Madagascar Turtle Conservation
Help protect critically endangered sea turtles
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£729
729
Group Size: Maximum 24
Trip code: MGTC
Duration: 2-8 weeks
Head off the beaten track and join this amazing turtle conservation programme in magical Madagascar. Hawksbill and green sea turtles are already endangered here, and they’re at further risk from poaching and other threats. If we don’t do something now, they may well become extinct. By taking part in this programme, you’ll get up close with these incredible animals, while helping to conserve the species for future generations. You’ll stay on the unspoilt tropical island of Nosy Kombe (a side of Madagascar that most tourists don’t see) with incredible views over the rainforest and ocean. Make friends for life, get some great conservation experience on your CV, and help protect one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.
Trip highlights
- Get hands on experience with hawksbill and green sea turtles
- Visitsecluded beaches on the islands off Nosy Be to identify and monitor turtle nesting sites
- Stay in the volunteer camp in Nosy Komba with spectacular views of rainforest and reefs
- Get training and support from the project team and gain valuable work experience
- Explore beautiful Madagascar during your weekends and free time
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- 100% Financially Secure
- We have provided financial bonds which guarantee that your money is totally safe with Gap 360 Ltd.
- All accommodation on camp during your project
- 3 meals a day
- Filtered water
- Airport pick up on arrival
- Orientation presentation
- Health and safety presentation
- Daily briefing
- Comprehensive training programme
- Full support of a team of qualified staff
- Transport to and from programme locations
- 24-hour support
- Bedding and towels
- Return airport transfers
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Optional activities
The Sea Turtle Monitoring Programme has been established to protect Northwest Madagascar’s hawksbill and green sea turtle populations.
The programme involves identifying and monitoring nesting areas on the beaches on islands surrounding Nosy Be, gathering data about the turtle population, and getting local communities involved in conservation work. You’ll get up close with these incredible animals, while helping to conserve the species for future generations.
The program begins on the first and third Monday of every month and you’ll be given comprehensive training to prepare you to undertake activities.You’ll stay in our volunteer HQ in Turtle Cove on the beautiful island of Nosy Komba with views over the spectacular coral reef below.
Volunteer work varies depending on the time of year:
- October to March (Nesting season) – The project focuses on preventing the poaching of mothers and nests, collecting data on the nesting turtles, and moving nests that have been set in unsuitable locations.
- April to September (Dry season) – Programme work involves collecting ID and behavioural data on turtles while they’re in the water, rehabilitating nesting areas, and educating local communities on the importance of protecting turtles.
Your responsibilities during your stay on the programme may involve:
- Identifying and mapping nesting areas
- Recording species diversity and numbers
- Building relationships with the local community to involve them with turtle conservation
- Carrying out beach cleans around the nesting sites
Weekends are yours to explore the stunning local area. Popular activities/places to visit includeLokobe Forest Reserve, Tanikely Natural Reserve, Nosy Iranjaand Nosy Sakatia, whale shark watching (seasonal), hike up Mount Passot (Nosy Be), Lemur Land Park (Nosy Be), Ankarana National Park, Amber Mountain National Park, and Diego Suarez.
Typical day on the programme
05.00-07.00: Breakfast on camp
06.00-08.00: Start of morning activities on project
12.00: Lunch on camp
14.00: Start of afternoon activities on project
16.00-17.00: Volunteer activities for the day end
18.00: Dinner on camp
18.45: Board briefing to go over activities for the following day
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Fly into Nosy Be Fascene Airport (NOS) the day before your programme start date. One of the friendly local team members will meet you from the airport, with a sign with a turtle logo, and transfer you to the volunteer camp on Nosy Komba. The boat ride from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba takes about 45 minutes and the last boat leaves around 3pm. If time allows, you’ll be given a tour of the town of Hellville before boarding the boat, and an opportunity to buy snacks, a local SIM card, and take out money from the ATM. If you arrive after 3pm, you’ll have to stay the night on Nosy Be. Your travel adviser can help with hotel recommendations.
If you can’t fly directly to Nosy Be, you can get a connecting flight from Antananarivo (TNR) Airport to the island or travel overland via taxi brousse or private car. Ask your travel adviser if you need help with travel arrangements. If you’re travelling overland, please be aware that the journey can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours.
When your programme comes to an end, you’ll need to arrange your own transport back to the airport. Local staff can help you book this.
Accommodation
All accommodation is included during your stay on the project. You’ll stay at the project HQ, which is a multi-level development, built into the steep slopes of Nosy Komba. You’llstay in locally built bungalows, sleeping 4 – 6 in bunk style beds. Bathrooms are shared and have running water, flush toilets and cold-water showers.
A shared kitchen and dining facilities can be found nestled in vibrant gardens, and the main house (where senior staff members stay) is used as a meeting place and chill out area for volunteers during the day. With a designated workspace, storage lockers and a large deck with beanbags, hammocks, and benches, it’s a great place to hang out and the views across the coral reef and the Lokobe Forest Reserve are stellar.
A hand washing laundry station is provided with a clean water tap, concrete work surface for scrubbing, and bucketsand you can either do your own washing or pay one of the local staff for a laundry service.
The camp is eco-friendly with solar powered lighting and no charging facilities for electronic devices. We’d recommend bringing a solar panel and battery pack to keep your devices charged. We do have an onsite generator for staff use, and you’re welcome to charge small devices (no laptops) from this if there is space. However, in a bid to be as sustainable as possible, use of the generator is minimal, sometimes only once per week or less. Please note that Wi-Fi on the island is limited but you’ll have access to the internet at weekends on the neighbouring island of Nosy Be.
When packing, please keep in mind that there are no waste disposal or recycling centres in this area of Madagascar. Please minimize the amount of disposable, plastic, or one-use type items you bring and opt for rechargeable batteries instead of single use batteries as there is no way to safely dispose of batteries on the island.
Please note that bedding and towels are not included so you’ll need to bring your own. We’d also recommend that you bring a padlock for storing your valuables in your locker.
Meals
Three meals a day are included during your stay on the project, seven days a week. Each meal is prepared on site, using traditional Malagasy cooking methods and locally grown, seasonally available produce. Most meals have a rice base with beans and vegetables on the side and some will include fish or meat. Breakfast usually consists of bananas, baguettes and jam, eggs or crepes.
Please inform us of any dietary requirements before you travel. There is a vegetarian option for all meals, but due to the limitations of the remote location, a vegan option cannot be supplied. If you’re vegan there are vegetable-based foods you may enjoy, but you might need to supplement your diet with foods purchased off camp.
Filtered drinking water is available on camp. Please bring a refillable bottle with you to minimise plastic waste
You’ll need to be a minimum of 18 years old to participate in this trip.
You should also have a reasonable level of fitness as there are no roads or cars on the island and volunteersmostly get around on foot.
You can buy a 30- or 60-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport in cash using US$, Euros, or Malagasy Ariary, or apply in advance of travel to the Madagascar Embassy in London for a tourist visa. You will be asked for evidence of onward or return travel at check-in and on arrival in Madagascar. Make sure an entry stamp is recorded in your passport, and that your visa is valid for the period and purpose of your journey. Tourist visas can be extended during your stay up to a total stay of 90 days.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive, and with at least 2 blank visa pages. You should be able to show confirmation of your travel dates.
Please note: Visa rules are subject to change. Please check for the most up to date information before you travel.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.