Madagascar Birds & Lemurs Photography Journey
A 19-day photography circuit from western Madagascar’s baobabs and Kirindy dry forest to Andasibe rainforest and Akanin’ny Nofy, with a maximum of four guests.
About this tour
Western dry forest and eastern rainforest give this 19-day journey two contrasting settings for bird and lemur photography. Tanalahorizon limits the group to four travelers and a tour guide, allowing time in the field for individual subjects rather than a hurried series of stops. The route begins and ends in Antananarivo, crossing the highlands through Antsirabe before reaching Morondava and Kirindy.
On the west coast, the itinerary combines landscape sessions around Baobab Alley with morning and late-afternoon forest walks. Kirindy provides opportunities to look for White-breasted Mesite, couas, vangas and Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher. A waterhole session offers another setting for birds, while separate excursions seek lemurs and other forest wildlife. Midday pauses provide relief from the heat, and a night walk changes the focus to nocturnal animals.
The return through Antsirabe leads into the humid forests around Andasibe. Mantadia and Maromizaha feature among the visits, with ground rollers, Helmet Vanga and Blue Coua among the birds sought. Indri and other lemurs add to the photographic interest. Sightings depend on conditions and animal activity; the itinerary’s named species are possibilities rather than guaranteed encounters.
A boat journey along the Canal des Pangalanes reaches Akanin’ny Nofy and Palmarium Lodge. Time here is devoted to the reserve’s lemurs, shoreline light, forest birds and an evening outing to seek aye-aye. The circuit then returns through Andasibe to the capital.
The base price is EUR 4,250 per person sharing a double room, with a EUR 650 single-room supplement. Lodging, daily breakfast, road and boat transport, guiding and planned admission charges are included. Travelers wanting further birding can discuss an optional Ankarafantsika extension, priced at an additional EUR 1,250 per person sharing, with a further EUR 350 single supplement for that extension. Its campsite arrangements include tents and three daily meals. Available departures are confirmed on inquiry.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Madagascar.
Birds you can spot
Coua caerulea
target
Coua cristata
target
Coua gigas
target
Euryceros prevostii
target
Treron australis
target
Upupa marginata
target
Corythornis vintsioides
target
Terpsiphone mutata
target
Atelornis pittoides
target
Schetba rufa
target
Atelornis crossleyi
target
Geobiastes squamiger
target
Brachypteracias leptosomus
target
Mesitornis variegatus
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Antananarivo
Meet the operator’s team at the airport and transfer to a nearby hotel. Rest after the flight and prepare for the journey.
Day 2
Highlands to Antsirabe
Drive about 170 kilometers through the highlands to Antsirabe. Rice terraces and settlements provide opportunities for landscape photography.
Day 3
Across the west to Morondava
Travel via Miandrivazo and the Tsiribihina River toward Morondava. Lunch and stops along the route break up the drive, with coastal photography possible after arrival.
Day 4
Baobab Alley and Kirindy
Photograph the baobabs before continuing toward Kirindy. After lunch, take a first walk in the dry forest and look for birds around the lodge and trails.
Day 5
Kirindy birds and vangas
A morning forest excursion seeks White-breasted Mesite, couas and other dry-forest birds. Pause during the hottest part of the day, then return for a second walk with vangas among the subjects.
Day 6
Lemurs and a night walk
Explore Kirindy early, looking for fossa and lemurs without assuming a sighting. An evening forest outing offers opportunities to seek nocturnal lemurs and other animals.
Day 7
Waterhole birds and baobab light
Visit a waterhole where kingfishers, lovebirds and other animals may gather. A later visit to a quieter baobab forest focuses on the changing light.
Day 8
Return to Morondava
Leave Kirindy and return to the coast. Visit Baobab Alley around sunset and remain for the colors that develop afterward.
Day 9
Morondava sunrise and reserve
Return to the baobabs before dawn for sky and sunrise photographs. After a roadside breakfast, explore a nearby private reserve before returning to the hotel.
Day 10
Morondava to Antsirabe
Drive back through western landscapes into the highlands. The reverse journey offers different views of villages and brick houses.
Day 11
Antsirabe to Andasibe
Continue toward Andasibe’s eastern rainforest. Settle into the lodge in the late afternoon and listen to the forest around dinner.
Day 12
Mantadia and the forest after dark
Visit Mantadia to look for lemurs and ground rollers. Return around midday for terrace photography, then visit a community park for an evening outing.
Day 13
Andasibe birding reserves
Explore a smaller forest reserve with Helmet Vanga among the birds sought. Birding near the lodge and a road walk offer further opportunities to observe birds, frogs and chameleons.
Day 14
Maromizaha rainforest
Walk in Maromizaha, seeking Blue Coua, indri and diademed sifaka. Keep both wildlife and close-up photography equipment available for the variety of subjects.
Day 15
Boat transfer to Akanin’ny Nofy
Reach the lakeside departure point around midday. A motorboat journey of about 26 kilometers along the Canal des Pangalanes leads to Akanin’ny Nofy.
Day 16
Palmarium’s lemurs
Spend the day observing and photographing lemurs in the reserve. Forest subjects are often close to the lodge, allowing unhurried sessions.
Day 17
Coastal light, forest birds and aye-aye
Visit the ocean beach near sunrise, then return for breakfast and another rainforest session. Madagascar Green Pigeon may be found feeding, and a dusk boat outing seeks aye-aye on a nearby island.
Day 18
Akanin’ny Nofy to Andasibe
Leave the lakeside reserve and travel back to Andasibe. An evening outing may provide another opportunity for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 19
Andasibe to Antananarivo
Return to the capital after a final morning near the forest. Visit the craft and local markets as time allows, then transfer for the onward flight.
Locations & map
- Antananarivo - Madagascar
- Antsirabe - Madagascar
- Morondava - Madagascar
- Kirindy - Madagascar
- Andasibe - Madagascar
- Mantadia - Madagascar
- Maromizaha - Madagascar
- Akanin’ny Nofy - Madagascar
- Ankarafantsika — optional extension - Madagascar
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Included
- Ground and boat transport in Madagascar
- Hotels, lodges and bungalows during the circuit
- Breakfast each day
- Admission to scheduled reserves and national parks
- Tour guiding throughout the journey
- Drivers, vehicles and fuel
- Local forest guides
- Travel insurance certificate
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights within Madagascar
Transport & stays
- Road transport and boat transfers Highland and west-coast road stages, followed by the Canal des Pangalanes boat journey to Akanin’ny Nofy.
Accommodations
- IC Hotel (day 1)
- Hotel Voyageur (day 2)
- Hotel Laguna Beach (day 3)
- Relais de Kirindy (day 4)
- Relais de Kirindy (day 5)
- Relais de Kirindy (day 6)
- Relais de Kirindy (day 7)
- Hotel Laguna Beach (day 8)
- Hotel Laguna Beach (day 9)
- Hotel Voyageur (day 10)
- Feon’ny Ala (day 11)
- Feon’ny Ala (day 12)
- Feon’ny Ala (day 13)
- Feon’ny Ala (day 14)
- Palmarium Lodge (day 15)
- Palmarium Lodge (day 16)
- Palmarium Lodge (day 17)
- Feon’ny Ala (day 18)
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.