About the trip
Start off your photographic journey with a five-day pre-trip extension to view the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs in western Madagascar, where 100-foot-tall trees characterize this stunning landscape. Plus, enjoy additional photo opportunities at Kirindy Reserve (where the diverse flora and fauna includes the endemic fossa), the fishing village of Betania, and the spice and handicraft market in Antananarivo.
Meet your leader
Todd Gustafson
Todd Gustafson is a professional nature photographer and founder of Gustafson Photo Safari. Todd grew up in Tanzania and has won numerous photography awards. His work has been featured in many international publications and museum exhibits, including a display in a permanent exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History, publications by the United Nations, and product guides for NIKON Corporation, where he works as a clinician/teacher. Todd is also a highly accomplished trumpet player and has degrees in music education and trumpet performance.
What makes us different
Wildlife up-close
Service anytime
We know what photographers need
Designed for photographers
Hands-on instruction
Expert guides
Daily Itinerary
Print ItineraryIn flight
Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Morondava
Morondava
Morondava
Antananarivo
Pricing
Print PricingWhat's Included
What's Not Included
Pricing Details
A $1000 per person deposit and enrollment form is due to hold your space on this trip. This deposit is not refundable.
Please note: Your participation as a traveler indicates acceptance of Holbrook Travel’s Covid-19 protocols in place at time of travel.
Holbrook Travel includes post-departure emergency and evacuation Travel Protection for all participants. We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation insurance or Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage at an additional cost. We offer a discounted Optional Plan to upgrade to include Trip Cancellation/Interruption or CFAR coverage. If you plan to purchase CFAR, please note it must be purchased within 14 days of your initial deposit. Coverage may vary and not all coverage is available in every jurisdiction. For more information on pricing and coverage, see our Group Travel Protection Plan.
Final payment due date: February 10, 2022
Travel Info
Print Travel InfoEntry & Exit Requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport to enter Madagascar. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure and contain at least 3 blank pages. If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Embassy of Madagascar for the requirements based on your nationality.
A visa is required for U.S. citizens to enter into Madagascar and may be obtained upon arrival. The cost for a single-entry, short-term visa is 35 Euro (approximately USD $37) and must be paid in cash (U.S. dollars accepted). Visas for more than 90 days must be arranged in advance at any Madagascan embassy or consulate.
Health Information
IMMUNIZATIONS
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.
There are no vaccinations required for entry into Madagascar unless you have traveled to an area where yellow fever is endemic within the last six months, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required.
Some physicians recommend that travelers get hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines before visiting Madagascar.
Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
MALARIA
The CDC warns that travelers to Madagascar may be at risk for exposure to malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. Prevention is twofold: the use of anti-malarial drugs and the prevention of insect bites. If you choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your physician for a prescription.
SUN EXPOSURE
The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.
Resources
Print ResourcesFrom your leader
Packing Recommendations
Everyone has personal preferences when it comes to packing; for this reason, the information below is offered as a general guide and not a definitive list. You know yourself best: Use your discretion and pack what you think will serve you, based on your personal preferences and specific itinerary.
You can find many of the items below in our Gear Store.
CAMERA GEAR
- (2) D4 Chargers - extra battery card reader
- (4) QXD cards
- 600 mm and 200-400 mm camera lenses
- Hyperdrive and cord
- Camera cleaning kit: lens pen, micro cloth, lens cleaning solution, micro tools
- TB backup drive
- Laptop, power cord, mouse and link, and batteries
- (4) 16GB compact flash cards
- (8) AAA rechargeable batteries
- (8) AA rechargeable batteries
- AA battery charger 110-220 volts
- Todd-plug or U.S. powerstrip,
- Power adapters and converters
- Calumet Powerblock 900, plug and cord
- Off-camera flash cord
- (2) Better Beamers
- SB800X Flash - (4) AA
- Flash arm
- Gitzo tripod and Wimberly tripod head
- Sony Video, batteries, charger, SD cards
CLOTHING
Bring enough clothing suitable for the length of your program. If you prefer to pack light, note that many hotels offer laundry services (at additional cost). If you plan to hand-wash items, remember that humidity may delay drying time.
Pack clothing that can be worn in layers to adapt to weather changes throughout the day. Clothing that wicks away moisture and dries quickly is recommended.
- A combination of short-sleeved and lightweight, long-sleeved shirts for sun and mosquito protection
- Shorts
- Lightweight, quick-drying long pants for sun and mosquito protection; jeans tend to be uncomfortable in hot and humid conditions, but are fine in the cooler highlands.
- Undergarments
- Sleepwear
- Lightweight jacket or sweater/sweatshirt (or heavier weight if visiting high-elevation areas)
- 1-2 bathing suit(s) for the beach, if applicable, plus many hotels have pools
- Socks – Bring extra pairs.
- Shoes – Consider your specific itinerary when choosing footwear. For most programs, you’ll likely want at least one pair of comfortable, closed-toe walking or hiking shoes suitable for forest hikes and walking over cobblestones or other uneven terrain. Sturdier hiking boots may be appropriate for more rugged itineraries. In addition, many participants opt for a pair of sturdy sport-strap sandals (e.g. Keens, Tevas, or similar) and/or casual flip-flops or sandals. If you’re visiting the beach, you may also want a pair of aqua socks, reef walkers, or water shoes.
- Lightweight rain jacket, hooded poncho, and/or windbreaker
- Visor or wide-brimmed sun hat
- Bandana, scarf, or Buff-style headwear
Personal Toiletries
Pack toiletries based on your personal preferences and habits.
- Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant/antiperspirant , etc. – If possible, avoid strong fragrances if you are sensitive to insect bites.
- Soap and washcloth or a small, quick-drying microfiber towel – Washcloths are not standard in all hotels. If you normally use a washcloth, you may wish to bring one from home.
- Hairbrush, comb, hair ties, shower cap.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Razor
- Ear plugs, especially if you are a light sleeper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin (see note below about treating clothing with permethrin)
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF – If you’ll be in the ocean, we recommend reef-safe sunscreen.
- Aloe vera gel
- A travel pack of tissues – also useful as napkins or toilet paper if needed
In addition to your personal toiletries, it is useful to pack a small medical kit, which you can easily prepare. Helpful items might include: bandages, antihistamine, a pain reliever, motion sickness and/or altitude sickness medication (if you are prone to either), anti-diarrhea medicine, individually wrapped pre-moistened towelettes and/or hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, anti-fungal cream, moleskin for blisters, eye drops, tweezers, a mini sewing kit, and an extra pair of disposable contact lenses or eyeglasses if you wear them.
Days before you leave home, you may wish to consider spraying any clothing, socks, and shoes that will be worn in lowland, tropical sites with permethrin, an anti-parasite medication, to repel irritating pests and prevent the spread of disease. A recommended brand is Sawyer. Carefully read all instructions before use. Please note permethrin is highly toxic to cats and fish, and some aerosol products may be harmful to birds. Side effects may include minor itching, burning, or redness. You may want to use a laundry marker to label and keep track of which socks are permethrinized. Only one application per item is necessary; permethrin on treated clothes remains effective through several washings. Permethrin should NOT be applied directly to skin.
Miscellaneous
Remember to pack valuables such as your passport, cash/credit cards, and medications in your carry-on luggage.
- Passport and photocopies of all travel documentation
- Personal insurance card and travel insurance information
- Money – ATM/credit card, traveler's checks, and/or cash; small bills in good condition are recommended
- Prescription medicines (if applicable), with a copy of the prescription
- Yellow fever certificate (if required; only if you've been to a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk within the past six months)
- Sunglasses with strap
- Small day pack for hikes and excursions
- Flashlight and/or head lamp
- Travel alarm clock or inexpensive waterproof wristwatch with alarm – Not all hotels provide alarm clocks.
- A pocket calculator or phone to assist with conversions and currency exchange
- Binoculars with lens cleaner
- Reusable water bottle
- Non-perishable snacks
- Pocket-knife or multipurpose tool - Pack in your checked luggage
- Zip-top style bags – useful for packing toiletries, sorting clothing, storing damp or muddy shoes, or as a dry bag for protecting electronics)
- Notepad or travel journal and pen
- Music or reading material for down time, long bus drives, or on the airplane, and a portable bright light to read by
- Collapsible walking stick with rubber tip
- A small quantity of laundry detergent if you’ll be washing clothing by hand
- Travel-size umbrella – Some people find this unwieldy to carry, while others find it offers better protection than a rain jacket alone.
- Money belt
- Voltage converter and plug adapter
- Chargers for electronics
Questions
For more information contact Todd Gustafson at gustaphoto@aol.com or Pelin Karaca at pelin@holbrooktravel.com
Want to subscribe to the Holbrook Explorer?
Gustafson Madagascar Trip: Day 1
Gustafson Photo Safari: Madagascar Trip Report
