1. •
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Mahajanga
Andasibe–Mantadia
National Park
Ranomafana
National Park
Ankarafantsika
National Park
Indian Ocean
Mozambique
Channel
Fianarantsoa
MADAGASCAR
Antananarivo
International Council of Advisors
Expedition to Madagascar
September 15–25, 2015
Join wildlife biologist and
National Geographic Emerging
Explorer Luke Dollar on an
expedition to Madagascar, where
Society–sponsored research
projects to help preserve the
island’s extraordinary biodiversity
are underway. Thanks to
Madagascar’s natural isolation
from the mainland, roughly 90
percent of its plant and animal
species, including the celebrated
lemurs, are endemic. Luke Dollar,
who has spent more than two
decades doing fieldwork on
the island, will accompany the
entire expedition, providing
insights into Madagascar’s
rich and varied wildlife as well
as threats to its future.
Itinerary–11 Days
U.S./ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR
September 15 and 16. Depart the U.S.
independently on an overnight flight
to Madagascar. Upon arrival, transfer
to our hotel and join Luke Dollar for a
welcome dinner in the colorful capital of
Antananarivo. Hôtel Tamboho (D)
ANDASIBE–MANTADIA NATIONAL PARK
September 17 and 18. Explore Andasibe−
Mantadia National Park, a dense rain
forest that is home to the endangered
indri, the largest species of lemur.Track
the indri on a morning walk with local
naturalists and listen for the lemurs’ eerie
calls resonating in the canopy overhead.
Discover abundant wildlife among the
thick vegetation and, later, spot nocturnal
creatures on a night walk.The forest holds
more than 100 types of birds, a wide
variety of wild orchids, and more than 50
species of reptiles, including the largest
chameleons on the island, and other
species no bigger than your pinky.
Andasibe Hôtel (B, L, D)
RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
September 19 and 20. Return to
Antananarivo and take a local flight
to Fianarantsoa. Continue overland to
Ranomafana National Park, a rain forest
Ring-tailed lemur, Madagascar

2. Wildlife biologist and
National Geographic
Emerging Explorer
Luke Dollar first went
to Madagascar as an
undergraduate field
assistant in 1994, and
went on to conduct
research there for more than two decades
on the island’s fossas—catlike nocturnal
mammals—and the lemurs on which
they prey.The rate of habitat loss he
witnessed convinced him that scientists
must find effective ways to inform
and influence public policy. Luke now
manages the Society’s Big Cats Initiative.
National Geographic Expert
of critical interest to international
conservation scientists for its rich
biodiversity. As we explore the park,
keep an eye out for rare bird species
such as the brown mesite, Henst’s
goshawk, and the yellow-bellied
sunbird-asity, as well as 12 species of
lemurs, including the golden bamboo
lemur. Dine at the new Centre ValBio,
a cutting-edge research station,
and discuss current research and
community-based projects with Luke.
Centrest Séjour (B, L, D)
MAHAJANGA
September 21 and 22. Return to
Fianarantsoa and take a local flight to
Mahajanga. Explore the vibrant town
on a stroll down the esplanade lined
with coconut palms. Visit the ongoing
excavation site of the Mahajanga Basin
Project, where renowned paleontologist
and many-time National Geographic
grantee David Krause discovered
dinosaur and other vertebrate fossils
that helped shed light on the timeline
of Madagascar’s split from the
supercontinent of Gondwana. Meet
with one of David’s colleagues for
an in-depth look at the findings at
Mahajanga and ongoing community-
based projects.The next day, drive to
Chameleon, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Bamboo Lemur, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
For more information or to reserve
your place, please call Masha Levin
at 1-800-224-1894.
EXPEDITION COST: $15,350
Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room,
add $1,325. Airfare is not included in the expedition cost.
Ankarafantsika National Park, where
Luke has based much of his research on
the elusive fossa, a catlike predator found
only in Madagascar. In the afternoon, pay
a visit to a tortoise breeding area. Karibu
Lodge (B, L, D)
ANTANANARIVO
September 23. Return by local flight to
Antananarivo. Visit the market to browse
a broad and colorful array of local crafts,
or enjoy free time to explore on your own.
This evening gather for cocktails and a
farewell dinner with fellow travelers. Hotel
Tamboho (B, L, D)
ANTANANARIVO/U.S.
September 24 and 25. After breakfast,
transfer to the airport for your overnight
flights home, arriving the next day. (B)
Ploughshare tortoise, Madagascar