Birding tour

Duration: 22 days / 21 nights
Type of service: Hotel with breakfast
Accommodation: Luxury or average hotel
Type of vehicle: 4×4 or minibus
Spoken language of the driver / guide: French, English, Malagasy
Number of people: from one person
Period: from April to November
Price: from 1350€ per person

Tour highlights

The Andasibe national park, the landscapes of the Hauts-Plateaux, Antsirabe and its surroundings, the sculpture of Ambositra, the Ranomafana national park, Ambalavao, the Isalo national park, the southern savannah, the national park of Zombitse Vohibasia, Tulear, Ifaty, Anakao, Tsimanampetsotse National Park, Ankarafantsika National Park

Tour planning

Itineraries

D+1

Antananarivo

A member of our Team from Ortour will welcome you once arriving at Antananarivo international airport, and then you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight at the hotel du Louvre (Top) or at the hotel Chalet de Roses or Hotel Tripolitsa (High-midrange), in BB

D+2

Antananarivo – Andasibe

After breakfast, we leave Tana and depart to Andasibe taking approximately 4 hour drive.. Upon arrival in Andasibe, we head to Vakona reserve; four species of lemurs make their home there, ready to entertain visitors. Night walk seems unavoidable since this park lodge various nights active birds including the long eared owl, scops owl, colored nightjar and pygmy kingfisher that could be possibly seen sleeping on tree branch; mouse lemurs and other reptiles are also present in tonight agenda. Overnight at Top Hotel: (Top) in Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.

A stop is planned on the bank of the Mangoro River to observe some endemic bird species of the Big Island, namely the Madagascan Pratincole, the Common Sandpiper, the Vintsi Kingfisher and many others.

D+3

Andasibe Mantadia visit

This morning, we drive to Mantadia national park, taking around one hour drive. The park forest of Mantadia provides life for many animals by providing them shelter. 108 species of birds are known in the park, some of them play an important role in the survival of plants. Madagascar Nightjar, White-throated Oxylabes, velvet asity, yellow bellied asity, spectacular Red Fody, Pitta like ground roller, scaly ground roller, broad billed roller, cuckoo roller, red capped coua, Madagascar serpent eagle, Madagascar Ibis, Madagascar starling and so many more nests in this park. There are also 14 species of lemur, 51 species of reptiles including the famous Boa and 84 species of amphibians. Top Hotel: Overnight in Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.

D+4

Andasibe Analamazaotra visit

Andasibe is known for its rare orchids blooming in the forest sustaining the ecosystem survivability, providing enough shelter for various animals including the Indri indri that can be observed all year. The reserve harbors many species of birds such as the Blue Coua, white throated rail, Madagascar fluff tail, wood rail, short legged ground roller, nuthatch vanga, blue vanga, red tailed vanga, nelicourvi weaver, Madagascar cuckoo shrike, Madagascar buzzard, Madagascar harrier hawk, frances sparrow hawk and so on are on the top of our list.
Overnight in Top Hotel: Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.

D+5

Andasibe – Antananarivo

After breakfast, we will explore more in search of other birds that have not been found. The helmet vanga would be our top list, viewed as a challenge of the day due to its elusive character. However, mild walk in the forest would surely grant you a great deal of windows of opportunity to spot not only the indri but also other lemurs such as the golden sifakas, the eastern woolly lemurs, without forgetting endemic birds and reptiles like the Parson chameleon, the tiny nose-horned chameleons, and so forth. After the visit, leave Andasibe and drive to Antananarivo overnight at hotel du Louvre (Top) or at the hotel Chalet des Roses (High-midrange), at Hotel Tripolitsa (High-midrange) in BB.

D+6

Antananarivo – Antsirabe

After breakfast, morning drive toward the national route RN7, through the high plateau’s mountainous and rice field landscape. While arriving in Antsirabe, visit the surrounding areas and various workshops of semi and precious stones. In the afternoon, visit the “Tritriva” lake also worth to see because of the panoramic view of the Ankaratra Mountain. Few stops would be necessary at certain spots where some birds could be seen including the night heron, green backed heron, squacco heron, black egret, little egret, hammer kop and so forth. Overnight in Top Hotel: Couleur Café, in BB or hotel Plumeria, in BB or in High-midrange Hotel: Vatolahy or Chambre des Voyageur in BB.

D+7

Antsirabe – Ranomafana

Drive to Ranomafana through the town of Ambositra known for its wood carvings. We will visit some workshops during our stop in this city where you will have time to buy some souvenirs. After lunch, we depart to Ranomafana national park. It was classified as a World Natural Heritage of the Atsinanana in 2007. It contains a wealth of endemic biodiversity. There are rare and critically endangered species of lemurs and endemic plant species. Overnight at Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam Lodge, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Grenat or Karibo hotel, in BB.

D+8

Ranomafana visit (Vohiparara)

Full day visit in Vohiparara trails accompanied by your guide in search of several species of birds and 115 species of birds including thirty of them are strictly forest species, with 12 species of lemur, 90 species of butterflies. The Pitta like ground roller and other endemic birds like the brown mesite, velvet asity, stripe throated jerry, common newtonia, dark newtonia, green jerry, long billed Tretraka, Madagascar paradise flycatcher, Malagasy kingfisher, red capped coua, forest rock thrush nest in this park. Besides, there are 98 species of amphibians and 62 species of reptiles such as Chameleons, lizards as well. Overnight at Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam Lodge, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Grenat or Karibo hotel, in BB.

D+9

Ranomafana visit

After breakfast, we will hike in the rain forest in search of the golden bamboo lemurs, the greater bamboo lemurs, and Milne Edward’s sifaka and at the same time to get knowledge and see various species of plants, trees, insects and reptiles not forgetting some eerie animals including the satanic leaf-tailed geckos. Besides, there are 118 species of birds and 8 species of bats, as well as many rodents, batrachians, spiders and butterflies. Overnight at Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam Lodge, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Grenat or Karibo hotel, in BB.

D+10

Ranomafana – Isalo

After breakfast, we leave Ranomafana and we depart to Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo tribe. Then, we continue south heading to Ambalavao where we visit various places including the paper factory. After that, we continue our road trip toward south leaving behind the highlands of Madagascar while contemplating magnificent southern landscapes dominated by savanna, dry bush and semi desert land of southern Madagascar. We stop en route visiting the Anja Reserve, managed by local villagers. This reserve harbors the ring-tails, ground chameleons and many unique species of animals. After the visit, we continue our road trip till we reach Ranohira, well known for its striking grand canyon giving birth to the most visited park of Isalo. Overnight in Top Hotel: Relais de la Reine, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Isalo Ranch or Hotel Orchidée, in BB.

D+11

Isalo visit

A whole day visit in the park through the canyons and oasis of Isalo would be our activities of today. During the hike, we will go to different places to see a panoramic view of the landscape. We will have several opportunities leading to the natural swimming pools and waterfalls. Then, another 4 km is necessary leading to the camping site. After lunch, extend your hike along the sheltered canyons reaching the ‘Piscine Blue and Noire’ called the cascade trails. Isalo is the home of the endemic bird called Benson’s Rock thrush, littoral rock thrush, Madagascar kestrel, common pied crow, yellow billed kite, and also there 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, 98 species of amphibians and reptiles. We will end our day contemplating the sunset over the famous window of Isalo. Overnight in Top Hotel: Relais de la Reine, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Isalo Ranch or Hotel Orchidée, in BB.

D+12

Isalo – Zombitse – Tuléar Arboretum – Ifaty

After breakfast, we drive to Toliara, the capital of the Vezo fishing people. On our way, we will pass by Ilalaka town, the capital of gems, recently formed because of the sapphire rush. Besides, the famous Mahafaly tombs abound all along the way between Sakaraha and Tulear, having distinct cultural traits of this typical southern tribe, whose tombs display images that represent the daily life or dreams of the deceased. This morning, we have a visit while stopping at Zombitse National park, home of the appert’sTretraka formerly known as greenbul, cuckoo roller, madagascacr hoopoe, giant coua, white browed owl, and so many more. After the visit, we continue driving until we reach Arboretum for a short visit at this famous ‘garden of the southern plants’ before taking lunch in Tuléar and then continue driving to Ifaty. Overnight at High -Midrange Hotel: Belle Vue, Ifaty Beach in BB or at Paradisier (top), in BB.

D+13

Ifaty

We head out early in the morning in search of various species of birds such as the green capped coua, the long tailed ground roller, the local endemic sub-desert mesite, chabert’svanga, red tailed vanga; sickle billed vanga, Madagascar harrier hawk, and so many more.
Overnight at High -Midrange Hotel: Belle Vue, Ifaty Beach in BB or at Paradisier (top), in BB.

D+14

Ifaty – Tuléar – Anakao – Tsimanampetsotse

Early in the morning, we leave Ifaty driving back to Tuléar where we shall take a boat going to Anakao; then continue by a 4WD heading to the lake of Tsimanampesotse, a large shallow lake. The main attractions include 70 species of birds, ring tails, sifakas, spiny tailed iguana, a vast picturesque liana, underground caves where the endemic white blind fish naturally live. The National Park covers 43,200 ha Tsimanampesotse Lake. Tsimanampesotse is the first Ramsar site in Madagascar classified by the International Convention on Wetlands. It is also the only protected area located on the limestone plateau and the coastal area along the coastline of the South West. Overnight at the hotel Relais d’Ambola, or at Vahombe lodge, or in Domaine d’Ambola, in BB (midrange)

D+15

Tsimanampetsotse

We have full day visiting the park in hope to spot some endemic birds like the red shouldered vanga, green capped coua, and of course a flock of greater flamingo, red knobbed coot, Madagascar plover, and many more. In fact, Tsimanampesotse includes, among others, 112 species of birds including 5 species of Coua, 39 species of reptiles, and 3 species of lemurs including 2 diurnal (Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxii and Microcebus grise orufus and Lepilemur).Overnight at the hotel Relais d’Ambola, or at Vahombe lodge, or in Domaine d’Ambola, in BB (midrange)

D+16

Tsimanampetsotse – Anakao

We set our alarm o’clock for an early departure back to Anakao taking more or less 3 hours. Upon arrival, immediate boarding going to Nosy Ve Island where we shall look for the red billed tropic birds, black egret, great egret and other animals. Extra activities like snorkeling would be great where the white thin sand with blue transparent sea add amazing fun for the day. Back to the hotel for overnight at Ocean Lodge or in Prince d’Anakao, in BB

D+17

Anakao – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Morning boat transfer back to Tulear. Then, transfer to the airport for flight back to Tana. Settle in your hotel Louvre (Top) or Chalet des Roses (High-midrange),at Hotel Brajas(High-midrange) in BB.

D+18

Antananarivo – Ankarafantsika

Morning departure to Ankarafantsika (around 7 hours by car).Ankarafantsika is located in the western part of the island. Ankarafantsika is 450 km from Antananarivo and 114 km from Mahajanga. Ankarafantsika is a home for birds and lemurs with a diurnal species, two species mixed, 5 typically nocturnal species including the famous Microcebus, the smallest primate in the world. 129 species of birds nest in the forest of Ankarafantsika. 75 of them are endemic. Overnight in a Bungalow (high-midrange) or at Blue Vanga Lodge (midrange) in BB.

D+19 – 20

Ankarafantsika

We devote two full days visiting the park including one night hike in search of night animals, mouse lemurs, reptiles, birds and so forth. Besides, Ankarafansika houses local endemic reptiles, chameleons, iguanas, snakes and freshwater turtles. We aim to look for other species of birds listed today including the brown mesite, Van Dam’s Vanga, Madagascar fish eagle, Schlegel asity, Madagascar harrier hawk, and so many more. Overnight in a Bungalow (high-midrange) or at Blue Vanga Lodge (midrange) in BB.

D+21

Ankarafantsika – Antananarivo

We leave Ankarafantsika heading back to Tana. Stops en route are expected in hope to spot some endemic birds at certain location. Transfer to your hotel for overnight at Louvre (Top) or at the hotel Chalet des Roses (High-midrange), at Hotel Tripolitsa in BB.

D+22

Vol retour

You will be transferred to Antananarivo international airport for flight taking you back home. End of our service.

Additionnal informations

Rates & conditions

Participants	Price per person for Top Option	Price per person for MidrangeOption
1 Pax	5520€	4320€
2 Pax	3000€	2350€
4 Pax	2300€	1650€
6 Pax	2250€	1560€
8 Pax	2100€	1420€
10 Pax	2000€	1350€

Included

A car with a driver who speaks English or a Tour guide and a driver
Fuel
Boat
Ferry
Driver and his accommodation
Hotel in BB
Hotel in HB (In Isalo and Ranomafana) for Top Option
Car insurance only
Park entrance fees
Local guide

Excluded

Tips
All lunches / dinners which are not mentioned above
Drinks
Internal flight (www.tsaradia.com)
Other activities which are not mentioned above