We at Rockjumper have an unbeatable reputation in Madagascar, having run more than 100 tours over the past decade to the world’s fourth-largest island. In fact, Madagascar is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Continent’ due to its size and incredible biological diversity. Its exceptional fauna and flora have evolved over millions of years of isolation into a remarkable selection of utterly unique and often spectacular wildlife. This legendary uniqueness is nowhere better reflected than in its birds, and the island hosts no less than five endemic bird families (the ground rollers, cuckoo roller, mesites, Malagasy warblers and vangas)! But the wonder of Madagascar extends well beyond its avifauna and we also spend time seeking out and marvelling at 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, not to mention a region in urgent need of immediate ecological preservation.
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.
Indri; Ring-tailed, Golden-brown Mouse, Hubbard's Sportive Lemurs; Diademed & Verreaux’s Sifakas, Fosa (rare)
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
170 - 180
spiny forest, Berenty, strange herps & insects, coral reefs, shopping, culture
incredible
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…
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!
Excellent tour overall. Adam Walleyn is probably the best overall bird tour guide I have had the pleasure of touring with. He not only knows the birds and wildlife, but is great at handling all types of people and doing whatever he can to make the tour fun, pleasant, and productive. He was always respectful of participants, and made sure their priorities were the focus of the trip rather than his own.
Adam Walleyn was amazing, and we will definitely be looking into arranging a private Rockjumper tour with him in the future. Not only did he have extensive knowledge of the birds, but also the other flora and fauna, as well as some of the historical aspects of Madagascar.
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.
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Tour price (Per person): USD8,495 * GBP6,724 * EUR7,866 * AUD13,025
Single Supplement: USD1,200 * GBP950 * EUR1,111 * AUD1,840
Flight costs: USD1,530 * GBP1,211 * EUR1,417 * AUD2,346
Can be linked with: Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension II 2024
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Tour price (Per person): USD8,495 * GBP6,724 * EUR7,866 * AUD13,025
Single Supplement: USD1,200 * GBP950 * EUR1,111 * AUD1,840
Flight costs: USD1,530 * GBP1,211 * EUR1,417 * AUD2,346
Can be linked with: Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension III 2024
Tour Leader: Lev Frid
Tour price (Per person): USD8,795 * GBP6,961 * EUR8,144 * AUD13,485
Single Supplement: USD1,350 * GBP1,069 * EUR1,250 * AUD2,070
Flight costs: USD1,700 * GBP1,346 * EUR1,574 * AUD2,607
Can be linked with: Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension I 2025
Tour Leader: Stuart Elsom
Tour price (Per person): USD8,795 * GBP6,961 * EUR8,144 * AUD13,485
Single Supplement: USD1,350 * GBP1,069 * EUR1,250 * AUD2,070
Flight costs: USD1,700 * GBP1,346 * EUR1,574 * AUD2,607
Can be linked with: Madagascar - Ranomafana Extension II 2025
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