MADAGASCAR BERENTY PRE-TOUR

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Madagascar is a spectacular tour destination that makes up for the relatively small number of bird species with the high number of endemics. In addtion, it is a special place to visit because it's the only place in the world to see lemurs. Our short pre-tour to the unique southeastern corner of the island is notable for its lemur species and the recently rediscovered Red-tailed Newtonia.

The tour begins with a two hour flight from the capital city of Antananarivo to the port town of Fort Dauphin. We'll have time for some time that afternoon for birding around town. We depart early next morning for Andohahela National Park, a 50-60 km drive along a rough and sometimes muddy road that takes 2-3 hours. We'll spend the morning birding a rainforest trail in the park to look for the newtonia and other species. Then we'll continue to the private Berenty Reserve. After arrival, we'll have time for some afternoon birding in the reserve. In early evening we'll go out looking for nocturnal lemurs and a couple species of owls. We'll devote all of the next day to birding in the Berenty Reserve. After some early birding and breakfast the next morning, we'll drive back to Fort Dauphin for an afternoon flight back to Antananarivo.

Day 1 - Meals: None; Accommodation: Relais des Plateaux or similar; Activity: Arrive Antananarivo.
Day 2 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Croix du Sud; Activity: Morning flight to Fort Dauphin. Afternoon birding there.
Day 3 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Berenty Lodge; Activity: Early departure for Andohahela National Parkto look for Red-tailed Newtonia. Afternoon transfer to Berenty.
Day 4 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Berenty Lodge; Activity: All day birding Berenty Reserve.
Day 5 - Meals: BL; Accommodation: None; Activity: Morning transfer to Fort Dauphin. Afternoon flight to Antananarivo.

We stay at comfortable hotels in Antananariva. Berenty Lodge is a very comfortable eco-lodge within the Berenty Lemur Reserve.

PACE - Moderate

DIFFICULTY - The hike in Andohahela National Park is moderately long and is steep in places. Birding in Berenty Reserve is easier. Reaching the reserves is via a somewhat rough road.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS - The domestic airline in Madagascar is notoriously unreliable, partly or mostly because of weather conditions. Flights are sometimes delayed for hours or until the next day.

CLIMATE - Southeastern Madagascar is subject to trade winds and is very wet with high humidity. Dry season is from May to October. Wet season is from November to April with the heaviest rains in January and February.

BIRD ACTIVITY - Birds are most active during peak breeding season from September to December. Activity is much lower druing the wet season from January to March and the dry season from June to August.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Opportunities for photography can be very good, especially at Berenty. Getting photos along forest trails is much more difficult. Ring-tailed Lemurs at Berenty are quite tame and easy to photograph.

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.

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