Compare Madagascar - Mega 2019 by Rockjumper Birding vs Highlights of Madagascar by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 34 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 17,500 | $ 3,375 |
| Price Per Day | $ 515 | $ 241 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | N/A |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A | N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | Food standards in Madagascar can vary and are probably not of the same standard you are used to at home. The cuisine has been strongly influenced by the French and a three-course meal should cost 43,000-70,000 ariary (US$10-US$16). A one-course lunch should cost (US$4.40-US$7.60). Please allow approximately 1.4m ariary (US$325) for the meals not included, plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner. Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and easily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyone’s taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is flavoured rums, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this trip – please inform us before departure of any dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared. |
| Description |
We at Rockjumper have an unbeatable reputation in Madagascar and are excited to present a first of its kind Madagascar Mega tour that will target almost every single endemic bird species on this magnificent island. The tour will spend ample time in all of the key habitats and will also end up with an impressive list of lemurs, reptiles, chameleons and frogs. Rainforest sites on the route include the stunning Masoala Peninsula, far flung Montagne d’Ambre, Ranomafana and Mantadia-Andasibe where we seek out such gems as Helmet, Pollen’s and Bernier’s Vangas, all four rainforest ground rollers, Amber Mountain Rock Thrush, Brown Mesite, Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Velvet Asity and Madagascan Serpent Eagle. A visit to the remote Lac Matsaborimena will be an undoubted highlight as we search for Madagascan Pochard, the critically endangered Slender-billed Flufftail, declining Malagasy Harrier and rare Red Owl. Another key habitat are the dry deciduous forests and time at Ankarafantsika should yield the highly localised Van Dam’s Vanga, White-breasted Mesite and Schlegel’s Asity while Zombitse Forest is the only known site for the delicate Appert’s Greenbul. The spiny forest of south-western Madagascar is like no other and holds some outrageous birds such as Long-tailed Ground Roller and Subdesert Mesite. Time will also be spent visiting the off-the-beaten-track sites such as Lac Kinkony for the little known Sakalava Rail and the Andohahela Mountains for the almost mythical Red-tailed Newtonia. Virtually every plant and animal on the island is endemic; but sadly, most are threatened by continued deforestation, thus making Madagascar one of those “must-visit-soon” destinations, not to mention a region in urgent need of immediate ecological preservation. Besides the birds we experience up to 40 lemur species (including the world-famous dancing sifakas), other mammals from civets to strange tenrecs (the planet’s most primitive mammals), dozens of species of chameleons, cryptic leaf-tailed geckos and other bizarre reptiles and amphibians, and even some of the world’s most outlandish insects (such as the celebrated Giraffe-necked Weevil)! Join us for the most comprehensive birding and wildlife tour of this otherworldly land! |
Cut off from mainland Africa, Madagascar is a dream come true for intrepid explorers. Understandably, the wildlife is the main draw (much of it found nowhere else on Earth) and it’s the animals, and particularly lemurs, that take centre stage on this trip. Accompanied by experienced local trackers, we visit Andasibe in search of the indri, the largest lemur, and the cloud forest of Ranomafana National Park to look for rare golden and greater bamboo lemurs. We also search for ring-tailed lemurs in Anja Reserve and have a final day wildlife-watching in Tsimanampetsotsa National Park.Discover an island nation like no other, joining expert trackers in search of unique wildlife and unforgettable adventures |
Day 1 Start Antananarivo
Our adventure starts in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar, which is often shortened to Tana. There will be a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner for those who would like to join. Accommodation: Hotel Belvedere (or similar)
Day 2 Antananarivo city tour; drive to Andasibe
This morning, we embark on a city tour of the capital. With busy markets, friendly people and an ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is a magnificent place to explore. We then drive to Andasibe through the green vegetation of the east. This first stop brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes. Along the way, we see Merina villages in the rocky mountains. We arrive in Andasibe around 4pm and the rest of the afternoon is free to relax. In the early evening, we take a twilight/nocturnal walk along the road, close to the Andasibe Nature Reserve, looking for the nocturnal species of lemur as the torchlights pass their eyes. Accommodation: Hotel Feon’ny Ala (or similar)
Day 3 Morning trek in Andasibe National Park and afternoon visit to Vondron’olona Miaro Mitia Ala Reserve
Day 4 Return to Antananarivo; continue to Antsirabe
We drive back to Tana, and head south to Antsirabe, across the highland landscape of beautiful rice fields. The spectacular eroded hills called lavaka remind us of the Far East with rice fields and a green landscape or vegetables and fruit trees. Antsirabe, or the Place of Salt, is a city known as the centre of the beer industry. Founded by Norwegians in 1856, it is the only place in Madagascar that really feels and looks like a European city. It has a temperate climate and all fruits and vegetable that grow in cold climates are found here. Accommodation: Les Chambres du Voyageur (or similar)
Day 5 To Ranomafana
After breakfast, we drive for approximately 12 hours to Ambositra, the centre of the wood-carving industry in Madagascar. We are still in the highlands, where the houses are decorated with ornately carved wooden balconies and brightly coloured shutters. Further on we pass le col de tapia, a type of tree resistant to the bush fires of the area. The landscape is still dominated by rice fields, pine forests and eucalyptus trees, and rocky mountains. Our destination for the day: Ranomafana National Park. Accommodation: Centrest Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 Full day in Ranomafana National Park
Parc National de Ranomafana, with rainforest hills and abundant wildlife, has long been considered one of the highlights in Madagascar, and is one of the most heavily visited national parks here. The entrance is about 4mi (7km) from Ranomafana village, while altitudes in the park range from 2,625ft to 3,940ft (800m to 1,200m). In addition to densely forested hills, the terrain here is characterised by numerous small streams, which plummet down to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the easternmost part of the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. We walk in the park for approximately five hours looking for lemurs, chameleons and other animals. As we track the wildlife for the best viewing opportunities, the walk has the potential to be challenging if we need to walk at a quick pace through the forest. We hope to see golden bamboo lemurs, which are unique to this park, plus other lemurs such as eastern woolly lemurs, red-bellied lemurs, grey bamboo lemurs, and red-fronted brown lemurs. This park is also home to other mammals including tenrecs, bats and carnivores such as mongooses and the Malagasy striped civets. Accommodation: Centrest Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 Drive to Ranohira, visiting Anja National Park en route
We have an early start as we leave Ranomafana National Park. The scenery changes dramatically as we head to the small town of Ranohira, a journey of approximately nine hours. We stop near Ambalavao to visit Anja National Park along the way, a small reserve where several families of ring-tailed lemurs can be seen among the vegetation. Accommodation: Orchidee de l’Isalo (or similar)
Day 8 Full-day trek in Isalo National Park visiting Monkey Canyon and natural swimming pools
After an early start, we spend our day exploring Isalo National Park, a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. If the conditions are right, we walk in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreaux's sifaka. We also visit the Piscine Naturelle (Natural Swimming Pool), a beautifully lush spot in such an arid landscape where we can swim and relax. The combination of coloured rock formations, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. Accommodation: Orchidee de l’Isalo (or similar)
Day 9 To Tulear, visiting Zombitse National Park en route
After breakfast, we continue to Tulear. This brings us new scenery, among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south. On the way, admire the different Mahafaly tombs and the Antandroy tombs from the road and visit Zombitse National Park for a few hours. The Zombitse National Park forest is of particular interest to birdwatchers, as it is home to one of Madagascar's rarest endemics, Appert's greenbul, as well as other species such as giant coua, crested ibis and cuckoo roller. Verreaux's sifakas, red-fronted brown lemurs and sportive lemurs are also seen here. Accommodation: Hotel Victory (or similar)
Day 10 Boat transfer to Anakao; free day for optional activities
This morning, we take a boat transfer to Anakao arriving at around 9am. This Vezo (meaning the people who fish) fishing village lies on the southwest coast of Madagascar and has white-sand beaches. The rest of the day is free for optional activities, including snorkelling, diving, pirogue (a small boat similar to a canoe) excursions, swimming and more. Accommodation: : Prince Anakao (or similar)
Day 11 Full day in Tsimanampetsotsa National Park
An early 4x4 transfer (approximately two hours) takes us to Tsimanampetsotsa for a full day in the national park. A large, shallow soda lake is the standout feature here, while a large limestone plateau has some of the most striking spiny forest vegetation in Madagascar with countless endemic species. The park sits on a large underground aquifer that runs north, evidenced by numerous sinkholes and caves. The lake is renowned for its waterfowl, notably flamingos and other rare endemic birds including the Madagascar plover. We may even be lucky and spot the emblem of the park, the very rare Grandidier’s mongoose. In the late afternoon, we return to Anakao. Accommodation: : Prince Anakao (or similar)
Day 12 Excursion to Nosy Ve to see red-tailed tropic birds nesting on this small island
Today, we take a boat excursion to the small island of Nosy Ve to see red-tailed tropic birds (white seabirds with red bills and long, thin, red tails). If we are lucky, we may see the females roosting under small shrubs, well hidden from airborne predators such as hawks or eagles. A stroll around the shoreline, including a long white-sand beach, takes about one hour. After our exploration, we return to Anakao, usually around lunchtime. The rest of the afternoon is free for optional activities. Accommodation: : Prince Anakao (or similar)
Day 13 Fly to Antananarivo
Today, we transfer to Tulear airport for our flight to Antananarivo. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have free time in the afternoon to explore Tana on your own. Accommodation: Belvedere Hotel (or similar)
Day 14 Visit to Ambohimanga; end Antananarivo
This morning we visit Ambohimanga, the fortified village and its royal palace. Ambohimanga, otherwise known as Blue Hills, was for a long time forbidden to Europeans. The kings and queens returned to this hilltop village for rest and relaxation. From here began the line of kings and queens who united Madagascar into one country. Ambohimanga remains spiritually significant for the Malagasy people with ceremonies and rituals still taking place. Our adventure ends after Ambohimanga. Please note: Clients must not book flights leaving before 2.30pm.
