Heaviest bird that ever existed, the Elephant Bird, lived in Madagascar and may actually have survived until only 300 years ago.

The Musée de l´Académie in Antananarivo has the only complete skeleton, but the rest of this great red island is even today so full of strange and wonderful life forms that we´ll soon understand how something as astounding as the 1000-pound Elephant Bird could have developed here. To most of us, Madagascar is a place where evolution has run wild.

Madagascar has relatively few bird species; only about 265 but it holds more endemic genera(37)than any other African country and its 120 endemics species include 05 endemic families and 01 endemic subfamily. Another 25 odd species belong to interesting genera unique to western Indian Ocean islands.  It´s a mind-boggling degree of endemism.

Birding tour 21 DAYS:
Our trip will be oriented towards the endemic birds and mammals, and we´ll spend most of our time in the eastern rainforest, the western deciduous woodland, and the southern spiny desert.
In addition to the birds, we´ll look at everything natural in Madagascar
-plants, reptiles and insects
-as well as experience Madagascar´s friendly and hospitable people and sample widely from its delicious cuisine.

✶ DAY 1 - TANA (ARRIVAL)
Upon your arrival at Ivato international airport in Antananarivo (Tana for short) .a representative will meet and welcome you while arranging the transfer to the hotel. Hotel Garden Square.

✶ DAY 2 - TANA - TOLIARA - IFATY
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport of Antananarivo and will take a flight to Toliara(Southern city of Madagascar). Arriving in Toliara, your guide and a driver will meet you and take you for a drive to Ifaty village. On the way to Ifaty, you will see Mangrove forest and be passing some extensive swamps that harbor widespread though secretive species such as Little Bittern, Purple Swamphen, and Painted Snipe.

There are frequent outbursts from other rails plus a variety of herons, ducks, and waders. Along the muddy bays, if the tide is low, we should see migrant waders: Greater Sandplovers trotting across the mudflats with Curlew Sandpipers, and maybe flamingoes, while near the salt fields there is often a pair of the increasingly rare Madagascar Plover. Arriving in Ifaty, you will set up at your accommodation and can beach relax before a late afternoon visit of the Ifaty spiny forest. Stay at Jardin de l’isle hotel

✶ DAY 3 - IFATY SPINY FOREST VISIT
A search before breakfast with local expertise should yield the difficult-to-find Long-tailed Ground-Roller. We´ll look for other special birds as well, such as the Olive-capped form of Red-capped Coua, Madagascar Hoopoe, Greater Vasa Parrot, Gray-headed Lovebird, Madagascar Magpie Robin, and various vangas including our first Red-tailed. Afternoon beach relax. Stay at Jardin de l’sle hotel

✶ DAY 4 - IFATY - ANAKAO
Today, we are heading to Anakao village. Anakao is a Vezo fishing village around fifty kilometers south of Tulear. The terrible roads heading south make boat the best way to reach Anakao and fleets of pirogues line the shore so we will take a speed boat and it would take an hour boat ride to get to Anakao. The inaccessibility of the village means that modern development has largely passed by Anakao. Around your lodge, you may see Littoral Rock Thrush coming close to your hotel. Late in the afternoon, we will be birding around the village as several birds species could be found in the forest around the village. Overnight at Safari Vezo hotel at Lalandaka hotel

✶ DAY 5 - NOSY VE DAY EXCURSION
Nosy Ve is an island lies at 3km off the West coast and can be reached by boat from Anakao. The island is not only good for birding but provides excellent snorkeling on the reefs. Coastal birds include Red-tailed Tropicbird, Lesser Crested and Saunder’s Tern. Crab Plover and other waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit can sometimes be found. Back to Anakao , you will have an afternoon relax or photographing around the village and the hotel. Stay at Safari Vezo hotel or at lalandaka hotel

✶ DAY 6 - ANAKAO-TSIMANAPETSOTSA ANAKAO
- Early morning start to drive to TSIMANAPETSOTSA national park for a day visit. Tsimanampetsotsa is a birders paradise. More than 100 species are found here, including pink, greater and dwarf flamingos forming big colonies on the lake, 5 coua species, Archbold´snewtonia, Madagascar plover, red-shouldered vanga or Lafresnaye´svanga. Apart from birds, there are 12 species of mammals, among them the extremely rare and local endemic Grandidier´s mongoose and 4 lemur species: ring-tailed lemur, Verreaux´ssifaka, Gray-brown mouse lemur and white-footed sportive lemur.

Among the 39 reptile species, the most significant one is the radiated turtle, which is endemic to this region and extremely endangered to extinction. Because of the chemical composition of the saline lake, no fish can survive in it. Nevertheless, the unique blind fish of the world is easy to find in some underground caves. After the visit, you will drive back to Anakao. Overnight at the same hotel as last night

✶ DAY 7 - ANAKAO - ZOMBITSE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you take the boat back to Toliara and continue to Zombitse –Vohibasia national park. Afternoon visit and overnight at ZOMBITSE ECOLODGE or hotel in Sakaraha

✶ DAY 8 - ZOMBITSE NATIONAL PARK
An early morning visit of Zombitse is very suggested for better chance to find more birds and animals. At zombitse , you are trying to find the endemic Appert´sGreenbul, which could be found only here! Other birds may include Banded Kestrel, Cuckoo-Roller, and Madagascar Sandgrouse. The largest of all the diurnal green geckoes, the spectacular Standing´s, is found here. Secretive Ring-tailed Lemurs and sleepy Rufous-tailed Dwarf Lemurs will peer at us from their tree cavities. After the visit at Zombitse reserve we will continue to Isalo NP. Stay at Isalo Ranch hotel

✶ DAY 9 - ISALO NATIONAL PARK
Today, you have the fantastic opportunity for some trekking through impressive canyons and along dramatic bluffs; Isalo's topography has been sculpted over the years by wind and water and now lends itself to some quite fanciful shapes! A classic walk is along the Massif affording dramatic views and arriving late in the afternoon at "La Piscine Naturelle", a natural swimming pool formed in the rocks fringed by palm trees and forever topped up by a flowing waterfall. You will also have the option of visiting a variety of natural canyons in the area and horse riding trips. Benson’s rock thrush could be seen in this park. Stay at the same hotel as last night

✶ DAY 10 - ISALO - ANJA RESERVE - RANOMAFANA
After breakfast, you are heading north to Ranomafana but you will en-route stop at Anja reserve. This is a local community run park where you will probably see the highest density of Ring tailed lemurs in their natural habitat. After the visit, you continue the drive to Ranomafana and will stay at IHARY HOTEL. You will also do a night walk for mouse lemurs and other night active animals.

✶ DAY 11 - VISIT RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
Visit of Ranomafana national park.The Golden Bamboo Lemur was discovered here in 1986, and almost simultaneously the Greater Bamboo Lemur, once thought extinct, was rediscovered. These events led to the park´s creation. Birds have profited from these discoveries, and we´ll be alert for the huge Henst´s Goshawk, the timid Brown Mesite, Madagascar Wood Rail, the stunning Blue Coua, the secretive Yellow-brow Coua, and mixed flocks containing Spectacled and Gray-crowned Greenbuls, spectacular Pitta-like Ground-Roller, Green Jery, and Rand´s Warbler.

The more highland forest areas produce a different group of birds including Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, Brown Emutail, and the elusive but stunning and sometimes very confiding Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity. In the nearby river and swamps we could find the greatly endangered Meller´s Duck, plus Madagascar Pratincole, Madagascar Snipe, and (with luck) Madagascar Partridge. Gray Emutailhide in the rank marshy grasses of the swamps. In these highland areas the secretive Diademed Siffaka may be found. We will also have a night walk for the curious and varied frog fauna, and usually find a number of sleeping chameleons and quaint Rufous Mouse Lemurs.Night at the same hotel

✶ DAY 12 - ANOTHER DAY BIRDING AT RANOMAFANA
Today, we will again spend a morning visit of Ranomafana as it is not always easy to find all in one day, also because this is one of the best places for birding in Madagascar. Stay at the same hotel

✶ DAY 13 -RANOMAFANA - ANTSIRABE - TANA
Early morning departure to heading back to Tana. Lunch in Antsirabe and overnight in Tana at Garden Square hotel which is not far from the airport.

✶ DAY 14 - TANA - MAROJEJY
Take a flight to Sambava then meet our driver/guide to take you to Manantenina where the MAROJEJY National park entrance is. Then start the trek to the park. The Mantella Trek takes you to Camp Mantella, about a four-hour hike from Manantenina. Camp Mantella (elevation 450 m [1475 ft]) has six cabins furnished with beds, mattresses, and bedding. It also has a large sheltered eating area with an assortment of cooking utensils. A campground is located nearby for those who prefer to pitch a tent. This area of lowland rainforest is a good place to see several species of lemurs, many birds (including the helmet vanga) and many species of amphibians and reptiles. The beautiful Cascade de Humbert waterfall is a short walk (800 m) from the camp. OVERNIGHT CAMPING - Camp Mantella

✶ DAY 15 - MAROJEJY NP
FULL DAY VISIT IN MAROJEJY; Species we´ll be looking for in the forest include Helmet Vanga, certainly the most bizarre-looking bird on the island; vaguely like a small hornbill but dressed in attractive black and tan. Its most spectacular feature is the enormous bill, impressive enough for its size but rendered unforgettable in fluorescent day-glow blue! Far rarer is the dowdy all-black Bernier´s Vanga, the barred female being more attractive. Birders can spot more than 120 species, such as the Madagascar serpent-eagle, red Owl, helmet vanga, red-tailed newtonia, cryptic warbler and several ground-rollers. OTHER NIGHT CAMPING - Camp Mantella.

✶ DAY 16 - MAROJEJY NP
Another day at MAROJEJY. Marojejy is one of the most strikingly beautiful and wild areas of Madagascar. It is unique in the world, a place of dense, jungly rainforests, sheer, high cliffs, and plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. To increase your chances of spotting this elusive animal, we will hire a "Simpona Specialist" in addition to your guide. Overnight camping

✶ DAY 17 -MAROJEJY - SAMBAVA
Get out of the park and drive back to SAMBAVA where you will stay at MIMI HOTEL

✶ DAY 18 - SAMBAVA - TANA - ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK
Take the flight back to Tana. A driver will meet us in Tana and drive to Anadasibe passing through highland scenery and rice paddies. This afternoon enjoy an afternoon walk through the reserve in search of the lemurs and other wildlife. In the evening there will be time for a night walk to observe the nocturnal species. Overnight at Andasibe Lemurs lodge

✶ DAY 19 - ANDASIBE MANTADIA NATIONAL PARK
This morning, we will start very early to drive to Mantadia national park entrance. Mantadia National Park. The moist rainforest cloaking Madagascar’s eastern escarpment protects the richest assemblage of birds on the island, including many that are rare or poorly known.. Over 100 bird species have been recorded from within the reserve of Mantadia and we will search for specials including Madagascar Flufftail, the elusive Madagascar Wood Rail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar Spinetail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Ward’s Flycatcher, Tylas Vanga, Madagascar Starling, Long-billed Bernieria, Spectacled Tetraka, White-throated Oxylabes, Nelicourvi Weaver and Souimanga Sunbird. Overnight at the same hotel

✶ DAY 20 - ANDASIBE ANALAMAZAOTRA NATIONAL PARK
Another day visit of Andasibe National park and today,we visit the Analamazaotra district of the national park. A montane forest park offering the chance to spot a variety of lemurs, reptiles and birds. One of its most famous inhabitants is the Indri, Indri - the largest of lemurs with a black and white teddy bear like appearance. You hear the Indri before you see them and waking up to their songs of communication in the early hours of the morning with the mist still hugging the rainforest canopy. Best to leave early morning to be hear the Indri when they make their distinctive morning group communication calls. Other lemurs which can be seen here are the red-bellied lemur, brown lemur, lesser bamboo lemur, with nocturnal lemurs - brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur , Eastern woolly lemurs. Overnight at the same hotel.

✶ DAY 21 - ANDASIBE - TANA
Drive back to Tana, visit Tsarasaotra lake for more birds.

Evening transfer to the airport and catch the flight out. END OF THE TOUR. TOUR

✓ All accommodation on B&B
✓ All Car transfers
✓ All Parks and Reserves entrance fees
✓ A driver
✓ A local Tour Leader( Specialist bird guide)
✓ Boat to Anakao(Round trip)
✓ Fuel for the car during the whole trip

✗ Lunch, dinner, drinks
✗ Local Guides fee when visiting parks (500 Euro for the whole tour for a single to 4 pax)
✗ Domestic flights (There are 3 domestic flights to take, TANA-TOLIARA, TANA-SAMBAVA and SAMBAVA-TANA and this would cost you 130€ per flight and could be added if you want that we do book and purchase the flight tickets for you)