Madagascar forest research expedition
Operation Wallacea
Mahamavo forest, north-west Madagascar (Mariarano and Matsedroy camps), Madagascar · Conservation & research
YOU PAY
From US$2,375 for 2 weeks
Plus flights, internal travel (about US$629), the visa and park fees.
LENGTH
2, 4 or 6 weeks between mid-June and early August
INCLUDED
The expedition fee covers the research programme in the field. Flights, travel to the start point, the visa, park entry and insurance are extra.
WHO IT SUITS
Students and anyone keen on field science. Camps are basic and tented.
Operation Wallacea runs research expeditions where volunteers help scientists collect long-term biodiversity data. This one works in the dry forests of the Mahamavo area.
What volunteers do
- Count lemurs on day and night transects
- Survey frogs and reptiles by torchlight
- Join bird counts and butterfly surveys
- Help measure the forest itself, plot by plot
The 2027 season runs from 17 June. Book or register your interest on their expedition page.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply on Operation Wallacea’s own website.
Go to Operation Wallacea’s application page ↗- Say which dates you have in mind and how long you can stay.
- Tell them a little about yourself: your work, any useful skills, and why this programme.
- Ask what the cost covers and what it doesn’t (flights, transfers, visas, insurance).
- Ask what they advise about visas or permits for volunteering in that country.
Applications go straight to Operation Wallacea. We never take a fee.
We list this programme from Operation Wallacea’s own website, last checked 15 Oct 2026. Costs and dates change, so confirm them with Operation Wallacea before you book.
Applications go straight to the programme, never through us, and we never take a fee. Do you run Madagascar forest research expedition? Email
editor@safaridispatch.com to update this listing or have it removed.