DAY 1 - ANTANANARIVO

Arrive in the capital city of Madagascar. Overnight at Relais des Plateaux or similar hotel.

DAY 2 - FORT DAUPHIN

This morning we'll fly to Fort Dauphin in the southeast corner of Madagascar. After arrival, we'll do some birding around the harbor area looking for ducks, gulls, shorebirds and possibly Humpback Whales, the latter usually present with calves in October. We may spend the afternoon visiting the Nahampoana Reserve near town, where six species of lemurs occur. These are the same species also present at Berenty. Birds that occur there include Madagascar Green-Pigeon, Madagascar Blue-Pigeon, Malagasy Kingfisher, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Tylas Vanga, Chabert Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, and Malagasy Paradise-Flycatcher. This site offers a nice introduction to the birds of Madagascar. Overnight at a hotel in Fort Dauphin.

DAY 3 - ANDOHAHELA NATIONAL PARK & TRANSFER

We'll depart early for Andohahela National Park. The park is reached via a rough road and takes 2-3 hours to get there. This park protects a unique mid-altitude rainforest and is the only site where it's reasonably possible to see the recently rediscovered Red-tailed Newtonia. Seeing this species will be our main focus while we're there. It's notoriously difficult to see except when the birds are part of a mixed species flock. We may have to hike some distance into the park to find it. Other birds possible this morning include Olive-capped Coua, Running Coua, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk, Archbold's Newtonia, Spectacled Tetraka, and several species of vangas. Andohahela is also the only likely place to see the very range-restricted Red-collared Lemur. Also possible is the rare Collared Brown Lemur. In the afternoon we'll continue on to Berenty Reserve. Some birding en route may yield views of Namaqua Dove and Sakalava Weaver. After arrival, we'll have time for some birding in the reserve. Overnight at Berenty Lodge.

DAY 4 - BERENTY RESERVE

We'll devote all day to birding Berenty Reserve. The major attraction is the lemurs. The diurnal Ring-tailed Lemurs are common and habituated to visitors. Another diurnal lemur is Verreaux's Sifaka, which we should also see. Notable birds in the reserve include Madagascar Green-Pigeon, Giant Coua, Red-capped Coua, Olive-capped Coua, Running Coua, Crested Coua, Madagascar Buttonquail, Humblot's Heron, Frances's Sparrowhawk, Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Banded Kestrel, Gray-headed Lovebird, Chabert Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, Sickle-billed Vanga, and Gray Emutail.

After dark we'll look for some nocturnal lemurs. We might see Red-collared Brown Lemur, White-footed Sportive Lemur, Gray Mouse Lemur, and Gray-brown Mouse Lemur. In addition to nocturnal lemurs, we hope to find Madagascar Scops-Owl and White-browed Owl. Overnight at Berenty Lodge.

DAY 5 - TRANSFER & ANTANANARIVO

We'll do some early birding to look for anything we missed earlier. After breakfast we'll transfer back to Fort Dauphin, a 3-4 hour drive. We'll then take an afternoon flight to Antananarivo to join the main tour.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Country Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Andohahela National Park
• Berenty Reserve
• Fort Dauphin