Madagascar
Quest for Endemics
October 6 to 29, 2011

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This enigmatic and endangered land is home to some of the world's most unusual mammals, birds, and chameleons. We provide you with the time and leadership to watch and photograph Madagascar's uniqueness. You will encounter up to 27 species of lemurs and over 150 species of birds on this itinerary with many close by for great photos. No other Madagascar tour follows our itinerary, including two nights near the spectacular Isalo Massif, three nights at Vakona, located between Perinet and Mantadia national parks, two nights at the famous Berenty Estates, as well as time in the renowned "Spiny Forest" at Ifaty, on the coast at Tulear and inland to the Zombitsy Forest. In Ranomafana National Park and Ampijoroa Forest Reserve night spotting is fantastic and during the day walking on the forest trails is very rewarding. October is the best time of year for great mating displays and other fascinating wildlife action.

Important Note: The two spaces still open on this tour now depend on internal flight availability. Please contact us for more information.

At a Glance

Cost: $8,500 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, based on 1.47 USD = 1.00 EUR. Review cost details.

Leaders: Glen Valentine and Guy Germaineplus resident naturalists/guides. Travel in excellent modern buses.

Size: 10, not including leaders.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in May 2011.

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at any time due to flight changes or other circumstances beyond our control. The key is to relax, be flexible, and smile!

October 6 - 7, Thursday - Friday Flights to Antananarivo (commonly known as Tana)
Depart by October 6 to arrive in Antananarivo for an overnight on the evening of October 7 (included in your tour). See flight information. Upon arrival in Tana on October 7, after coming out of customs, look for our meet 'n greet person with your name on his signboard, then drive 45 minutes to central Tana to our hotel. Our very experienced guides, Glen Valentine and Guy Germaine, will meet you there. If you arrive on Air France you willTonight have dinner together at the Hotel du Louvre. You will be delighted by the delicious cuisine in Madagascar, a wonderful blend of French, Chinese, and Malagasy.
Lodging on October 7: Hotel du Louvre

October 8, Saturday: Early to Perinet Forest with several stops en route
We depart early from Tana for the 2-1/2-hour drive eastwards across the Highland Plateau to the famous reserve of Perinet (otherwise known as Analamazaotra). Hamerkop, Black Kite (Yellow-billed form), Plain (Brown-throated) Martin, and Madagascar Cisticola are regularly encountered on the way. Our accommodation for the next three nights is the excellent Swiss-owned Vakona Forest Lodge, adjacent to the reserve. Being so close to the reserve means that wildlife is often right on our doorstep: fluorescent green day geckos scuttle on the outside walls of our chalets and we may be serenaded by the beautiful songs of the world's largest species of lemur, the handsome Indri.
Lodging: Vakona Forest Lodge

October 9, Sunday: Perinet Reserve – lemurs, including Indri, and other endemics!
We will make a very special effort today to see Perinet's most famous resident, the Indri Lemur. A journey in search of these magnificent creatures is on a par with gorilla trekking in the mountain forests of Rwanda. We hope to be treated to a close encounter with a family group and hear their eerie, whale-like howling echoing through the forest. These beautiful creatures, with their bold black and white markings and pale green eyes, inhabit the taller forest and are particularly fond of ridge tops. Our excellent local guides will help us find the Indri and we have a good change to see them well over the course of several visits. We may also see both Common Brown and Grey Bamboo lemurs and will search known roosting sites for the nocturnal, but inquisitive, Small-toothed Sportive Lemur.

In the evening, we will embark on a night walk into the reserve. Nocturnal outings are an essential part of any trip to Madagascar and Perinet is one of the best locations for night spotting. Nocturnal avian specialties here include Madagascar Long-eared Owl, Rainforest Scops Owl, Madagascar Nightjar, and the rare and little known Collared Nightjar. Madagascar is also home to a number of species of lemurs that remain denizens of the night such as the Eastern Woolly, Greater Dwarf, and the diminutive Brown Mouse le

The moist rainforest cloaking Madagascar's eastern escarpment protects the richest assemblage of birds on the island, including many that are rare or poorly known. Over 100 of these have been recorded from within the small reserve of Perinet. We hope to find Madagascar Flufftail, the elusive Madagascar Wood Rail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Greater Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar Spinetail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Cuckoo-shrike, Ward's Flycatcher, Tylas, Madagascar Starling, Long-billed and Spectacled greenbuls, White-throated Oxylabes, Nelicourvi Weaver, and Souimanga Sunbird.

Some of the most sought-after birds here are those of the five families endemic to the Malagasy region: peculiar mesites, exquisite ground-rollers, Cuckoo-Roller, asities, and vangas. Some of these, such as the ubiquitous Madagascar Cuckoo-Roller, Pitta-like Ground-Roller, Common Sunbird-Asity, and a number of the vangas are reasonably common and regularly encountered. Most of the others remain rare, local, or elusive. We will make a special effort to locate as many representatives of these charismatic families as possible, as well as those of the endemic sub-family, the couas.

In the forested hills around Perinet we hope to find the localized Red-fronted and Blue couas, Velvet Asity, and flocks of vangas that may include White-headed, Chabert's, Madagascar Blue, Red-tailed, Hook-billed, Pollen's, or the bizarre Nuthatch Vanga. Most taxonomists now regard the greenbuls of Madagascar as belonging in a separate family, different from the African ones. If we are lucky, we may locate some of Perinet's forest rarities like Madagascar Serpent Eagle or Dusky Greenbul. Highland marshes around the borders of the reserve support some of the most endangered birds on the island, including Slender-billed Flufftail. We would be very fortunate to see this rare member of the rail family. Madagascar Rail, Madagascar Snipe, and Madagascar Swamp Warbler are more likely and we may also find Madagascar Partridge and Madagascar Buttonquail in scrubby areas surrounding the wetland.

The island's reptile and amphibian ("herp") fauna is equally fascinating, with a plethora of colorful and bizarre frogs, chameleons, and geckos. In particular, we will search for the giant Parson's Chameleon and two species of eccentric leaf-tailed geckos, the huge Uroplatus fimbriatus and the aptly named Uroplatus phantasticus. Another unique member of the island's fauna is the Giraffe-necked Weevil, a tiny insect named for its unusually proportioned neck!
Lodging: Vakona Forest Lodge

October 10, Monday: Mantadia National Park for new endemic mammals, birds and chameleons
A short distance from Perinet, Mantadia National Park protects a large expanse of primary forest at a somewhat higher altitude. Mantadia is an essential destination with a reputation as an excellent site for the vocal Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur, the elusive Diademed Sifaka (considered by many to be the world's most beautiful lemur) and small numbers of Painted Mantella, a spectacularly colored forest frog.

Among the highly sought-after forest birds here are a number of species formerly considered to be restricted to the poorly accessible rainforests of the far northeast, such as Red-breasted Coua and Scaly Ground-Roller. We will concentrate on finding these, also watching for more widespread, yet no less desirable forest birds, such as Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Rufous-headed and Short-legged ground-rollers, Crossley's Babbler, Common and Dark newtonias, Wedge-tailed, Green, Stripe-throated and Common jeries, the newly described Cryptic Warbler (only discovered in 1992), and Forest Fody.

Madagascar Serpent-Eagle, Madagascar Red Owl and the magnificent Helmet Vanga are on the list but we would have to be very lucky to encounter any of these rare species. Much of the birding in Mantadia National Park can be enjoyed from the wide road in the reserve, although seeing the skulkers of the forest will require hiking the steep and sometimes slippery trails.
Lodging: Vakona Forest Lodge

October 11, Tuesday: Return to Tana to fly to Mahajunga and night at the Zahamotel on the beach
With the present flight schedule on Air Madagascar, we drive back to Tana from Perinet and fly this afternoon to Mahajunga on the northwest coast of Madagascar for the second leg of our island adventure. After arriving in this sleepy town, we will check into the hotel. Take time to enjoy the location of the Zahamotel that is situated on an extensive beach right on the Indian Ocean.
Lodging: Zahamotel

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October 12, Wednesday: Boat trip up the Betsiboka Delta in Mahajunga, then drive to Ampijoroa
Enjoy a motorized boat ride up the Betsiboka Delta. This seldom-visited region is home to two of Madagascar's most rare and endangered birds, Bernier's Teal and Bernier's (Madagascar White) Ibis. The discovery of Bernier's Teal at this location in 1999 was very important. Other birds possible on this epic journey are Madagascar Heron, African Open-billed Stork, Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, Terek Sandpiper, Crab Plover, and Lesser Crested and Saunder's terns. Drive to Ampijoroa, a forest station situated in the extensive deciduous forests of the Ankarafantsika Reserve. Ampijoroa is famous as the home of World Wildlife Fund's Plough-shear Tortoise captive breeding program and is an ideal base from which to search for the numerous endemic birds of the region. Stop along the way at some of the many picturesque rice paddies and at Lac Amboromalandy for Purple, Striated, Common Squacco, and Malagasy Pond herons, Yellow-billed Stork, and flocks of Black Egret, which we will watch as they perform their bizarre "umbrella-feeding" routine. We will enjoy watching striking Madagascar Jacanas strut through lily-covered wetlands past many other waterbirds including Humblot's Heron, Madagascar Little Grebe, African Pygmy Goose, and Allen's Gallinule.

On arrival at the forest station, we should encounter numerous reserve residents, such as Broad-billed Roller, screeching Lesser Vasa Parrots, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Magpie Robin, Sakalava Weaver, Madagascar Hoopoe, Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Green Pigeon, and Madagascar Turtle Dove. We will spend the afternoon birding along the edge of the adjacent Lac Ravelobe, where we hope to find the critically endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle. A pair is resident here. Wintering Sooty and Eleonora's falcons might be seen hunting overhead. White-throated Rails favor the waterside vegetation and we may find Sickle-billed and Blue vangas moving along the forest fringe.

In order to experience the unique wildlife of this remote area, we will be accommodated in comfortable cottages that are newly constructed near Lac Ravelobe, called Gîte Ampijoroa. An advantage of lodging here is our proximity to the wildlife with the very active Coquerel's Sifaka and White-breasted Mesite right in the Ampijoroa Forest Station area. Dinners in the evenings with the background sounds of nocturnal lemurs and perhaps Torotoroka Scops Owls are sure to be some of the most memorable of our trip. Ampijoroa is one of the best places to night spot for nocturnal lemurs.
Lodging: Gîte Ampijoroa at the Ampijoroa Forest Station

October 13, Thursday: Ampijoroa Forest Reserve at dawn
We have a full day to explore the network of trails through the dry forest found here in search of the many mammals, birds, and reptiles restricted to this region. No less than eight species of lemurs occur in the vicinity of the camp. You will enjoy observing the enchanting Coquerel's Sifaka, often seen with young and sometimes found right in the trees above the camp. Common Brown Lemur and the rare Mongoose Lemur can be found during the day and Western Avahi (Woolly Lemur), Milne-Edward's Sportive, Fat-tailed Dwarf, and Grey Mouse lemurs after dark. If we are lucky, we may find the Golden-brown Mouse Lemur, one of the world's smallest primates and only known from 1998 around Lac Ravelobe (hence its scientific name Microcebus ravelobensis).

Foremost among the endemic birds at Ampijoroa is the secretive White-breasted Mesite and the jewel-like Schlegel's Asity, which gives one the impression of a miniature bird-of-paradise. We will also concentrate on finding the highly localized Van Dam's Vanga and the two species of coua that are restricted to these deciduous forests: Red-capped and Coquerel's Couas. Other birds we hope to see include Madagascar Crested Ibis, Madagascar Buttonquail, France's Sparrowhawk, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, and Rufous, Hook-billed, White-headed, Chabert's, and Red-tailed Vangas. Reptiles are also plentiful along the trails and we hope to see the impressive Giant Hog-nosed Snake, as well as several smaller species. No need to worry here – there are no venomous snakes in Madagascar! Oustalet's Chameleon (the world's largest species) and the aptly named Rhinoceros Chameleon, with its enlarged nasal protuberance, can also be found. The impressively spiky Cuvier's Iguanids scurry around the reserve.
Lodging: Gîte Ampijoroa at the Ampijoroa Forest Station

October 14, Friday: Morning at Ampijoroa and return to Mahajunga
Spend another full morning at Ampijoroa watching Coquerel's Sifakas that are normally feeding very close to our cottages and the many birds active at this early hour. After lunch, drive back to Mahajunga, with stops along the way to look at waterbirds and some beautiful scenery. Overnight in Mahajunga in the comfortable, beachside hotel, the Zahamotel, renowned for its fine seafood.
Lodging: Zahamotel

October 15, Saturday: Return to Tana and overnight in Antsirabe
Fly back to Tana this morning and drive to Antsirabe enroute to Ramanofana, breaking our journey for lunch and a free afternoon enjoying the quaint, highland town of Antsirabe, famous for its locally manufactured handicrafts. Take time this afternoon to walk a little in this charming town to enjoy its ambiance.
Lodging: Hotel des Thermes

October 16, Sunday: Antsirabe to Ranomafana National Park
Today we make our way to Ranomafana. The scenery en route includes steeply terraced rice paddies, tall earthen houses with thatched roofs and roadside markets, displaying a wide variety of handicrafts. This dramatic landscape is complimented by golden-yellow grasslands and bare granite inselbergs. We will arrive in Ranomafana in the afternoon where we will check in to our accommodations. Ranomafana, like Perinet, is situated on the eastern slope of Madagascar's mountainous backbone. However, this national park is much greater in extent, spanning a wide range of elevations and forest types. Here we will explore these rich forests, concentrating on the many specials of the park and any forest birds that we may have missed at Perinet and Anjozorobe.
Lodging: Domaine Nature

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October 17, Monday: Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana National Park was originally proclaimed to protect its population of Golden Bamboo Lemurs, an animal first described to science as recently as 1987. In addition to this and both Greater and Gray Bamboo Lemurs, we may find Red-fronted Brown, Red-bellied and Small-toothed Sportive lemurs, the impressive Milne-Edwards' Diademed Sifaka and other mammals such as Common Tenrec and the handsome Ring-tailed Mongoose. Night walks in this area are especially rewarding, owing to the nightly spectacle of Greater Dwarf Lemurs, Brown Mouse Lemurs and Madagascar Striped Civets attracted to food put out for them by park officials, and the high concentration of "herps". Chameleons are particularly well represented and we are likely to see several species, most notable of which are the cryptically coloured and armoured dwarf chameleons.

In the lower elevation forest near our lodging, we hope to find Madagascar Crested Ibis, Henst's Goshawk, the elusive Brown Mesite with its strange duetting call, Common Sunbird-Asity, Grey-crowned Greenbul, the scarce Yellow-browed Oxylabes, Forest Rock-Thrush, Wedge-tailed Jery, and Rufous and Pollen's Vanga. The delightful Pitta-like Ground-Roller is also fairly common here. The higher elevation forests and swamps around the village of Vohiparara are home to some birds that we would not yet have encountered on our trip. Foremost amongst these is the highly localised Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity and this is the most accessible places to see this endangered and very elusive species. We will concentrate our searches in some stunted ridge-top forest where we may also locate Red-fronted Coua, the elegant Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, the creeping Brown Emutail, Rand's and the recently discovered Cryptic Warblers, Pollen's Vanga and, if we are lucky, Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk.
Lodging: Domaine Nature

October 18, Tuesday: Ranomafana to Isalo
Today we embark on the long drive across the Central Plateau to the isolated limestone massif of Isalo. The arid grasslands en route are generally fairly unproductive for birds but we will stop to scan for Madagascar Partridge, Madagascar Buttonquail, Madagascar Sandgrouse, the elegant Namaqua Dove, Madagascar Lark and the attractive Madagascar Harrier, now split from the Reunion species. We will arrive at Isalo in the afternoon and we may have time to start exploring the area.
Lodging: Hôtel Le Jardin du Roy

October 19, Wednesday: Isalo National Park
Isalo is a particularly rewarding park with its eroded sandstone landscape, rare endemic plants and dry climate. This park covers over 81ha of the prominent Isalo Massif that erupts out of the surrounding grassy plains. This reserve is of great importance to the Bara tribe, as they have used the caves in the canyon walls as burial sites for hundreds of years. Watercourses through the bizarre limestone formations of the Isalo National Park act as a magnet to the birds of this dry area and we may find Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, White-throated Rail, small flocks of Grey-headed Lovebirds, Stripe-throated Jery and the region's special bird, Benson's Rock-Thrush. The flora of this park comprised of several endemic succulents including Elephant's Foot and Isalo Aloe can be found on the rocks and a type of euphorbia (Uapaca bojeri) which is fire resistant dominates cliffs in the park and the wooded areas. Mammals are not prominent here, but during our exploration of this park, we may see Ring-tailed Lemur, Red-fronted Brown Lemur and Verraux's Sifaka. Reptiles and amphibians are well represented and we have chances for Oustalet's, Jeweled and Northern Leaf Chameleon, Spiny-tailed Iguanid (Oplurus saxicola), and two locally endemic frogs, Rainbow Burrowing Frog and Mantidactylus corvus (a species in the Mantella family).
Lodging: Hôtel Le Jardin du Roy

October 20, Thursday: Isalo to Ifaty via Zombitse Forest and Tulear
This morning we will depart Isalo early for Ifaty via the south-western city of Tulear. En route we will visit the Zombitse Forest in order to search for one of the world's most endangered birds: the dainty Appert's Greenbul. A variety of other interesting species are resident in the dry, deciduous forest and we may find Madagascar Crested Ibis, Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, Giant and Crested Coua, raucous Cuckoo-Rollers displaying high overhead, Ashy Cuckoo-shrike, Long-billed Greenbul, Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher, Rufous, Blue and Red-tailed vangas, and Madagascar Starling. During previous tours, we were fortunate in having superb views of the highly elusive Fosa here, Madagascar's largest predator. Upon arrival in Tulear we will transfer directly to our hotel in the small resort of Ifaty for a two-night stay. We will stop en route to bird some wetlands and salt pans which may hold numbers of Greater Flamingo, Black-necked Stilt, Kittlitz's Plover, assorted migratory waders and Madagascar Harrier if we are very fortunate.
Lodging: Lakana Vezo

October 21, Friday: Ifaty to visit the "Spiny Forest"
Much has been written about the strange Didierea woodland, or "Spiny Forest", around Ifaty but this in no way lessens the feeling of awe that overcomes one as we set foot in this botanical wonderland. Venturing out at dawn, before the day's heat, we will stroll amongst the myriad multi-stemmed succulents, squat baobab trees and thorny scrub in search of such spectacular endemics as Banded Kestrel, Running and Green-capped Coua, Archbold's Newtonia, Thamnornis, Subdesert Brush-Warbler and Lafresnaye's Vanga. Two very special birds here are the near mythical Sub-desert Mesite, which we may find adopting its strange, cryptic posture on a thorny branch, and the Long-tailed Ground-Roller, an elusive ground dweller best located by its low, hooting call. Flocks of noisy Sickle-billed Vangas are another feature of this bizarre, Tolkienesque landscape. We should see the numerous Three-eyed Lizards and may be lucky enough to find a beautiful Spider Tortoise or rare Dumeril's Boa.
Lodging: Lakana Vezo

October 22, Saturday: Morning at Ifaty and afternoon to Tulear
Walk in the delightful "spiny forest" one more time in the Ifaty area, then we will make our way southwards to Tulear, for a two-night stay. In the afternoon choose to explore on foot in town or join Glen and Guy on an excursionto a flat-topped mountain aptly known as La Tabla. The habitat of this desolate area is known as coral rag scrub and consists of dense thorny scrubs, Euphorbias and twisted Baobabs. Our target birds in this area include two species with highly restricted ranges: Verreaux's Coua and the recently discovered Red-shouldered Vanga. Reptile life here is particularly rich and we should find large, sleek Zonosaurus plated lizards and if very lucky the stunning Dumeril's Boa and endangered Radiated Tortoise.
Lodging: Capricorne

October 23, Sunday: Speedboat to Nosy Vé
This morning, we will board a speedboat for an excursion to the small uninhabited islet of Nosy Vé to the south of Tulear. The main attraction of Nosy Vé is its colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds, which allow close approach as they are left unmolested by local people due to a taboo or fady. We may also find Crab Plovers roosting on the sandbars here, as well as good numbers of other migrant waders and a large gull and tern roost. We also have another chance to snorkel on the pristine coral reef encircling the island. We will enjoy a packed lunch on the island, and then stop off on the mainland opposite the island to search for Madagascar (Humblot's) Heron, Dimorphic Egret, a variety of waders and the localised Littoral Rock Thrush. If time allows and if required, we will explore La Tabla in the late afternoon or simply take the rest of the afternoon to rest and relax.
Lodging: Capricorne

October 24, Monday: Tulear to Berenty via Tana and Fort Dauphin
Today is mostly a travel day as we make our way to Berenty. We have two domestic flights before we arrive in Fort Dauphin (also known as Toliagnaro), in the south-eastern corner of the country and then drive to famous Berenty Lemur Reserve. The 3 and1/2-hour drive to Berenty starts in the picturesque town of Fort Dauphin, then through well-watered valleys packed with rice fields, and finally into the rain shadow of the Andohahela Mountains. Here we find the octopus-like Didierea trees that are diagnostic of the spiny forest. Berenty Reserve belongs to the De Haulme family who set aside sections of gallery forest along the Mandrare River to conserve the lemurs and other wildlife. The adjoining sisal plantation has been in the family a long time. A lot of research has been done in the Reserve on lemurs and several species are quite relaxed around people, creating unique photo opportunities. We shall also venture out in the evening in search of Torotoroka Scops-Owl, the impressive White-browed Owl, and a host of other nocturnal creatures, such as the strange Greater Hedgehog Tenrec and several species of attractive geckos including the remarkable Big-headed Gecko and unique Fish-scaled Gecko.
Lodging: Berenty Lodge

October 25, Tuesday: Berenty Lemur Reserve
Berenty is justly famous for its lemurs – not only because its deciduous woodland is home to five species, but also because they are relatively easy to find and watch. Red-fronted Brown Lemurs occur in large numbers during the day and both White-footed Sportive and Gray Mouse lemurs are regularly encountered on night walks through the reserve. The undoubted favorites here are the Ring-tailed Lemurs and Verreaux's Sifakas. While the bands of cat-like, quizzical Ringtails are often the first to steal visitors' hearts (as well as any spare fruit they may have on their persons!), their appeal is easily matched by the strikingly patterned sifakas with their soulful expressions and unique bipedal dance. To spend time with groups of these gentle creatures will certainly be one of the highlights of our Madagascar adventure. A further highlight is the Madagascar Flying Fox roost, where about 300 of these impressive animals sporting four-foot wingspans spend their day squabbling and sleeping. However, close approach is discouraged so we don't disturb them. In addition to woodland birds, we will watch for the numerous Giant Couas. Potential new species we may find here include Long-tailed Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, Madagascar and France's sparrowhawk, Helmeted Guineafowl, Madagascar Sandgrouse, Alpine Swift, and the very rare Bat Hawk.
Lodging: Berenty Lodge

October 26, Wednesday: Berenty Lemur Reserve to Fort Dauphin
Take the morning to watch and photograph the approachable wildlife in Berenty with many animals very close to the cottages. Visit the local museum, which displays one of the few complete Elephant-bird eggs in the world. We will return in the afternoon to Fort Dauphin for an overnight stay.
Lodging: Croix du Sud

October 27, Thursday: Fort Dauphin to Tana
This morning we catch a flight back from Fort Dauphin to the capital city of Tana. Arriving in the afternoon, we will have some time to explore the city and en route to our hotel there are some extensive arts and craft markets, which warrant a visit. In the evening we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Lodging: Hotel du Louvre

October 28 - 29, Friday - Saturday: Lac Alarobia and Natural HIstory Museum and Zoo in Tana and departure
After breakfast this morning, walk at lovely Lac Alarobia, a small private sanctuary near Tana. Lac Alarobia protects large numbers of ducks, egrets, and other waterbirds. White-faced Duck and Red-billed Teal will be there, usually accompanied by smaller numbers of Hottentot Teal, Knob-billed and Fulvous ducks, and possibly the very rare Meller's Duck. There is a fantastic assortment of egrets that roost or breed in the sanctuary, including a few Madagascar Squacco Herons and Dimorphic Egret. Mascarene Martins are common overhead and in adjacent areas watch for more Madagascar endemics, possibly including Madagascar Kestrel, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Swift, Madagascar Wagtail, Madagascar White-eye, Madagascar Mannikin, and Madagascar Red Fody. We may also locate a chameleon or two.

This afternoon visit the Tsimbazaza Zoo and Museum to see the lemur breeding station and skeletons of the Elephant Bird and extinct giant lemurs. There are also displays of Madagascar's unique mammals, birds, and fauna. Birding and photography here can be quite good; the prize sighting is a pair of Madagascar Little Grebes usually found on one of the zoo ponds. You will see a huge, well-preserved egg of Aepyornis, the Elephant Bird. This bird stood about ten to eleven feet and weighed approximately 1,000 pounds. Another treat is the group of Black Lemurs located on a wonderful little island at the zoo.

We have reservations for dayrooms at the Hotel du Louvre so you can eat dinner and relax before transferring to the airport if your flight leaves very early on the morning of October 29. Dinner on October 28 and the day rooms are included in your tour. Arrive home on October 29, depending on flights. Let us know if you would like to do an extension to other areas.
Dayroom: Hotel du Louvre

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Costs

Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send complete trip materials. Deposits are refundable before the final payment date, except for $150. The $150 may go toward another tour if a reservation is made within six months of the departure date of this trip. There are no refunds given after the final payment date. Trip cancellation insurance applications are available. Trip options, if any, and singles are extra.

Included:

• Lodging overnights from October 7 to 27, and day-rooms on October 28.
• Meals from breakfast on October 8 through dinner on October 28. One 1-1/2 litre of bottled water per participant per day.
• Land transport including airport transfers as described in itinerary.
• Full-time guides, our Malagasy naturalist/guide, and local guides at the reserves.
• Baggage handling for one medium-sized soft case per person.
• Gratuities to the lodge personnel and porters.

Not Included:

• Airfare for all domestic flights and international flights. Domestic flights will be booked by Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris and added to your final payment. Four domestic Madagascar Air flights cost approximately $925 (quoted April 2011).
• Departure taxes and visa costs.
• Separate airport transfers.
• Items of a personal nature, room service, laundry, bottled beverages, and items not on the regular menu (if you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your reservation form).
• Gratuities: Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest budgeting $12 to $14 per day per participant (a total of $252 to $294 per participant) to be distributed among all the resident naturalists and drivers. The gratuity will be collected at the end of the safari.

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Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill out one form per person, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit. Or fill out our handy online information request and we will send you more information.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070

Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com

Other Details

Leaders: Glen Valentine grew up near Johannesburg, where his passion for wildlife began at an early age. He explored every corner of Southern Africa with his family while he was young. His brother, Keith, is also an excellent guide and naturalist. Glen has guided in the remote corners of Africa, Asia and Madagascar. He has a degree from the University of South Africa. His exceptional guiding skills and personable nature coupled with his high levels of energy and enthusiasm will ensure a fantastic and memorable Madagascar trip.

Guy Germaine, who resides in Madagascar, will be Glen's outstanding assistant. Guy has been leading our Madagascar tours for several years and has been guiding in Madagascar for many years. Together with Glen, they know where to find the wildlife!

Flights: You book and pay for your own roundtrip international flights between your home and Antananarivo (airport code TNR), commonly known as Tana. Please let us know if you would like assistance with booking your flights or if you plan to extend your trip by arriving early or departing late.

Arrival - Arrive in Antananarivo by the night of October 7. There is an Air France flight (via Paris) that arrives at 9:55 pm (schedule subject to change). Other airline flights are available via Johannesburg, South Africa.

Departure - Depart from Antananarivo the night of October 28 or early morning on October 29 (very early morning just after midnight). There is an Air France flight departing at 1:30 am flight on October 29 (schedule subject to change). Or take another airline flight of your choice, leaving Antananarivo on the morning of October 29.

Domestic flights - All domestic flights within Madagascar are on Air Madagascar (MD) and are booked by Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris. The cost of these flights is added to your final payment. Domestic flights within Madagascar are frequently changed, although they have been more stable recently. It is important that you are aware of this in case we have to make last minute changes in the itinerary.

Special Note about Travel in Madagascar: Flights within Madagascar are frequently changed and could lead to a last minute change in the itinerary. Some of the roads are in very poor condition. We travel to areas with the best wildlife and pick the best lodges in the area. Some accommodations are rustic, but still very enjoyable.

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Climate: Temperatures vary, but the weather will be comfortable in the highlands and hot in the lowlands, especially in the middle of the day. We will provide details on what to pack.

Non-smoking Policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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