Madagascar Endemic Birds: Southwest to Eastern Rainforest
A 21-day, four-guest bird photography journey through Ifaty’s spiny forest, Nosy Ve, Zombitse, Ranomafana and the rainforests around Andasibe.
About this tour
This 21-day bird photography circuit connects Madagascar’s southwest coast, southern highlands and eastern rainforest. A maximum of four guests travel with a Tanalahorizon tour guide, with local forest guides supporting visits to reserves and national parks. The itinerary is organized around habitat changes and time with birds, including early outings and a night excursion in the Andasibe region.
After meeting the team in Antananarivo, a domestic flight reaches Toliara and the road journey continues to Ifaty. Reniala’s spiny forest is central to the birding here; Andatabo may also be visited. Long-tailed Ground Roller and Red-shouldered Vanga are among the species sought. Beach accommodation allows a break between field sessions. From Anakao, a boat outing to Nosy Ve shifts the emphasis to coastal birds, including Red-tailed Tropicbird.
The inland route visits Zombitse-Vohibasia, where Appert’s Tetraka and Giant Coua feature among the possibilities, and continues to Isalo’s sandstone landscapes. Near Ambalavao, the Anja Community Reserve combines lemur observation with birding. Ranomafana then brings a transition into humid rainforest, with asities and other forest birds among the subjects. The highlands around Antsirabe provide a further change of scenery before the journey heads east.
Andasibe forms the final major birding area. Visits include Mantadia, Analamazaotra and the quieter Maromizaha reserve, with ground rollers, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Blue Coua and Helmet Vanga among the birds sought. A night walk broadens the search to reptiles and amphibians. Encounters depend on conditions and wildlife activity and are never guaranteed. The circuit returns to Antananarivo for the departure.
The base price of EUR 4,250 is per person sharing a double room; a single room adds EUR 650. The advertised package includes accommodation, ground and boat travel, airport transfers, guiding and planned entrance charges. An optional Ankarafantsika extension adds dry-forest and Lake Ravelobe birding at an additional EUR 1,250 per person sharing, plus EUR 350 for its single-room supplement. Travel follows a flexible sequence of stages, with detailed timing confirmed for each departure.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Madagascar.
Birds you can spot
Xanthomixis apperti
target
Coua caerulea
target
Coua cristata
target
Coua gigas
target
Euryceros prevostii
target
Uratelornis chimaera
target
Alectroenas madagascariensis
target
Atelornis pittoides
target
Calicalicus rufocarpalis
target
Phaethon rubricauda
target
Atelornis crossleyi
target
Geobiastes squamiger
target
Brachypteracias leptosomus
target
Locations & map
- Antananarivo - Madagascar
- Toliara - Madagascar
- Ifaty and Reniala - Madagascar
- Anakao and Nosy Ve - Madagascar
- Zombitse-Vohibasia - Madagascar
- Isalo - Madagascar
- Ambalavao and Anja - Madagascar
- Ranomafana - Madagascar
- Antsirabe - Madagascar
- Andasibe - Madagascar
- Mantadia - Madagascar
- Analamazaotra - Madagascar
- Maromizaha - Madagascar
- Ankarafantsika — optional extension - Madagascar
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: October to December
Included
- Arrival and departure airport transfers in Madagascar
- Ground and boat travel within Madagascar
- Accommodation throughout the circuit
- Scheduled park and reserve entrance charges
- Photo-tour guiding throughout
- Drivers, vehicles and fuel
- Local forest guides
- Travel insurance certificate
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights within Madagascar
Transport & stays
- Domestic flight, road travel and boat excursions The route uses a domestic flight to Toliara and a boat excursion to Nosy Ve. Ground and boat travel are included in the package; the domestic flight is not included and is paid separately.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.