Lemur Venture

  Madagascar

Fort Dauphin

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Inquire for specific dates

Description: Looking for a wildlife experience like no other?

Then join Azafady in Madagascar and help to conserve charismatic lemur species found nowhere else on earth.

Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and is recognised as one of the planet's top conservation priorities. Eighty per cent of the island's plant and animal species (including 71 species of lemur) are found nowhere else on earth. Lemur Venture is a very special programme that offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution towards helping some of the world's most threatened and remarkable creatures.

Volunteers will be working with Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (PBZT), the national botanical and zoological gardens of Madagascar in Antananarivo, and with Azafady (a UK registered charity and Malagasy NGO) in the Fort Dauphin region of the southeast of the country, an area which has been substantially deforested but retains fragments of some of the most important tropical forests in the world. The research sites selected for Lemur Venture will give you a real insight into the amazing diversity of Malagasy landscape, from the south's dry spiny desert, to the rainforest-ringed beauty of Fort Dauphin, to the wet coastal forests of the littoral forest zone.

Project Activities
Lemur Venture begins with around a week in Madagascar`s capital city Antananarivo. During this time volunteers will be trained by and work alongside the PBZT team before flying to Fort Dauphin. After an initial orientation in Fort Dauphin, volunteers will head out to the field to study wild lemurs and their habitat. Lemur Venture's special focus is on gathering information on several lemur species in order to improve success rates of captive breeding programmes both in Madagascar and around the world. Projects are determined in consultation with PBZT staff and are likely to focus on one or more of the following: lemur behaviour, feeding ecology, conservation biology, population censusing, home range studies, community natural resource management and habitat management.

Accommodation
Accommodation whilst in Antananarivo is a simple but clean and comfortable hotel. Thereafter, camping facilities are provided throughout the programme, although volunteers do need to bring their own tent. Facilities are basic but there will always be latrine and private washing facilities. Electricity and piped water are available when in Fort Dauphin, however in the field, water is collected and then treated from rivers and wells.

Food
All meals are provided throughout the scheme. Meals mainly consist of rice, beans, vegetables and fruit. Fish (or eggs for vegetarians) are provided when possible. All meals are prepared and cooked by the group, often in open-air facilities. The best possible treated drinking water is always available.

Why volunteer with us?
Azafady is not alone in offering you the opportunity to spend a part of your life overseas. What makes us different is that we are a UK registered charity (number 1079121) and our programmes are not-for-profit schemes. Funds generated from the programmes are invested right back into our projects in Madagascar, rather than into a private company. By joining one of our programmes we can promise you a genuine, worthwhile volunteering experience. Our volunteering projects are also award winning; we are proud to announce that we have been named "Best Volunteering Organisation" at the 2007 Responsible Tourism Awards.

Cost in US$: $4,400 at current exchange rate

4 Weeks GBP£1400
8 Weeks GBP£2200

Please Note: Applicants from outside the UK must raise a donation equivalent to the UK Sterling amount based on current exchange rates.

The minimum donation for the 8 week programme is GBP£2200. This is made up of GBP£500 which secures your place on a particular scheme, and GBP£1700 balance, due at the latest three weeks before departure. We are of course delighted if volunteers are able to raise more than the minimum donation. Once we've received your application form, one of our experienced Regional Coordinators will give you a call to find out if you have any further questions or simply if you want to find out what volunteering is all about.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 - 65+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Madagascar Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Azafady's Mission Statement: Azafady is a registered UK charity (no. 1079121) and Malagasy NGO working to alleviate poverty, improve well-being and preserve beautiful unique environments in southeast Madagascar. We are an award winning team that works alongside rural communities on humanitarian and sustainable livelihoods projects, helping communities to build a better future for themselves.

Year Founded: 1994