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Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (KAFS)

Host and Volunteer,  Research Field Station (communal facilities, eco-friendly infrastructure),KAFS

Message To Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (KAFS)

About Us

In 2010, Dr. Edward Louis, who has been working in Madagascar since 1998, established the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP), a Malagasy non governmental organization, as an extension of the innovative conservation projects throughout the country.....

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Why to Choose Us?

● Madagascar is the only place on Earth where lemurs exist in the wild, many of which are highly threatened. Volunteers actively contribute to the protection and monitoring of two critically endangered and one endangered lemur species central to our research programs.

● MBP volunteers are not in Madagascar as tourists, volunteers will acquire skills and work experience needed for behavioral studies, scientific data collection, agricultural expertise, and personnel management.

● Volunteers will also be immersed in the Malagasy culture while working with local guides, MBP staff, and community members.

● Kianjavato Ahmanson Field Station (KAFS) has successfully hosted volunteers for over 10 years, providing hands-on conservation and research experience.

More Details...

– Breakfast will be served at 6 am, lunch between: 12 – 12h30 pm while dinner from 6 – 7 pm.

– You will generally finish your placement at around 4pm. Volunteers are free to the time that suits them for breakfast on weekends.

– You will follow social groups of lemurs during the first half of the program: forest walks to record lemur behavior, diet, home range, and movement…

– You will contribute to habitat restoration activities on second half, along with community develpment, english class sessions. You will work closely with Community Outreach officer. You will also work with our partner Conservation Fusion for environmental education.

Regarding your skills, you can also be involved in other activities during the program: sustainable agricultural practices, horticulture, cooking session, ecotourism support, outreach and art workshop.

– Tent platforms are available. Volunteers are requested to bring two-person sized tents. Each tent site has a small gravity-fed shower. Flushing toilets are available. We are a fully functioning research facility, that almost completely relies on solar energy for a majority of our power needs.

– Number of Volunteers: 7-8

– On site we have an open-fire kitchen and dining hall where our cook staff prepares 3 meals a day which are usually rice-based, so be prepared for a repetitive diet!

– Our cooking staff have easily accommodated vegetarians and lactose-restrictive diets.

€31 Euro per day.

BA or BS in the biological or environmental sciences.

For any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance.

– Transportation to/from the airport
– Transportation between Antananarivo and KAFS, overnight at Ranofamana (halfway)
– Transportation in daily project on site
– Meals at KAFS and accommodations during the stay
– Logistical assistance with emergency transportation

– 90-day visa
– Airfare
– Traveler’s health insurance
– Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis
– Hotel, food in Antananarivo (upon arrival and prior to your departure from Madagascar)
– A free-standing two-person sized tent
– Any additional personal equipment you may need

Travel to major cities like: Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Mananjary probably Anja are possible.

More Details...

Message To Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (KAFS)
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Saša Danon Croatia

In 2013, I volunteered for five months at KAFS in Kianjavato with the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership as a Reforestation Research Assistant, managing reforestation projects, caring for nurseries, and exploring carbon credit opportunities. I worked closely with villagers and fellow volunteers, creating great memories. Weekends were spent visiting nearby towns, relaxing at the camp, or enjoying local activities. I revisited KAFS last year and saw many improvements, including new huts, kitchens, nurseries, and expanded reforested areas.

Pamela Narvaez Mexican

Since 2016, I’ve spent significant time at KAFS, which has become like a second home. I conducted lemur research, working closely with local technicians whose knowledge and dedication were essential to my work. Life at the station is simple but rewarding—fieldwork during the day, communal meals, and time to relax in the evenings, all within a welcoming, supportive community. Accommodations are basic, with tents, rainwater showers, and solar electricity, but meals are good and vegetarian-friendly. Weekends offer chances to explore nearby areas like Ranomafana National Park or Mananjary, adding small adventures to the routine. KAFS combines research, conservation, and community, making it one of the most memorable and enriching experiences of my fieldwork.

Brittney Vezina Canadian

I volunteered with the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership in 2014, supporting the community-based reforestation project in Kianjavato. I worked closely with Malagasy staff, helping plan weekly tree-planting events and supporting lemur and fossa research. The experience taught me valuable conservation skills, the realities of implementing projects on the ground, and the importance of working with local communities. I also made lasting friendships and returned to Madagascar in 2018 for my Master’s research, inspired by my time with MBP. I highly recommend volunteering with MBP for anyone interested in conservation and community work.

Brynn Harshbarger American

My first visit to Madagascar was with Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership. Fresh out of college and interested in primate research, I joined KAFS and was amazed by the lemur research and conservation efforts. I met incredible people, including Fredo, who made me feel welcome and safe. The experience inspired me to return to Madagascar twice for research, and I continue to stay involved in conservation efforts. I’m very grateful to MBP and KAFS for this opportunity!

Gauvain Saucy Switzerland

As a naturalist, Madagascar is a must-see for its unique wildlife and culture. I joined MBP for three months, living in the forest, working closely with locals, and participating fully in monitoring. I loved my time in IVB for its immersive forest experience, explored other ecosystems during the winter break, and returned to Kianjavato to study human-wildlife interactions and bats. I will always remember the canopy views, night walks, challenging hikes, and insightful moments with Cressant. MBP gave me an unforgettable, deeply immersive experience—thank you to everyone involved!

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In 2010, Dr. Edward Louis, who has been working in Madagascar since 1998, established the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP), a Malagasy non governmental organization, as an extension of the innovative conservation projects throughout the country.

MBP strives to protect local forests while sustainably raising the standard of living for thousands of people who are equally reliant upon the natural resources. We believe that everything is connected, or “Mampifandray ny tontolo” to achieve sustainability.

Through this volunteer program, MBP seeks to utilize conservation research, community, based conservation, education & outreach in order to:

– Partner with the local community in preserving the environment and in sustainable development.

– Serve as a catalyst in promoting local understanding of conservation needs while improving the standard of education.

– To create empowerment opportunities for the local community around our 4 MBP site, including Kianjavato Ahmanson Field Station (KAFS) in southeast Madagascar.

– Breakfast will be served at 6 am, lunch between: 12 – 12h30 pm while dinner from 6 – 7 pm.

– You will generally finish your placement at around 4pm. Volunteers are free to the time that suits them for breakfast on weekends.

– You will follow social groups of lemurs during the first half of the program: forest walks to record lemur behavior, diet, home range, and movement…

– You will contribute to habitat restoration activities on second half, along with community develpment, english class sessions. You will work closely with Community Outreach officer. You will also work with our partner Conservation Fusion for environmental education.

Regarding your skills, you can also be involved in other activities during the program: sustainable agricultural practices, horticulture, cooking session, ecotourism support, outreach and art workshop.

– Tent platforms are available. Volunteers are requested to bring two-person sized tents. Each tent site has a small gravity-fed shower. Flushing toilets are available. We are a fully functioning research facility, that almost completely relies on solar energy for a majority of our power needs.

– Number of Volunteers: 7-8

– On site we have an open-fire kitchen and dining hall where our cook staff prepares 3 meals a day which are usually rice-based, so be prepared for a repetitive diet!

– Our cooking staff have easily accommodated vegetarians and lactose-restrictive diets.

€31 Euro per day.

BA or BS in the biological or environmental sciences.

For any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance.

– Transportation to/from the airport
– Transportation between Antananarivo and KAFS, overnight at Ranofamana (halfway)
– Transportation in daily project on site
– Meals at KAFS and accommodations during the stay
– Logistical assistance with emergency transportation

– 90-day visa
– Airfare
– Traveler’s health insurance
– Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis
– Hotel, food in Antananarivo (upon arrival and prior to your departure from Madagascar)
– A free-standing two-person sized tent
– Any additional personal equipment you may need

Travel to major cities like: Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Mananjary probably Anja are possible.