Discover the world of birds

Birdwatchers and ornithologists will find a particularly broad playing field in Madagascar and can enjoy themselves to their heart's content. Just under 300 different species of birds have already been registered in Madagascar, and of these more than 100 species as endemic have been classified. Who Bird watching that cannot be found anywhere else on this planet, Madagascar is the place to be.

Since the world of birds in Madagascar offers so countless opportunities and discoveries, we have for some time a special ornithological journey through Madagascar added to our classic program. This trip is for all those who want an unforgettable look into the World of birds of Madagascar and who are quite willing to take the one or other strain on themselves for this. Madagascar's birds understandably prefer to live in areas that are sparsely populated by humans. With all our years of experience we have put together a tour that is full of highlights. In the following we would like to introduce you to the exact procedure and the different stations outline in a little more detail, so that you get a good impression of what you can expect for your money. If, following the explanations on ornithological Journey through Madagascar If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Day 2: You start from Antananarivo to Andasibe

On the second day of your ornithological Journey through Madagascar start straight through and head east on the RN 2 early in the morning. A first potential stop on the route is the private reserve Madagascar Exotiquewhich is led by a famous researcher. Lemurs, reptiles and amphibians meet you here and pose partly completely without shyness in front of your camera. Afterwards it goes on to Moramanga, where another stop is planned, for example to have lunch. After that, the four-wheel drive car will take you directly to the Analamazoatra area, where various nature reserves, reserves and national parks are waiting for you. The hotel Vakona Lodge will welcome you on this evening and will introduce you to a delicious dinner spoil yourself. Since the accommodation is located near the Andasibe National Park, it may be possible to make first bird observations.

More common birds: Centropus toulo Upupa marginata, Motacilla flaviventris, Foudia madagascariensis, Zosterops maderaspatanus-Ardeola Idae.

Rarely seen birds: Glareola ocularis and Falco eleonorae

Day 5: The road takes you from Andasibe to Antsirabe

No bird watching is planned for the fifth day, as the Journey through Madagascar It now leads first further to the west and then to the south. It goes on the RN 7, which can be considered the most important main artery of Madagascar. The well-developed road leads from Madagascar's capital Antananarivo down to the Mozambique channelwhich borders the southernmost tip of the country. For you it goes first through the busy suburbs of Antananarivo and after a short time you can observe how the landscape around the changes. In Behenjy awaits you with the Au Coin Du Foie de Gras an excellent restaurant, which is known for its specialties even beyond the country's borders. After the short rest we go directly on, because Ambatolampy is already waiting for you. This city proves to be much more prosperous compared to other cities in Madagascar. This can be attributed, among other things, to the nearby Gold deposit but is also based on the fact that freight forwarding is strongly promoted in Ambatolampy. Aluminum processing is also big in this city: From all kinds of metal parts, workers in the foundries manage to extract aluminum for the production of their famous pots. If you wish, you can take a look at the adventurous workplaces of these people, however, you should be tough in view of the lack of occupational safety in every respect. The last stop on today's schedule is Antsirabe, a town about 170 kilometers south of Antananarivo. Many years ago, Antsirabe was already known for the especially mild and pleasant climate as well as for the healing springs existing there. Even today Antsirabe is for many people in Madagascar an exceedingly popular spa. The prosperous city presents itself accordingly in an almost European style and shows a regular development with numerous magnificent colonial villas. In Antsirabe, a visit to the local museum is a must. Gemstone market where numerous precious minerals can be purchased at reasonable prices. For the evening is the overnight stay in the hotel Chambres du Voyageur planned.

Day 8: Continue to Isalo National Park

After the extensive and breathtaking bird watching in Ranomafana National Park, the ninth day of the trip is mostly devoted to the onward journey to the Isalo National Park. First, after breakfast, you will head by four-wheel drive car to Fianarantsoa, which is a bit back on the route you took a few days ago. You will now move through rice fields that shimmer pleasantly golden and warm in the sunlight. The ride continues South, with the landscape changing with every meter. More and more Granite rock appear and the lush vegetation gives way to a rather sparse grassland. Also the red Laterite floorsfor which Madagascar has earned the nickname of Red island has earned, are now becoming more frequent. After lunch is a short stop in the so-called Anja Park planned. This is a self-managed nature reserve, which was created by some villagers of the nearby area to actively create a Contribution to nature conservation in Madagascar. In this park you can find many different lemurs, but of course also some fascinating bird species. Beyond Anja Park, the landscape then becomes more and more barren and the central plateau is now clearly behind you. Around afternoon is the arrival at the famous Isalo National Park planned. This is considered the most famous of the entire island, which is why this one is also included in your ornithological Journey through Madagascar must necessarily be on the plan. The overnight stay on the ninth day is in the Isalo Rock Lodge 4**** scheduled.

Day 10: Zombitse National Park and the onward journey to Ifaty

On the eleventh day you will have both Birdwatching as well as the onward journey by car before. The way leads you in the four-wheel drive car even further south and the savannah as well as the desert climate accompany you now. Only a few rainy days a year wet the ground in this area and still the native flora and fauna optimally adapted. This is particularly evident in a national park that suddenly appears like a mirage in the middle of the desert landscape. Yet this national park is of particular importance for birdwatchers. Around 47 percent of Madagascar's native birds are in the Zombitse National Park at home. The Bernieria apperti is found only here on the whole island and also very rare lemurs can be discovered here. After the visit of the national park we continue Direction Tulearwhere especially the botanists get their money's worth. Baobabs, euphorbias and many other plant species have adapted in a unique way to the prevailing climatic conditions and provide numerous Opportunities for individual studies or simply spectacular photo motifs. Also impressive are the Tombs of the Mahafalythat rise from the ground to the right and left of the road you are driving on. In Tulear you should then make a stop and enjoy the special Coastal city flair before it carries you further to Ifaty. There the hotel awaits you Belle Vuewhich is located near the beach and accordingly tempts to an evening walk by the surf of the sea.

Day 11: You explore Ifaty and the surrounding area

The twelfth day is half bird watching and the other half at your leisure. In the morning half you will leave as early as possible and visit the thorn forest near Ifaty. There grow around 400 Baobabs up and some of them have already been proven to be more than 1,000 years old. This fact alone gives the thorn forest a whole special atmosphere. Various succulents are also distributed on the ground, so that the Terrain difficult to access is. For the numerous birds that breed in this area, this proves to be an additional protective function. Many of the birds living here are endemic and can be observed optimally. In the afternoon we can then recommend a little Relaxation on the beach to search, maybe do a little snorkeling or diving. If you want and are in the area at the right time of year, you can at July and in August additionally the Humpback whales observe off the coast. If you need further information, we would be happy to hear from you. Also today you may go to the hotel near the beach in the evening. Belle Vue turn in.

Commonly encountered birds: Xenopirostris xenopirostris, Falculea palliata, Newtonia archboldi, Nesillas typica

Rarely seen birds: Monias benschi, Uratelornis chimaera

Day 13: Tsimanampesotse National Park awaits you

Today you can expect a very special highlight, because one of the oldest and at the same time also the least known national parks on Madagascar awaits you: the Tsimanampesotse National Park. Up to 90 percent of the animals and plants living here can only be found in Madagascar and the Tsimanampesotse National Park was already founded in 1927. On the more than 40,000 hectares live more than 112 different bird species and incidentally some lemurs as well as about 39 different reptile species. In addition, the Tsimanampesotse National Park is home to a huge limestone plateau as well as a beautifully situated lake. The overnight stay takes place after an extensive day with numerous bird observations again in the Relais d`Ambola.

Commonly encountered birds: Calicalicus rufocarpalis, Xenopirostris xenopirostris, flamingos.

Rarely seen birds: Newtonia archboldi