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Madagascar

Forest Conservation Volunteer Program

Be a volunteer for the Forest Conservation Program in Madagascar and contribute towards protecting the flora & fauna of Nosy Komba.

Highlights

  • Volunteer for the forest conservation program and contribute towards protecting one of the world’s most unique ecosystems
  • Opportunity to have an encounter with the iconic creatures for which Madagascar is famous - lemurs
  • Study wildlife in one of the world's most bio diverse regions
  • Learn an array of surveying techniques and have a chance to contribute to the local community
  • Go for thrilling treks through remote regions of this hugely exciting island
  • Make lifelong friends and return with incredible stories, photos, and memories
Freiwilliges Programma voor Erhaltung der Blumen

Overview


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers usually arrive on Sunday and the program will start from Monday.

Monday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Orientation Presentation
10:00 Health and Safety Presentation
11:00 Complete and sign forms and paperwork
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Walk to the neighboring village of Ampang for a tour led by staff
17:00 Return to camp (walk or by boat at a cost of 2,000 MGA/person)
18:00 Dinner
18:45 Daily Board Briefing

Tuesday: First official day on project! Generally, you will be doing hands-on activities integrated with staff and other more experienced volunteers. Staff will go over activities and times after dinner on Monday so you know where to go.

Volunteer Activities:

Each program has morning and afternoon activities. After dinner each day, we have a briefing to go over activities for the following day.
Note: Schedule will vary depending on the project, tides, etc.

Sample Schedule:

05:00-07:00 Breakfast on camp
06:00-08:00 Start of morning activities on the project
12:00 Lunch on camp
14:00 Start of afternoon activities on the project
16:00-17:00 Volunteer activities for the day usually conclude
18:00 Dinner on camp
18:45 Board Briefing to go over activities for the following day


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer for this project, your main roles would be:

  • Study the diversity and abundance of species to identify changes in forest dynamics, populations, habitat health and identify potential localised threats

  • Assess the biodiversity in this little-studied area and compare different habitat types as well as the effects of human disturbance

  • Carry out extensive surveys of the local mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that exist in the surrounding forests

Volunteers assist with the following activities :-

Forest and Wildlife Monitoring
The forest and wildlife monitoring program utilises established transects and plots to track species abundance and diversity. Volunteers help by visually surveying transects and actively monitoring plots, recording key environmental variables. This data helps estimate population densities and enables comparisons across different habitats and seasons. By maintaining regular monitoring, we can identify the need for new conservation strategies.

Agroforestry
In collaboration with local villages, we are developing an agroforestry project. During this phase, volunteers visit various plantations and farms across the island, assisting with activities such as harvesting, weeding, and planting. The goal is to learn sustainable agricultural practices while fostering strong connections with the local farming community. As our agroforestry plot begins to produce food, all harvests will be shared with the villagers. Volunteers will also spend time in our agroforest nursery, helping with tasks like making planters, weeding, watering, and collecting seeds from the forest.

Night Walks
Many of the island’s most endangered reptile species are nocturnal, making it essential to monitor the forest after dark. Volunteers participate in regular night walks, both near the camp and during longer overnight trips. These nighttime excursions reveal a completely different set of species, including fascinating creatures like leaf-tailed geckos. A reliable (rechargeable) headlamp is a must for these walks!

Invasive Species Removal
We are committed to reducing the spread of invasive plant species like Lantana camara across the island, including in our agroforestry plot. Volunteers help remove invasive plants, and after clearing an area, we plant native tree saplings and other species grown in our newly established plant nursery at camp.

Mangrove Reforestation
From November to April, volunteers participate in mangrove reforestation efforts along the island’s coastal areas. This project focuses on planting native mangrove seedlings to protect the coastline, enhance biodiversity, and create essential habitats for various species. It also supports local communities by improving coastal resilience and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Permaculture
Our vertical garden project aims to enhance food security and ecosystem sustainability in local villages. Volunteers are involved in designing and building permaculture gardens, incorporating agroforestry principles and vertical gardening techniques to maximize space and resource efficiency. Volunteers will actively participate in planting diverse crops and collaborate with local community members to teach sustainable gardening practices. This initiative is designed to empower communities, fostering self-sufficiency and long-term food security.


Project Requirement

Project Requirement

If you plan to volunteer in Madagascar, you need to be at least 18 years old. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if you are accompanied by your parents. Volunteers should be highly energetic; have a positive attitude to make a change; possess a certain level of fitness, since the island life is not as easy as it might seem! For participating in the Forest Conservation Program, a good level of physical fitness is required to reach the survey sites which involve climbing over rocks and up steep mountain trails.

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Living

Living

Airport Transfer

Volunteers should arrive on Nosy Be Fascene Airport for pick-up on Sunday before their start date. They will be met at the airport or boat port (if arriving overland) and transferred to the volunteer camp on Nosy Komba. The boat ride from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba takes about 45 minutes with the last boat of the day departing around 15:00. If volunteers not arrive in time for the last boat to camp, our staff will assist in getting them to their hotel (we can provide hotel recommendations).  The following day they will be met at a pre-determined time and place and transferred to the camp. If there is time before the last boat departs for Nosy Komba, our staff will give them a tour of the town of Hellville where they can purchase snacks, a local SIM card, draw money at an ATM, etc. It is important to note that in addition to time constraints with boat departures and tides, shops and stores all close for siesta between noon and 14:30/15:00 each day. 

For your departure:  You are responsible to arrange and pay for your own transport back to the airport, however, we are happy to help you book your transport as needed.

Accommodation

We have 2 accommodation facilities in Madagascar. The first one, Turtle Cove, is built into the steep slopes of Nosy Komba, which is a multi-level compound overlooking the spectacular coral reef below. Climb stone stairs up from an idyllic beach to the main house situated above the dive deck and take in the stunning view of the ocean extending far across all the way to Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. The main house accommodates senior staff members and serves as a meeting place and hangout for volunteers during the day. Large decks line the front of the main house complete with hammocks, bean bags, and benches.

Volunteers can expect to share a hut with four to six other volunteers and will need to bring their own bedding and towels. The huts have several bathroom facilities equipped with running water, flush toilets and cold water showers. There is also a work area for volunteers as well as lockable storage boxes available for each hut to store small valuables. Volunteers should also bring a padlock to secure personal items in their luggage when not in use.

The second camp is located on mainland Madagascar in the small remote village of Ampohana. Volunteers are accommodated in communal A-Frame bungalow fitted with double bunk beds. Our camps are eco-friendly with solar-powered lighting throughout. There are no charging facilities for electronic devices; volunteers are encouraged to bring a solar panel and battery pack to keep their devices charged. Charging ports are available in the neighboring village of Ampang, about a half-hour hike from camp.

We do have an onsite generator for staff use located at our main camp, though volunteers are welcome to charge small devices (no laptops) from this if there is space. Bear in mind that in an effort to go green, the use of the generator is minimal, sometimes only once per week or less.

It'll be great fun to live this life away from the network, where you'll get ample time to bond with your fellow mates, share your stories and plan out how to make a difference.

Meals

Three meals per day are provided seven days per week. Each meal is prepared by our on-site cooks using traditional Malagasy cooking methods using fresh, locally grown, seasonally available produce. Most meals have a rice base with beans and vegetables on the side (or over rice).

Fruits and vegetables served will change depending on the season and availability of local produce. Some meals will include fish/seafood, beef (zebu), or chicken. Meat, when part of a meal, is typically prepared with a sauce, cut into small pieces, and served over rice. In addition to bananas, breakfast usually consists of either baguettes and jam, eggs or crepes.

There is a vegetarian option for all meals. Due to logistics and the limitations of our remote location, we cannot provide a vegan option. Vegans can help themselves to the vegetable-based foods prepared, but will also need to supplement their diet with foods purchased off camp.  If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know. We will do or best to provide accordingly, however you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home.

Know that you are volunteering in a remote region of a developing country and flexibility is necessary.

During your Free Time

A few popular weekend activities/places to visit are listed below.

  • Lokobe Forest Reserve
  • Discovery SCUBA Dive
  • SCUBA Dive Training
  • Explore different areas of Nosy Komba with a local guide and learn about medicinal plants, the endemic wildlife and more
  • Tanikely Natural Reserve
  • Visit Nosy Iranja or Nosy Sakatia (swimming and snorkeling)
  • Whale Shark Watching (seasonal)
  • Visit the Sacred Tree or Sacred Waterfall on Nosy Be
  • Hike up Mount Passot on Nosy Be
  • Visit Lemur Land park on Nosy Be, or the Lemur Park on Ampang Village on Nosy Komba
  • Ankarana National Park
  • Amber Mountain National Park
  • Visit plantations on the mainland in the city of Ambanja
  • Visit the city of Diego Suarez including the Emerald Sea, the Three Bays, Tsingy Rouge rock formation and more

Dates

Dates

November

17

December

01

15

Available

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Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $510
2 Weeks $770
3 Weeks $1040
4 Weeks $1345
5 Weeks $1645
6 Weeks $1925
7 Weeks $2225
8 Weeks $2500

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

Inclusions

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • Orientation 
  • Sleeping accommodation on camp for the program duration
  • Three meals per day, seven days per week on camp
  • Supervision and training by staff
  • Airport pick-up in Nosy Be
  • Transportation to program sites
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Visa costs
  • Personal items
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Airport drop-off

FAQ's

Flights and Visa

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