Embark on an unforgettable 14-day photography tour through Madagascar, a land of surreal beauty and astonishing biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth. From the bustling capital of Antananarivo to the misty rainforests of Andasibe, you’ll have the chance to photograph an extraordinary array of endemic wildlife—like the hauntingly beautiful Indri lemur, colorful panther chameleons, and jewel-like frogs. Nocturnal walks in the Mitsinjo Forest and boat excursions in Akanin’ny Nofy reveal the secret lives of creatures like the elusive Aye-Aye, while visits to reserves and lemur islands offer rare close-up encounters with species such as the diademed sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemur, and the comically curious red-bellied lemur.
As you journey south through the island’s ever-changing landscapes, from the cool highlands of Antsirabe to the lush rainforests of Ranomafana and the dramatic sandstone canyons of Isalo, your lens will capture some of Madagascar’s most iconic species. Trek through Ranomafana National Park to photograph golden bamboo lemurs and endemic birds like the Madagascar paradise flycatcher. In Anja Reserve, watch as ring-tailed lemurs leap across granite outcrops, and in the south, explore spiny forests dotted with towering baobabs and succulents that host rare reptiles and birds. With expert guidance, breathtaking scenery, and wildlife found nowhere else, this tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime visual odyssey into the wild heart of Madagascar!
About your leader…
Karine Aigner is an award-winning visual journalist whose work focuses on the delicate relationship between nature and the human world. A self-taught photographer who spent almost a decade as a picture editor at National Geographic, Karine is only the 5th woman ever to win the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award–a testament to her unparalleled talent and dedication to her craft.
Aigner’s life reads like a set of novellas. Raised in Saudi Arabia, Karine motorcycled through Vietnam, circumnavigated the globe by ship, taught English in Taiwan, and then there was the time the hyena pups chewed her shoes (while on her feet!). On her first trip to Africa, she fell in love with a continent. From one chapter to the next, her adventures uncover her fervor to tell the stories of life through the lens of a camera; her passion became the stories of the animals: their relationships to humans, their relationships to their own world, and their existence in the space between the two.
As a conservation photographer, Karine’s work serves as a powerful conduit for change. Her images not only captivate audiences but also inspire action, igniting conversations about our collective responsibility to protect the planet. In addition to her photography, Karine is a passionate educator, sharing her expertise through workshops, tours, and speaking engagements around the globe. Karine is an associate fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and a member of Girls Who Click (a non-profit organization offering free photographic workshops to inspire teen girls that they too can have careers as a wildlife photographer). Karine’s work has graced the pages of National Geographic Magazine, the New York Times, Audubon Magazine, the Washington Post, WWF Magazine, The Nature Conservancy and numerous other esteemed publications. Aigner invites us to pause, reflect, and reevaluate our relationship with the planet we live on; her lens is not just a window into nature—it’s a call to action to pay attention to what we have to lose.
OCT. 22ND – NOV. 4TH
Day 1 (Oct. 22nd): Antananarivo
Welcome to Madagascar! Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Overnight: Palissandre Hotel or similar
Day 2 (Oct. 23rd): Antananarivo to Andasibe ( 5 hours)
Journey through rice fields and waterfalls to the lush forests of Andasibe. En route, visit the Marozevo Reptile Park to see vibrant chameleons and frogs. Conclude your day with a nocturnal wildlife tour in the Mitsinjo Forest.
Overnight: Vakona Forest Lodge or similar
Day 3 (Oct. 24th): Exploring Andasibe
Enjoy a guided morning walk through Analamazaotra Park, home to the Indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur with an unforgettable call. Visit Vakona Lemur Island for close-up encounters and stunning photos.
Overnight: Vakona Forest Lodge or similar
Day 4 (Oct. 25th): Andasibe to Akanin’ny Nofy (14-hour drive + 2-hour boat ride)
Travel to Manambato and take a serene boat ride to the dreamy “Nest of Dreams” on Lake Ampitabe.
Overnight: Palmarium Hotel or similar
Day 5 (Oct. 26th): Discover Akanin’ny Nofy
Explore the Palmarium Reserve, home to diverse lemurs, and embark on a nocturnal boat excursion to spot the elusive Aye-Aye.
Overnight: Palmarium Hotel or similar
Day 6 ( Oct. 27th): Return to Antananarivo
Head back to the capital via boat and car, soaking in the landscapes along the way.
Overnight: Palissandre Hotel or similar
Day 7 (Oct. 28th) : Antananarivo to Antsirabe
Explore the Queen’s Palace and a private lemur park before heading to Antsirabe through scenic highlands.
Overnight: Arotel Hotel or similar
Day 8 (Oct. 29th): Antsirabe to Ranomafana
Stop at Ambositra for wood-carving workshops before arriving at Ranomafana, where a night time walk reveals Madagascar’s nocturnal wonders.
Overnight: Thermal Hotel or similar
Day 9 (Oct. 30th): Ranomafana National Park
Trek through mountain rainforests to discover rare lemurs, exotic plants, and vibrant birds. Visit the Valbio Research Center.
Overnight: Thermal Hotel or similar
Day 10 (Oct. 31st): Ranomafana to Isalo (355 km, 7-8 hours)
Visit a zebu market and stop at Anja Reserve to photograph playful ring-tailed lemurs.
Overnight: Relais de la Reine Hotel or similar
Day 11 (N0v. 1st): Isalo National Park
Hike through stunning sandstone formations, swim in natural pools, and enjoy a golden sunset at the “Window of Isalo.”
Overnight: Relais de la Reine Hotel or similar
Day 12 (Nov. 2nd): Isalo to Tulear (4-5 hours)
Drive through cactus forests and baobab-studded landscapes. Visit the Antsokay Arboretum for a final botanical treat.
Overnight: Victory Hotel or similar
Day 13 (Nov. 3rd): Tulear to Antananarivo
Fly back to the capital and enjoy your last evening in Madagascar.
Overnight: Palissandre Hotel or similar
Day 14 (Nov. 4th): Departure
Transfer to the airport for your journey home.
OCT. 22ND – NOV. 4TH
Cancellations are only effective upon WIWP receiving a written cancellation notification, signed by the client. Deposits and payments are used to secure and pay for the client’s accommodations, transportation, guides, internal flights and all aspects of the client’s trip and are non-refundable.
We understand that conflicts arise, so if you need to cancel and if WIWP fills your spot at full price prior to the due date of the final payment, a refund, less a 20% administration fee and
less any non-refundable air tickets purchased, single supplement, etc. may be issued; however, there are no guarantees. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance, in most cases this will be your only opportunity to recoup non-refundable fees.
In the event a client fails to join a safari/tour/workshop, join it after departure or leave it prior to its completion, no tour fare refund will be made. Some airfare may be non-refundable and WIWP is not responsible for providing a refund for any penalties or non-refundable airfare. There will be no refunds from WIWP for any unused portions of the tour. The above policy applies to all travel arrangements made via WIWP.
CHANGE IN TOUR/WORKSHOP:
WIWP will make every attempt to operate a safari/tour/workshop once confirmed, but will reserve the right to cancel and/or change a trip at our sole, reasonable discretion at any time due to insufficient bookings, unsafe or undesirable travel conditions for the participants and/or reasons beyond its control, such as: strikes, wars, acts of God, acts of government, civil unrest or any other cause whatsoever, that may make operation of the tour impossible, illegal, or inadvisable.
In the event that WIWP changes or postpones the date(s) or itinerary of any safari/tour/workshop due to any reason set forth above, then no refund shall be due to the client.
In the event that WIWP cancels the tour, then all tour payments received from the client shall be refunded, and said refund will be the limit of WIWP’s liability. WIWP is not responsible for any expenses incurred by clients in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other tour-related expenses.