Herpetological trip to Madagascar
March 1st – 23rd 2026
Unless specified otherwise, all pictures (c) of Jeroen Speybroeck.
Madagascar! Irrefutably a wonderland for any amphibian and reptile lover. I have been wanting to visit this country since early childhood. Finally, I could leave home for three weeks and join Bobby and Laura Bok during the final ten-day chapter of their time on the island. Jelmer and Bert joined in, and the three of us agreed to add an additional eleven days. We were taken excellent care of by Sergio, who arranged transport, beds and top-notch herping guidance. As he turned out to be a very kind, highly flexible, and die-hard nature enthusiast himself, I would recommend his services to any wildlife enthusiast wanting to visit Madagascar. In terms of species, we were able to find and admire nearly all of the iconic chameleons, geckoes, frogs and snakes we hoped for, adding up to more than 150 species in three weeks.
sites of observations
Andasibe and surroundings
Bert, Jelmer and I flew from Paris CDG to Tana (the abbreviated name of Madagascar’s capital), arriving late at night. The charming smile of Sergio greeted us at the airport and we were swiftly transferred to Hotel Zara.
The next morning, after warm welcoming hugs with Bobby and Laura, we all drove east to the Andasibe area, known for its species-rich rainforest. Already quickly after leaving the city, Sergio treated us to a
Furcifer oustaleti, our first chameleon of the trip.
Sergio offering us our very first chameleon, a Furcifer oustaleti
Bert and Furcifer oustaleti
Our first home away from home was the Soanala Lodge near Andasibe, which immediately was one of the nicest places we stayed at. After arrival, we soon headed out to admire the largest Malagasy lemur species and the source of each morning’s melancholic song, the indri.
Indri Indri indri
Indri Indri indri
Indri Indri indri
A short daytime forest exploration of the Analamazaotra forest delivered our first leaf-tailed gecko, which undoubtedly is one of the most iconic genera of the country.
Lygodactylus bivittis
Uroplatus sikorae
Uroplatus sikorae
Uroplatus sikorae
At night, we hiked in the Maromizaha forest and experienced the impressive biodiversity of the rainforest, including several chameleon species, frogs, our first Satanic Leaf-toed Gecko (aka an absolute highlight), and our first Madagascar Tree Boa.
Guibemantis pulcher
Calumma gastrotaenia
Boophis boehmi
Brookesia supraciliaris
Brookesia supraciliaris
Gephyromantis mitsinjo
Calumma roaloko - female
? Calumma hofreiteri
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko Uroplatus phantasticus
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko Uroplatus phantasticus
Uroplatus sikorae
bearded encounter
Calumma malthe
Madagascar Tree Boa Sanzinia madagascariensis
The next day, we hiked the same trail and more. Several species were added, with our first
Mantella and first
Platypelis as two of several noteworthy gems.
Guibemantis liber
Phelsuma lineata
Phelsuma lineata
Calumma malthe
Mantidactylus betsileanus
juvenile Calumma malthe
Zonosaurus aeneus
Thamnosophis infrasignatus
Brookesia thieli
Brookesia thieli
Mantidactylus melanopleura
Mantella baroni
Platypelis grandis
Platypelis grandis
Calumma brevicorne
The subsequent night hike was in the VOIMMA forest.
Calumma brevicorne
Calumma parsonii - juvenile
Paradoxophyla palmata
Scaphiophryne marmorata
Scaphiophryne marmorata
Lygodactylus guibei
Calumma parsonii - subadult
Roadside exploring offered more attractive frog species.
Calumma hofreiteri
Boophis pyrrhus
Boophis bottae
The next day(time) was also mainly spent in Analamazaotra.
Thamnosophis epistibes
Zonosaurus madagascariensis
Guibemantis rianasoa
Sanzinia madagascariensis - in situ!
At night, it was back to Maromizaha. Additional beauties were found, including a couple of nice snakes.
Compsophis infralineatus
Uroplatus sikorae
tiny juvenile Uroplatus phantasticus
Gephyromantis luteus
Platypelis grandis
Mantidactylus femoralis
Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis
Mantidactylus melanopleura
this was a personal favourite – juvenile Mantidactylus sp.
Boophis boehmei - clearly gravid female
Calumma roaloko - male
Guibemantis ambakoana
Phisalixella arctifasciata - as found
Phisalixella arctifasciata - as found
Phisalixella arctifasciata - as found
Phisalixella arctifasciata - as found
Early morning, we were off to Torotorofotsy. End of rainy season, so not calling (anymore), but still several Golden Mantellas popped up thanks to the experience of our local guides.
Golden Mantella Mantella aurantiaca
Then, we moved to the next, one-night accommodation at Vohimana. Too bad we only had a single night here, as this area offered a bunch of extra species, including a very long-nosed chameleon, several frogs (including another splendid microhylid), some snakes, and to conclude a very impressive giant, our first full-size Parson’s Chameleon.
strong local sherpa women
chillin' import herper men
Boophis madagascariensis
Boophis madagascariensis
Ebenavia robusta
Paraoedura gracilis
Calumma pinocchio - female
Calumma pinocchio - male
Compsophis laphystius
Guibemantis tornieri
Sanzinia madagascariensis
Mantidactylus cowani
Mantidactylus lugubris
Mantidactylus moquardi
Boophis albilabris
Boophis albilabris
Boophis albilabris
Boophis tasymena
Boophis tasymena
Ithycyphus pereneti
Pseudoxyrhopus microps
Pseudoxyrhopus microps
another absolute personal favourite - Plethodontohyla guentheri
Plethodontohyla guentheri
Plethodontohyla guentheri
Calumma parsonii
Calumma parsonii
Calumma parsonii and fan
Leaving Vohimana already behind the next morning, a baby hog-nose snake crossed the road, attracting the attention of us and the local community.
juvenile Leioheterodon madagascariensis
photographing snakes and making friends
Heading further eastwards, Sergio stopped the car and showed us some stunning roadside Panther Chameleons. Crazy colours!
Furcifer pardalis
Furcifer pardalis
Palmarium
After a quick harbour
Phelsuma, we got on the boat from Manambato to Palmarium.
Phelsuma laticauda
A very nice place to stay, with some White Lotus vibes, although I valued the native herps (but not all are native actually) more than the introduced lemurs. Doing little boat trips from the Palmarium Reserve to the Palmarium Hotel Beach and back offered a relaxing time, including some remarkable herps, including a famous long-nosed snake and a very, very, very small chameleon.
a bunch of lemurs native to other parts of the country have been released here…
… including these weirdoes …
Aye-Aye
Geckolepis maculata
Plethodontohyla notosticta
Phelsuma guttata
Boophis ophistodon
Brookesia nofy
Brookesia nofy
Oplurus cuvieri - most likely also not native to this area
Phelsuma grandis - same remark
happy!
Leioheterodon madagascariensis
Leioheterodon madagascariensis
Langaha madagascariensis - male
Langaha madagascariensis - male
Langaha madagascariensis - male
Madagascarophis colubrinus - the most commonly observed snake of our trip
Calumma vohibola
Anodonthyla boulengerii
Heterixalus madagascariensis
Ithycyphus goudoti
Blommersia blommersae
Guibemantis methueni
Guibemantis tornieri
the endless struggle of drying
Calumma parsonii
a chameleon and his friend – part one
a chameleon and his friend – part two
Guibemantis tornieri
Langaha madagascariensis - female
Langaha madagascariensis - female
Phelsuma parva
Andasibe – one extra night
After the calm Palmarium episode, we headed back west and spent another night near Andasibe, with more frog fun, an additional, not readily encountered chameleon species, and a family of golden sifakas for those who were prepared to get up at eight.
Calumma parsonii - male
Calumma parsonii - female
Ptychadena mascareniensis
? Boophis sp.
Guibemantis liber
Mantidactylus betsileanus
Boophis guibei
Boophis guibei
Mantidactylus grandidieri
Mantidactylus opiparis
Furcifer willsii
Diademed Sifaka Propithecus diadema
Mandraka
The final night with all five of us was near Mandraka. Three additional chameleon species for Jelmer, Bert and I, and a chubby and sweet microhylid to draw yet another smile on my face.
Calumma globifer
Calumma globifer
Calumma crypticum
Calumma crypticum
Brookesia ramanansoai
Brookesia ramanansoai
Gephyromantis cornutus
Blommersia sarotra
Plethodontohyla alluaudi
Plethodontohyla alluaudi
brief encounter of the prickly kind
probably Mantidactylus inaudax
Calumma gastrotaenia - juvenile
Boophis madagascariensis
Heterixalus betsileo
Guibemantis liber
Brookesia thieli
Go to part 2
