Join MRCI for a unique opportunity to explore Madagascar’s remarkable ecosystem and encounter its iconic wildlife.

The MRCI Forest Conservation Program on Nosy Komba, known as ‘Lemur Island,’ focuses on preserving the threatened Sambirano forests in Northwest Madagascar through active restoration and sustainable practices.

Our Forest Conservation program is committed to preserving the local forest and its diverse wildlife through active restoration and sustainable practices. Participants will conduct daily hikes to survey the rich biodiversity of the forest. These hikes provide opportunities to observe and document reptiles, amphibians, birds, and lemurs in their natural habitat. The data gathered from these surveys is crucial for monitoring species diversity and the overall health of the ecosystem, which directly informs our conservation efforts.

In addition to these surveys, participants will engage in a variety of activities including alien plant removal, seed collection, composting, nursery work, and sapling planting. We also offer overnight night hikes to survey nocturnal animals. These hikes allow volunteers to explore the forest after dark, observing and recording species that are active at night, further enriching our understanding of the forest’s biodiversity.

MRCI works in collaboration with the National Parks Department of Madagascar and volunteers assist in assessing lemur and other species populations in the forests on Nosy Komba and at the renowned Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. Data collected is provided to the National Parks.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay at MRCI’s Turtle Cove camp on Nosy Komba, an island with no roads and challenging forest paths, thus moderate physical fitness is required.

Every alternate week, volunteers explore the forest on Nosy Komba through various walks and overnight campouts at either the Church or Baobab. Accommodation remains very basic and the cost is included in the program fee, benefiting the local community.

Volunteers conduct fortnightly overnight guided walks in Lokobe Reserve. Accommodation is basic, with tented beach camps on the forest edge. Meals are arranged on-site through a local restaurant to support the community. Volunteers can upgrade at an additional personal cost to private tents with mattresses or private bungalows, subject to availability, arranged with the local community leader on-site.

Program Fees

Fees cover permanent staff, transportation and transfers, camp maintenance, equipment, meals, and other expenses. In cases where surplus funds are available from the teaching program, these funds are directed towards the MRCI community program to construct and renovate local schools and clinics.

Additional Activities

For adventurous volunteers, we offer additional optional off-program excursions to the Ankarana Forest Reserve near Diego Suarez. Costs vary based on the number of participants and include transportation, guides, and accommodation. Ensure safety and standards when considering other operators offering lower prices.