DAY 1 - ANTANANARIVO

Arrival in the capital city of Madagascar after a long flight, depending on your point of origen. The beginning of the tour needs to be timed so that the internal flight later from Mahajanga departs in the morning rather than the afternoon. Night at Relais des Plateaux or similar hotel.

DAY 2 - TULEAR & IFATY

Morning flight to Tulear. Upon arrival visit Arboretum d'Antsokay to look for Red-capped Coua, Olive-capped Coua, Madagascar Buttonquail, and Subdesert Brush-Warbler. Then land transfer north to Ifaty with some birding enroute at Belalanda Lake as time permits. This artificial lake was built with slave labor in the 1840's. The lake a nice introduction to some Madagascar endemics such as Mellers Duck and Madagascar Plover. Also possible are White-throated Rail, Baillon's Crake, and Greater Painted-Snipe. Night at La Mira Hotel or similar in Ifaty.

DAY 3 - IFATY

The town of Ifaty is located in a very dry region of southwest Madagascar. The nearby Ifaty Spiny Forest featuring Didierea is a unique habitat that is home to most of the region's specialties. Birding is along sandy trails through a variety of strange spiny trees, euphorbias, and baobab trees. The most sought-after birds are Subdesert Mesite and Long-tailed Ground-Roller. Other specialties in this habitat are Running Coua, walking through tangled undergrowth, Crested Coua in the trees, Archbold's Newtonia, the striking Sickle-billed Vanga, and Thamnornis, a pale understorey tetraka. Also possible are the scarce Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, increasingly rare Banded Kestrel, and Greater Vasa Parrot. Night at La Mira Hotel or similar.

DAY 4 - TRANSFER & NOSY VE

Depart early for the 6-hour drive from Ifaty to Anakao via Tulear. The localized Littoral Rock-Thrush is quite common there. From Anakao visit Nosy Ve by boat, a small island off the coast that is home to a breeding colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds. After the boat trip, continue driving south to the area of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. Night at Domaine d'Ambola.

DAY 5 - TSIMANAMPETSOTSA NATIONAL PARK & TRANSFER

Morning birding in Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, which protects a xeric habitat of thickets, spiny forest, huge baobabs, and banyan trees. The main target birds are Madagascar Sandgrouse, Madagascar Buttonquail, and Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk. A quite large alkaline lake is home to Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Among mammals are Verreaux's Sifaka and Ring-tailed Lemurs and the extremely rare endemic Grandidier's Mongoose. Afternoon transfer back to Anakao for an overnight stay. Night at Prince Anakao or similar.

DAY 6 - TRANSFER & ZOMBITSE NATIONAL PARK

Depart early for Zombitse Natinal Park, a nearly 6 hour drive. This park protects a relic forest that is home to the extremely localized Appert's Tetraka. Also present are Helmeted Guineafowl, Giant Coua, Coquerel's Coua, Madagascar Spinetail, Madagascar Hoopoe, and Rufous Vanga. The local guide often knows where to find roosting Torotoroka Scops-Owl (now considered a subspecies of Madagascar Scops-Owl), and White-browed Owl. This site is another opportunity of seeing the uncommon Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk as well. Several species of lemurs are also present including Verreux's Sifaka and Zombitse Sportive Lemnur. In late afternoon continue on to Isalo National Park for a two-night stay. Night at Relais de la Reine or similar.

DAY 7 - ISALO NATIONAL PARK

Isalo National Park protects a picturesque region of beautiful sandstone formations. The park is extremely dry and features huge canyons, savanna, and hidden oases. The most sought-after species is Bensons's Rock-Thrush, reliably seen at the Piscine Naturelle pools. Other specials include Red-billed Duck, Madagascar Partridge, Madagascar Sandgrouse, Madagascar Cuckoo, Malagasy Coucal, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk, Madagascar Hoopoe, Olive Bee-eater, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Pollen's Vanga, and Crested Drongo. The park is also home to the best known of Madagascar's lemurs, the striking Ring-tailed Lemur. Night at Relais de la Reine or similar.

DAY 8 - TRANSFER & RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK

Morning transfer to Ranomafana National Park. After arrival, birding there. The park is situated on the eastern escarpment and is thus rather mountainous. A new species, the Golden Bamboo Lemur was discovered there in 1985, still known from only two locales in the park. Other lemurs commonly seen are Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Red-fronted Lemur, Red-bellied Lemur, Milne-Edwards's Sifaka, and the nocturnal Eastern Woolly Lemur, sometimes encountered in day roosts. We'll have this afternoon and the next two days birding this spectacular park. Night at Sejour Centrest or similar.

DAY 9 - RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK

Birding Ranomafana National Park requires climbing many steep and muddy hillsides covered in thick vegetation. The park is covered by rainforest and rain is always a possibility. Leech socks are advisable. This day will be devoted to the lower Talatakely section of the park. Birds in the part of the park include Brown Mesite, Pitta-like Ground-Roller, Ward's Flycatcher, Pollen's Vanga, Green Jery, White-throated Oxylabes, Wedge-tailed Jery, Gray-crowned Tetraka, and Rand's Warbler. We'll look for Madagascar Rail in the swamp off the Amboditanimena Trail and hope for some sign of the near mythical Slender-billed Flufftail. A number of lemur species are likely to be encountered this day. Night at Sejour Centrest or similar.

DAY 10 - RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK

Our second day of birding in the park will concentrate on higher elevation trails in the Vohiparara section of the park. Birds in this area include Blue Coua, Madagascar Forest Rail, Madagascar Flufftail, Henst's Goshawk, Greater Vasa Parrot, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Comoro Black Parrot, Gray Emutail, Brown Emutail, Cryptic Warbler, and Madagascar Yellowbrow. In the high altitude forest along the Sahamalaotra Track we hope to encounter Milne-Edwards's Sifaka as well as Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Tylas Vanga, and Crossley's Vanga. Night at Sejour Centrest or similar.

DAY 11 - RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK & TRANSFER

Morning will be devoted to seeking any birds missed the prior two days. Following lunch depart for the town of Antsirabe for an overnight stay. Night at Arotel or similar.

DAY 12 - TRANSFER & TSARASOTRA LAKE

Morning transfer to Antananariva. Following lunch, visit Tsarasotra Lake, a RAMSAR wetland in the city, to look for endemic Malagasy Kingfisher, Madagascar Munia, and Madagascar Wagtail. The main attraction are waterbirds such as Knob-billed Duck, Blue-billed Teal, Meller's Duck, Red-billed Duck, Madagascar Grebe, Black Heron, Dimorphi form of Little Egret, and Malagasy Pond-Heron. Overhead Malagasy Swift, Little Swift, Malagasy Palm Swift, and Mascarene Martin are usually evident. Night at Relais des Plateaux.

DAY 13 - ANTANANARIVO & ANDASIBE/VOIMMA

Morning transfer to Andasibe area. After arrival, afternoon walk through the VOIMMA community reserve. This site is home to the Indri, a quite spectacular lemur. After dark, visit the Mitsinjo Forest Reserve to looks for nocturnal birds and lemurs. The national park doesn't allow walks after dark. Possible birds include Collared Nightjar, Madagascar Nightjar, Madagascar Scops-Owl, and Madagascar Owl. In addition. there is a good population of Indri at Mitsinjo. Night at Longoza Lodge or similar.

DAY 14 - ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK/MANTADIA RESERVE

The Mantadia Reserve is now part of the national park, part of a World Heritage site. The entire day will be devoted to hiking trails in the reserve. The habitat is mainly rainforest. This site is the best place outside the remote Masoala area to see Helmet Vanga. It's also the best place to see Scaly Ground-Roller, Short-legged Ground-Roller, Pitta-like Ground-Roller, and Rufous-headed Ground-Roller. Other notable birds include Madagascar Blue-Pigeon, Brown Mesite, Red-breasted Coua, Blue Coua, Madagascar Rail, Madagascar Flufftail, Madagascar Snipe, Madagascar Grebe, Madagascar Ibis, Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Madagascar Blue Vanga, and Madagascar Starling. Various mammals are present including the Indri, with its ear-splitting cries, Diademed Sifaka and Common Brown Lemur. Night at Longoza Lodge or similar.

DAY 15 - ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK/MAROMIZAHA RESERVE

All day will be devoted to Maromizaha Reserve, located near Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. The park protects dense rainforest but also includes secondary and regenerating forest. Birds found in the reserve include White-breasted Mesite, Madagascar Cuckoo, Blue Coua, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Pitta-like Ground-Roller, Velvet Asity, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Tylas Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga, Comoro Blue Vanga, Madagascar Blue Vanga, Malagasy Brush-Warbler, Rand's Warbler, and Malagasy Bulbul. Night at Longoza Lodge or similar.

DAY 16 - ANDASIBE/ANALAMAZAOTRA RESERVE

Morning birding in Analamazaotra Reserve, best known for its 11 lemur species. Notable birds in the reserve include Red-breasted Coua, Blue Coua, Malagasy Coucal, Madagascar Forest Rail, Malagasy Sacred Ibis, Olive Bee-eater, Scaly Ground-Roller, Short-legged Ground-Roller, Pitta-like Ground-Roller, Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, Common Sunbird-Asity, Common Newtonia, Dark Newtonia, Tylas Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga, Crossley's Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, Ward's Flycatcher, Malagasy Paradise-Flycatcher, Malagasy Brush-Warbler, Spectacled Tetraka, Malagasy Bulbul, Madagascar Magpie-Robin, Souimanga Sunbird, Nelicourvi Weaver, and Madagascar Wagtail.and Madagascar Starling. Afternoon transfer to Antananarivo. Night at Relais des Plateaux or similar.

DAY 17 - TSARASOTRA LAKE

Early morning return to Tsarasotra Lake inside the city to look especially for rails that may not have been seen on our prior visit. Afternoon international flight out. End of tour at the airport.

DAY 18 - ARRIVE HOME

Depending on flight duration, arrive home this day or next day.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Country Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
• Ifaty Forest
• Ifaty Salt Pans
• Isalo National Park
• Maromizaha Reserve
• Nosy Ve Island
• Ranomafana National Park
• Tsimanampetsotsa National Par
• Tulear Mud Flats
• Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park