In association with Zoothera Global Birding

September 29 - October 19, 2012
Masoala Extension: October 19 - 23, 2012

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The island of Madagascar is simply a world apart with totally unique flora and fauna.  It is a place where evolution has run wild and has such a high degree of endemism that it is truly like nowhere else on Earth. Situated 430 kilometers from the east coast of Africa, Madagascar currently holds 120 species of endemic birds including six completely endemic families. Nowhere else in the world can you see Ground-Rollers, Mesites, Vangas, Couas, Cuckoo-Roller, and Asities. It is also famous for its remarkable selection of Lemurs and we have the chance to see up to 20 species ranging from the huge and noisy Indri to tiny Mouse-Lemurs.

This is a thorough tour of the island taking in a wide variety of often unique habitats ranging from high rocky escarpments, vast grasslands, dry deciduous woodland, spiny Didierea forest, sandy off shore islands, mangrove, and lush rich rainforest. With more and more pressure on Madagascar's wildlife from intense farming and forest destruction, now is the time to visit, literally before its too late. By joining our tour you will be doing your part in helping protect what is left of this most wonderful and unique country. With transport including internal flights, expert local guides, a variety of vehicles and expensive speedboats this tour is not inexpensive.  However, we invite you to compare with other companies and you'll soon realize that this tour is an excellent value. This itinerary is very similar to one of the big tours companies, yet is nearly $2000 less!  If you want the complete adventure, join the extension to the remote Masoala peninsula where we will search for one of the most enigmatic of birds, the bizarre looking Helmet Vanga.

One of our main target species here is Van Dam’s Vanga in one of only two sites in this part of the island. Another target species will be the strange and similarly restricted White-breasted Mesite and we hope to come across small groups of this secretive bird as we make our way along the quiet forest trails. There will be plenty of other specialties to keep us busy and our search may reveal the superb Schlegel’s Asity, Rufous Vanga, and Red-capped and Coquerel’s Coua. This area also holds numerous other endemics and a good selection of lemurs. We hope to find the striking Coquerel’s Sifaka, Common Brown Lemur and the rare Mongoose Lemur during the day, while a night walk could prove very interesting with species such as Milne-Edward’s Sportive Lemur, Western Woolly Lemur, Gray Mouse Lemur and maybe even one of the world’s smallest primates the rare Golden-brown Mouse Lemur. Night Ampijoroa.

Day 4: Ampijoroa
From our ideal base we have all day to search areas of dry forest, and moist woodland for a great selection of regional and country endemics. The Madagascar Crested Ibis will hopefully be in our sights, as will Madagascar Buttonquail, France’s Sparrowhawk, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, and Rufous, Hook-billed, White-headed, Chabert’s and Red-tailed Vangas, Long-billed Greenbul and Crested Coua. No less than eight species of lemur occur here and many interesting and exquisitely marked Chameleons including the world’s largest species, the Rhinocerous Chameleon. No need to worry about snakes as there are no venomous snakes in Madagascar.

We will spend the afternoon birding one of the nearby lakes in search of the critically endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle, one of the rarest raptors in the world with a population of around just 100 pairs. With possibilities of Sooty and Eleonora’s Falcons over nearby fields, and a variety of water birds such as Little Grebe, African Darter, Glossy Ibis, Comb Duck, Yellow-billed Stork, Dimorphic Egret, Greater Painted Snipe, African Pygmy Goose, Allen’s Gallinule, the localized Madagascar Jacana and White-throated Rail. If we are lucky we may even find a Malagasy Kingfisher ending what should be a fabulous day.  Night Ampijoroa.

Day 5: Ampijoroa – Tana
After a final morning birding where we may check forest edges for Sickle-billed and Blue Vangas, as well as Madagascar Bush Lark, Madagascar Munia, and Broad-billed Roller.  Around the wetlands we may get another chance for White-throated Rail before returning to Mahajanga and our flight back to Tana where we will overnight.  Night Tana.

Days 6 - 7: Tana – Perinet
This morning we will depart early for the drive eastward across the Highland Plateau to the famous reserve of Perinet (otherwise known as Analamazaotra). Along the way we can scan the rocks on the Mangoro River where it is sometimes possible to find the attractive Madagascar Pratincole. The rest of today and the following day will see us search both Perinet Forest Reserve and Mantadia National Park, two areas that protect some of the richest east coast forest in Madagascar. The latter only recently opened up and is now a must visit site on any trip to this fabulous country. In true Madagascar style we could soon be listening to the unbelievable sound of the handsome Indri, the largest of the lemurs, and once heard never to be forgotten. In fact if we come across a close group of these superb mammals, you just wouldn’t believe how loud their wailing cries can be.

In the evening and close to the restaurant we may be fortunate enough to a family of Furry-eared Dwarf Lemurs that are sometimes seen in and around the gardens. The rich, moist rainforests here hold a wealth of Madagascar specialties including no less than four species of the much sought after ground-rollers. We will spend time looking for the beautiful Scaly Ground-Roller, as well as Pitta-like, Rufous-headed and Short-legged, the latter surprisingly found in trees. Many of the species here are poorly known and several species impossible to see elsewhere. Flocks of Vangas may hold the strange Nuthatch Vanga, as well as White-headed, Chabert’s, Tylas, Blue, Red-tailed and Hook-billed, and skulking coua’s could include Red-fronted, Blue Coua and with luck the rare Red-breasted Coua. The bizarre Cuckoo-Roller should be found alongside a host of other species such as Madagascar Flufftail, the elusive Madagascar Wood Rail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Nightjar, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar Spinetail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Ward’s Flycatcher, Forest Fody, Madagascar Starling, Long-billed and Spectacled Greenbul, Crossley’s Babbler, Rand’s Warbler, Cryptic Warbler, Common and Dark Newtonia, Green, Stripe-throated, Common and Wedge-tailed Jery, White-throated Oxylabes, Madagascar Wagtail, Nelicourvi Weaver and Souimanga Sunbird.

Many of the species we will be looking for are either rare, local or very elusive and we will be making special efforts to see as much as we can. If not found in the evening, the superb Collared Nightjar may well be found on a day roost, allowing unprecedented views of this elegant looking endemic. We will try for both Common Sunbird-Asity and Velvet Asity, Brown Emutail, Madagascar Long-eared Owl and Rainforest Scops-owl. Of course the area also abounds with many other forms of wildlife and we should have chances for a good selection of lemurs such as Diademed Sifaka, Gray Bamboo Lemur, Weasel Sportive Lemur, Eastern Woolly, Black-and-white Ruffed, Furry-eared Dwarf the diminutive Goodman’s Mouse Lemur and as mention before the superb Indri. Nocturnal outings add a touch of something special to this wonderful area and a short stroll could find us many bizarre and striking species such as leaf-tailed geckos, colorful frogs, chameleons and geckos. Two Nights Perinet.

Days 8 - 9: Perinet – Anjozorobe
We depart early today for the drive to Anjozorobe for a two-night stay. This exciting site provides us with the opportunity of finding more forest, wetland and montane birds which are hard to find elsewhere. Our winding route takes us through rural highland scenery, scattered with traditional houses and rice paddies. As we near continue on, the hilly scenery becomes wilder until we finally arrive at our wonderful lodge overlooking a tranquil and beautiful highland rainforest! Our main target species is the difficult and localized Slender-billed Flufftail, while a supporting cast of superb birds include the rare Meller’s Duck, Henst’s Goshawk, Madagascar Grebe, Madagascar Snipe and Madagascar Rail, Madagascar Partridge, Madagascar Buttonquail the secretive Madagascar Wood Rail, Pitta-like and Rufous-headed Ground Roller, Brown Emutail, Crossley’s Babbler, gray-crowned Tetraka, Madagascar Yellowbrow and Common Sunbird-Asity. Two Nights Anjozorobe.

Days 10 - 11: Anjozorobe – Tana – Fort Dauphin – Berenty
This morning we will depart early for the drive to Tana and then take a short flight to Fort Dauphin, in the south-eastern corner of the country. Upon arrival we will transfer to the world-famous private lemur reserve of Berenty. The 3.5 hour drive takes us through many villages, and habitats that change from wetland valleys, paddy fields, dry scrub and cactus to spiny forest. Set on the banks of the Mandrare River and protecting an area of lush gallery forest, we will walk the trails in search of species such as Giant Coua, Crested Coua, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk, Madagascar Turtle Dove, Madagascar Green Pigeon, Madagascar Hoopoe, Yellow-billed Kite, Crested Drongo, Madagascar White-Eye, Hook-billed Vanga, Helmeted Guineafowl, White-throated Rail, possibly Madagascar Sandgrouse, the superb looking Sickle-billed Vanga, Frances’s and with a lot of luck Madagascar Sparrowhawk. We have very good opportunities to see both White-browed Owl and Torotoroko Scops-Owl on daytime roosts, while a large roost of Madagascar Flying Foxes should be a little easier. The reserve is not famous for its lemurs for nothing and we should get really close views of Verreaux’s Sifaka, Brown and Ring-tailed Lemurs, Gray and Reddish-gray Mouse Lemurs, White-footed Sportive Lemur and a host of other nocturnal creatures such as the strange Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec and several species of interesting geckos. Two nights Berenty.

Days 12 - 13: Berenty – Fort Dauphin – Tulear – Ifaty
Today we return to Fort Dauphin keeping a look out for Madagascar Buzzard and Madagascar Kestrel along the way. We will then take a flight to the south-western city of Tulear. Upon arrival we will drive directly to our hotel in the small resort of Ifaty for a two-night stay. Situated on the beach and backed by coastal scrub, we have birding right on our doorstep. While here we will be concentrating our efforts on the “Spiny Forest” and its very specialized wildlife. As we set foot among the huge bloated Boabab Trees surrounded by thorny scrub, we will go in search of spectacular endemics such as the strange Sub-desert Mesite and amazing Long-tailed Ground-Roller two birds very unique to this incredible area. Other sought after species include Banded Kestrel, Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, Madagascar Bee-Eater, Greater Vasa Parrot, gray-headed Lovebird, Running, Crested and Red-capped Coua, Archbold’s Newtonia, Thamnornis Warbler, Sub-desert Brush Warbler, Lafresnaye’s, Red-tailed and White-headed Vanga, as well as the superb looking Sickle-billed Vanga. At night Madagascar Nightjars circle around our lodge, while a variety of reptiles including Three-eyed Lizard and Spider Tortoise will be sought. The tropical ocean immediately in front of our cabins is alive with marine life and we will have some time to either relax or use masks and snorkels to appreciate the variety of colorful coral reef and fish. Nearby an area of wetlands and salt pools should attract plenty of shorebirds and here we will look for the endemic Madagascar Plover alongside Kittlitz’s, White-fronted and Ringed Plovers, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and possibly seabirds such as Caspian Tern and both Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds. Two Nights Ifaty.

Day 14: Nosy Ve and Anakoa
This morning we take the short drive back to Tulear where we will board a speedboat for an excursion to the small uninhabited islet of Nosy Ve. The main attraction of Nosy Ve is its colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds and we should be able to get fantastic close views of birds in the air and also on nests under low bushes. We can check the shoreline for White-fronted Plover, Sanderling, Terek Sandpiper, Dimorphic Egret and with luck the rather nomadic Crab Plover. Seabirds could include Lesser Crested, Common, Greater Crested, Caspian and Saunder’s Terns and there is always the chance of something unusual.

Leaving this idyllic island behind us we will cross to the mainland and the small fishing village of Anakoa where our targets will be the localized Littoral Rock Thrush and Sub-desert Brush Warbler. With a nice beach-side restaurant and bar looking out over clear blue waters this will be a relaxing place to unwind.  Night Anakoa.

Day 15: Tulear
Heading back to Tulear we have the full day to explore this wonderful area. With salt lagoons, mudflats, and sand flats we should find a variety of wading birds including Greater Sand Plover, Terek and Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Common Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, White-fronted Plover and among the many Kittlitz’s Sandplovers we can hope to find a few Madagascar Plovers. Terns and gulls may be present, and we will again search for the strange yet enigmatic Crab Plover, as well as the endemic Humblot’s Heron and Madagascar Swamp Warbler.

In the afternoon, we will make our first excursion to a flat-topped mountain aptly known as La Tabla. On the way we may find Madagascar Sandgrouse before reaching a desolate area of coral-rag scrub that consists of dense thorn scrub, Euphorbia’s and Baobabs, and which is home to two highly restricted endemics namely Red-shouldered Vanga, a species only discovered as recent as 1997, and the elegant Verreaux’s Coua. There should be few other species present and we will look for Madagascar Buttonquail, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Kestrel, Gray-headed Lovebird, Chabert’s Vanga, Lafresnaye’s Vanga, Common Jery, Souimanga Sunbird and possibly Running Coua. This is a great area for reptiles and we have chances to find several lizards, Dumeril’s Boa and the rare Radiated Tortoise. Night Tulear.

Day 16: Tulear – Zombitse Forest – Isalo
After breakfast we will set off towards Zombitse Forest National Park, a relict patch of woodland that holds the extremely localized Appert’s Greenbul. There should be plenty of other goodies to keep us busy including Coquerel’s Coua, Giant Coua, Cuckoo-Roller, Madagascar Spinetail, Common and Dark Newtonias, Blue Vanga, Rufous Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Madagascar Hoopoe, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Starling, Madagascar Harrier-Hawk and Madagascar Ibis. The very elusive Fosa lives here as well as Hubbard’s Sportive Lemur but we would consider ourselves extremely lucky if we saw either of these.

Moving on we will drive across grassy plains of the Central Plateau, to the isolated limestone Isalo Massif. This remote area is fairly devoid of birdlife but we will make strategic stops to search for Madagascar Partridge, Madagascar Buttonquail, Pied Crow, Namaqua Dove, Madagascar Lark and the attractive Malagasy Harrier, now split from the Reunion and with luck Madagascar Sandgrouse. Nearer to the Isalo National Park with its sandstone gullies and watercourses we can expect flocks of Gray-headed Lovebirds, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Cisticola, Madagascar Bee-Eater, White-throated Rail, Stripe-throated Jery and eventually around our fabulous lodge Madagascar Nightjar and the region’s special bird the Benson’s Rock Thrush.  Night Hotel Rock Lodge.

Days 17 - 19: Isalo – Ranomafana
Today we set off on the long drive to Ranomafana passing small villages, barren rocky hills and open grasslands where we will keep a look out for Malagasy Harrier, as well as Mascarene Martin, African Black Swift, and other roadside species. We then have two full days to explore this superb national park which was set up to protect the Golden Bamboo Lemur discovered here in 1985. There are plenty of other lemurs present and we will search for Greater and Gray Bamboo Lemur, Red-fronted Brown, Red-bellied and Small-toothed Sportive Lemur, Eastern woolly Lemur and the impressive Milne-Edwards’s Sifaka. Ring-tailed Mongoose are also present, alongside Common Tenrec, Red Forest Rat and Fanaloka, while chameleons and an incredible variety of frogs can also be sought. Once again we will be in an area that is simply brimming with endemics and specialty birds and our days will be filled searching for Brown Mesite, Henst’s Goshawk, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Forest Rock Thrush, Pollen’s Vanga, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Rufous-headed Ground Roller, Madagascar Yellowbrow, white-throated Oxylabes, Crossley’s Babbler, Red-fronted Coua, Ward’s Flycatcher, Gray-crowned Greenbul, Brown Emutail, Madagascar White-Eye, Madagascar Magpie-Robin, Madagascar Brush Warbler, Common Sunbird-Asity and the highly localized Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity. We also have the chance to find a few skulkers such as Madagascar Flufftail, Madagascar Snipe, Madagascar Wood Rail, Gray Emutail, and Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher. Three Nights Ranomafana.

Day 20: Ranomafana – Tana
After some final early morning birding, we will make our way back north to Tana, breaking our journey for lunch in a small town famous for its locally manufactured handicrafts. Winding our way northwards across the Horombe Plateau, we get an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Malagasy people, a fitting end to our extensive tour of this fabulous island. Night Tana.

Day 21: End of Main Tour – Start of Masoala Extension
Today if you are not going on to Masoala you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.

MASOALA PENINSULA EXTENSION: October 19 - 23
Day 1: Tana – Maroantsetra
If you are continuing on our extension then we will fly to Maroantsetra, a small town on the northeast coast of Madagascar. This will be our base for the night allowing us to take an early morning boat to the Masoala Peninsula the following day. Night Maroantsetra.

Days 2 - 4: Masoala Peninsula
This morning we will board our speedboat for the crossing of Antongil Bay to the remote and heavily forested Masoala Peninsular. This superb national park supports some of Madagascar’s finest forests and with that some very special birds. Our search among the huge epiphyte laden trees and open forest floor with scattered patches of ferns and crystal clear streams is targeted at the impressive and indeed spectacular Helmet Vanga, a stunning black and chestnut bird with a huge almost toucan-like turquoise-blue bill. We have allowed ourselves enough time to comfortably connect with this much sought after species, something not all companies do and many regret. Although expensive for a short trip we have high chances to connect with our main target species.

While searching this idyllic habitat we may also come across Bernier’s Vanga another species very special to this area and with a restricted range. Both the male and female which are quite different can be seen tearing strips of bark or hacking away at rotten stumps. With many other birds present we will also look for Scaly and Short-legged Ground-Rollers, Red-breasted Coua and a selection of lemurs such as Red-ruffed, Greater Dwarf, Brown Mouse, White-fronted Brown and Scott’s Sportive Lemur. All in all a fabulous place to visit and a once in a lifetime opportunity to a range of exciting wildlife and the mythical Helmet Vanga. Three nights Masoala.

Day 5: Masola – Maroantsetra – Tana
This morning we will head back to Maroantsetra and take our flight back to Tana, where we have use of a day room before enjoying our final dinner where we can reflect on this fabulous tour.

Leaders: Steve Bird, Gina Nichol, Tiana (local guide)