Madagascar’s Endemic Aviary

On arrival at Ivato International Airport, you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, a comprehensive briefing outlines the ornithological journey ahead.

The day is dedicated to Tsarasaotra Park, a protected Ramsar wetland in the heart of the capital. Here, one finds a concentration of water birds, including herons, egrets, and endemic species.

An overland journey east leads into the humid rainforest corridor. You stop at the Peyrieras Reptile Reserve before arriving in Andasibe for a guided nocturnal walk.

Explore the Analamazaotra Special Reserve, listening for the call of the Indri whilst seeking out forest-dwelling birds. The afternoon is spent at Vakona Reserve's 'lemur island'.

Today's exploration centres on the primary rainforest of Mantadia National Park. Its more rugged terrain offers a chance to find rarer species like the pitta-like and short-legged ground rollers.

A full day's drive south along the RN7 transitions from eastern rainforests to the rolling landscapes of the Central Highlands. You arrive in the city of Antsirabe in the late afternoon.

The journey continues south to Ambositra, the centre of Zafimaniry woodcarving. You then veer east into the cloud forests of Ranomafana National Park, where a night walk reveals nocturnal fauna.

The first full day in Ranomafana is spent searching for its 115 bird species, including the yellow-bellied sunbird-asity and brown mesite. Your guide navigates the trails of this dense, montane rainforest.

A second day of exploration focuses on different circuits within the park, targeting specific habitats and species. The afternoon is at leisure to relax at the lodge.

Leaving the rainforest, the route returns to the RN7 and continues south into an increasingly arid landscape. A stop at Anja Community Reserve provides close observations of ring-tailed lemurs amongst granite boulders.

A full day is dedicated to trekking through Isalo's sandstone massifs, deep canyons, and oases. The day concludes at your private camp, set within the park for a night under the stars.

Awake to the sounds of the canyon and enjoy a final morning walk in the park. You then return to the comfort of your lodge for an afternoon of relaxation overlooking the massif.

The journey continues to the coast along the RN7, passing through the transitional habitat of Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park. After a stop in Toliara, you proceed north along the coast to the spiny forest of Ifaty.

Explore the Reniala Reserve, a private protected area showcasing the unique flora of the spiny forest. This is a key site for finding the long-tailed ground roller and sub-desert mesite.

A motorboat transfer takes you across the water to the fishing village of Anakao. In the afternoon, you visit the nearby island of Nosy Ve, a nesting site for red-tailed tropicbirds.

Today's excursion is to the Bay of Saint-Augustin, an estuarine environment that is a key habitat for water birds. Flocks of greater flamingos are often present in the shallow waters.

You return by boat to Toliara for a domestic flight back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your hotel near the airport.

An early start for the long overland drive north-west to Ankarafantsika National Park. You traverse the highlands, arriving in time for a guided nocturnal walk in the dry deciduous forest.

A full day is spent exploring the forests and lakes of Ankarafantsika. This is a premier site for vangas, including the Van Dam's Vanga, and the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle.

The journey concludes with the return drive to Antananarivo. This evening includes a final debriefing on the wildlife sightings of your comprehensive journey.

Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for visiting the artisan market before your transfer to Ivato International Airport for departure.