Madagascar Birding Tour
It’s an endemism paradise!
The world’s fourth-largest island simply has no equal when it comes to birding uniqueness. With six endemic bird families (the mesites, asities, Cuckoo Roller, tetrakas, vangas and the incomparable ground rollers) and over 130 endemics and near-endemics, the island ranks as the number one place for many birders from all over the world. In addition to the wonderful birdlife, Madagascar also boasts an extraordinarily remarkable array of endemic flora, reptiles, frogs and mammals, the famous lemurs and two-thirds of the world’s chameleons.
Madagascar is indeed a biodiversity hotspot; over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on the planet! This is the reason Madagascar has often been called an “alternate world” or “a world apart”, or even “the eighth continent”.
On this tour we will mostly visit the southern parts of Madagascar, focusing on different types of habitat, especially the rainforests, wetlands and otherworldly spiny forests. We will target the endemic and near-endemic species specifically, but we will naturally see so much more! The combination of unique and incredibly diverse wildlife, stunning reefs and pristine beaches, fascinating culture, delicious local cuisine, some of the best chocolate in the world, amazing scenic diversity, 750 species of endemic orchids, about 200 species of amazing avifauna and of course, the famous lemurs, makes Madagascar an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Let’s go birding in Madagascar!
| Safari starts and ends in Antananarivo | Comfortable, Mid-range Accommodation |
| Duration | 14 Days |
| Departure dates | 28 October – 10 November 2025 (fully booked) |
| 27 October 2026 (bookings open) |
** This Madagascar Birding tour is also available to book as a PRIVATE GUIDED BIRDING TOUR
Top Birds
Malagasy and Banded Kestrel; Malagasy Pond Heron; Madagascan Ibis; Madagascan Grebe; Meller’s Duck; Red-capped-, Crested-, Running-, Coquerel’s-, Red-fronted and Giant Coua; Red and Forest Fody; Long-tailed, Short-legged, Pitta-like, Scaly and Rufous-headed Ground Roller; Cuckoo Roller; Subdesert and Brown Mesite; Velvet Asity; Helmet, Van Dam’s, Blue, Sickle-billed, Chabert and Rufous Vanga; Madagascan Sandgrouse; Madagascan Buttonquail; Madagascan Nightjar; Yellow-bellied Sunbird.
Top Mammals
Fossa; Indri; Aye-aye Lemur; Verreaux’s Sifaka; Ring-tailed Lemur; Golden Bamboo Lemur; Red-fronted Brown Lemur; Red-tailed and White-footed Sportive Lemur; Berthe’s Mouse Lemur; Coquerel’s Giant Mouse Lemur.
Highlights and top attractions
•Andatabo and Reniala forests – bizarre and endangered spiny desert habitat filled with Baobab trees and amazing avifauna
•Isalo National Park – dramatic sandstone formations, lots of interesting animals and more than 100 bird species
•Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park – transitional, dry habitat with top birds, rare mammals and bizarre smaller fauna
•Beautiful beachside fishing town of Ifaty
•Ranomafana National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site; stunning tropical rainforest; home to 115 species of birds
•Andasibe-Mantadia National Park – beautiful forest reserve with top birds, Indri and another 13 species of Lemur
•Le Palmarium Reserve – 50 hectares of coastal littoral rainforest and provides a refuge for a good selection of native wildlife
Summary of day to day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrival in Madagascar, transfer to the hotel in Antananarivo |
| Day 2 | Morning birding, flight to Toliara, afternoon birding |
| Day 3 | Andatabo Forest & Ifaty |
| Day 4 | Reniala Forest Private Reserve |
| Day 5 | Zombitse Forest & Isalo National Park |
| Day 6 | Anja Reserve, transfer to Ranomafana National Park |
| Day 7-8 | Ranomafana National Park |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Antsirabe |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park |
| Day 11 | Andasibe-Mantadia National Park |
| Day 12 | Analamazaotra Reserve |
| Day 13 | Onwards to Akanin’ny Nofy via Manambato |
| Day 14 | Return to Antananarivo & Departure |