Wild Madagascar: Birding & Wildlife

Bird count: 

Over 300

Speed: 

Relaxed – This tour has been designed to go at a comfortable, steady pace, allowing ample time at each destination. For those familiar with birding in Madagascar, you know that sightings may not come rapidly compared to mainland Africa, but the rewards of observing the island’s incredible endemic species are well worth the patience required.

Tour difficulty: 

Easy/Medium – The tour involves a fair amount of on-foot birding in somewhat challenging terrain, but nothing overly strenuous. There are a couple of longer drives (up to 5 hours maximum), but these will be broken up with plenty of birding stops along the way to stretch your legs and look for species. 

When to visit: 

For an optimal visit to Madagascar, we recommend planning your trip between mid-September and early December, especially when covering the eastern rainforests where most endemic birds, lemurs, and chameleons reside. During this time, four of the five ground rollers are easier to locate due to their breeding season, signalled by distinct calls. The elusive Helmet Vanga, often sought on the Masoala Peninsula or Andasibe/Perinet/Mantadia, is more reliably spotted in the southern spring (mid-September through early December).

The island’s climate can heavily impact wildlife viewing, with tropical storms occurring from mid-December through April, potentially disrupting exploration. While rainy conditions facilitate spotting the world’s tiniest chameleon, venturing in the dry season, although viable, might yield fewer sightings. Specific species, like the Slender-billed Flufftail and Madagascar Serpent Eagle, necessitate careful timing due to breeding restrictions.

Due to this narrow window for optimal visits (September through early December), accommodations often fill up quickly. Planning individual trips can be challenging due to Madagascar’s complexities, leading many to opt for an organised birding tour rather than navigating the island independently, despite potential cost savings.

Sustainability: 

At Wild Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip! 

Price: 

Our tailor-made birding tours are custom-designed for each client, making standard pricing difficult. Costs vary based on factors like accommodation, group size, duration, and specific locations. For a personalised quote that matches your taste and budget, please contact us with your requirements.

As an example, this Wild Madagasacar: Birding & Wildlife costs £3,280 per person, based on a group of 6 individuals staying in top-end mid-range safari lodges with shared twin rooms.

For our Set Departure Birding Tours, with fixed prices, please click the button below.