19-Day Northern Madagascar Birding & Wildlife Adventure

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Antananarivo

Upon arrival at Ivato International Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy some rest before meeting your guide for an introduction to the journey. This will be an opportunity to discuss your priority birds and mammals, photography interests and preparations for the more remote sections of the adventure.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Le Combava Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

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+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Fly to Mahajanga and Drive to Ankarafantsika National Park

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mahajanga, where your vehicle will be waiting for the onward journey to Ankarafantsika. Leave the coast behind and travel inland towards the dry deciduous forests of northwestern Madagascar.
After settling into your accommodation, take an introductory walk if the flight schedule allows. As the heat fades, listen for birds around the forest edge and begin searching for lemurs among the trees. After dark, a guided walk in an authorized area outside the park’s daytime trails will introduce you to nocturnal wildlife, with opportunities to look for mouse lemurs, geckos and resting chameleons.
Overnight at or near Ankarafantsika.

Main Destination:

Ankarafantsika National Park

Best Time To Visit November and December (Best for birds and reptiles)

High Season July, August and December holidays (Some trails get busy)

Best Weather June to September

Wildlife in Ankarafantsika NP

Coquerel's sifaka Common

Leaf-tailed geckos Common

Mongoose lemur Occasional

Nile crocodile Occasional

Milne-Edwards’s
Sportive Lemur Occasional

Show more

Common
brown lemur Occasional

Oustalet's
chameleon Occasional

Western
tuft-tailed rat

Occasional

Commerson's
leaf-nosed bat Occasional

Madagascar
big-headed turtle Rare

Rhinoceros
chameleon Rare

Golden-brown
mouse lemur

Rare

Western
woolly lemur Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Activities:

• Evening nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Lodge of the Park

• Budget lodge located inside Ankarafantsika NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Ankarafantsika National Park

Spend two full days exploring Ankarafantsika’s dry deciduous forests and wetlands with your local guide. Early morning walks will begin when temperatures are cool and bird activity is strongest, focusing on sought-after species such as Van Dam’s Vanga, White-breasted Mesite and Rufous Vanga. Follow forest trails at a relaxed pace, listening for calls, investigating mixed feeding flocks and watching the undergrowth for shy ground-dwelling birds. Between bird encounters, look for Coquerel’s sifakas and other lemurs moving through the canopy.
Explore the surroundings of Lake Ravelobe, scanning the water, shoreline and nearby trees for waterbirds, with the rare Madagascar Fish Eagle as a particular target. Midday breaks will provide time to rest before further afternoon excursions. With two days available, there will be opportunities to explore different trails, revisit productive areas and improve views and photographs of species encountered along the way.

Main Destination:

Ankarafantsika National Park

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Lodge of the Park

• Budget lodge located inside Ankarafantsika NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Ankarafantsika to Antsohihy

After breakfast, depart for Antsohihy. This is primarily a travelling day, crossing rural landscapes of villages, cultivated land and open countryside.
Where road conditions and daylight permit, make short stops to scan wetlands and open habitats for birds. Your guide will balance these opportunities with the need to reach Antsohihy in good time. On arrival, settle into your hotel and prepare for the journey into the remote Bemanevika region.

Main Destination:

Antsohihy

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Saofia Belle Vue Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located the park

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Antsohihy -Bealanana-Bemanevika

Leave early and travel towards Bealanana before continuing along the access tracks towards Bemanevika. The route follows the RN31 from Antsohihy towards Bealanana, then secondary roads leading towards the protected area and its field camp. This stage requires advance coordination and a realistic allowance for road conditions.
As you approach the reserve, the landscape becomes a mosaic of forest, grassland and wetlands. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short introductory walk or settle into camp and discuss the following days’ target species with the local team.
Overnight at a pre-arranged basic camp near Bemanevika.

Main Destination:

Bemanevika Reserve

Activities:

• Evening nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• The park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bemanevika Reserve

Spend two full days exploring Bemanevika’s lakes, marshes, grasslands and forests with your local guide. A principal target will be the Madagascar Pochard, an exceptionally rare diving duck rediscovered here in 2006. Early morning excursions will allow unhurried observation from suitable viewpoints, with time to scan the surrounding wetlands for Madagascar Harrier and other birds.

Venture into the forest in search of elusive species such as Madagascar Serpent Eagle, Henst’s Goshawk and Madagascar Red Owl. Your local team will guide these searches according to recent sightings, with any owl observation conducted only where permitted and without disturbing resting birds. Along the trails, take time to look for reptiles, amphibians and smaller forest wildlife. The programme will remain flexible throughout your stay, allowing you to revisit productive habitats, improve photographic opportunities and dedicate additional time to your priority species.
Two nights at the Bemanevika camp.

Main Destination:

Bemanevika Reserve

Activities:

• Nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• The park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bemanevika to Antsohihy

After breakfast, leave camp and retrace the route through Bealanana to Antsohihy. If conditions allow, enjoy a brief final birding session before departure.
Most of the day will be reserved for the return journey, with occasional stops for interesting sightings. Arrive in Antsohihy and enjoy a comfortable evening after your remote reserve experience.
Overnight in Antsohihy.

Main Destination:

Antsohihy

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Saofia Belle Vue Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located the park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Antsohihy to Ankarana

Continue north towards Ankarana. An early departure will allow time for the long drive and essential breaks, with birding stops included only where practical.
On arrival, settle into your accommodation near the eastern entrance at Mahamasina. Your guide will discuss the next day’s walking options, choosing a route that combines wildlife observation with the limestone scenery for which Ankarana is renowned.

Main Destination:

Ankarana Special Reserve

Best Time To Visit May to November (Best hiking weather)

High Season July, August and December holidays (The park is busy)

Best Weather April to November

Wildlife in Ankarana SR

Crowned lemur Common

Sanford’s
Brown Lemur Common

Panther
chameleon Common

Oustalet’s
Chameleon Common

Leaf-tailed geckos Common

Show more

Madagascar
free-tailed bat

Common

Ring-tailed
mongoose Occasional

Ankarana
sportive lemur Occasional

Giant day gecko Occasional

Fossa Occasional

Nile crocodile Rare

Madagascar
ground boa Rare

Tenrecs Rare

Spotted fanaloka Very Rare

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Kozobe Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Ambilobe (Town)

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+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ankarana National Park

Spend the day exploring Ankarana Special Reserve, where dry forest grows among limestone pinnacles, canyons and caves. Begin in shaded forest, listening for birds and looking for crowned lemurs and Sanford’s brown lemurs.
Your walk will combine forest observation with selected viewpoints over the tsingy. Depending on your interests and the accessible circuits, a cave visit may add an opportunity to appreciate the reserve’s underground habitats and bats. The route will be chosen around your fitness and comfort on uneven limestone, with time for birding rather than a hurried circuit.
Overnight near Ankarana.

Main Destination:

Ankarana Special Reserve

Activities:

• Nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Kozobe Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Ambilobe (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ankarana to Dariana

After breakfast, travel towards Daraina, gateway to the Loky-Manambato Protected Area. On arrival, meet your local guide and, if time permits, head into an accessible forest sector for a late afternoon walk.
The principal mammal target is the golden-crowned sifaka, whose restricted range makes Daraina a particularly important stop. Watch quietly as these striking lemurs move through the canopy, while also listening for forest birds.
After dinner, take a guided night walk on an authorized local trail to search for nocturnal lemurs, geckos, chameleons and other wildlife. Any search for aye-aye will depend on recent local information and permission; it should be considered an exceptional possibility.
Overnight at a pre-arranged camp or simple accommodation in the Daraina area.

Main Destination:

Loky-Manambato Protected Area

Activities:

• Evening specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Loky-Manambato

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Daraina-Sambava

Return to the forest early for another opportunity to observe golden-crowned sifakas and improve your bird list. The morning visit also provides a second chance if the previous afternoon’s walk was shortened by the journey.
After the excursion, leave for Sambava via Vohémar. Arrive and settle into your hotel, where you can reorganize your luggage for the Marojejy trek. Your guide will explain the camp arrangements and confirm what to carry into the forest.
Overnight in Sambava.

Main Destination:

Sambava (Town & Beach)

Activities:

• Early morning nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

IDENTIC.MG

• Mid-range hotel located in Sambava (Town & Beach)

+8 Photos

+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Sambava to Marojejy

Depart early for the Marojejy visitor centre and the trailhead near Manantenina. Meet your local trekking team before beginning the walk through cultivated land and into rainforest.
Allow much of the day for the ascent, moving at a birding pace with frequent observation stops. Camp Mantella will be your first forest base. If arrival time and energy allow, explore nearby trails before dinner.

Main Destination:

Marojejy National Park

Best Time To Visit August to November (Less rain)

High Season September to November (Book cabins in advance)

Best Weather May to October

Wildlife in Marojejy NP

White-fronted
brown lemur Common

Leaf-tailed
geckos Common

Silky sifaka Occasional

Eastern grey
bamboo lemur Occasional

Red-bellied lemur Occasional

Show more

Eastern
woolly lemur Occasional

Dwarf lemurs Occasional

Seal's
sportive lemur

Occasional

Panther
chameleon Occasional

Other
chameleons Occasional

Madagascar
tree boa Occasional

Spotted
fanaloka Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Aye-aye Very Rare

Activities:

• Afternoon nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Marojejy NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Marojejy

Begin with early birding around Camp Mantella, concentrating on lowland rainforest species. Helmet Vanga will be a major target, alongside other forest birds and the reptiles and amphibians encountered along the trail.
Continue uphill towards Camp Marojejia, stopping whenever calls or movement reveal wildlife. The transition towards higher forest brings a change in vegetation and an opportunity to search for silky sifakas. Arrive at camp and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery before a relaxed evening in the forest.

Main Destination:

Marojejy National Park

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Marojejy NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Marojejy National Park

Spend a full day exploring from Camp Marojejia, giving your guides time to search for silky sifakas and follow promising bird activity. Rather than covering distance quickly, the emphasis will be on patient observation, photography and appreciating the forest’s smaller details.
Your local guide will select trails according to recent sightings, weather and your interests. Returning to productive areas can be especially valuable for improving views of birds first heard or glimpsed earlier in the trek.
Overnight at Camp Marojejia.

Main Destination:

Marojejy National Park

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Marojejy NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Marojejy to Sambava

After an early breakfast, begin the descent, watching for wildlife along the way. Retracing the trail offers another opportunity to find species missed on the ascent and appreciate the changing forest habitats.
Meet your vehicle at the end of the trek and return to Sambava. The evening is free to rest, enjoy a shower and review the sightings from your rainforest adventure.
Overnight in Sambava.

Main Destination:

Sambava (Town & Beach)

Activities:

• Morning nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

IDENTIC.MG

• Mid-range hotel located in Sambava (Town & Beach)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly back to Tana

Transfer to Sambava Airport for your flight to Antananarivo. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.
Depending on the flight schedule, spend the remaining time relaxing or enjoying an optional short activity. This final night in the capital provides a planned interval between the domestic flight and your international departure.
Overnight in Antananarivo.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

The Louvre Hotel & Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Departure

Enjoy breakfast and free time according to your international flight schedule. At the appropriate time, transfer to Ivato International Airport for your departure, concluding your birding and wildlife journey through northern Madagascar.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.