Ben Dessen, wildlife advocate, pet expert, author, and presenter, has devoted his life to understanding and protecting animals. From caring for rescued native wildlife at his Sydney sanctuary to working with species around the world, Ben’s passion for conservation has shaped everything he does.
Drawn to Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity, Ben and his wife travelled with Bench Africa on the 1000 Views of Madagascar tour for their honeymoon. The journey took them through a range of the island’s unique ecosystems, from the lush eastern rainforests to the rugged canyons of Isalo and the country’s famous baobab forests.
The air was thick with humidity and excitement in the lush rainforest we had spent the morning exploring. My ears pricked up as we finally heard the sound …. In the distance, a cacophony of eerie calls sang out through the trees, almost like a pod of whales had projected their songs onto the land.
The calls were coming from a family of Indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur species, but also one of the most critically endangered. We ducked and weaved our way through the vegetation in pursuit of the calls, and there they were. A small group of black and white Indri, perched in the trees above us feeding on the fresh foliage of the canopy.
As with many lemur species, the family groups are led by a dominant female, which is unusual in the primate world. The matriarch of the group had the most adorable baby clinging to her chest. The baby was learning to climb and would jump off his mother, hop from branch to branch, and then quickly swing back to her, clutching to her chest for reassurance and having a quick sip of milk before taking off again.
Standing in one of the few remaining fragmented pockets of rainforest left in Madagascar, watching these truly unique creatures interact with one another, was a profoundly moving experience. I reflected on the remarkable biodiversity of the rainforest in which we stood, feeling deeply grateful for the privilege to be seeing this family of lemurs in the wild when the future of the fragile ecosystems on which
they depend remains so uncertain.
Growing up with an obsession for the natural world, it had always been a dream of mine to visit Madagascar and see the mystery and wonder of the species that call the fourth largest island in the world home. My wife and I had no hesitation booking the trip of a lifetime with Bench Africa, thanks to their unparalleled experience and knowledge as Australia’s oldest African travel experts.
Madagascar is enormous, with so many amazing natural wonders to explore. The team at Bench Africa helped us select the best possible trip based on our budget and available time. We chose the 1000 Views of Madagascar itinerary which covers some of the very best the country has to offer.
Madagascar is a country like no other. Splitting from the African mainland some 160 million years ago, the plant and animal species have continued to evolve in complete isolation. Today, there is an abundance of weird and wonderful creatures with almost 90% of these being endemic and found nowhere else in the world.
From the large and vocal Indri to the tiny mouse lemur, one of the smallest mammals in the world, the island is home to over 100 species of lemur, each with their own behavioural and dietary specialisations and unique physical characteristics. Watching family groups of the iconic ring-tailed lemur frolic and play was another highlight of the trip.
Being an avid reptile lover, the chameleon diversity throughout the trip continuously left me in awe. From the mighty and multi-coloured Parson’s chameleon to the tiny brown Brookesia chameleons, no larger than your little finger and living amongst the leaf litter, the rainforest is alive and there’s something new to discover everywhere you look. That’s not to mention to bird life, colourful amphibians, bizarre insects and fascinating plants of every description.
The Madagascan landscapes are incredibly diverse, ranging from lush tropical rainforests along the east coast, to rocky mountain ranges, dry deserts, and the mighty and ancient baobab forests. The 1000 Views of Madagascar tour ensured we were able to experience a range of these unique ecosystems.
Some highlights of trip included tracking Indri in Andasibe National Park, and heading out spotlighting at night to see chameleons, frogs and the adorable nocturnal mouse lemur. We explored the biodiverse and lush rainforests of Ranomafana National Park, and visited the ValBio Research Centre to see the important conservation work being undertaken by the teams there who are constantly discovering new species inside the park.
As we ventured west, away from the coast, we were able to experience the rugged beauty of Isalo National Park and the Anja Reserve, where rocky gorges act as an oasis for many wildlife species to survive in this harsh environment. Swimming in crystal clear waterholes hidden amongst the cliffs as kingfishers darted past was truly magical.
Madagascar is a land of extremes. Incomparable natural beauty and biodiversity sits alongside some of the worst poverty on the African continent. Whilst parts of the trip were at times sad and confronting, seeing the desperation of the local people, it only reaffirmed the importance of ecotourism. For many remote communities it’s all they have.
Bench Africa have crafted the perfect itinerary which allows you to experience the very best of Madagascar, whilst supporting local communities and conservation efforts. Our guide became a close friend and the delicious food and comfortable accommodation throughout the trip ensured we were able to unwind and relax after long days of adventure. If you’re looking to experience a truly unique side of Africa and see some of the most remarkable wildlife and landscapes on the planet, Madagascar certainly won’t disappoint. So don’t hesitate and get in touch with Bench Africa today to start planning the ultimate adventure.
