Our three-week Comprehensive Madagascar birding and wildlife tours are set to take in as much of this biological melting pot as possible during our time here. Madagascar’s size and millions of years of isolation have led to a remarkable selection of utterly unique and often spectacular fauna and flora. We will explore a number of this island’s most awe-inspiring habitats – from the bird-rich sites of the eastern rainforest zone and the astonishing Spiny Desert around Ifaty to the deciduous woodlands of the north-west and everything Tolkienesque in between – as we search for our quarry.
Equally as (if not more) awe-inspiring than the habitats is this island’s avifauna, whose presence in the flesh make superlatives seem inadequate, and we hope to see representatives of all of Madagascar’s endemic bird families during our time here: ground rollers; Cuckoo Roller; mesites; Malagasy warblers and vangas! Other than endemic families, we also stand a chance to see Madagascar Fish Eagle, Madagascar Sacred Ibis, Red-breasted Coua, Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Benson’s Rock Thrush and Appert’s Tetraka.
Besides the birds, we experience up to 27 lemur species (including the regal Indri and world-famous dancing Sifakas), other mammals from civets to strange tenrecs (the planet’s most primitive mammals), dozens of species of chameleons, cryptic leaf-tailed geckos and other bizarre reptiles and amphibians, and even some of the world’s most outlandish insects (such as the celebrated Giraffe-necked Weevil)!
Join us for a truly comprehensive birding and wildlife tour of this otherworldly land!
Subdesert, Brown & White-breasted Mesite, Cuckoo Roller, Long-tailed Ground Roller, Blue & Red-breasted Coua, Schlegel’s & Velvet Asity, Nuthatch & Sickle-billed Vanga, Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Forest Rock Thrush, Appert’s Tetraka, Madagascar Plover, Thamnornis, Madagascar & Madagascar Sacred Ibis, Madagascar Fish Eagle, Henst's Goshawk, Bernier’s Teal , Madagascar Wood Rail, Brown Emutail
Indri, Ring-tailed Lemur, Diademed & Verreaux’s Sifaka, Golden & Greater Bamboo Lemur, Golden-brown Mouse Lemur, Hubbard's Sportive Lemur, Fosa
rainforest, riparian forest, deciduous woodland, spiny desert, mudflats, wetlands
warm to very hot, cooler evenings in highlands, some rainfall possible
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local leader
moderate to brisk
basic but comfortable hotels and lodges
mostly unchallenging but several difficult rainforest skulkers
190 - 200
spiny forest, Berenty, strange herps & insects, coral reefs, shopping, culture
incredible
We had been with Greg before on the Ethiopia tour. We selected this tour because Greg was leading it. Not only does he have excellent birding skills, but he also has excellent people skills. He kept the tour running smoothly, handled problems quickly, and was most anxious that every member of the tour got to see the birds if at all possible. We would definitely travel with him again. We got lots of new birds, had lots of laughs, and enjoyed our fellow birders.
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.
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…
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.
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!
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Tour price (Per person): USD8,495 * GBP6,868 * EUR7,967 * AUD13,240
Single Supplement: USD1,200 * GBP970 * EUR1,125 * AUD1,870
Flight costs: USD1,530 * GBP1,237 * EUR1,435 * AUD2,385
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Tour price (Per person): USD8,495 * GBP6,868 * EUR7,967 * AUD13,240
Single Supplement: USD1,200 * GBP970 * EUR1,125 * AUD1,870
Flight costs: USD1,530 * GBP1,237 * EUR1,435 * AUD2,385
Tour Leader: Lev Frid
Tour price (Per person): USD8,795 * GBP7,111 * EUR8,249 * AUD13,708
Single Supplement: USD1,350 * GBP1,091 * EUR1,266 * AUD2,104
Flight costs: USD1,700 * GBP1,374 * EUR1,594 * AUD2,650
Tour Leader: Stuart Elsom
Tour price (Per person): USD8,795 * GBP7,111 * EUR8,249 * AUD13,708
Single Supplement: USD1,350 * GBP1,091 * EUR1,266 * AUD2,104
Flight costs: USD1,700 * GBP1,374 * EUR1,594 * AUD2,650
Madagascar - Herz & friends 2023 - November 2023
Madagascar - Comprehensive III 2023 - October 2023
Madagascar - Whitlock 2023 - October 2023
Madagascar - Highlights II 2023 - October 2023
Madagascar - Comprehensive II 2023 - September 2023
Madagascar - Kingsbury 2023 - September 2023
Madagascar - Vounnou 2022 - November 2022
Madagascar - Highlights II 2022 - October 2022
Madagascar - Comprehensive II 2022 - September 2022
Madagascar - Highlights II 2019 - October 2019
Madagascar - Comprehensive II 2019 - October 2019
Madagascar - Comprehensive III 2018 - November 2018
Madagascar - Masoala Peninsula Extension 2018 - October 2018
Madagascar - Highlights II 2018 - October 2018
Madagascar - Franzen 2018 - October 2018
Madagascar - Comprehensive II 2018 - October 2018
Madagascar - Comprehensive I 2018 - July 2018
Madagascar - Highlights I 2018 - July 2018