Untouched Gondwanaland

For the first time, IMA is delighted to offer this very special tour to the unique Island of Madagascar. Uninhabited by man until just 2000 years ago, the island has been called the ‘lost’ or ‘forgotten’ island. With 80% of Madagascar’s species being endemic, only here is it possible to witness what happens when a large isolated island is left to evolve without big predators for 165 million years. 

Lemurs and Baobabs

Pristine coastal reefs surround the island, and inland a host of protected reserves and rainforests contain amazingly diverse wildlife, from impish ringtailed lemurs and ‘dancing’ sifakas to brightly coloured chameleons, frogs and butterflies.  Madagascar is one of the world’s ten biodiversity hotspots and is home to pachypodium, euphorbia and kalanchoes in its spiny succulent forests. As well as this, the carnivorous pitcher plant and an estimated 900 species of orchid can be found here, including the exotic black orchid.  Six of the world’s eight species of Baobab tree (Adansonias) are endemic to the island.

Incredible Bird Life

Birdlovers will find a superb array in each new habitat, with the beautiful crested coua and impressive helmet vanga to be found amongst the members of six endemic families of birds such as mesites, asities and rollers and more than 70 species of singing birds and parrots.

New Hotels and Specialist Guiding

This twelve day tour visits a cross-section of Madagascar’s varied national reserves in order to offer the best possible introduction to the wildlife, botany and landscapes of this truly unique island.  With comfortable hotels and excellent specialist guiding, this will be an unforgettable holiday for all the right reasons.

Accompanying scholar

Dr Ivan Scales, College lecturer in Human Geography and Fellow, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. Ivan has been involved with research in Madagascar into tropical deforestation and community conservation. He will be ably assisted by local wildlife guides.

Tour Cost