OPERATION RED ISLAND 2027

Participant Information & Registration

Thank you for your interest in joining Operation Red Island 2027.

Below you’ll find the basic logistics, accommodation information, pricing and the short registration form we need to get your booking started.

Overview

Task Force Rhino is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to providing support to anti-poaching and conservation operations across the globe.. Our work takes us into remote and demanding environments, where people need to be able to think clearly, adapt quickly and keep functioning when things do not go to plan.

Operation Red Island has been designed with exactly that in mind.

Working alongside King’s Paramedical, the expedition will give participants the opportunity to develop new skills in remote and emergency medicine, survival and hostile-environment operations, while also testing the skills and experience they already have.

This is not simply about learning techniques. It is about finding out whether you can still use them when you are tired, uncomfortable, under pressure, working with limited equipment and a long way from conventional support.

You will be pushed. You will be challenged. At times you will not know what is coming next.

That is deliberate.

We will not be publishing a detailed day-by-day programme or telling participants exactly which scenarios they will face. Doing so would make the assessment too easy. In the real world, emergencies do not arrive according to a timetable.

Expect the unexpected.

Our aim is simple: if you can successfully operate here, in this environment and under these conditions, we are confident you will have demonstrated that you can operate effectively almost anywhere.

Becoming a Task Force Rhino Expedition Medic

Successful completion of Operation Red Island qualifies you as a Task Force Rhino Expedition Medic.

This is not simply a certificate for attending.

It means that you have demonstrated to Task Force Rhino and King’s Paramedical that you can operate as part of a team in a remote environment, manage casualties, make sensible decisions under pressure, adapt when circumstances change and continue performing when conditions become difficult.

Qualified Expedition Medics may then be considered to accompany Task Force Rhino on future conservation projects, expeditions and field operations where medical support is required.

Logistics

The main Expedition runs 3–15 July 2027, a total of 13 days / 12 nights. Participants must arrive at Nosy Be Airport, Madagascar on the 3rd July 2027

Task Force Rhino will organise the group pickup and onward transfer by boat to the expedition area.

If you are joining the main expedition only, you should plan to depart from Nosy Be on the 15th of July.

Full Expedition + Optional Land & Sea Extension

The Land & Sea extension runs from 16–20 July 2027. Participants taking the extension should plan to depart from Nosy Be Airport on the 20th of July. Airport transfer on the final day is included.

OPTIONAL: Land & Sea Extension

After nearly two weeks of remote medicine scenarios, basic field living and being pushed outside your comfort zone, this is the fun part.

The Land & Sea extension is designed as a much more relaxed and comfortable few days of sightseeing, island hopping, good food and exploring Madagascar.

You’ll leave the field camp behind and travel through Nosy Iranja, Nosy Komba and Nosy Be, staying in local accommodation and seeing a completely different side of the country.

16 July – Nosy Iranja

After breakfast, the group will leave the expedition area and travel by speedboat to Nosy Iranja.

On arrival, an English-speaking guide will introduce you to the island, its people and local way of life.

You’ll have time to explore the island before checking into a local guesthouse.

Accommodation is full board, with dinner and overnight stay on Nosy Iranja.

17 July – Nosy Komba

After breakfast, you’ll travel by boat from Nosy Iranja to Nosy Komba.

Once settled into the accommodation, the group will head out on a guided walk and trek through the island.

The day is about exploring the villages, meeting local people and seeing the landscape and everyday life of Nosy Komba on foot.

Lunch will be provided during the trek, followed by dinner and an overnight stay on the island.

18 July – Nosy Be

The morning is left free to relax or continue exploring Nosy Komba.

Later in the day, the group will return by boat to Nosy Be and transfer to the accommodation there.

You’ll have dinner and spend the first of two nights on Nosy Be.

19 July – Nosy Be Island Tour

This is a full sightseeing day exploring Nosy Be by vehicle with a local guide.

The planned route includes:

• Mont Passot

• The Sacred Tree

• Hell-Ville

• A local waterfall

• A possible visit to an ylang-ylang plantation, depending on timing and availability

Lunch is included during the tour.

After a full day exploring the island, you’ll return to the accommodation for dinner and your final night in Madagascar.

20 July – Departure

After breakfast, transport will be organised to Nosy Be Airport according to your departure flight.

The Land & Sea extension includes the required boat transfers, land transport, accommodation, meals, guides, planned entrance fees, excursions and final airport transfer.

It is deliberately very different from the main expedition.

You’ve done the hard part. This is the chance to relax, enjoy the islands, see more of Madagascar and finish the trip properly.

Pricing

The Main Expedition runs from 3 to 15 July 2027 and costs €3,850 per person. The Full Operation Red Island Experience includes both the Main Expedition and the Land & Sea Extension, runs from 3 to 20 July 2027, and costs €4,950 per person.

Both options are all-inclusive once you arrive in Madagascar, covering accommodation, meals, local transport, boat transfers, expedition logistics, training, assessment, planned activities and airport transfers. The only major cost not included is your international flight to and from Madagascar. Personal travel insurance and personal equipment are also your responsibility.

Once your registration has been accepted, you will receive an invoice by email with payment instructions via Wise. You can choose to pay the full amount immediately or use our installment option.

If you choose the installment plan, the total cost is split into four equal payments: 25% on booking, 25% by 31 January 2027, 25% by 31 March 2027, and the final 25% by 31 May 2027. This means the expedition must be fully paid before June 2027.

For the Main Expedition, each installment is €962.50. For the Full Operation Red Island Experience, each installment is €1,237.50.

You are also welcome to pay faster or settle the remaining balance early at any time.