Exo Terra Expeditions

The 2008 edition of the Exo Terra expedition headed for the Eastern Arc Mountains and the Southern Highlands of the Republic of Tanzania in East Africa. The main goal of this expedition was to map the amphibian and reptile biodiversity of these regions and to get a better understanding of the species inhabiting these complex eco systems. Some of the animals you are about to see were documented and filmed for the first time in their natural habitat.

There is still a place on earth where chimps and gorillas lope through jungle shadows within earshot of the pounding surf, where without moving your feet on the seashore you can see turtles, whales, chameleons and elephants, where the trails of nesting sea turtles mingle with those of crocodile, hippo and buffalo, where in a single vista, your gaze may track across primal forest, shimmering mangroves, manicured savannahs, palm-studded salt marsh, endless lagoon and Homo sapiens-free beaches! Gabon emanates the mood of equatorial Africa in its wild state, frozen in time, the only remaining example how tropical Africa once was...Emmanuel Van Heygen led the team through the dense jungles of central Africa in search for reptiles and amphibians.

All the members of the Exo Terra Madagascar 2006 Expedition returned home safely after spending three weeks of intense field research in the jungles and bamboo forests of north-western Madagascar. After the discovery of a new species of day gecko (Phelsuma vanheygeni) by Exo Terra Manager Emmanuel Van Heygen in 2004, during the Exo Terra Madagascar 2004 Expedition, many questions were left unanswered regarding the distribution range, behaviour and ecology of this remarkable species. In order to find answers to these questions the Exo Terra team returned to the area in June 2006.

The Exo Terra Ugandan Expedition 2005 was a resounding success! The eleven team members returned safely from their 15-day expedition to Uganda, where they studied the reptile and amphibian fauna in their natural biotope. The team, headed by Mr. Emmanuel Van Heygen (product manager for Exo Terra), experienced many exciting adventures – bringing back some great stories and even more amazing photographs. So stay tuned!