Species profile
About this species
The northern bamboo lemur is a small primate endemic to Madagascar, primarily found in the north-western regions of the island. It has a grey-brown coat, rounded ears, & a relatively short muzzle compared to other lemur species. It feeds almost exclusively on bamboo, spending much of its time in dense bamboo thickets & surrounding forest.
Dense bamboo thickets, tropical dry forests, & gallery forests in north-western Madagascar, particularly in areas with abundant bamboo growth near rivers & forest edges.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Northern bamboo lemur with us in Madagascar.
These departures are part of our Africa programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning between 06:00 & 09:00 is ideal, as the lemurs are most active at dawn. The dry season from April to October offers better visibility through thinning vegetation & more predictable light conditions.
Use a telephoto lens of at least 300mm to capture close-up shots without disturbing the animal in its dense bamboo habitat. Move slowly & quietly through the forest to avoid startling the lemur, as sudden movements will cause it to retreat deeper into cover. Shoot in burst mode when the lemur is feeding, as it moves quickly between bamboo shoots & can be difficult to track.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Northern bamboo lemur
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.