Madagascar Combo Birding-Wildlife Tours - 21 days
| Top targets | Brown Mesite, Subdesert Mesite, Long-tailed Ground Roller, Rufous-headed Ground Roller, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Banded Kestrel, Torotoroka Scops Owl, Verreaux’s Coua, Running Coua, Crested Coua, Red-breasted Coua, , Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Schlegel’s Asity, Velvet Asity, Helmet Vanga, Bernier’s Vanga, Red-shouldered Vanga, Rufous Vanga, Pollen’s Vanga, Van Dam’s Vanga, Nuthatch Vanga, Crossley’s Vanga, Benson’s Rock Thrush, Madagascan Fish Eagle, Henst’s Goshawk, Madagascar Wood Rail, Red Ruffed Lemur, Ring-Tailed Lemur, Fossa, Verreaux’s Sifaka, White-backed duck |
| Wildlife | Red-ruffed Lemur, Ring-tailed Lemur, Indri, Verreaux’s Sifaka, Coquerel’s Sifaka, Fossa, Mouse Lemurs, sportive lemurs, colorful chameleons, leaf-tailed geckos, tenrecs, and more. |
| Habitats & land cover type | Rainforest, Savannah, dry deciduous forest, spiny forest, transitional forest, wetlands |
| Best season | Year-round; peak September–November for breeding activity and dry conditions. |
| Climate | Warm to very hot, cooler evening in the highlands, some rainfall possible |
| Walking pace | Slow to Moderate |
| Ease of birdwatching | Moderate to challenging in the rainforest |
| Particularity | Offers a wide variety of birdlife and habitats ranging from rainforest to baobab and spiny area with many species and a good diversity of wildlife. This tour takes you to some of the best wildlife sites of Kirindy, Berenty and Masoala, each with something unique to offer |
| Other attractions | Marine reserve, wildlife viewing, culture. |
| Acommodation: | Comfortable hotels and lodges – as per availability in the area. |
Madagascar isn’t just another destination. It’s a whole different world, a place that feels like it was dreamed up by someone with a wild imagination. We call it the Eighth Continent for good reason: lemurs that dance, birds found nowhere else on Earth, chameleons the size of your finger or your forearm, and forests that look like they belong on another planet. This 21-day adventure is our way of sharing the very best of it with you—serious birding mixed with unforgettable wildlife moments, all wrapped in the laid-back rhythm of Malagasy life.
We take you from misty eastern rainforests where Indri sing their haunting morning choruses, through dry western woodlands where fossa prowl and giant jumping rats hop about, down to the spiny thickets of the south where ring-tailed lemurs sunbathe in troops and Long-tailed Ground Rollers pop up like little surprises. Along the way you’ll chase vangas of every shape and color, ground-rollers that make your heart skip, couas that strut like they own the place, and so much more. And yes, we’ll stop for those perfect “wow” moments: watching Verreaux’s sifakas bounce across the sand like they’re on springs, or spotting a tiny mouse lemur peering at you from a tree hollow at night.
What Makes This Tour Special (From the Heart)
We’re not rushing from one checklist to the next. We move at a pace that lets you really feel Madagascar, the smell of the forest after rain, the warmth of the people who welcome you, the sheer joy when that elusive birds finally shows up after hours of patient waiting. Our local guides know these trails like their own backyard (because they are), and they love sharing the stories behind every bird call or lemur leap. Whether you’re a hardcore birder who dreams of ticking all five endemic families, or someone who just wants to be amazed by this incredible island, we’ve got you covered.
EXPECTED TARGETS IN THE MAJOR SITES
1- Berenty
Malagasy Coucal, Western Cattle Egret, Malagasy Turtle Dove, Crested Coua, Red-capped Coua, Running Coua, Giant Coua, Madagascan Cuckoo, Torotoroka Scops Owl, White-browed Hawk-Owl, Madagascan Nightjar, Malagasy Kestrel, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Hook-billed Vanga, Lafresnaye’s Vanga, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Pied Crow, Malagasy Bulbul, Subdesert Brush Warbler, Madagascan Magpie-Robin, Sakalava Weaver, Madagascan Sandgrouse, Grey-headed Lovebird, Souimanga Sunbird, Madagascan Lark2- Tsarasaotra
White-faced Whistling-Duck, Knob-billed Duck, Malagasy Pond Heron, Squacco Heron, Black Heron, Dimorphic Egret, Great White Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Comb Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Red-billed Teal/ Duck, White-throated Rail, Madagascan Swamp Warbler , Hottentot Teal, Red Fody, Madagascan Coucal, Madagascan Wagtail, Malagasy Kingfisher, Malagasy white eye, Yellow-billed Kite, Madagascan Mannikin, Malagasy Kestrel, Mascarene Martin, Meller’s Duck, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Moorhen, Long-tailed Cormorant, Madagascan Cuckoo, African Pygmy Goose, Baillon’s Crake, Common Myna, Madagascan Stonechat.3- Andasibe – Analamazaotra
Little Grebe, Squacco Heron, Madagascan Wood Rail, White-throated Rail, Malagasy Sacred Ibis, Malagasy Scops Owl, Madagascan Owl, Rainforest Scops Owl, Collared Nightjar, Madagascan Nightjar, Red-breasted Coua, Blue Coua, Madagascan Cuckoo, Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher, Malagasy Kingfisher, Spectacled Tetraka, Short-legged Ground Roller, Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, Scaly Ground Roller, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Nelicourvi Weaver, Velvet Asity, Common Sunbird Asity, Souimanga Sunbird, Malagasy Green Sunbird, Tylas Vanga, Hook- billed Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga, Crossley’s Vanga, France’s Sparrowhawk , Madagascan Sparrowhawk, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher , Ward’s Flycatcher, Olive Bee-eater, Madagascan Flufftail, Sooty Falcon, Madagascan Coucal, Dark Newtonia, Common Newtonia, Crested Drongo, Malagasy Bulbul, Malagasy Brush Warbler, Cryptic Warbler, Rand’s Warbler, Common Jery, Green Jery, Stripe-throated Jery, Madagascan Cisticola, Madagascan Magpie-Robin, Madagascan Stonechat, Long-billed Bernieria, Madagascan Mannikin, Madagascan Wagtail4- Mantadia
Meller’s Duck, Madagascan Grebe, Madagascan Rail, Madagascan Wood Rail, White-throated Rail, Short-legged Ground Roller, Scaly Ground Roller, Rufous-headed Ground Roller, Madagascan Spinetail, Nuthatch Vanga, Tylas Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, White-headed Vanga, Blue Vanga, Forest Fody, Greater Vasa Parrot, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Madagascan Starling, Madagascan Blue Pigeon, Rand’s Warbler, Striped-throated Jery, Wedge-tailed Jery, Collared Nightjar, Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher, Red-breasted Coua, Red-fronted Coua, Blue Coua, Red owl, Brown Mesite , Madagascan Cuckoo, Broad-billed Roller, Green Jery, Cuckoo Roller, Common Newtonia, Dark Newtonia, Common Sunbird-Asity, Souimanga Sunbird, Malagasy Green Sunbird, Crested Drongo, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Malagasy Bulbul, Rand’s Warbler, Malagasy Brush Warbler, Madagascan Swamp Warbler, Brown Emutail, White-throated Oxylabes, Spectacled Tetraka, Dusky Tetraka, Madagascan Stonechat, Nelicourvi Weaver, Madagascan Flufftail, Rainforest Scops Owl, Madagascan Owl, Mascarene Martin, Madagascan Magpie-Robin, Forest Rock Thrush, Madagascan Mannikin, Madagascan Wagtail5- Ampijoroa
White-faced Whistling-Duck, White-throated Rail, Purple Heron, Malagasy Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Madagascan Jacana, Humblot’s Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Western Cattle Egret, Olive Bee-eater, Crested Drongo, Mascarene Martin, Broad-billed Roller, Chabert’s Vanga, Van Dam’s Vanga, Sickle-billed Vanga, Blue Vanga, White-headed Vanga, Rufous Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, White-breasted Mesite, Schlegel’s Asity, Coquerel’s Coua, Crested Coua, Madagascan Hoopoe, Cuckoo Roller, Red-capped Coua, Madagascan Fish Eagle, Malagasy Kingfisher, Allen’s Gallinule, African Darter, Banded Kestrel, France’s Sparrowhawk , Sakalava Weaver, Madagascan Magpie-Robin , Grey-headed Lovebird, Madagascan Nightjar, Madagascan Sparrowhawk, Madagascan Buzzard, Madagascan Buttonquail, Malagasy Green Sunbird, Souimanga Sunbird, Long-billed Bernieria, Sooty Falcon, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Greater Vasa Parrot, Malagasy Turtle Dove, Madagascan Coucal, Madagascan Cuckoo, Common Newtonia, Malagasy Bulbul, Mascarene Martin, Madagascan Swamp Warbler , Common Jery , Torotoroka Scops Owl, Madagascan Cuckooshrike, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher6- Near Tulear
Green-capped Coua, Madagascan Buttonquail, Saunder’s Tern, Greater Sandplover , Bar-tailed Godwit, Lesser Sand Plover, Humblot’s Heron, White-throated Rail, Greater Painted-Snipe, Madagascan Lark7- Ifaty
Little Grebe , Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Squacco Heron , Western Cattle Egret, Striated (Green-backed) Heron , Black Heron , Dimorphic Egret , Great White Egret , Grey Heron , Hamerkop, Red-billed Teal, Hottentot Teal , Yellow-billed Kite , White-throated Rail , Allen’s Gallinule, Purple Swamphen, Greater Painted-snipe , Black-winged Stilt, Black-bellied (Grey) Plover , Little Ringed Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, White-fronted Plover, Three-banded Plover , Greater Sandplover , Ruddy Turnstone , Common Greenshank , Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper , Whimbrel, Namaqua Dove, Madagascan Harrier-Hawk, Malagasy Harrier, Malagasy Kestrel, Madagascan Buttonquail, Madagascan Plover, Malagasy Turtle Dove, Grey-headed Lovebird, Madagascan Cuckoo, Madagascan Coucal, Madagascan Nightjar, Alpine Swift, African (Black) Swift, Malagasy Kingfisher, Olive Bee-eater, Madagascan Hoopoe, Madagascan Lark, Mascarene Martin , Barn Swallow, Madagascan Bulbul , Madagascan Magpie-Robin, Madagascan Swamp Warbler , Subdesert Brush-Warbler, Common jery, Madagascan Cisticola, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher , Malagasy Green Sunbird, Souimanga sunbird, Chabert’s vanga, Crested drongo, Pied crow, Common Myna, Sakalava weaver, Red Fody, Madagascan Mannikin8- Andatabo
Red-shouldered Vanga, Verreaux’s Coua, Subdesert Brush Warbler, Red-capped Coua , Madagascan Cuckoo, Madagascan Green Pigeon, Lafresnaye’s Vanga9- Zombitse
Appert’s Tetraka, Frances’s Sparrowhawk, Long-billed Bernieria, Coquerel’s Coua, Giant Coua, Crested Coua, Cuckoo Roller, Malagasy Sacred Ibis, White-browed Hawk-owl, Madagascan Cuckoo, Common Newtonia, Broad-billed Roller, Long-billed Bernieria/ tetraka / greenbul, Rufous Vanga , Red-tailed Vanga, Blue Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, Common Newtonia, Madagascan Buttonquail, Malagasy Turtle Dove, Namaqua Dove , Madagascan Hoopoe, White-browed Hawk-Owl, Olive Bee-eater, Malagasy Kestrel, Pied Crow , Madagascan Lark, Common Jery , Yellow-billed Kite , Greater Vasa Parrot, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Marsh Owl, Torotoroka Scops Owl, Madagascan Buzzard, Malagasy Coucal, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascan Lark, Madagascan Cisticola, Souimanga Sunbird, Madagascan Magpie-Robin, Malagasy White-eye10- Ranomafana
Madagascan Cisticola, Broad-billed Roller, Cuckoo Roller, Madagascan Cuckoo, Madagascan Cuckooshrike, Madagascan Harrier-Hawk, Madagascan Magpie-Robin , Madagascan Mannikin, Madagascan Wagtail, Madagascan Flufftail, Malagasy Black Swift , Malagasy Bulbul, Madagascan Coucal, Malagasy Kestrel, Malagasy Kingfisher, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher , Ward’s Flycatcher, Malagasy Turtle Dove, Malagasy white eye, Rainforest Scops Owl, Red Fody, Forest Fody, Spectacled Tetraka, Grey-crowned Tetraka, Striated Heron, Hamerkop , Henst’s Goshawk, African Palm-Swift, Malagasy Black Swift, Crested Drongo, Malagasy Brush Warbler, Rand’s Warbler, Cryptic Warbler, Grey Emutail, White-throated Oxylabes, Forest Rock Thrush, Nelicourvi Weaver, Madagascan Wood Rail, Meller’s Duck, Mascarene Martin, Brown Mesite, Yellow-bellied Sunbird Asity, Velvet Asity, Malagasy Green Sunbird, Common Sunbird Asity, Schlegel’s Asity, Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Madagascan Sparrowhawk, Dark Newtonia, Common Newtonia, Blue Vanga, Pollen’s Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga, Tylas Vanga, Crossley’s Vanga, Blue Coua, Red-fronted Coua, Madagascan Blue Pigeon, Nelicourvi Weaver, Forest Rock Thrush, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Peregrine Falcon , Long-billed Bernieria, African Pygmy Goose, Striated Heron, Madagascan Buzzard, Common Jery , Green Jery, Striped-throated Jery, Wedge-tailed Jery, Madagascan Yellowbrow.11- Masoala
Helmet Vanga Bernier’s Vanga, White-headed Vanga , Blue Vanga , Nuthatch Vanga , Chabert’s Vanga, Rufous Vanga , Tylas Vanga , Hook-billed Vanga , Red-breasted Coua, Brown Mesite , Rufous-headed Ground Roller, Pitta-like Ground Roller, Short-legged Ground Roller, Scaly Ground Roller, Madagascan Serpent Eagle, Red Owl, Dusky Tetraka, Scooty Falcon, Rainforest Scops Owl, Common Jery, Green Jery12- Ampitolova
Pygmy goose, White-backed duck, Madagascar Jacana13- Kirindy
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ITINERARY OUTLINE
Touch down in Tana, where the adventure begins. We’ll meet you at the airport with a big smile, transfer you to your comfortable hotel, and settle in. Evening briefing over a welcome drink-we chat about the incredible birds and lemurs waiting ahead, answer questions, and get you excited for what’s coming. Rest well; tomorrow we fly west!
Overnight at the hotel.
Fly to Mahajanga, then continue to Ankarafantsika National Park, a gem of dry deciduous forest. Settle into the lodge, then join a short evening night walk-perfect for spotting eyeshine from lemurs or hearing nocturnal birds.
In the evening, short night walk.
Overnight at a lodge.
Full-day drive east to Tana, but we make it fun with stops for open-country birds and savanna species. It’s a long but scenic ride-keep eyes peeled for anything special along the way. Arrive in the capital by evening for a relaxing night.
Overnight at a hotel.
Head east into the lush rainforest zone. Stops en route for roadside birds, then arrive Andasibe. Check in, then dive into Analamazaotra (Périnet) Special Reserve and/or VOIMMA community reserve. Night walks.
Overnight at a lodge.
Transfer to pristine Mantadia-quieter trails, taller trees. Full day exploration to spot birds and other wildlife.
Early visit to nearby Maromizaha for other rainforest species. Then drive back to Antananarivo in the afternoon.
Fly to Fort-Dauphin. Upon arrival, drive westwards the semi-desert landascapes of the Southern Madagascar.
Whole day for the wildlife viewing and for birding safari at the reserve.
Drive back to Berenty and then fly to Antananarivo.
Fly to Morondava. Upon arrival, drive northwards through the Baobab Avenue to the Kirindy Reserve home for the famous Fossa and many other wildlife species and birds.
Morning walking safari and birdwatching inside Kirindy.
Return to Morondava. On the way, enjoy the sunset at the Baobab Avenue.
At dawn, return to the Baobab Avenue to enjoy the sunrise – Then full day drive to Antsirabe.
Visit of some handicraft workshops in Antsirabe then continue to Ranomafana.
Whole day to enjoy the wildlife and for birding at the Park.
Depart to the Great South of Madagascar. On the way, visit of the nature reserve of Anja to spot the famous Ring Tailed Lemurs. Continue southwards enjoying the landscapes and some birding spots.
Early morning depart. Birding at a few spots in Isalo. Then reach Zombitse National Park.
Continue southwards through the Baobabs and the savannah.
Birding at Lake Belalanda before reaching Ifaty.
Birding in Ifaty inside the spiny, baobab forests and its surroundings.
In the morning, drive back to Tuléar and continue to Andatabo (La Table) for a birding visit. Then, transfer to the airport and fly back to Antananarivo.
After the breakfast, birding at the Ramsar Site of Tsarasaotra Lake.
Depending to your flight schedule, you will be transfer to the airport and fly homewards
This program is subject to adjustment as per the
flight schedules . +/- 1 day to might be added consequently.
TOUR OPTIONS & EXTENSIONS
The spots below can be added to this tour according your targets and interests.
Top target: Madagascar Teal
Iaroka Reserve is an alternative to Masoala National Park.
Top targets: Helmet-Vanga, Nutach Vanga
Located in the very dry forest of the south home for several endemic species and water birds.
Top target: Verraux Coua, Madagascar Sandgrouse
Located in north of Antananarivo, in the eastern corridor rainforest.