MadaFieldScientific Dept · Cactus Tours Madagascar

The Full Atlas · Six Biomes

Madagascar research expeditions & field schools.

Compare six field programmes by location, research methods and season: lemur ecology in Ranomafana, bird surveys in Masoala, carnivore tracking in Kirindy, marine research in Andavadoaka, school fieldwork in Nosy Be and community conservation in Fort Dauphin.

Ranomafana Rainforest Field School

MDG-01Eastern Montane Rainforest

Specimen Summary

SPECIES DENSITY: 118 documented taxa

RESEARCH FOCUS: Primatology & Tropical Ecology

ACADEMIC CREDIT: Transcript-supported

COORDINATES: 21.2500° S, 47.4200° E

Ranomafana Rainforest Field School

Track twelve species of lemur through the mist-laden canopy of Madagascar's premier research forest.

18 daysJun – Sep (dry season)Primatology & Tropical Ecology

Andavadoaka Marine Research Expedition

MDG-02Coral Reef & Seagrass

Specimen Summary

SPECIES DENSITY: 240 documented taxa

RESEARCH FOCUS: Marine Biology & Reef Survey

ACADEMIC CREDIT: Transcript-supported

COORDINATES: 22.0700° S, 43.2400° E

Andavadoaka Marine Research Expedition

Survey one of the Indian Ocean's most diverse reef systems alongside the Vezo fishing communities who steward it.

21 daysApr – NovMarine Biology & Reef Survey

Kirindy Carnivore Tracking

MDG-03Dry Deciduous Forest

Specimen Summary

SPECIES DENSITY: 74 documented taxa

RESEARCH FOCUS: Carnivore Ecology & Camera-Trapping

ACADEMIC CREDIT: Transcript-supported

COORDINATES: 20.0670° S, 44.6600° E

Kirindy Carnivore Tracking

Deploy camera-trap grids to study the fosa, Madagascar's apex predator, in the threatened dry forests of Menabe.

15 daysOct – Dec (fosa mating season)Carnivore Ecology & Camera-Trapping

Masoala Avian Phylogenetics Expedition

MDG-04Lowland Rainforest

Specimen Summary

SPECIES DENSITY: 102 documented taxa

RESEARCH FOCUS: Ornithology & Vanga Radiation

ACADEMIC CREDIT: Transcript-supported

COORDINATES: 15.7000° S, 50.2300° E

Masoala Avian Phylogenetics Expedition

Study the extraordinary adaptive radiation of the vangas in Madagascar's largest protected rainforest.

17 daysSep – Dec (breeding season)Ornithology & Vanga Radiation

Nosy Be School Expedition

MDG-05Island Reef & Coastal Forest

Specimen Summary

SPECIES DENSITY: 160 documented taxa

RESEARCH FOCUS: Integrated Field Science (Ages 15–18)

ACADEMIC CREDIT: Curriculum-linked

COORDINATES: 13.3200° S, 48.2600° E

Nosy Be School Expedition

A first expedition purpose-built for school groups: reef, rainforest, and community in two immersive weeks.

14 daysMay – OctIntegrated Field Science (Ages 15–18)

Fort Dauphin Community & Spiny Forest

MDG-06Spiny Forest & Littoral

Specimen Summary

SPECIES DENSITY: 88 documented taxa

RESEARCH FOCUS: Community Development & Conservation

ACADEMIC CREDIT: Transcript-supported

COORDINATES: 25.0300° S, 46.9900° E

Fort Dauphin Community & Spiny Forest

Combine lemur conservation in the unique spiny forest with genuine community development in the deep south.

28 daysYear-roundCommunity Development & Conservation

Madagascar field research & university field schools Study primatology, ornithology, marine biology and conservation with Malagasy researchers. MadaField, the Scientific Department of Cactus Tours Madagascar, designs research expeditions, university field courses and educational tours around your scientific and learning objectives. Academic credit is awarded by the home institution. Research activities depend on appropriate site authorisations; wildlife handling is reserved for licensed and permitted personnel. Expeditions

Ranomafana Rainforest Field School · primatology and tropical ecology

Andavadoaka Marine Research Expedition · reef survey and dive training

Kirindy Carnivore Tracking · fosa camera-trapping and telemetry

Masoala Avian Phylogenetics Expedition · ornithology and the vanga radiation

Nosy Be School Expedition · integrated reef, forest and community, ages 15-18

Fort Dauphin Community & Spiny Forest · conservation and development

Fields of study

Natural History & Wildlife Immersion

Birding & Ornithology

Primatology & Lemur Studies

Botany of Madagascar

Marine Biology & Reef Science

General Biology

Geology & Gemmology

Cultural Immersion

Wildlife Photography

Conservation & Community Development

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