Species profile
About this species
The diademed sifaka is a large, strikingly coloured lemur native to the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. It displays a distinctive mix of white, black, orange, & silver fur, with a bare dark face framed by white facial fur resembling a diadem or crown. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss & hunting, making it one of the rarest primates in the world.
Tropical & subtropical moist broadleaf rainforests in eastern Madagascar, typically at elevations between 700m & 1,600m above sea level.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Diademed sifaka 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 hours between 7am & 10am when sifakas are most active in feeding & moving; the dry season from May to October offers better visibility & more predictable animal movement.
Use a telephoto lens of at least 300mm to capture the sifaka without disturbing its natural behaviour in the forest canopy. Shoot in burst mode to freeze its dramatic leaping movements between vertical tree trunks. Position yourself with the light source behind you to illuminate the animal's vibrant fur colouration in the often dim forest understorey.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Diademed sifaka
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.
