Our April 2026 Madagascar wildlife tour focused on exploring a diverse range of habitats rather than targeting specific species. From the spiny forests of the south to the limestone formations of Tsingy and the eastern rainforests of Andasibe, this itinerary delivered exceptional sightings of Madagascar’s unique wildlife.
Berenty Reserve – Lemurs & Spiny Forest
After arriving in Fort Dauphin, we travelled to Berenty Reserve, a small but wildlife-rich area in southeastern Madagascar. Known for its “dancing lemurs,” Berenty offers some of the best opportunities to observe Verreaux’s Sifaka, famous for its upright, sideways movement between trees in open habitat.
We also enjoyed close encounters with Ring-tailed Lemur and Rufous-fronted Brown Lemur, all easily observed in the reserve’s gallery forest.
Birding highlights included:
- Giant Coua
- Crested Coua
- Frances’s Sparrowhawk
- Malagasy Kestrel
- Chabert Vanga
- Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher
- Sakalava Weaver
Night walks produced excellent sightings of:
- White-footed Sportive Lemur
- Grey and Grey-brown Mouse Lemurs
- Small Indian Civet
- Madagascar Scops Owl
- Madagascar Nightjar
- Malagasy Flying Fox
Reptiles and other wildlife included Madagascar Ground Boa, Southern Spider Tortoise, and a variety of chameleons, geckos, and invertebrates.
Kirindy Forest – Western Madagascar Specials
Flying to Morondava, we continued to Kirindy Dry Forest, one of the best sites in Madagascar for nocturnal mammals.
Our main target, the Giant Jumping Rat, was successfully seen after dedicated searching. Although Fossa was absent during our visit (seasonally dependent), the reserve still delivered outstanding sightings.
Other key species included:
- Red-tailed Sportive Lemur
- Gray Mouse Lemur
- Narrow-striped Boky
- Milne-Edwards’s Tufted-tailed Rat
- Coquerel’s Coua
- Sickle-billed and Rufous Vangas
Kirindy remains one of the top locations for Madagascar’s endemic dry forest wildlife.
Tsingy de Bemaraha – Limestone Formations
The journey to Tsingy was an adventure, involving river crossings and challenging roads, but well worth the effort. Exploring the dramatic limestone formations of Tsingy de Bemaraha is a highlight of any Madagascar itinerary.
Although time was limited for intensive wildlife searching, we recorded:
- Madagascar Fish Eagle
- Tsingy Forest Rail (heard)
- Cuckoo-roller
- Madagascar Sandgrouse
- Malagasy Kingfisher
The landscape itself is a major draw, offering a completely unique ecosystem.
Avenue of the Baobabs
A sunrise visit to the Avenue of the Baobabs provided one of the most iconic wildlife and landscape experiences in Madagascar. This is a must-see destination and a highlight of any western Madagascar tour.
Andasibe Rainforest – Eastern Madagascar
The final leg of the tour took us to the lush rainforests of Andasibe (Analamazaotra and VOI Reserves), one of the best regions for rainforest wildlife in Madagascar.
Highlights included:
- Indri (Madagascar’s largest lemur)
- Diademed Sifaka
- Goodman’s Mouse Lemur
- Crossley’s Dwarf Lemur
Birding highlights:
- Blue Coua
- Red-breasted Coua
- Madagascar Blue Pigeon
- Madagascar Scops Owl
- Common Sunbird-Asity
- Madagascar Forest Rail
Reptiles and amphibians included Parson’s Chameleon, leaf chameleons, and a variety of frogs and geckos.
Palmarium Reserve – Aye-aye Experience
We spent a night at Palmarium Reserve, where introduced Aye-ayes can be observed on a nearby island. While not always considered a fully “wild” sighting for listing purposes, the experience provides exceptional close views of this elusive species.
Conclusion
This Madagascar wildlife tour once again highlighted the island’s incredible biodiversity and endemism. From lemurs and endemic birds to reptiles and unique ecosystems, Madagascar remains one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in the world.
While travel logistics can be challenging, the quality and diversity of wildlife more than make up for it. We look forward to returning on our next Madagascar birding and wildlife tour.
