Tongasoa aty Madagasikara! Dear friends, welcome to Madagascar! We will do our very best to make your trip in Madagascar unforgettable! Our bureau's team will be at the airport to welcome you from your international flight. Your special tour will begin in Antananarivo, where we will go by car, but before getting to a hotel we will visit the Ivato crocodile farm, also called “Croc Farm”. Spanning three hectares, this lush green oasis is ideal for you to relax, we know that having an international flight is tiring.

Afterwards, we will go by car to your nice hotel, where a prepared-room with a comfortable bed will be available for you to have a rest. Discover the City of a Thousand as you are taken to hotel where you will stay overnight. And in the evening after dinner, over a cocktail we discuss our program.

From the first day to the last day our experienced and professional guide and the driver will be next to you, they are near to make sure you have everything you need, so don’t worry about it. Tomorrow we are leaving the capital city.

During the course of the morning you travel to Tsarasaotra which means bird‘s island, a small green oasis in the north of the city. The park is a refuge for many birds that can be easily watched and photographed here – among them 14 endangered species that only occur in Madagascar.

After visiting Tsarasaotra Park, we will drive along a scenic road to Anjozorobe-Angavo - Protected Area (2 h). Here the adventure really starts. Anjozorobe-Angavo offers you the simplicity of harmonious communication with nature. Your visit will be a unique experience. The Protected Area allows the followers hiking to admire an exceptional fauna and flora, through thematic circuits, adapted to all the rhythms. After lunch, we will walk for around 3 – 4 hrs, to admire an exceptional fauna and flora – the pace is not too fast and the hiking path is good...

Tonight, we will make Night tour: 1,2 km to 1 hour of walk. During your visit, you’ll see the nocturnal lemurs, like the Lepilemur mustelinus or “Tsidy” and the Avahi laniger or “Fotsife” in Malagasy. In the forest night life, it’s possible to meet others nocturnal animals: chameleons (Calumma brevicornis, Calumma globifer and Calumna gastrotaenia); Frogs (Mantidactilus and gypheromantis).

This day will be fully devoted to the discovery of Anjozorobe-Angavo - Protected Area. The unusual tranquility and beautiful scenery, where numerous birds live, invite you to explore the forest. You will also see a multitude of lemurs, reptiles, and batrachians which live together in a rich vegetation. The Anjozorobe forest is part of a branch of the eastern rainforest that runs along the Angavo scarp.

Eighty species of birds are known from the site, of which 50 are endemic to Madagascar. Most of the species that are restricted to humid forest can be found.

It will be a truly remarkable experience and we hopefully will have the opportunity to see some of the indigenous species living in this area.

After morning bird watching and breakfast, we will drive along a scenic road to Ambohitantely Special Reserve. Here the adventure really starts. Ambohitantely Special Reserve protects the last of the original highlands forest. It is covered with natural forest and grassy plains and is known for its astonishing populations of palms. It is a great location to see birds – with over 48 species including the Madagascar crested Ibis.

Among the birds, 48 species are reckoned. Most of them are endemic to Madagascar but none is endemic to Ambohitantely. Two threatened species are observed such as the Madagascar harrier (Circus macroscles) (VU), the Henst's Goshawk (Accipiter henstii) and the Madagascar crested ibis (Lophotibis cristata). Ambohitantely special reserve is the only protected areas which inhabit Circus macrosceles.

This afternoon we will spend the time hiking through this special reserve.

We will spend the morning trekking this reserve again before heading back to our car for our transfer to Ankarafantsika NP. We will cross the beautiful hilly landscapes. The rice fields are still numerous and the traditional pise houses well established. There are plenty of lakes, many waterfalls, fed by the rains of the moment. We will arrive at the country Sakalava.

Along the journey, we will make stop in Maevatanana for lunch and some visits. "The beautiful village, the village where life is easy". Ancient buildings of the beginning of the 20th century are very pleasant. Here we will visit the Antanimbaryo market. Gold seekers tend to come together at this market on the south of the city, where purchasers coming from Tana, but also from the United States and from Thailand negotiate on the sale of this precious metal. Do not forget to bargain if you want to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. After a gold fever we will commit the less lucrative but surely not less thrilling activity to watch the crocodiles from the river. The area of Maevatanana was once a favorite place for hunting crocodiles (up to 5000 skins per year), today this hunting is forbidden.

In addition we will stop in the village Kandreho. This small village is renowned for the manufacture of raffia fabrics using special printing techniques ("lay masaka" that recall those of the Sunda Islands). To get some stunning photos, we will stop at the bridge over the Betsiboka Rapids. The red waters masses of the Betsiboka River at a place where some tumultuous rapids form. During the wet season foam usually reaches the bridge.

In the evening we will arrive in the Ankarafantsika NP. Here you are able to take night walks to see some of the nocturnal species which are particularly prevalent in this park (including mouse lemur – the smallest primate in the world).

Ankarafantsika National Park, set on Lac Ravelobe, is a mixture of deciduous forests and wetlands. This is major ecotourism site. It is known for its lakes and for being a haven for lemurs and endemic birds. It is the home to the beautiful Coquerel’s sifaka as well as 7 other species of lemurs (including western woolly, fat tailed dwarf lemur, mongoose lemurs) and exceptional birds (including roufous vanga and fish eagle). In all 115 species of birds have been recorded, of which 41 are endemic to Madagascar (BirdLife International (2018) Important Bird Areas factsheet on 19/03/2018) or 129 species of birds have been recorded, of which 75 are endemic (Madagascar’s National Parks (2016).

At least five pairs of Madagascan Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) breed at the site. Ankarafantsika is one of only two sites known for Van Dam's Vanga (Xenopirostris damii), and one of only six sites known for White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegate). The total population of the latter species at the site has been estimated at between 6,000 and 26,000. Madagascar Grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii) and Humblot's Heron (Ardea humbloti) are regular non-breeding visitors, and about 20 pairs of Madagascar Pond-heron (Ardeola idea) breed at Lake Ravelobe. Madagascar Crested Ibis (Lophotibis cristata) and Schlegel's Asity (Philepitta schlegeli) are both fairly common, the latter being restricted to humid valleys. Madagascar Blue-pigeon (Alectroenas madagascariensis), normally a species confined to the East Malagasy biome, is sometimes recorded here. There have been recent records of Nuthatch Vanga (Hypositta corallirostris) which, if confirmed, would be the first record of this species outside the east.

Another day to explore this forest on foot, to spot a superb fauna. We will have a rich day in the Ampijoroa area.

Easy species include Blue, Sickle-billed, Chabert’s, Rufous, Hook-billed, and White-headed Vangas and both Greater and Lesser Vasa Parrots, White-breasted Mesite, Coquerel's and Red- capped Couas and Van Dam's Vanga (we are not sure who Van Dam was or why it came to have a Vanga named after him, but we guess it wasn't our old friend Jean Claude) and Madagascar Green Pigeon. Schlegel's Asity is present but harder to find. Birds of prey include Madagascar Fish Eagle, Madagascar Harrier Hawk, Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Sparrowhawk and Frances's Sparrowhawk.

Lake Aboromalandy and Lac Ravelobe and other wetlands may turn up Madagascar Fish Eagle, Humblot’s Heron and the shy Allen’s Gallinule is a good place African Pygmy Goose, Madagascar Jacana Madagascar Crested Ibis, White-throated Rail, Humblot's Heron, Madagascar White Ibis, Madagascar Pratincole and Madagascar (Bernier's) Teal, Banded Kestrel, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher and Purple Heron, Red capped Coua, White-breasted Mesite, Schlegel’s Asity. On Lake Ravelobe views may be had of Madagascar Fish Eagle and White-throated Rail.

Early morning departure for car 4×4 to Bealanana, to a specific destination, Bemanevika Special Reserve to find the local endemic fauna and especially wild duck with white eyes (Madagascar Pochard) and red owl. Bealanana is a small village, near to which is the last remaining site for the critically endangered Madagascar Pochard.

7 hours driving for a duck! Still, it will certainly worth it, and we would recommend more travellers make the pilgrimage to Bemanevika for two reasons. Firstly, you’ll get some amazing birds on your list and have a great time. If you spend some decent time up there, you may even make some crazy discoveries. There hasn’t been a Madagascar Serpent Eagle seen for a while here now, not since the radio tagged bird died. They are probably still in the general area though.

Maybe you will be the last tourists to see this particular bird, but the researchers there do hope and intend to catch another Eagle to tag. No guarantees though. Secondly, the more travellers that go, then the more publicity and money can be put into promoting, protecting and researching the site and its birds.

In the morning, we will head to hike to admire the nature of the reserve, to meet with local endemics of fauna. En-route we will be aware of roadside birds like Olive Bee-eater, Malagasy Kestrel, Madagascar Cisticola and perhaps the occasional Madagascar Buzzard. 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.

On arrival, our camp staff will welcome us to the pristine environment that we will conduct research in. After setting up camp, which will be our base for the next three nights, we will start exploring the different habitats of this exciting place and will be looking out for White-throated Rail, Madagascar Lark and other species. On one of the small lakes we will be looking for Meller’s Duck and Malagasy Kingfisher, and in the forested area we set out to seek one of the main targets of this trip, Red Owl, by far the most uncommon of the owls the island has to offer and one which very few world birders have laid eyes upon.

The Madagascar Pochard was rediscovered in 2006 at Bemenavika, but life remains incredibly tough for them. Restricted to just one or two tiny crater lakes, the entire population of about 20-30 individuals is at risk of extinction at any one point. There is now a successful captive breeding population instigated by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the Gerald Durrell conservation trust, but productivity in the wild is dangerously low.

We will have two full days to search for the very special birds this area has to offer. Our main targets, of course, are the sought-after Madagascar Pochard, Madagascar Serpent Eagle, Red Owl, and Slender-billed Flufftail and there is an excellent chance that during these two days we will be able to lay eyes on all – or most – of them.

In addition, there will be many other fascinating species. In the grasslands and nearby wooded areas we will be on the lookout for Malagasy Harrier, Madagascar Mannikin, Madagascar Starling, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk, Malagasy Coucal, Common Quail, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Lark, Mascarene Martin, Malagasy Bulbul, Madagascar Buzzard, Malagasy Kestrel, and Olive Bee-eater, in the wetlands and adjacent habitats we will keep our eyes open for Madagascar Partridge, Grey Emutail, Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, Lesser Vasa Parrot, Blue Coua, Malagasy Black Swift, Malagasy Brush Warbler, and Malagasy White-eye, while marshy areas could yield Madagascar Flufftail, at lakes we could find Madagascar Grebe, Madagascar Swamp Warbler, and Madagascar Rail, and night outings will provide opportunities for Madagascar Nightjar, Rainforest Scops Owl, and Madagascar Owl.

This morning we will back to Antsohihy. Immediately upon arrival we will make an excursion around the town and visit the handcraft manufacturer of decorative items. Then we will visit the house of the first President of Madagascar and learn about its hidden stories.

After lunch, we will continue to drive for the discovery of the secrets of Anjiamangirana/Manasamody 50km from Antsohihy, through alleys Satrana we can discover a field of “pachipodium” very interesting in the middle of nowhere. We will rise to the Manasamody viewpoint for a photo of the panoramic view.

Next we will continue our walk downhill to enter the Anjiamangirana Special Reserve, where we among other animals will see such as Coquerel's sifakas, bats and if we are lucky the Anjiamangirana sportive lemur. This forest is the only confirmed location for the Anjiamangirana sportive lemur (Lepilemur grewcockorum). Later we'll stroll in the Baobab forest.

So thrilled about what happened yesterday, Anjiamangirana and Manasamody are such a great experience! What next? Today, we return to Ankarafantsika NP and the Ampijoroa area.

After lunch, we will have another beautiful day and the next day morning to explore this natural wealth. On arrival we should encounter numerous “park residents” such as the gaudy Broad-billed Roller, screeching Lesser Vasa Parrot, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Magpie-Robin, Sakalava Weaver, Madagascar Hoopoe, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Green Pigeon and Malagasy Turtle Dove, before birding the dry semi-deciduous forest. There will also be an optional pre-dinner night walk this evening in search of the large range of reptiles and mammals that occur in these faunal and floral rich woodlands.

In evening, you can explore the lodge and its surrounding. The nightlife around the lodge would prove to be very interesting.

After a final morning’s birding, lemur watching and photographing - breakfast at the hotel at 07-00 and departure until 08-00. Today we will leave to Mahajanga on the north-west coast of Madagascar, for the next leg of our birding adventure. We will wind our way through Marovoay, which has a distinctly East African feel about it. Markets full of fresh tropical fruit and vegetables, and spice, dominate the town. Marovoay means: "where there are many crocodiles”. Indeed: the rivers abound many Nile crocodiles and can be easily seen. Hunting of crocodiles was in the early twentieth century an important activity in the region, but fortunately for these big reptiles this practice is no longer in use.

The landscape opens up rather starkly after we leaving the town and we will pass cashew nut sellers and ladies washing and drying their laundry next to the many small streams that we pass along the way to Mahajanga. En route, we may encounter Purple, Striated, Squacco and Malagasy Pond Herons, as well as flocks of Black Herons performing their bizarre “umbrella-feeding” routine in the roadside water-bodies. We plan to stop at Lake Amboromalandy and at rice fields to try to find birds like Madagascar Jacana, Malagasy Pond Heron, Humblot’s Heron, the strange Black Heron, and others.

We plan to arrive at the hotel at 14-00. Let’s enjoy it and discover this amazing place. Welcome cocktail, then we will head to small beach and Grand Pavois. Beach, bathing, sunbathing and lunch at the Grand Pavois Barracuda Hotel. Siesta in the shade on the beach and stroll to the Red Circus (30 minute walk). It is an eroded hill with its amphitheater shape showing all the shades of colors between red and white. The best time to visit is a sunset.

After yesterday's relaxing day, in the morning we’ll birding the mangroves at the Betsiboka Delta for rare species such as Malagasy Sacred Ibis and Bernier’s Teal, along with a host of tropical shorebirds, terns, and more.

Our leaving in the early morning provides us with enough time to take a motorized boat ride up the Betsiboka Delta. This seldom-visited region is home to two of Madagascar’s rarest and most endangered birds, Bernier’s Teal and Malagasy Sacred Ibis, and we have an excellent chance of finding both of these specialities during our morning’s outing. Other noteworthy birds we may encounter on this journey are Humblot’s Heron, African Openbill, Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill (a very rare bird in Madagascar), Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, Terek Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Crab-plover and Lesser Crested and Saunders’s Terns.

Then we continue our trip to New Protected area Antrema. After lunch, prepared by the local community, we will discover this area.

We will cross of a bridge over the mangrove and stroll to the beach for Katsepy lighthouse and a ride to the fishing village down with the Blue circus, nestled between sandy beaches that invites guests to a complete idleness. Apart from walking to the lighthouse (where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Bombetoka Bay) or visiting the nearby Bay Boeny for a different landscape, there is nothing more to do here than laying on a hammock, swimming and enjoying the excellent meals prepared by Ms Chabaud, who is supposed to be one of the best cook in the region.

We’re so happy you enjoyed yesterday. After final “cleanup” birding in the Antrema, this morning is another opportunity to wander around and enjoy the sea, the sun and swimming.

After lunch, we’ll take the off-road vehicle and head to Mitsinjo to reach the Lake Kinkony, which is part of the Mahavavy-Kinkony complex, a unique and exceptional area, with the amazing opportunity to watch staggering landscape all along the way. The site is ideal for watching rare birds of Madagascar. Nevertheless it can be a rough journey, the transfer to Mitsinjo takes from 2 to 3 hours, really an adventure trip depending on the road condition.

En-route we will be able to encounter birds, like Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Madagascar Harrier, Hotentot Teal, Kittlitz’s plover, African Openbill Stork. A seven-night stay should allow us to spot most of the key birds of the Complex.

We should reach to overnight at a very basic accommodation (private local house, having electricity, sharing shower including the toilet).

Today we head to Lake Kinkony, the one of the world’s “birdwatching spots”. After breakfast, we are loading all the bags on a zebu-cart to get to the Mahavavy's river and we will have at least 6 hours (upstream) of ride on a metal local pirogue (seat on the floor).

On arrival to the local community Association by 15-00, local guides will welcome us to the pristine environment that we will conduct research in. After setting up camp, which will be our base for the next two nights, back to the lake, we will start exploring the different habitats of this exciting place and will be looking out for the target species and locally endemic Sakalava Rail. A very good possibility to spot fresh water birds: Madagascar Swamp Warbler, Madagascar Jacana, Reed Cormorant, African Darter, Sacred Ibis; African Spoonbill, Yellow Billed Stork, Pond Heron.

Are you keen to explore the Kinkony's lake? Today we will make amazing discoveries. Trust our tour guide. We will spend another full day exploring the lake and the picturesque environs of the lake which are rich in both birds and plants life. Just enjoy birding around, don’t think about dinner. We’re taking care of it at the camp where you will stay overnight.

The amazing Mahavavy-Kinkony complex presents great ornithological diversity, especially in aquatic avifauna. And it’s not just birds. We are likely to encounter spectacular lemurs such as Crowned Sifaka (Propithecus coronatus) and Decken’s Sifaka (P. deckeni).

Target species: African Spoonbill, Crested Coua, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Hoopoe, Black Winged Stilt, Green Backed Heron, White Faced Whistling Duck, Squacco Heron, Turtle Dove, Comb Duck, Madagascar Sandgrouse, Malagasy King Fisher, Knobe Billed Duck, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Squacco Heron, Reed Cormorant, Common Moorhen, Madagascar Teal, Hottentot Teal , Sakalava Rail, Common Sandpiper, Madagascar Magpie Robin, Green Pigeon, Paradise Flycatcher.

Today early in the morning we will go way back all in the same pirogue, but downstream, so the return journey will be much faster. Along the way, we will also have excellent chances to meet a variety of birds.

After lunch in Mitsinjo and after a small digestive break, we will drive the way to Namakia on our jeep for a relatively short time depending on the state of the road.

After breakfast, we will go the harbour in outskirts of the town and ride a local pirogue with a small engine 20 CV for birding toward Ampitsopitsoka fishing village, which is the place for shore bird; and the endemic Bernier's Teal. This village is a favorite place to observe migratory birds and pink flamingos (September December).

During our slow 4-hour descent along the delta of the Mahavavy Delta, we will track down birds, especially near villages such as Tsiandrora, Belovo and Vavan'Ampitsopitsoka.

We will land in Ampitsopitsoka at about 15-30 in the heart of the very hospitable local population, to immerse ourselves in the country of Sakalava. Lunch and it's time to enjoy a well-deserved rest on a beautiful beach.

Approximately at 19-00 we will have dinner and animation.

Target species: Bernier’s Teal, Namaqua Dove, Turtle Dove, Love-birds, Madagascar Sandgrouse, Comb Duck, Bee- Eater, Sacred Ibis, African Spoonbill, Sand Piper, Crab Plover, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Madagascar Harrier, Hotentot Teal, Kittlitz’s plover.

After breakfast, at about 8-00 we will visit the Ampitsopitsoka village to learn more about the daily life of these hospitable people of Sakalava.

After lunch, no later than 12-30 we will go on a bird watching near the villages of Vavan'Antsatra / Betaintsamaka, Doany Kassimo, Aranta Be/Mangadrabo, where the birds abound. We plan to come back to 16-30, after you will have free time to relax on the beach.

Dinner and animation at 19-00.

After breakfast at 8-00 we set off on a trip to Port Namakia by a pirogue. The trip takes 1 hour. We get into our jeep and drive straight to Antsoheribory and Boeny Aranta.

Antsoheribory, a small sandy islet, an oasis of freshness - is a small corner of paradise. Although it is home to many tourist attractions, this island measuring 2 kilometers long for 70 meters wide is still unknown. It is rich in fauna and flora, among others, the birds and marine fish and vegetation marked by the dominance of the baobabs. The ruins of the former home of Arab sultans erected on the island also include culture to immortalize the scene attractions. All this is very beautiful! Let's explore this island!

This unique destination still deserves to be discovered, its rich flora and fauna. The local vegetation is, indeed, dominated by the presence of the baobabs. The two most identified varieties are: the za Andansonia, as well as the large Pachypodium rytenbergianum Digitata. There are countless species of birds and fish common and endemic.

The diversity of marine fauna is also one of the attractions of Antsoheribory. Actually, the waters have wonderful coral reefs, so favourable for the practice of diving and snorkeling. In the northern part of the island, the seabed is particular: we will meet different fish - the Mutts, sardines, parrotfish, rays, red mullet, moray eels, exocets, etc.

Today we fly back to Tana for our final night. Our flight at 17-55 (Fri, Sat, Mon) provides us with enough time to do some more activities. After a very early breakfast we will go to the bay at 7-00 to cross the Bombetoka Bay by ferry. In Mahajanga we have 3 options for you:

Option 1: A city tour. The photographic motifs are extraordinarily plentiful: trading posts, sculpted wooden doors, all remnants of the Arabic origins of the city, old colonial houses with ochre facades show some relics of a gone glory, narrow streets with small gardens planted with bugambilia plants…

Option 2: Visit the Sacred lake of Mangatsa with its exceptionally large carp and eels, white lemurs and crocodiles in captivity, charm guaranteed… This sacred lake with transparent waters is the home of some of the biggest goldfish you will ever see. Lake Mangatsa is a sacred place and even politicians come usually here to seek the advice of the ancestors. We will observe and attract the fish at the lake with a piece of bread that you will throw in the lake. As soon as we get hungry, we will enjoy the nice food at the lake’s restaurant.

Option 3: We can head out to a nearby seasonal pan which often harbours a variety of shore birds that usually includes Black-winged Stilt and Kittlitz’s Plover and, if we are very fortunate, the rare, endemic Madagascar Plover may also be in attendance. Depending on water levels, the far end of the pan may be blanketed in water lilies and if this is the case we will almost definitely be rewarded with rafts of beautiful African Pygmy Goose and perhaps the odd Greater Painted-snipe. The adjacent scrub and thickets also usually support good numbers of Madagascar Cisticola, Olive Bee-eater, Madagascar Mannikin and Red Fody.

Then we’ll take a flight back to Tana, where this epic Safari Birding and wildlife adventure around the North-West of Madagascar will conclude. Goodbye-dinner in the cozy atmosphere of Le Restaurant «La Varangue».

Today your tour ends. A transfer back to the airport Ivato. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Madagascar. Experienced travelers are used to goodbyes, but that doesn't mean they get any easier. When the time comes to depart the wonderful Madagascar, we wouldn't be surprised if you were already planning a return trip!