Fossas, Baobabs, Tsingy, the World's smallest primate, Dancing Lemurs and Madagascan Jumping Rats - some of the features of a new hosted trip we will be running 28^th Sept to 5^th Oct, 2022.

Madagascar is famous for its unique natural history and in the western Tropical Dry Forests we have our best chances of seeing the country's apex predator: the Fossa. Whilst it looks something like a puma cat, it is actually related to the mongoose family.

6 out of the World's 9 species of Baobab are found only in Madagascar. These include the largest of all: the Grandidier's Baobab which can measure more than 30 metres in height and 3 metres in diameter.

Tsingy is the Malagasy name for the dramatic limestone karst rock formations, appearing like a forest of razor-sharp shards. These formations can be found in many parts of the world, but few are as extensive as those in the remote Bemaraha region. With more than 500 square miles of tsingy here, we will take you to explore on foot through caves; and above the tsingy on a series of elevated rope bridges.

Of 11 species of primate found in the forests of Bemaraha, the locally endemic Bemaraha Woolly Lemur (Avahi cleesei) was only discovered in 1990. As the Latin name provides a clue, this is also known as Cleese's Woolly Lemur, named after the actor and Fawlty Towers comedian, John Cleese, who has a strong fondness towards lemurs and a commitment to help protect them.

In dry forests south of Bemaraha, we go in search of the World's smallest primate: Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, which weighs in at just 33g and average body length 9cm.  We will also go in search of very beautiful Verreaux's Sifaka, which can sometimes be seen moving at ground level on two legs. Their bounding movement has given them the nick name Dancing Lemurs.

Do not be put off by Madagascar's unique Jumping Rat; they are rather cute, looking a bit like a miniature kangaroo. They hide from boa constrictors by digging tunnels as much as 16 feet below the ground.

This trip will be hosted Aqua-Firma Director & Photographer, Ralph Pannell, who has been exploring Madagascar for more than 25 years. The timing is just before a Lemurs, Golden Frogs & New Rainforest Reserve journey which will be hosted by Ralph & directors of Aqua-Firma's partner wildlife conservation charity in Madagascar; which is then followed by our Whale Shark Research - Islands, Marine Life & Lemurs journey in the far north of Madagascar.

Click HERE for further details.