14 DAYS
4-7 PEOPLE
3* HOTELS
Madagascar has been described as an eighth continent, a world apart, evolution's playground. It's an utterly otherworldly place, full of endemic flora and fauna - from various species of impossibly cute lemurs, to majestic baobabs, bottle tress and spiny forests, not found anywhere else.
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And full of indigenous people, who are very different from neighbouring Africans, as they sailed there centuries ago from what is now Indonesia.
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It's a country where most major towns have 2 names (French & Malagasy), where taxis are dilapidated Citroens 2CV from 1950s - or rickshaws drawn by running men. A country with incredible deserted beaches. A country where will be greeted by ever-smiling Malagasy people.
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In this trip, we will expand travel portrait to animals too - as no visit to Madagascar would be complete without meeting charming lemurs and chameleons.
Covid Regulations
Madagascar is open to foreign visitors - but international flights are only allowed from Paris and Reunion.
Entry requirements:​
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​PCR test before departure + on arrival
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2-day quarantine until on-arrival PCR test result (meaning we need to arrive 2 days earlier. This is built into the itinerary and the hotel cost is included in the trip price)
Vaccination is not required.
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Rapid antigen test is required before each domestic flight (available for free at airports).
Locations
Berenty Reserve
The lemur paradise. This is where we will come up & close with 2 lemur species: Verreaux Sifakas (pictured) who move by jumping sideways in a mesmerising, dance-like spectacle - and Ring-Tailed Lemurs (a.k.a King Julian from the movie Madagascar). Berenty also hosts Madagascar's endemic, other-worldly Spiny Forest.
Fort Dauphin
From the sleepy town of Fort Dauphin, we will take a day trip by a leaky canoe through peaceful inland waterways, filled with stunning water plants called Elephant Ears (pictured) and pitcher plants - complete with a lunch in the local village and a walk to a long stretch of gorgeous, deserted beach - of which Fort Dauphin has several.
Morondava
Morondava is a laid-back, seaside town that has an airport with 2 flights a week - but not a single paved street. We will mingle with the locals in town and on the beach. We will also make a short trip to the famous Baobab Avenue nearby - an incredible setting for people photography. And we will also have time to chill in the warm, shallow waters of the lagoon.
Anakao
After a 1h speedboat trip from Toliara, we will arrive in a seaside village of Anakao - a spectacular location to observe seaside life of the locals, complete with insanely photogenic sail boats and kids playing in the waves. This is the exotic, remote island life at its very best.
Itinerary
Thu 16 June
Arrival in Antananarivo (22:25)
2-day quarantine awaiting PCR test result
Sun 19 June - Morondava
Flight to Morondava 11:20-12:25
Beach chill out time
Mon 20 June - Morondava
Street photography
Tue 21 June - Morondava
Avenue of Baobabs
Street & beach photography
Wed 22 June - Morondava
Street & beach photography
Beach time
Thu 23 June - Toliara
Flight Morondava - Antananarivo 8:10-9:15
Flight Antananarivo - Toliara 12:00-13:50
Street photography
Fri 24 June - Anakao
Boat transfer to Anakao 9:30-10:30
Anakao coast life photography
Sat 25 June - Anakao
Anakao coast life photography
Beach time
Sun 26 June
Boat transfer back to Toliara 7:30-8:30
Street photography in Toliara
Flight Toliara - Antananarivo 13:00-14:05
Mon 27 June
Flight Anatananarivo - Fort Dauphin 11:45-13:45
Tue 28 June - Berenty
Car transfer to Berenty Reserve (4h)
Lemur photography
Wed 29 June - Berenty
Lemur photography
Thu 30 June - Berenty
Lemur photography
Transfer to Fort Dauphin (4h)
Fri 1 July - Fort Dauphin
Paddle boat trip of inland waterways
Sat 2 July
Flight Fort Dauphin - Antananarivo 8:50-10:50
Antananarivo sightseeing
Farewell dinner
Sun 3 July
Departure to Paris 1:15am
Photographic Coaching
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Full-time coaching by Pawel Lipski
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Creative techniques & tips for travel portraits - both candid & posed
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Camera settings for travel portraits
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Location-specific briefings & assignments
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Daily reviews of best photos
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Written feedback on your 15 best shots after the trip
Included:
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Full-time travel portrait coaching
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Accommodation in 4/3-star hotels and lodges
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All meals (with beverages)
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All 6 domestic flights
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Ground transportation in private 4WD / taxis
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Airport transfers
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Entrance fees
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Tips for guides & people we photograph
Not Included:
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International flight into Antananarivo
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Visa
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses (e.g. room service, porters, laundry)
This Trip Is For...
This trip has been designed primarily for people who have already completed my training "3 Steps To Stunning Portraits", and are already familiar with natural light and composition techniques for people photography.
During this trip, you will learn how to apply these techniques to travel portraits - both candid and posed.
You need a good camera with a telephoto lens up to at least 200mm (full frame) - plus a wider lens for the churches (inside & outside) & when we can get up close to our subjects.
Personally, I will bring 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8.
Important To Know
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Information pack including a packing list and clothing recommendations will be sent 2 months before the trip
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Mandatory vaccinations (list available) + malaria prophylactic
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Visa on arrival for all developed and some South-East Asian countries. Check eligibility: PNG Visa
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If you don't have travel insurance, you can get it here: www.worldnomads.com
Recommended Flights
FROM EUROPE
Air France via Paris (CHF 800)
Pawel Lipski
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International photography coach, specialising in people photography in natural light - from posed to travel portraits
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30+ years of photographic experience
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An avid independent traveller with a passion for remote, non-touristy places with authentic cultures
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Polish based in Zurich, Switzerland
Cancellations
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100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before trip start
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50% refund if canceled 30-59 days before trip start
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No refund if canceled less than 30 days before trip start
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If the trip is cancelled within the last 60 days due to pandemic situation, we will reschedule it to the following year at no cost OR you can withdraw and get 80% refund (the remaining 20% covers domestic flight tickets with are changeable but not refundable).
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If you test positive for Covid and unable to fully recover by the time of departure, or in case of any other medical emergency within the last 60 days, you can switch to the next year’s trip at the cost of CHF 300 (reschedule fee for domestic flights) or cancel and get 80% refund.