Madagascar Birding Adventure
Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo (Tana), you will be met by a representative who will arrange your transfer to Combava Hotel.
Following an early morning breakfast, you'll be transported to the airport for a flight to Sambava. Upon arriving in Sambava, a local guide will greet you and accompany you on a one-hour drive to the Village of Manantenina, where the park entrance office is located. There, we'll arrange our entrance, meet porters and guides, and embark on another 30-minute drive to the village of Mandena. From Mandena, we'll commence the trek to the first campsite, where you'll spend the night camping. This area of lowland rainforest is a good place to see several species of lemurs, many birds (including the helmet vanga), and many species of amphibians and reptiles.
Today, you will explore Marojejy National Park, focusing on birdwatching and other wildlife. Marojejy is one of the most strikingly beautiful and wild areas of Madagascar, a place of dense, jungly rainforests, sheer, high cliffs, and plants and animals found nowhere else on earth.
Birds checklist: Helmet Vanga, Madagascar Crested Ibis, Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Turtle Dove, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo, Blue Coua, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Scops Owl, Madagascar Long-eared Owl, Madagascar Kingfisher, Madagascar Flufftail, Broad-billed Roller, Rufous-headed Ground Roller.
Another night camping.
Today, you will continue birding in the upper parts of Marojejy as you head toward the second campsite. You may also have a chance to spot the beautiful Silky Sifaka. To increase your chances of spotting this elusive animal, we are hiring a "Simpona Specialist" in addition to our guide. Lunch will be served at the second campsite, but in the evening, you will again spend another night at the first campsite, making the way out and back to Sambava easier on the next day.
In the early hours of the morning, you'll embark on a journey out of the park to catch a flight from Sambava back to Tana. Following your exit from the park, you'll proceed to the village of Mandena, where you'll rendezvous with your driver for transportation to Sambava Airport. From there, you'll board a flight back to Tana, where another guide will be awaiting your arrival. Following this, you'll embark on a 3-4 hour drive to Andasibe National Park, with an estimated arrival time in the evening around 7:00 PM. Upon reaching your destination, you'll enjoy dinner and retire for the night in preparation for the upcoming three days of exploration in the parks.
This morning, you will start very early to drive to Mantadia National Park entrance. Mantadia National Park protects the richest assemblage of birds on the island, including many that are rare or poorly known. Over 100 bird species have been recorded from within the reserve.
Birds checklist: Madagascar Flufftail, Madagascar Wood Rail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar Spinetail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Ward’s Flycatcher, Tylas Vanga, Madagascar Starling, Long-billed Bernieria, Spectacled Tetraka, White-throated Oxylabes, Nelicourvi Weaver, Souimanga Sunbird.
Overnight at Relais de Mantadia Hotel.
Analamazaotra National Park, part of the larger Andasibe National Park complex, is a haven for birdwatchers due to its diverse avian population. The park is home to numerous endemic bird species found only in Madagascar.
Birds checklist: Madagascar Flufftail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Nelicourvi Weaver.
While birding, visitors may also encounter lemurs, particularly the Indri lemurs, the largest living lemurs known for their distinctive calls. Overnight at Relais de Mantadia Hotel.
Drive back to Tana, with a visit to Tsarasaotra Lake for birdwatching. Overnight at Combava Hotel.
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Toliara. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver for a drive to Ifaty village. Enjoy a late afternoon visit to the Ifaty spiny forest. Overnight at Vovotelo Hotel.
Morning birdwatching in the Ifaty spiny forest. Relax on the beach in the afternoon.
The Ifaty Spiny Forest is characterized by its spiny vegetation, dominated by various species of endemic plants adapted to arid conditions. This habitat provides a home to specialized bird species that have adapted to survive in this environment.
Birds checklist: Long-tailed Ground Roller, Subdesert Mesite, Madagascar Harrier, sunbirds, vangas, cuckoo-rollers, couas.
Overnight at Vovotelo Hotel.
Drive back to Toliara, then travel by speedboat to Anakao village, a Vezo fishing village. Birdwatching around the village in the late afternoon. Overnight at Lalandaka Resort.
Boat excursion to Nosy Ve Island for birdwatching and snorkeling. Return to Anakao for relaxation and photography. Overnight at Safari Vezo Hotel.
Located just five kilometers off the coast of Anakao, Nosy Ve is a secluded gem referred to as "Bird Island" due to its role as the exclusive breeding ground for a colony of Red-tailed Phaetons (Red-tailed Tropic Birds). Visitors can also observe herons, egrets, and seagulls, amidst azure skies, pristine white sands, and shimmering turquoise waters.
Some truly amazing bird species can be seen here in the park. The bird list is at well over 100 species and we will look for specials such as the gorgeous Red-breasted Coua, Scaly, Rufous-headed and Short-legged Ground Roller, the secretive Madagascan Ibis, Madagascan Blue Pigeon, Crossley’s Vanga, Common and Dark Newtonia, Wedge-tailed, Green, Stripe-throated and Common Jery, Cryptic Warbler and Forest Fody. We will also scan across a small forest pond that often holds a pair of Meller’s Duck and Madagascan Grebe.
After an exhilarating day exploring the park, we'll head back to the lodge for a satisfying dinner. Following our meal, we'll embark on another captivating night walk to seek out fascinating fauna species, such as the Lowland Streaked Tenrec, Madagascan Owl, Rainforest Scops Owl, Collared Nightjar, and various geckos. Finally, we'll settle in for a restful night's sleep, recharging ourselves for the adventures that await us tomorrow.
Early morning drive to Tsimanampetsotsa National Park for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Return to Anakao in the evening. Overnight at Lalandaka Resort.
Tsimanampetsotsa National Park is renowned as a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 100 species, including various types of flamingos forming large colonies on the lake, as well as five species of Coua, Archbold's Newtonia, the Madagascar Plover, Red-shouldered Vanga, and Lafresnaye's Vanga. The park is also home to 12 mammal species, including the highly rare Grandidier's mongoose, and 39 reptile species, including the critically endangered Radiated Turtle.
Boat back to Toliara and continue to Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park. Afternoon visit to the park. Overnight at Zombitse Ecolodge or hotel in Sakaraha.
Morning birdwatching at Zombitse National Park. Continue to Isalo National Park.
One of the notable features of Zombitse-Vohibasia is its rich birdlife, with numerous species found within its boundaries.
Birds checklist: Appert’s Greenbul, Banded Kestrel, Cuckoo-Roller, Madagascar Sandgrouse.
Overnight at Isalo Rocklodge.
Today, you will embark on a trekking adventure through awe-inspiring canyons and breathtaking cliffs within Isalo National Park.
Birds checklist: Madagascar Hoopoe, African Palm Swift, Benson's Rock Thrush, Madagascar Bee-Eater, Namaqua Dove, Souimanga Sunbird, Madagascar Turtle Dove, Madagascar Buttonquail, Broad-billed Roller.
Overnight at Isalo Rocklodge
En-route stop at Anja Reserve for lemur spotting. Continue to Ranomafana and do a night walk for nocturnal animals. Overnight at Thermal Hotel.
Explore Ranomafana National Park for lemurs and birdwatching.
Ranomafana National Park offers a remarkable opportunity to witness the unique biodiversity of Madagascar. The park is famous for the discovery of the Golden Bamboo Lemur and the rediscovery of the Greater Bamboo Lemur.
Birds checklist: Henst's Goshawk, Brown Mesite, Blue Coua, Yellow-brow Coua, Spectacled Greenbul, Gray-crowned Greenbul, Pitta-like Ground-Roller, Green Jery, Rand's Warbler, Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, Brown Emutail, Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Meller's Duck, Madagascar Pratincole, Madagascar Snipe, Madagascar Partridge, Gray Emutail.
Overnight at Thermal Hotel.
Continue birdwatching in Ranomafana National Park. Afterward, make your way to Antsirabe and spend the night. Overnight at Couleur Café Hotel.
Morning visit around Antsirabe for birdwatching. Drive back to Tana for your last evening. Overnight at Combava Hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your international flight. End of the tour.
