Best Birdwatching Locations
The Major Birding Sites of Madagascar
The following locations are amongst best-birding sites of Madagascar in terms of species and distributions. They represent good samples of the bird habitats of the island.
Ankarafantsika – Ampijoroa
Ankarafantsika National Park is composed of dry forest and lakes as well as canyons.
Location
Northwest
Biome
West
Size
130,000 ha
Altitude
80–333 m
Access
By car RN 4: good road condition
Difficulty
Moderate walk (Park)
Bird Species
129
The Kinkony Complex
This site is composed of Kinkony Lake south of Mitsinjo City, Mahavavy Delta to the north, Marambitsy Bay and the maritime areas to the west, the Tsiombikibo Forest in the center.
Location
Northwest
Biome
West
Size
14,000 ha
Altitude
0–8 m
Access
By road and by boat from Mahajanga
Difficulty
Easy walks and boat ride
Bird Species
133
Masoala
Masoala National Park is located in the Northeast. In some places, among the rarest parks in Madagascar where the primary forest goes down to more than 1,300 m of altitude to the sea. The Masoala complex formed by Masoala Park and the Nosy Mangabe special reserve is the largest protected area of Madagascar. There are forest patches or rocks, coral reefs, herbarium, and narrow strips of mangrove forest. It is classified among the top 5 biodiversity hotspots in the world.
Location
Northeast
Biome
East Biome
Size
235,000 ha
Altitude
0–1,224 m
Access
By motorboat from Maroanatsetra
Difficulty
Moderate walks
Bird Species
102
Tsimanampetsotse
Tsimanampetsotse National Park is in the Southwest. It is also the only protected area on the limestone plateau and the coastal zone along the southwestern coast.
Location
Southwest
Biome
West biome
Size
230,740 ha
Altitude
38–114 m
Access
Motorboat (Tulear–Anakao) and 4×4 (Anakao–Tsimanampetsotsa)
Difficulty
Easy walk inside the park
Bird Species
72
Tsitongambarika
Because of its importance to globally threatened and restricted-range species, Tsitongambarika has been classified as an important birds conservation site. The Tsitongambarika birdlife includes a number of lowland forest species.
Location
Southeast
Biome
East Biome
Size
60,000 ha
Altitude
100–1,358 m
Access
By car from Fort Dauphin (off road)
Difficulty
Moderate walk (Park)
Bird Species
97
Bemanevika
Continental wetlands of Bemanevika are composed of permanent and intermittent freshwater lakes, rivers, streams, permanent and seasonal streams, marshes, permanent freshwater ponds. A matrix of dense rainforests with altitude, characteristic of the area, ensures connectivity between different wetland ecosystems. Three big lakes are dominating this beautiful reserve and landscape.
Location
Northwest
Biome
East Biome
Size
37,041 ha
Altitude
1,800–2,000 m
Access
By car from Antsohihy (difficult; off road)
Difficulty
Fair walk (Park)
Bird Species
116
Anjozorobe
The forest of Anjozorobe is a remnant of Madagascar's central high plateau forest relics.
Location
Highland
Biome
East Biome
Size
2,500 ha
Altitude
900–1,450 m
Access
RN3: Easy and good road condition – Then off-road
Difficulty
Moderate walks
Bird Species
80
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
The Tsingy National Park of Bemaraha is located in the Central West. It is composed of sharp karstic limestone and lakes. It is a hotbed of endemism and biological diversity.
Location
Middle west
Biome
West
Size
157,710 ha
Altitude
150–838 m
Access
By car: Bumpy and dusty road
Difficulty
Moderate to difficult walk (Park)
Bird Species
103
Ranomafana
The National Park of Ranomafana is located slightly in the eastern slope of the highlands of Madagascar. One of the most well-known and frequented sites of Madagascar. The birdlife of the Ranomafana National Park is characterized by its remarkable richness with its 115 species and also the presence of the 5 Malagasy endemic families. In all, 77% of birds species present at Ranomafana are endemic.
Location
Highland / Eastern slope
Biome
East
Size
41,601 ha
Altitude
400–1,374 m
Access
RN 7: Easy
Difficulty
Moderate walk (Park)
Bird Species
115
Beza Mahafaly
The Bezaha Mahafaly Special Reserve is located 35 kilometers northeast of South Betioky, in southwestern Madagascar. More than a hundred bird species are recorded in Beza Mahafaly, six of which belong to the endemic family of Vangidae and the Couas.
Location
Southwest
Biome
West biome
Size
600 ha
Altitude
100–200 m
Access
By car (difficult; off road)
Difficulty
Fair walk (Park)
Bird Species
73
Nosy Ve
Near Anakao, the island of Nosy Ve offers a beautiful beach, almost deserted. Located in the south-west of the Island, Androka has an important and rich coral reef system.
Location
Southwest
Biome
West biome
Size
91,445 ha split into 8 areas
Altitude
0 m
Access
By motorboat from Tulear (easy)
Difficulty
Easy walk (Park)
Bird Species
1
Andasibe-Mantadia
Mantadia National Park is located in the Alaotra Mangoro Region, Moramanga District, between the Andasibe Rural Municipality and Ambatovola. Part of the World Heritage of the Eastern Rainforest, Andasibe is one of the top biodiversity hotspots of Madagascar and a must-see place for all visitors.
Location
East
Biome
East Biome
Size
15,500 ha
Altitude
930–1,185 m
Access
RN 2: Easy and moderate
Difficulty
Moderate walk (Park)
Bird Species
113
The Mangoky-Ihotry Wetland Complex
The Mangoky-Ihotry wetland complex is located in Toliara province. With an area of 315,000 ha, it is part of the District of Morombe, on the southwest coast of Madagascar. It is constituted by the Lake of Ihotry and its surrounding lakes (south), the Mangoky River Delta and the maritime area (north) and the swamps around the Ankiliabo and Nosy Ambositra (Far East). It hosts different types of habitats (rivers, mangrove, lakes and forests) including waterbirds.
Location
Southwest
Biome
West
Size
315,000 ha
Altitude
Sea level
Access
By car/boat from Morombe
Difficulty
Moderate
Bird Species
91
Antavolobe – Iaroka
This is a community-run reserve located a few kilometers away from Andasibe-Analamazaotra. This very rich natural reserve has become popular among birders. Iaroka Forest in particular is known for its challenging trails and rich primary forest with endemic species.
Location
East
Biome
East Biome
Size
650 ha (Antavolobe), 200 ha (Iaroka)
Altitude
900–1,300 m
Access
By car from Andasibe
Difficulty
Moderate to challenging
Bird Species
87
Antrema
Antrema is a coastal wetland reserve in northwestern Madagascar featuring mangroves, lagoons, and coastal forests important for waterbirds and shorebirds.
Location
Northwest
Biome
West
Size
1,880 ha
Altitude
0–200 m
Access
By car and boat from Mahajanga
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Bird Species
68
Marojejy
Marojejy National Park is located in the northeast and is known for its high altitude and endemism. The park features primary rainforest and montane forest with rich avifauna.
Location
Northeast
Biome
East Biome
Size
60,000 ha
Altitude
200–2,134 m
Access
By car from Sambava (off road)
Difficulty
Moderate to challenging
Bird Species
111
Andohahela
Andohahela National Park is located in the southeast and encompasses diverse habitats from coastal forests to montane rainforest. It is important for several endemic species.
Location
Southeast
Biome
East Biome
Size
76,020 ha
Altitude
0–2,042 m
Access
By car from Fort Dauphin
Difficulty
Moderate to difficult
Bird Species
98
Montagne d'Ambre
Montagne d'Ambre National Park is located in the far north and is known for its humid montane forest, waterfalls, and endemic species. It is one of the most accessible highland sites.
Location
North
Biome
East Biome
Size
18,200 ha
Altitude
960–1,475 m
Access
By car from Antsiranana
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Bird Species
75
Maromizaha
Maromizaha is a community-managed forest reserve near Andasibe offering pristine rainforest habitat and good opportunities for endemic species.
Location
East
Biome
East Biome
Size
2,420 ha
Altitude
900–1,300 m
Access
By car from Andasibe
Difficulty
Moderate walks
Bird Species
82
Zombitse Vohibiasa
Zombitse Vohibiasa is a dry forest reserve in the southwest known for its endemic species and accessibility. It bridges the transition between western and southern biomes.
Location
Southwest
Biome
West
Size
36,000 ha
Altitude
100–600 m
Access
By car from Sakaraha
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Bird Species
73
Ifaty
Ifaty is a coastal region southwest of Tulear featuring spiny forest, mangroves, and sandy beaches. It is known for dry forest specialists and coastal birds.
Location
Southwest
Biome
West
Size
Various protected areas
Altitude
0–100 m
Access
By car from Tulear
Difficulty
Easy
Bird Species
61
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