Madagascar-RemoteNorth-Details-1

Days 1: Arrival into Antananarivo

Upon arrival in the bustling capital of Antananarivo, or
“Tana” as it is more commonly known, we transfer to our
hotel close to the airport for an overnight stay. Almost
immediately, one cannot help being struck by the
uniqueness of the Malagasy culture, a strange mixture of
African and Asian influences reflected in the landscape
and architecture. Depending upon our time of arrival, we
may visit Lac Alarobia, a private sanctuary set within the
city that protects large numbers of ducks and egrets from
poaching. As evening sets, the small lake literally teems
with waterfowl. Large numbers of White-faced Whistling
Duck and Red-billed Teal should be seen, usually
accompanied by smaller numbers of Hottentot Teal, Knob-
billed and Fulvous Whistling Ducks. A fantastic
assortment of egrets roost or breed in the sanctuary,
including a few splendidly adorned Malagasy Pond
Herons and Dimorphic Egrets. Mascarene Martin is
common overhead and we will be watching adjacent areas
for more endemics, which may include Madagascar
Kestrel, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Wagtail,
Madagascar White-eye, Madagascar Mannikin and Red
Fody. In the evening we will keep a lookout for
Madagascar Nightjar, which often hawk insects over the
grounds of our hotel.

Days 2, 26th October: Tana to Montagne d’Ambre via
Diego Suarez. This morning we will catch a flight to Diego
Suarez on the northern tip of Madagascar. The town was
named in honour of an early Portuguese explorer who
landed and settled in the area. The town is also known as
Antsiranana, which means “Where there is salt”. It has an
incredible natural harbour that served as a French naval
base until 1973. After arrival we will transfer southwards
to a protected area of montane rainforest know as “Amber
Mountain”, or Montagne d’Ambre National Park. The
name derives from resin that oozes from the trunks of a
number of the region’s rainforest trees. We should have
time for some early exploration and a night walk.

Day 3, 27th October: Montagne d’Ambre. Covering an
area of 18,200ha, this park receives a large volume of
rainfall relative to the surrounding area, and supports
some really luscious rainforest. Montagne d’Ambre is an
extremely rewarding site as it combines easy access with
a well laid-out trail system. Here we will search for
specialities that include the beautiful and localised Amber
Mountain Rock Thrush (its global distribution restricted to
roughly 380km2 on the Amber Mountain massif),
Madagascar Ibis, Henst’s Goshawk, Pitta-like Ground
Roller, Dark Newtonia and White-throated Oxylabes.
  Other more widespread rainforest species that occur
here include the lovely White-throated Rail, Madagascar
Blue Pigeon, Cuckoo-Roller, Red-tailed and Blue Vanga,
Ashy Cuckoo-shrike and Nelicourvi Weaver, amongst
many others.
Target mammals comprise specials such as Sanford’s
Brown and Crowned Lemurs and the northern subspecies
of Ring-tailed Mongoose. Night walks will afford us the
opportunity to search for Ankarana Sportive Lemur,
Amber Mountain Fork-marked Lemur and Northern
Rufous Mouse Lemur. Falanouc, a rare nocturnal
carnivore specialised at catching earthworms, has been
seen here; however, a lot of luck will be required to see
this elusive mammal, as it will be to find Red Owl, which
has also been recorded from the park.

Day 4, 28th October: Montagne d’Ambre to Antsohihy via
Diego Suarez and Mahajanga. After some final birding
this morning, we will drive to Diego Suarez and catch a
flight to Mahajanga on Madagascar’s west coast. Here we
will transfer to 4x4 vehicles and take the long drive inland
to Antsohihy. En route to the reserve we will scan
roadside water bodies for Yellow-billed Stork, Purple,
Striated, Squacco, Malagasy Pond and flocks of Black
Herons, which we will watch as they perform their bizarre
“umbrella-feeding” routine. Time permitting, we may stop
at Ampijoroa, a forest station situated in the extensive
deciduous forests of the Ankarafantsika Reserve.
Ampijoroa is famous as the home of the World Wildlife
Fund’s Plough-shear Tortoise captive breeding program.
Here we should encounter numerous “campsite residents”
such as Broad-billed Roller, screeching Lesser Vasa
Parrot, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Magpie-Robin,
Sakalava Weaver, Madagascar Hoopoe, Malagasy
Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Green Pigeon and
Malagasy Turtle Dove.
Other birds that may be observed further on this drive
could include Madagascar Harrier, Madagascar Buzzard
and Madagascar Kestrel. This will be a long travel day,
but with the excitement of heading to a remote lake to see
the world’s rarest duck, the Madagascar Pochard, this will
be well worth the effort! We will spend the night at a
simple roadside hotel in the town of Antsohihy.

Day 5, 29th October: Antsohihy to Bemanevika Village.
After breakfast we will continue the long journey to
Bemanevika Village, the closest settlement to Lac
Matsaborimena, where the rediscovery of the
Madagascar Pochard was made in November 2006. This
Pochard was only known from the vast Lac Aloatra, but
was last seen there in the 1970’s until a bird was captured
alive by a fisherman in 1991. Since then, the species had
been considered extinct until this monumental find was
made by a Peregrine Fund researcher whilst studying
Madagascar Harriers, which occur in healthy numbers in
the area. The total population of these pochards is
estimated to be as few as twenty birds, with eight
ducklings already part of a captive breeding programme.
BirdLife International and the Peregrine Fund are working
closely together with the local community to conserve this
species, and proceeds from our stay will be used in this
conservation programme. Although the distance isn’t
great, due to poor road conditions and with the possibility
of rain, it will take us almost the entire day to drive from
Antsohihy to our campsite at the village, but we will
undoubtedly observe some interesting birds along the
way.
  Our camp crew will set up tents for us and our own chef
will be preparing our meals for the next few days.

Day 6, 30th October: Lac Matsaborimena and surrounds.
With mounting excitement, we will set off today for the final
leg in our odyssey to observe one of the world’s rarest
and most endangered species. To reach the “pochard
lake” we still need to drive a few miles across open
grassland, and when the road finally peters out we will
hike the final distance. This special area consists of
rolling grasslands with patches of forests, and here 3
lakes of volcanic origin are situated. Two of the lakes hold
open water while the third is a large marsh. The pochards
breed on Lac Matsaborimena but also use the nearby
open-water lake for foraging. The 86 acre Lac
Matsaborimena is surrounded by pristine forest, and even
before reaching the lake and looking for the pochard and
other waterbirds, superb birding is available. Some of the
highlight species of this forest include Red Owl
(researches have radio collared some individuals and
sightings are almost guaranteed), Madagascar Serpent
Eagle (a pair has nested here), Madagascar Crested Ibis,
Madagascar Wood Rail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher,
Pitta-like Ground Roller, Forest Rock Thrush, Rand’s
Warbler, Hook-billed, Blue and the rare Pollen’s Vanga,
Tylas and Forest Fody (occurs in very good numbers,
elsewhere becoming a difficult bird). Mammals recorded
here on our previous tour include Western Grey Bamboo
Lemur, Common Brown Lemur and the little known
Sambirano Avahi. This amazing forest still produces some
surprises, so expect the unexpected!
  The lake itself supports the Madagascar Pochards, and
from platforms build along its edge and quiet shores, we
can all expect to obtain superb views of this lovely white
eyed duck. The endemic Meller’s Duck also occurs in
strong numbers, and the population of Madagascar Little
Grebe is quite exceptional.
  The third marshy lake is also definitely worth exploring,
and on Rockjumper’s previous visit this produced good
numbers of Grey Emutail and Madagascar Snipe, as well
as both Madagascar and the extremely rare Slender-
billed Flufftails. The surrounding grasslands support
arguably the healthiest population of Madagascar
Harriers remaining on the island, as well as good numbers
of Madagascar Buttonquail, Common and Harlequin
Quail, Madagascar Lark and Madagascar Cisticola.
Finally, after what promises to be one of the most notable
days of your entire birding career, we will return to our
camp from where Madagascar Long-eared and Rainforest
Scops Owls call at night, and Madagascar Nightjars flit
overhead.

Day 7, 31st October: Beleanana to Antsohihy. After lunch
and some further exploration, we will return to Antsohihy
in our 4x4 vehicles, taking with us memorable sightings of
Madagascar Pochard, one of the world’s rarest birds!

Day 8, 1st November: Antsohihy to Mahajanga. After
breakfast this morning, we will return to Mahajanga. Birds
seen closer to the drier habitats near Mahajanga may
include Madagascar Harrier, Madagascar Kestrel,
Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Bee-eater,
Madagascar Lark, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Magpie-
Robin, Sakalava Weaver, Madagascar Hoopoe, Malagasy
Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Green Pigeon, Grey-
headed Lovebird and Malagasy Turtle Dove. We will
again stop at Ampijoroa and possibly explore the
surrounding woodlands.
If time permits, we may also visit a coastal lagoon to look
for wintering waders such as Greater and Lesser Sand
Plover, Curlew, Terek and Marsh Sandpiper, Bar-tailed
Godwit, Eurasian Curlew and Common Whimbrel,
Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Greenshank and Grey
Plover, plus the possibility of the highly sought-after Crab
Plover! Amongst the waders we may find Greater and
Lesser Crested, Common, Sandwich, the tiny Saunder’s
and the huge Caspian Tern.

Day 9, 2nd November: Mahajanga to Makary Village,
Lake Kinkony. This morning we will cross the vast
Betsiboka Delta by ferry and travel in 4x4 vehicles to
Makary village on the edge of Lake Kinkony. Makary has
become famous in birding circles as the site for the very
rare and recently rediscovered Sakalava Rail. Known
previously from only a few sightings at three different
locations in Western Madagascar, this lake is extremely
reliable. We will be one of the first organised bird tour
groups to visit this remote area. The journey should take
most of the day but we will be making some stops along
the way. At Katsepy, we will visit a site for the critically
endangered Crowned Sifaka and we can expect superb
views and photographic opportunities of these beautiful
creatures. En route we will look out for Madagascar
Pratincole at various river crossings, while Madagascar
Sandgrouse is also regularly encountered. We will once
again camp in a community campsite near the village and
lakeshore, and the sunsets from our camp are nothing
but spectacular!

Day 10, 3rd November: Lake Kinkony. After breakfast
today we will venture out in dugout canoes arranged by
the local community. With the help from local guides we
will search for our main target, the Sakalava Rail. The
rails inhabit reedbeds with shallow, muddy edges, and
after a careful and quiet approach, we should observe
pairs feeding or sunning themselves. The birds are well
known to the local villagers and are not hunted because
of their small size and newly acquired fame! Sadly, due to
draining and uncontrolled burning of swamps, the rails
habitat is nevertheless decreasing at an alarming rate.
Birdlife International is working closely with the local
communities in preserving reedbed habitats throughout
this area.
Others species that Rockjumper has recorded at this site
on previous visits include Humblot’s Heron, Black Egret,
Little Bittern (fluffy fledglings observed!), Glossy Ibis,
Comb Duck, Hottentot Teal, White-throated Rail, Purple
Swamphen, Madagascar Kingfisher and Madagascar
Swamp Warbler. In surrounding dry woodlands, we will
seek out Banded Kestrel, Madagascar Green Pigeon,
Long-billed Greenbul, Chabert’s, White-headed, Hook-
billed and Sickle-billed Vangas, Namaqua Dove and
Sakalava Weaver. Lemurs still occur in good numbers
and we will search for the very rare Decken’s Safaka as
well as Mongoose Lemur and, if we are lucky, Western
Grey Bamboo Lemur. At night we will spotlight for
Northern Rufous Mouse Lemur and Coquerel’s Dwarf
Lemur, as well as Torotoroka Scops Owl and Madagascar
Nightjar.

Day 11, 4th November: Makary to Mahajanga. After some
final birding in this area we will depart for our long journey
back to Majunga, where we will settle in to our beachfront
hotel. If time permits, we may visit an estuary off the main
road where the very rare Bernier’s Teal is known to
gather in small numbers. At Majunga, our hotel has a
large swimming pool where we can relax after another
very long and arduous travel day. For those wishing to
continue birding, the beach opposite our hotel may
produce Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds, while Black-
naped and Sooty Tern are also possible. A variety of
waders often roost on nearby boat jetties.

Day 12, 5th November: Mahajanga to Tana and possible
excursion to Betsiboka Delta. Today we fly back to
“Tana” for an overnight stay. If the flight is scheduled in
the early afternoon, this will provide us with enough time
to take a motorised boat ride up the Betsiboka Delta. This
seldom-visited region is home to two of Madagascar’s
rarest and most endangered birds – Bernier’s Teal and
Malagasy Sacred Ibis. Other birds we may record on this
epic journey are Humblot’s Heron, African Openbill,
Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill (a very rare bird in
Madagascar), Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, Terek
Sandpiper, Crab Plover, and Lesser Crested and
Saunders’s Terns.

Day 13, 6th November: Depart Tana to Masoala via
Maroantsetra. This morning our adventure will begin with
a flight that sees us departing Tana for Maroansetra, and
then on to the fabled Masoala Peninsula National Park.
On the boat trip we will keep our eyes peeled for any
seabirds such as Swift, Lesser Crested and Roseate
Terns, and possibly even Common Noddy. After setting
foot on the peninsula and freshening up, we can begin
our exploration of this amazing area. Birding around our
lodge may offer up Blue Coua, Frances's Sparrowhawk,
Madagascar Pratincole and Greater Vasa Parrot. This
evening we will search for the delightful Rainforest Scops
Owl, a species that resulted from the recent splitting of
the Scops Owl on Madagascar into the afore-mentioned
species and the dry country Torotoroka Scops Owl.

Days 14 & 15, 7th & 8th November: Masoala Peninsula.
The Masoala Peninsula National Park provides a
sanctuary for some of Madagascar’s most endangered
species, and also protects the largest area of lowland and
sub-montane rainforest remaining on the island. We will
be spending two full days in this remote area searching
the narrow trails that lead through the forest for some of
the regions rarest and most seldom sighted wildlife. The
lowland rainforest will give us a chance at finding two of
the most sought-after species of vanga, namely Helmet
and Bernier’s, and these will form the basis of our
explorations. The Helmet Vanga is an extremely classy
bird that is unmistakable in appearance and is often first
located by its call. Bernier’s Vanga is much trickier to
locate, with the males looking somewhat similar to large
crestless Drongos; the females however are diagnostic in
their mostly ginger, banded plumage. We will be
searching the mixed feeding flocks carefully for this
species in amongst the other vangas, including Blue,
Hook-billed, Rufous, Tylas, Nuthatch and White-headed.
Red-breasted Coua, a species that is tough to find on the
main comprehensive tour, is fairly easily found along the
forest paths. The secretive Brown Mesite is another
uncommon species that we will look for in dark areas of
forest as it walks quietly across the leaf litter. Four
members of the ground roller family are also present in
this area, with the shy Scaly Ground Roller being more
reliable here than anywhere else on the island. The
others are the fantastic Pitta-like, Rufous-headed and
Short-legged Ground Rollers.
Our other targets include two highly endangered species
that are very challenging to observe, namely Madagascar
Serpent-Eagle and Madagascar Red Owl (in case we
missed them earlier). The Serpent-Eagle was
rediscovered in this area of Madagascar and ranks as
one of the rarest raptors in the world! It is a species that
inhabits pristine rainforest and often perches motionless
for long periods, making it very difficult to find. The owl
only occurs in low numbers and is of course nocturnal,
hence our chances of observing this species are
unfortunately slim. The little-known and rarely recorded
Dusky Tetraka has also been reported from these lush
forests, but remains a rather mythical species! As far as
mammals are concerned, the highly secretive and
endangered Aye-Aye is a possibility; however, we will
need to be exceptionally lucky to obtain a view of this
most bizarre creature. Other remarkable mammals that we
may encounter include Red Ruffed Lemur (regarded as
one of the best looking of the world’s lemurs!), White-
fronted Brown and Eastern Fork-marked Lemurs, Lowland
Streaked and Greater Hedgehog Tenrecs, quarrelsome
Madagascar Flying Foxes and Madagascar’s largest
predator, the elusive Fosa. The spectacular scenery of
the peninsula also offers up some excellent photographic
opportunities and we will certainly make good use of this
during our stay here.

Day 16, 9th November: Masoala to Tana via
Maroansetra. After some final birding today, we will
depart Masoala Forest Lodge by boat, returning to
Maroansetra. If time permits we can look for Tomato
Frogs and visit a colourful market at Maroansetra before
catching our flight back to the capital, Tana.

Day 17, 10th November: Departure Day. Today we will
connect with our international flights home.

Detailed Itinerary

17 Days Unforgettable Birding and Enjoying Wildlife
in Madagascar

For More Information or to Register for this Trip, call Charles at 888-203-7464
or directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at info@PIBird.com.