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Madagascar Wildlife Conservation Adventure
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Location
The Diego-Suarez region is Madagascar's northernmost province, and the capital Diego, or Antsiranana, meaning 'port' is the gateway to the northern reserves. Antsiranana has one of the world's most beautiful deep-water harbours, and is surrounded by a ring of mountains. The town has a diverse population of about 80,000 Sakalava, Antakarana, French, Arabs, Chinese and Comoriens, decaying colonial architecture, a vibrant market and many crafts workshops.
The Madagascar Lemur & Forest Project is based in the Montagne des Francais, to the south-east of Antsiranana, with good birding and sightings of Sanford's brown lemurs and plenty of smaller Wildlife. The area around Diego Suarez is very dry, virtually a mirror of the sub-desert South, with drought resistant flora including baobabs, aloes and other cactus like plants. General inventory work in this region has yet to be fully conducted so there is significant potential for scientific outputs and region is designated as a conservation priority area. There are also pockets of isolated humid rainforest, including the Montagne d'Ambre National Park, a large area of montane rainforest on a volcanic massif with crowned and Sanford's brown lemurs, Madagascar crested ibis and ground-rollers that may be investigated in later phases.
Weather
Madagascar is a vast island and experiences hugely different weather conditions.
The hot rainy summer runs from December to March when you can expect occasional rain, and temperatures of up to 50°C during the day (although usually between 35° and 40°C) and around 30°C at night, so you will need to bring suncream, shorts and a wide-brimmed hat. Ziplock bags are essential for keeping valuables dry. The rainy season can bring torrential downpours and there is a risk of extreme weather on the coast.