Birdwatching

Day 1 Antananarivo

Pick up from the airport and transfer to your hotel for an overnight on bed and breakfast.

Day 2 Tana & Tsarasaotra

Before leaving Tana we visit Tsarasaotra, a RAMSAR listed site in the heart of the city. Possibility to see the Ardeola idae (endangered), Anas melleri, Tachybaptus pelzelnii. Lunch in town and drive east to the rainforest. Overnight in Andasibe. (B-D)

Day 3 & 4 Andasibe’s Rainforest

We visit several reserves and parks during these two days: Analamazoatra Reserve, Mantadia National Park and the Mitsinjo Forest, all located inside the rainforest. Lunches are picnics in the park to make the most of the sites. The list of residents and visiting birds would be too long to list, so here are a few: 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 (B-L-D)

Day 5 & 6 Antsirabe - Ranomafana

We change environment and, after having crossed Tana, we head towards the Highlands. The next day we drive along the Nationale 7 to visit the park of Ranomafana. Nights in Antsirabe and Ranomafana. (B, D)

Day 7 & 8 Ranomafana

Ranomafana is a dense forest and walking may sometimes be difficult. We are indeed looking for birds but there are also lemurs such as the Greater Bamboo Lemur and the Golden Bamboo Lemur. There is also an abundance of insects, reptiles and amphibians. Though birds are discreet in the middle of the day, other exciting observation will keep us busy. Some birds: Slender-billed Flufftail, Grey Emutail, Squacco Heron, Yellow-browed Oxylabes, Velvet Asity, Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Pollen’s Vanga, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Rufous-headed Groung-Roller, Short-legged Ground Roller, Greycrowned Tetraka, Brown Emutail, Forest Rockthrush, Madagascar Serpent Eagle, Tylas Vanga, Black-crowned Night Heron, Madagascar Brush Warbler. (B-L-D)

Day 9 Ambalavao - Ranohira

Today we proceed to the park of Isalo in Ranohira. Near Ambalavao we take the time to go and greet the Ring-tailed Lemur in the small community reserve of Anja. (B, D)

Day 10 Isalo National Park

Isalo National Park is not a real birdwatching site but it is the best place to observe the famous Benson’s Rock Thrush endemic to the Park. Isalo is also a superb site combining geology and botany in this important place of discoveries. (B-L-D)

Day 11 Zombitse Forest

Leaving early morning south to Zombitse Forest. Overview of the birds found in Zombitse: Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Crested Drongo, Red-tailed Vanga, Chabert’s Vanga, Blue Vanga, Madagascar Magpie robin, Long-billed Tetraka, Madagascar Spine-tailed Swift, Common Newtonia, Archbold’s Newtonia, Common Jery. Continue and overnight at Tulear. (B-L-D)

Day 12, 13 & 14 The dry forest of the South West.

We will visit the sites of Tsinjoriake, Ste Augustin, Belalanda Lakes, Ifaty. We will walk in the mangrove and discover the avifauna. A local NGO runs this aquatic area and bird watching in the region. Overview of the birds found in the area: Running Coua, Red-capped Coua, Verreaux’s Coua, Sub-desert Messite, Red-shouldered Vanga. (B-L-D)

Day 15 Tulear - Tana

After breakfast, you will leave the hotel for Tulear from where you will take a domestic flight to the capital. Reception at the airport and assistance for your outbound flight. (B) NB - the program for this day will depend on the domestic flight schedule.

15 DAY PRIVATE ITINERARY FROM £ 3,218* PER PERSON

Includes

• Private tour • 14 nights accommodation in hotels/lodge • English-speaking guide • Birdwatcher guide in the parks. • Transport in air-conditioned vehicle • The domestic flight(s) in Y class • Park entrances fees + local guide in the park • Unlimited mineral water in the car • Meals as indicated (B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner)