Madagascar Birding tour with Nature Travel Birding
14-day Madagascar Birding tour from Antananarivo, prepared as a Nature Travel Birding review draft targeting Meller's Duck, Giant Coua, Forest Fody.
About this tour
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.
Target birds highlighted by the source include Malagasy and Banded Kestrel; Malagasy Pond Heron; Madagascan Ibis; Madagascan Grebe; Meller’s Duck; Red-capped-, Crested-, Running-, Coquerel’s-, Red-fronted and Giant Coua; Red and Forest Fody; Long-tailed, Short-legged, Pitta-like, Scaly and Rufous-headed Ground Roller; Cuckoo Roller; Subdesert and Brown Mesite; Velvet Asity; Helmet, Van Dam’s, Blue, Sickle-billed, Chabert and Rufous Vanga; Madagascan Sandgrouse; Madagascan Buttonquail; Madagascan Nightjar; Yellow-bellied Sunbird.
This BirdWatch review draft is based on Marc Cronje's approval and Nature Travel Birding public tour information. Final dates, prices, spaces, route details and inclusions should be confirmed by Marc before booking.
Birds you can spot
Itinerary ▼
Arrival in Madagascar, transfer to the hotel in Antananarivo
Morning birding, flight to Toliara, afternoon birding
Andatabo Forest & Ifaty
Reniala Forest Private Reserve
Zombitse Forest & Isalo National Park
Anja Reserve, transfer to Ranomafana National Park
-8 Ranomafana National Park
Transfer to Antsirabe
Transfer to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Analamazaotra Reserve
Onwards to Akanin’ny Nofy via Manambato
Return to Antananarivo & Departure
Locations & map
- Antananarivo - Madagascar (Access city / route start for this BirdWatch review draft.)
Availability & pricing
Included
- Expert bird guiding by Nature Travel Birding / Marc Cronje or team - Exact guide assignment to be confirmed for each departure.
- Birding route planning and target-bird focus - Based on source tour page and listed target birds.
- International flights, visas and travel insurance - Confirm exact exclusions with Nature Travel Birding.
- Personal expenses and optional activities - Confirm exact exclusions with Nature Travel Birding.
Transport & stays
- Tour vehicle / internal transfers Transport arrangements to be confirmed from the current itinerary. | Meet: Antananarivo | Pickup: Airport or first lodge pickup to be confirmed.
Policies & FAQ
Are these dates guaranteed?
These are review-draft dates copied from the public Nature Travel Birding upcoming tours page and must be confirmed by Marc before booking.
How do enquiries work?
Use the BirdWatch enquiry form. BirdWatch will forward your request to Nature Travel Birding / Marc Cronje so the current route, availability, price and inclusions can be confirmed.