2010 Madagascar Trip

Chris Anderson

Dr. House of Chameleons
There was a lot of discussion about a year ago about getting a group of people together to go on a trip to Madagascar. In the end, the trip did not have enough people to end up happening and the general consensus was that the trip was prohibitively expensive for a lot of people. Obviously a trip to Madagascar is never going to be cheap and it will always prohibit many people from going but I've been itching to get back to Madagascar since my 2001/2002 trip.

Some of our European members have posted photos of their travels to Madagascar over the last few years with Thorsten Negro of Tanalahorizon (www.tanalahorizon.com). Their photos have included some incredible chameleons (Calumma gallus, C. parsonii, Furcifer rhinoceratus, Furcifer sp. nov. "Montagne de Ambre", to name a few). I've been talking with Thorsten for some time now and he seems to have a lot of experience bringing groups into Madagascar and tracking down some really unusual chameleon species. He has also mentioned that he's interested in getting a group together with a bunch of English speaking chameleon enthusiasts.

Thorsten is planning a 3 week trip in April 2010 called the Jurassic Tour. This trip will visit some of the east coast rainforest areas looking for rare chameleons of that area and then travel up the east coast to Tamatave and Masoala/Maroantsetra/Nosy Mangabe to see some of the pardalis of the east coast as well as some other rare and unusual chameleons. This tour is priced at 2200 euros (about $3100) not including airfare. Here is a link to the brief description: http://www.tanalahorizon.com/index.php?id=19&L=1

Obviously any trip to Madagascar is expensive and will prevent a lot of people from going but I wanted to see if there was anyone on the forum who might realistically consider going on the trip? I'm very tempted by it and there are a lot of species in those areas that I would love to see. Would anyone else realistically think about a trip to Madagascar like this?

Chris
 
Megan and I are hoping to do it in 2010 but any trip I go on must include Ranomafana and Fianarantsoa and be about 3 weeks in length. We need to talk....perhaps tonight after I get off work we can chat for a few. The price of Thorsten's trip there sounds very, very tempting though.

Edit: I've been looking at some BEAUTIFUL bungalows for rent in Ankify, Nosy Be, and Antsiranana. Many come with week packages for about $500 that include excursions to Nosy Faly, Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely, etc.
 
Megan and I are hoping to do it in 2010 but any trip I go on must include Ranomafana and Fianarantsoa and be about 3 weeks in length. We need to talk....perhaps tonight after I get off work we can chat for a few. The price of Thorsten's trip there sounds very, very tempting though.

I'd love to hit Ranomafana/Fianarantsoa as well. I didn't make it to either on my last trip. Who knows, perhaps Thorsten would be willing to throw on an optional 3 day addition to the end to hit up those spots or anyone interested could stay a few days longer to go there on their own? The price for his trip does seem very reasonable.

Chris
 
Hey Chris,

I'm glad you brought this up. I've been pricing out trips for a few years now and we may be able to pull something off next year. I'll shoot you a PM with my contact info so we can discuss further.

Thanks,

Luis
 
I've been trying to get over there for some time as well, and am very tempted by this package. An injury I've sustained may prevent it though due to the physical nature of the trip. When would the deadline be for reserving a spot? I looked at the website and couldn't find it.
 
I'm not sure when the deadline to sign up would be but I'll ask Thorsten. He did just let me know that he'd be happy to add a few days at the end to hit up Ranomafana. Its a long drive but lots of different chameleons as well. Thorsten also mentioned specifically that he plans to go to two places where he's seen "special" C. parsonii in the past as well as C. gallus and even possibly C. cucullatum. He's shown me parsonii photos from one of these places before and they are very different-all green and yellow (kind of like a cross between the green giants and yellow giant morphs).

Chris
 
Hey Chris, did he mention what extra it would cost to go to Rano? Air-Mad apparently flies into Fianarantsoa so that might be a possibility vs the 9 hour drive although something tells me the drive might be better.
 
Benny - Its a lot of money but to be honest, it seems to be fairly reasonable and less expensive then many similar tours.

Kent - He didn't say but I imagine the drive would be fun too. Who knows where we could stop on the way. He did mention that with the round trip flights from Paris to Tana, he can get better prices for the group.

Chris
 
I am very interested in going. Chad will possibly not be able to make it but he said if someone goes that he's met and trusts then I can go. He will just be very jealous! :) Chris, do you happen to know exact dates yet? I see on the website it just says april 2010 also. I have one of my very close friends' weddings that month but I suppose she might understand if it does fall during that. :( I guess it'd be worth it though! It looks awesome...I read all about it on the link. Just let us know details as you get them and also when we'd have to pay by. Also, do you know what we'd have to bring? I see that we camp part of the time...is all of that equipment provided?
 
I would be so interested in this trip for educational reasons as well as for chameleons. I have a Bachelors degree from Miami Univ. in Oxford in Botany and love chameleons. :)I just had twins so financially I need to put my money away for them. Therefore, If we can find a sponsor or grant, possibly someone can help a dad out and maybe help me off to further educate myself. Let me know. I know there are people on here w/ deep pockets that need research done. Well consider me, I am deeply motivated and enthusiastic.:)
 
Darci can clean ok, so people in our area or the area of our shows let us know, she can do a little house work to offset the trip cost if you make a contribution. She will also take pictures for you if you buy her a new camera.
 
Yes, agreed we need some fund raising. I want to go so bad, but my wife will kill me if I spend my money. "You have twins to take care of", is what she will say. Hey anyone w/ deep pockets please donate to me. I will take lots of pics and keep a detailed journal of all my studies there. I know someone out there is willing to donate to me. Thanks :p
 
Yes, agreed we need some fund raising. I want to go so bad, but my wife will kill me if I spend my money. "You have twins to take care of", is what she will say. Hey anyone w/ deep pockets please donate to me. I will take lots of pics and keep a detailed journal of all my studies there. I know someone out there is willing to donate to me. Thanks :p

If you find someone send them my way as well
 
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