This was a sensational trip recording 180 bird species (115 endemics and near-endemics) in 18 days of birding. All the participants saw every species of Ground-roller including mind-blowing views of Short-legged, Pitta-like, Rufous-headed and Long-tailed Gound Rollers (three of which we got on video!!). The Scaly was elusive but eventually all participants got satisfactory views. We had absorbing looks at each of the world’s three Mesite species and saw all 13 species of Vanga that were possible on this itinerary.

Perhaps the two most unusual birds were the 6 Bernier’s Teal and 11 Madagascar White Ibis in the Betsiboka estuary. Tropical Birding is one of the few companies that attempts to see these two mega-rarities on its tours and our adventurous spirit was rewarded again. Other highlights included three species of asity, a host of couas, the bizarre and magnificent Cuckoo-roller, 25 Crab Plovers, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Madagascar Crested Ibis on the nest and the common but localised Littoral Rock Thrush. The beauty of Tropical Birding’s Madagascar departure is that the trip is limited to a maximum of 8 participants resulting in every participant getting to see every species on the trip. Nobody that participated in all the activities missed a single bird, emphasising Tropical Birding’s commitment to high quality birding experiences. Our mammal experiences were equally rewarding, with Humpbacked Whale off Ifaty, Fanaloka at Ranomafana and 16 types of lemur including the rare Mongoose Lemur and recently described (1998) Golden-brown Dwarf Lemur as well as the rare Golden Bamboo Lemur at Ranomafana. Old favourities included Coquerel’s Sifaka, Ring-tailed Lemur, Indri, Diademed Sifaka and the stunning Black and White Ruffed Lemur.

Itinerary

28 Sept: Arrived at Tana. Birded marshes around Tana.
29 Sept: Majunga-Ampijoroa: Fly to Majunga, drive to Ampijoroa stopping at Lac Amboromalandy. Night walk.
30 Sept: Ampijoroa. Full day at Ampijoroa.
1 Oct: Ampijoroa. Morning lakeside of Ampijoroa, afternoon drive to Majunga.
2 Oct: Betsiboka Estuary. Morning boat trip on the Betsiboka estuary, afternoon Circe Rouge and flight to Tana. Overnight Tana.
3 Oct: Tana-Perinet. Morning at Lac Alarobia, afternoon pick up additional clients and drive to Vakona nr Andasibe.
4 Oct: Mantadie N.P. full day. Full day in the Mantadie N.P.
5 Oct: Mantadie/Perinet. Morning at Mantadie N.P., afternoon Perinet Special Reserve.
6 Oct: Perinet-Tulear. Morning drive to Tana from Perinet, fly to Tulear and drive to Mangily.
7 Oct: Mangily (Ifaty). Full day birding Ifaty spiny forests.
8 Oct: Mangily (Ifaty). Full day birding Ifaty spiny forests.
9 Oct: Mangily-Tulear. Early drive to La Table, afternoon at St Augustin.
10 Oct: Nosy Ve & Anakao. Boat trip to Nosy Ve & Anakao.
11 Oct: Tulear-Isalo. Drive to Isalo via Zombitse forest.
12 Oct: Isalo-Fianaratsoa. Birding Isalo, drive to Fianaratsoa.
13 Oct: Fianaratsoa-Ranomafana. Early drive to Ranomafana, birding Ranaomafana.
14-15 Oct: Ranomafana. Full days birding Ranaomafana.
16 Oct: Ranomafana-Tana. Full day drive to Tana.
17 Oct: International flight out at 06h30 a.m.