population that is now in decline. Because it is strictly nocturnal and usually shy, the aye-aye is normally difficult to find and approach. It is a truly unique animal, well known from many nature documentaries. It is larger than most people expect and is one of the largest lemur species, as well as the world’s largest nocturnal primate.
In the darkness it looks almost like a troll or a witch, with a pointed head, large elf-like ears, and long black-and-grey-streaked fur topped by a large, bushy tail. Its movements differ from those of other lemurs—more cat-like as it climbs up and down tree trunks. Most striking are its forepaws, or rather hands, with long, curved fingers. The middle finger is exceptionally long and thin, ending in a long, hooked nail. When foraging, the aye-aye taps on decaying tree trunks with its fingers. Using its large ears, it listens for larvae inside the wood, then easily gnaws into the trunk with its sharp, rodent-like incisors. It then inserts its elongated middle finger—like a long, hooked dental instrument—and fishes out the tasty larva. It is, quite literally, the woodpecker of the lemur world.
The aye-aye leaves its nest about 30 minutes before sunset and does not return until dawn. On the small island that forms a private nature reserve, where the animals are protected from poaching, there are about half a dozen individuals, and it is common to see several during the early night. Near our lodge there is a lower deciduous forest where the BBC has filmed many scenes of leaping indris. Because the trees are not particularly tall and the forest is more open than in Andasibe-Mantadia, there are excellent opportunities for fine images of indris. Here, the indri shows a slightly different coloration, with larger grey areas in its fur. In addition, there is the black-and-white ruffed lemur—a species as graphically patterned as a panda.
We are accompanied by local guides and animal trackers. During the trip, we hold photography workshops where Jan goes through techniques and photographic ideas for the coming days’ shooting.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Day 12 of the main tour) (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Today we travel east by bus through a landscape that gradually becomes warmer and more humid. After approximately three hours on the road, we arrive at the small village of Manambato on the shores of a large lagoon. Here we switch from bus to boat, navigating through a vast lagoon system to reach our lodge and the Palmarium and Akanin’ny Nofy reserve. Along the way, terns and herons fish in the wetlands, while local fishermen work with traditional nets, offering plenty of photographic opportunities.
Days 2–3 (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
At sunrise, we head into the lodge’s private forest in search of indri and other lemurs. These mornings offer a chance to explore the area at your own pace and create personal photographic excursions. The forest is alive with chameleons, lizards, frogs, and fascinating insects, all perfect subjects for close-up photography. After breakfast, you have time for individual photography, relaxation, or a swim, followed by a post-lunch group image review. In the late afternoon, we take another guided photo walk, including visits to the carnivorous plants, before heading to Aye-Aye Island for a unique night photography experience. The day concludes with a late dinner.
Day 4 (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast, we leave the area by boat and continue by bus back to the capital, Antananarivo. The journey takes approximately six hours, passing rice terraces, small villages, and scenic ridges. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at our hotel.
Day 5 (Breakfast – Lunch)
After breakfast, we explore Antananarivo, visiting a large handicraft market, offering opportunities for street and cultural photography. After lunch, we transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
Photographic leader
Jan Pedersen, born 1957, is a photographer, author, and world traveler. For over 33 years, he has led nature and wildlife photography trips all around the globe—in every biome from deserts to rainforests. He has guided tours in 55 different countries and worked for several major Swedish travel operators. Jan is a highly respected tour leader, guide, and nature photography instructor. He has produced travel programs and trained many new tour leaders. Ecotourism is very close to his heart.
Since 2014, he has been a member of Naturfotograferna/N (The Swedish Nature Photographers Association) and is an internationally award-winning photographer. In 2015, he won the overall title in the prestigious international photo competition Asferico.
Jan is also a very experienced photography teacher, specializing in nature photography since 2001. He has taught courses in photo clubs, folk high schools, and media programs, running annual courses alongside his teaching.
Jan is one of Swedens most well-published nature book authors. His first book ”I Arabiens öknar” was awarded WWF Sweden’s Panda Book of the Year for children’s books in 2000. His singing book ”Fågelsång” is the all-time top-selling nature book in Sweden. It has sold a total of half a million copies in Sweden, Finland and Norway, as well as having been issued in eight other languages. The sequel ”Vilda djur” was also a success, and was published in Norway and Finland, and in four other European languages. He has also authored popular books such as ”Fågelresor”, ”Mitt I Naturen”, ”Fågelsång runt knuten”, ”Lyssna på djuren”, ”Djur i Världen”, ”Sveriges Fåglar – en fälthandbok för alla”, and ”Fåglar I Sverige och Norden”.
Jan has written numerous articles on animals and nature for daily newspapers and professional journals. He is frequently invited as a speaker for diverse audiences and has also worked as a ranger and guide in Swedish nature reserves.
