This tour has it all. We will have a chance for nearly every endemic bird Madagascar has to offer, plus over 25 species of lemurs, countless chameleons, geckos, and loads of other reptiles. To top it off we take in the endemic-rich tropical paradise of Grand Comore Island, just an hour’s flight from the west coast of Madagascar.

Day 1: Antananarivo to Sambava (Marojejy NP). This morning we head to the far north where the best bird in Madagascar, Helmet Vanga, is a serious possibility among a variety of other great forest birds.

Days 2-3: Marojejy NP. The slopes of Marojejy hold some of the greatest birds in Madagascar, including Madagascar Serpent-Eagle, and Bernier’s Vanga, although we will need considerable luck to find them. However, we should see plenty of other gems like Scaly Ground-Roller and Red-breasted Coua along with a major non-avian treat, the Silky Sifaka.

Day 4: Marojejy NP to Antananarivo. Today we leave the slopes of Marojejy and return to Antananarivo.

Days 5-15: These days are identical to days 2-12 of Madagascar: The Eighth Continent.

Day 16-17: Mantadia NP and Perinet Reserve. See Madagascar: The Eighth Continent.

Day 18: Perinet Reserve to Antananarivo. We return to Antananarivo for our flights to the west of the island.

Day 19: Antananarivo to Ankarafantsika. Today we fly up to Mahajunga and take the two-hour drive to Ampijoroa Forest Station at Ankarafantsika NP where we spend the next day and a half.

Days 20-21: Ankarafantsika NP (Ampijoroa). During these days we search for several threatened and local endemics including Madagascar Jacana, Madagascar Fish-Eagle, White-breasted Mesite, Red-capped Coua, Schlegel's Asity, and Van Dam's Vanga. The spectacular chocolate-and-vanilla Coquerel’s Sifaka is likely to headline a star-studded cast of lemurs.

Day 22: Betsiboka River. An early morning start will see us heading up the Betsiboka River, fringed by dense mangrove stands and mudflats crowded with shorebirds. Our targets this morning are the rare and localized Bernier’s Teal and Madagascar Sacred Ibis. If there is still time, we will stop at Katsepy on our way back where we hope to track down the endearing and highly localized Crowned Sifaka. We overnight in Mahajunga.

Day 23: Mahajunga to Moroni (Grande Comore). After a brief one-hour flight we’ll arrive on Grande Comore. Here we bird the slopes of Mt. Karthala — the world’s largest active volcano crater  — searching for 14 Comorian endemics. Tall, lush, forested mountains and vast beaches fringe this unspoiled and virtually unbirded Indian Ocean island. 

Day 24: Mt. Karthala Trails. Today we bird several forest trails along the slopes of Mt. Karthala in search of Comoro Pigeon, Comoro Cuckoo Roller, Comoro Thrush, Comoro Bulbul, Humblot’s Flycatcher, Comoro Cuckoo-shrike, Kirk’s White-eye, Comoro Brush-Warbler, Humblot’s Flycatcher, Comoro Sunbird, Comoro Fody, and, with luck, Comoro Drongo.

Day 25: La Convalescence. Since we will have been over three weeks on the go, those in need of a break may opt to skip another day birding and spend it at an idyllic resort. Those staying behind can snorkel, dive, or just take in the scenery. Alternatively, die-hards may want to hike beyond La Convalescence to the mountaintop heathlands in search of Karthala White-eye. An optional camping night at La Convalescence campsite should produce Mt. Karthala Scops-Owl.

Day 26: Grande Comore to Mahajunga/Antananarivo. A travel day, today we will fly back to Mahajunga for the Sakalava Rail extension, or to Antananarivo, where after a peaceful afternoon we will connect to international flights.

Sakalava Rail Extension (5 days)

For those of you who have still just not had enough, we have added a chance to see one of the most localized birds of them all, the virtually unknown Sakalava Rail.

Day 1: Mahajunga to Mitsinjo. From Mahajunga we head to the village of Mitsinjo, where we will be well positioned for the assault on Lac Kinkony, the best and most accessible site for the enigmatic and localized Sakalava Rail. Time permitting, we can do some birding and search for Decken’s Sifaka near the town.

Day 2: Mitsinjo to Lac Kinkony. Aboard motorized canoes we will work our way through narrow waterways until we reach the open waters of Lac Kinkony, where searching for Madagascar Fish-Eagle, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk, Madagascar Jacana, and a large colony of fruit bats that will keep us entertained for most of the morning. After lunch at a local fishing village where the villagers are now custodians of the rail, we will explore the reed beds in search of our main quarry.

Day 3: Lac Kinkony. A wildcard morning, we will either devote it to geting better views of the rail, exploring the myriad of waterways that criss-cross the lake, or heading back early towards Mitsinjo. From Mitsinjo we drive back to Namakia where better accommodation, food, and hot showers will be awaiting for us.

Day 4: Return to Mahajunga. After breakfast we head back to Mahajunga, birding Lake Amboromalandy and other selected sites en route.

Day 5: Return to Antananarivo. We will return to Antananarivo and connect to international flights.

TOUR INFO:

CLIMATE: Hot to cool, with rain possible in the eastern forests.

DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate. Most days require walking on forest trails.

ACCOMMODATION: Mostly very good, but basic camping required in some remote areas.