Safari OverviewOne word springs to mind when thinking of Madagascar: Endemism.
The world’s fourth-largest island simply has no equal when it comes to birding uniqueness. With six endemic bird families (the mesites, asities, Cuckoo Roller, tetrakas, vangas and the incomparable ground rollers) and over 130 endemics and near-endemics, the island ranks as the number one place for many birders from all over the world. In addition to the wonderful birdlife, Madagascar also boasts an extraordinarily remarkable array of endemic flora, reptiles, frogs and mammals, the famous lemurs and two-thirds of the world’s chameleons.
Madagascar is indeed a biodiversity hotspot; over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on the planet! This is the reason Madagascar has often been called an “alternate world” or “a world apart”, or even “the eighth continent”.
On this tour we will mostly visit the southern parts of Madagascar, focusing on different types of habitat, especially the rainforests, wetlands and otherworldly spiny forests. We will target the endemic and near-endemic species specifically, but we will naturally see so much more! The combination of unique and incredibly diverse wildlife, stunning reefs and pristine beaches, fascinating culture, delicious local cuisine, some of the best chocolate in the world, amazing scenic diversity, 750 species of endemic orchids, about 200 species of amazing avifauna and of course, the famous lemurs, makes Madagascar an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Let’s go birding!
Get more detail about what to expect on this tour: Go to full itinerary
Safari starts and ends in Antananarivo
Tour duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Type of accommodation: Comfortable, mid-range
Next group departure dates: 30 September 2022 / September 2023
Book this birding tour as a private, small group tour for your preferred travel dates
Andatabo and Reniala forests-
Bizarre and endangered spiny desert habitat filled with baobab trees and amazing avifauna
Isalo National Park-
Stunning and dramatic sandstone formations, lots of interesting animals and more than 100 bird species
Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park-
Transitional, dry habitat with top birds, rare mammals and bizarre smaller fauna
Ranomafana National Park-
Stunning tropical rainforest habitat that is home to 115 species of birds, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park –
Beautiful forest reserve with top birds, Indri and another 13 species of lemur
Beautiful beachside fishing town of Ifaty
Top Birds:
• Malagasy and Banded Kestrel
• Malagasy Pond Heron
• Madagascan Ibis
• Madagascan Grebe
• Meller’s Duck
• Red-capped Coua
• Crested Coua
• Running Coua
• Coquerel’s, Red-fronted and Giant Coua
• Red and Forest Fody
• Long-tailed and Short-legged Roller
• Pitta-like Roller
• Scaly and Rufous-headed Ground Roller
• Cuckoo Roller
• Subdesert and Brown Mesite
• Velvet Asity
• Helmet Vanga
• Van Dam’s Vanga
• Blue, Sickle-billed, Chabert and Rufous Vanga
• Madagascan Sandgrouse
• Madagascan Buttonquail
• Madagascan Nightjar
• Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity
Top Mammals:
• Fossa
• Indri
• Aye-aye
• Verreaux’s Sifaka
• Ring-tailed Lemur
• Golden Bamboo Lemur
• Red-fronted Brown Lemur
• Red-tailed and White-footed Sportive Lemur
• Berthe’s Mouse Lemur
• Coquerel’s Giant Mouse Lemur
| ITINERARY OVERVIEW |
|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Madagascar, transfer to the hotel in Antananarivo |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Morning birding, flight to Toliara, afternoon birding |
| Day 3 | Andatabo Forest & Ifaty |
| Day 4 | Reniala Forest Private Reserve |
| Day 5 | Zombitse Forest & Isalo National Park |
| Day 6 | Anja Reserve, transfer to Ranomafana National Park |
| Day 7-8 | Ranomafana National Park |
| Day 8 | Lake Nakuru National Park |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Antsirabe |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park |
| Day 11-13 | Andasibe-Mantadia National Park |
| Day 14 | Torotorofotsy Marsh, return to Antananarivo & Departure |
All our tours can be customised according to your specific requirements.
Get in touch with one of our team members for more information at info@naturetravelafrica.com