Join us on one of our unforgettable expedition voyages to East Africa, and you’ll be sailing into a world of fascinating wildlife. Explore Astove Island's Aldabra tortoises, discover Bijoutier's abundant birdlife, see Unguja’s endangered red colobus monkeys in their natural habitat, and so much more! Whether you’re exploring Pemba Island’s biodiverse jungle, Cosmoledo Atoll’s pristine sand flats, or taking a guided canoe tour through Nosy Be’s Lokobe Reserve, you’ll soon see these lands are a haven for incredible wildlife…
Aldabra Tortoise
A massive raised coral atoll in the Seychelles, Aldabra, consists of 13 islands encircling a lagoon. And here, you’ll find the world's largest colony of 100,000 giant tortoises. This isolated archipelago is home to one of the biggest species of tortoise in the world – the Aldabra tortoise, which can weigh up to 550 lbs and live for up to 150 years.
Aye-Aye Lemur
Only the lucky few get to see aye-aye lemurs in the wild. This is the world’s rarest species of lemur, and aye-ayes are only found in the rainforests of Madagascar. This hairy primate is a sight to behold – it has big yellow eyes, rat-like teeth, and a long bushy tail that helps it balance as it runs along tree branches.
Belenois Aldabrensis
Assumption Island in the Seychelles is known for its vast range of colorful butterfly species. Look out for Belenois Aldabrensis, a breathtaking butterfly usually white, yellow, or orange, with black spots.
Blue Duiker
Found in coastal forests, this small antelope has small, sharp horns and a beautiful blue-grey coat. These timid mammals get their name from the Dutch word for 'diver' as they usually dive into the bush when threatened or alarmed. Keep an eye out for the blue duiker grazing on leaves, berries and fruit, and resting in thick coastal bushes and thicket on Pemba Island.
Pink Flamingos
One of East Africa’s most iconic birds, flamingos are famous for their light pink plumage and long necks. These graceful birds can often found feeding on algae and brine shrimp at soda lakes, a diet which gives them their distinctive pink color. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot these striking birds wading through water as they search for food on the Aldabra atoll.
Pemba Flying Fox
Only found on the island of Pemba, the Pemba flying fox is one of the world's largest fruit bats. This endangered flying fox is known for its distinctive rusty-red fur and impressive wingspan. Watch out for it foraging for figs and leaves in its tropical forest home.
Kirk’s Red Colobus
This endangered monkey lives solely on Zanzibar's main island, Unguja. The mainly arboreal species is found in three forests within the island. Visit the Jozani Forest Reserve for a chance to see these arboreal primates swinging from tree to tree in the wilderness!