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Madagascar - Bird Photography Tour

© Ring-tailed Lemurs by Glen Valentine
Madagascar - Bird Photography Tour 2028

03 Jun 2028 - 19 Jun 2028 (17 days)

USD8,500 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox

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Tour Price (Per person): USD8,500 (GBP6,515 * AUD12,348)

Single Supplement: USD935 (GBP717 * AUD1,358)

Flight costs: USD1,955 (GBP1,498 * AUD2,840)

Pricing notes : *All prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Madagascar - Bird Photography Tour 2029

02 Jul 2029 - 18 Jul 2029 (17 days)

USD8,500 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

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Tour Price (Per person): USD8,500 (GBP6,515 * AUD12,348)

Single Supplement: USD1,029 (GBP789 * AUD1,495)

Flight costs: USD2,151 (GBP1,649 * AUD3,125)

Pricing notes : *All prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Madagascar offers a birding a wildlife tour like nowhere else on Earth. This unique island is the world’s fourth largest and, due to its size and incredible biological diversity, is often referred to as the “Eighth Continent”. Its fauna and flora have evolved over millions of years of isolation and the remarkable selection of utterly unique and often spectacular wildlife is quite simply mind-blowing. Incredibly Madagascar hosts no less than five endemic bird families and a plethora of other impressive endemic birds, of which many will offer up fabulous photographic opportunities. We will also spend time seeking out and photographing the amazing lemurs, colourful chameleons, and fascinating flora of this appropriately named “laboratory of evolution.” 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.

Highlights

  • Madagascar is home to an exceptional variety of wildlife including many endemic birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles! Often referred to as the ‘Eighth Continent due to its incredible biodiversity.
  • We will get to see an incredible variety of species during this tour including chances for over 100 endemic birds, over 20 species of lemurs, and over 30 species of reptiles and amphibians
  • Our chances of finding at least one representative of the 5 endemic bird families (Asities, Ground Rollers, Mesites, Cuckoo-roller, and Tetrakas & Allies) is excellent and we are likely to get photographs of them as well.
  • Spend time photographing the ‘dancing’ Verreaux’s Sifakas at Berenty and other iconic species such as Indri at Perinet and Ring-tailed Lemur at Berenty
  • Opportunities to see and take photos of several rare and declining species including a number that are considered endangered or critically endangered such as Madagascar Fish Eagle, Meller’s Duck, Van Dam’s Vanga, Madagascar Grebe, Malagasy Sacred Ibis, Bernier’s Teal, Malagasy Pond Heron, Humblot’s Heron, and Madgascar Jacana
  • Night photography is another highlight in Madagascar and the night walks we do are very productive. These often yield several species of nocturnal lemurs (mouse lemurs, dwarf lemurs, sportive lemurs and Avahi’s), frogs, and chameleons
  • Spend ample time exploring some of Madagascar’s iconic sites such as Andasibe-Mantadia, Analamazaotra, Ampijoroa, Berenty, and Ifaty

Top Birds

Subdesert, Brown & White-breasted Mesites; Cuckoo Roller; Pitta-like, Scaly, Short-legged, Long-tailed & Rufous-headed Ground Rollers; Blue, Giant, Running, Red-capped, Verreaux’s & Red-breasted Couas; Schlegel’s & Velvet Asitys; Common & Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asitys; Helmet, Crossley's, Bernier's, Nuthatch, Hook-billed, Lafresnaye’s, Red-shouldered, Van Dam's, Chabert, Red-tailed, Blue, & Sickle-billed Vangas; Forest Rock Thrush; Appert’s Tetraka; Madagascar Plover; Thamnornis; Madagascar & Madagascar Sacred Ibises; Madagascar Fish Eagle; Henst's Goshawk; Bernier’s Teal; Madagascar Wood Rail; Brown Emutail.

Top Mammals

Indri; Ring-tailed, Golden-brown Mouse, Hubbard's Sportive Lemurs; Diademed & Verreaux’s Sifakas, Fosa (rare)

Habitats Covered

rainforest, riparian forest, deciduous woodland, spiny desert, mudflats, wetlands

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 CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderate paced tour suited for those in good health with a reasonable level of fitness. Not suited for anyone with mobility challenges or serious medical conditions. • Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.

Accommodation

Generally comfortable standard of hotels and resorts. Some more basic lodges are clean & comfortable.

Ease of Birding

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

Other Attractions

spiny forest, Berenty, strange herps & insects, coral reefs, shopping, culture

Photographic Opportunities

Excellent to incredible photographic opportunities featuring a wide variety of wildlife.

What our clients say about us

Adam Walleyn
GB & DB, Madagascar 2017

Our guide, Adam Walleyn, was exceptional. His knowledge and enthusiasm is unparalleled.

David Hoddinott
D, Madagascar Comprehensive

David Hoddinott is the best!! He is tenacious about getting all participants on all birds!

Stuart Elsom
AM, Madagascar - Budget Birding 2025

This tour was a pleasant surprise and exceeded expectations. For a “budget” tour, I was expecting much more basic accommodations, especially for Madagascar. I was happy with where we stayed, there was almost always WiFi and electricity available, which I hadn’t been relying on. The food at the Bamboo Club was especially nice, and the grounds at the Au Bois Vert were the perfect place to start a tour, with plenty of garden birds to start a baseline understanding of Madagascar birds with. Stu was a wonderful leader, and did the lords work to get everyone on each bird, despite the varying degrees of experience by participants on the trip. Despite only 10-11 days of birding, we cleaned up a huge number of Madagascar endemics and I was happy with all the birds seen and photos taken, despite occasional environmental and logistical challenge as expected in Madagascar. This was a great trip, I’m happy I was able to go, and I would go out of my way to join another tour with Stu as the leader any day.

André Bernon
KB, Madagascar - Comprehensive I 2026

The Madagascar tour (Comprehensive and Ranomafana Extension) was everything I'd hoped for, and more, with fabulous birds and many lemurs. We used a very nice hotel with excellent food as a base of operations at the start, finish, and for occasional one-nighters between flights to 4 locations, which was very convenient -- especially for laundry and storing items if flights required lighter luggage. All of our flights were on time (amazing!) and we saw almost all of the birds we attempted -- and more species than I'd expected, based on previous years' reports and in view of recent habitat decline. When our flight back to Tana on our last day was quite early, leaving us with most of the day to spare (and no productive local birding left at that point,) a trip to the historical Queen's Palace was arranged, which was quite interesting! Our local agent Solohary kept everything running smoothly, helped us find birds and shared his love of Madagascar with us with lots of information about the country. Tour Leader Andre Bernon was fantastic, with excellent eyes and ears and a fast laser pointer to help us see the birds, good calls about how to spend the group's time and energy, attention to the needs of all group members, and a friendly, upbeat and enjoyable attitude at all times. Local guides at each location were excellent at finding birds and very helpful (especially on the rain-slick trail at Iaroka.) I have traveled with Rockjumper before (and will do so again) as well as many other birding tour companies, but this is one of the best trips ever!

André Bernon
VS, Madagascar - Comprehensive I 2026

I'd like to thank Team Andre Bernon/Solohery for introducing me(the group) to Madagascar's precious bird- & wildlife. Their care for the participants and seamless organization was simply flawless. Accomodation has been top notch! A big hug for all involved in creating this super program/itinerary.

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