Ranomafana is situated on the eastern slope of Madagascar’s mountainous backbone and spans a wide range of elevations and forest types. Our short extension gives us the opportunity to find several rare and localised mammals such as Golden Bamboo Lemur and Milne-Edwards’s Sifaka. This is an excellent site for the attractive Pitta-like Ground Roller, as well as offering us further chances for a good proportion of endemics, including the uncommon Pollen’s Vanga and Brown Mesite. Night walks also offer the opportunity to see colourful chameleons and strange leaf-tailed geckos.


Due to the arduous road conditions between Antananarivo and Ranomafana (which currently takes an entire day of bumpy driving to cover +-400km), we now use charter flights, greately improving the comfort of this extension.

Top Birds

Pitta-like & Rufous-headed Ground Rollers; Brown Mesite; Wedge-tailed Jery; Pollen’s, Tylas & Crossley’s Vangas; Madagascar Starling; Forest Fody; White-throated Oxylabes; Velvet Asity; Spectacled Tetraka; Madagascar Wood Rail; Nelicourvi Weaver; Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity; Grey-crowned Tetraka; Forest Rock Thrush; Madagascar Yellowbrow; Red-fronted Coua; Brown & Grey Emutails; Rand’s & Cryptic Warblers; Blue Coua; Madagascar Rail; Madagascar Snipe.

Top Mammals

Golden Bamboo, Greater Grey Bamboo & Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemurs; Red-fronted Brown, Red-bellied & Small-toothed Sportive Lemurs; Milne-Edwards’s Sifaka; Common & Lowland Streaked Tenrecs; Ring-tailed Mongoose.

Habitats Covered

Rainforest, highland marsh

Expected Climate

Warm to very hot, cooler evenings in highlands, some rainfall possible

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Moderate to brisk paced tour suited for those in good health with good level of fitness. Not suited for anyone with mobility challenges or serious medical conditions.

Accommodation

Generally comfortable

Ease of Birding

Mostly unchallenging, several difficult rainforest skulkers that may require repeat efforts.

Photographic Opportunities

Excellent to incredible.

What our clients say about us

Adam Walleyn
PF & BF, Madagascar 2017

This was our first tour with Rockjumper and it was absolutely fabulous. Adam Walleyn is by far the best bird guide we have ever had the privilege of working with. His combined qualities as the overall tour leader in terms of personality, ability to deal with whatever got thrown at him and interactive skills were all great. He was very good at keeping us informed of what was planned and was happening next. He was very good at imposing a gentle but essential discipline on the group - rotation in the procession, rotation of positions in the buses, ensuring that everyone got to see the bird - all made for a really good functionality in the group. His sharpness in the field, knowledge of bird calls and bird identification were simply remarkable.

Adam Walleyn
MF, Madagascar 2018

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect since this was my first birding specific trip, and it exceeded my expectations. Seeing all the endemic birds, mammals and reptiles was a once in a lifetime experience I will always remember. Adam Walleyn is a great guide who is extremely knowledgeable about most things "Madagascar." And he has balanced the skills of keeping us all on track and being fun to hang around with - so many interesting stories about his travels.

David Hoddinott
HH, Madagascar

Our Madagascar experience surpassed our wildest dreams. We didn't even realise it was a 'birding trip' but David ensured that we saw much much more. The birds were great anyway, especially the pursuit of the magical Helmet Vanga! An unforgettable experience!

Heinz Ortmann
JT, Madagascar 2015

Just a short note to say that I thought Heinz did a great job with the Masoala extension---he's a a sharp birder, energetic, and very personable with a lot of good stories! I look forward to traveling on another trip with him…

Stephan Lorenz
SW, Madagascar 2022

Stephan was an excellent guide and leader. Excellent knowledge, bags of energy, calm and attentive to the needs of the group. Accommodation and food generally very good and local ground agent had logistics well sorted - even internal flights all to plan.

Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension II 2024

15 Oct 2024 - 19 Oct 2024 (5 days)

USD1,995 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

Tour price (Per person): USD1,995 * GBP1,596 * EUR1,854 * AUD3,021

Single Supplement: USD200 * GBP160 * EUR186 * AUD303

Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension III 2024

06 Nov 2024 - 10 Nov 2024 (5 days)

USD1,995 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

Tour price (Per person): USD1,995 * GBP1,596 * EUR1,854 * AUD3,021

Single Supplement: USD200 * GBP160 * EUR186 * AUD303

Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension I 2025

29 Oct 2025 - 02 Nov 2025 (5 days)

USD2,395 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

Pricing notes : Charter flight prices are dependent on number of guests booked on the tour.

Tour price (Per person): USD2,395 * GBP1,916 * EUR2,226 * AUD3,627

Single Supplement: USD250 * GBP200 * EUR232 * AUD379

Flight costs: USD1,300 * GBP1,040 * EUR1,208 * AUD1,969

Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension II 2025

04 Dec 2025 - 08 Dec 2025 (5 days)

USD2,395 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Stuart Elsom

Pricing notes : Charter flight prices are dependent on number of guests booked on the tour.

Tour price (Per person): USD2,395 * GBP1,916 * EUR2,226 * AUD3,627

Single Supplement: USD250 * GBP200 * EUR232 * AUD379

Flight costs: USD1,300 * GBP1,040 * EUR1,208 * AUD1,969

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