Endemic birds

Stage 1: Antananarivo – Toliara – Ifaty
Welcome to Madagascar! Our team will meet you at Antananarivo airport and give you a warm welcome. We will take you to a nearby hotel. There you can relax after the long journey and get your first impressions of Madagascar. The very next morning, you will take a domestic flight to the deep south of Madagascar. From the colourful, hot coastal town of Toliara, it is only around 30 kilometres along the sea to the small fishing village of Ifaty. Depending on the time of the flight, we can use the afternoon to spot the first birds.

Stage 2: Ifaty
In Ifaty, we set off for the enchanted spiny forest of the Reniala reserve and possibly to the Andatabo forest in Tsinjoriake. Here we hope to encounter the long-tailed ground roller and the red-shouldered vanga. We explore the forest with its baobabs and are always out and about very early in the morning to get the most interesting birds on camera – and to escape the midday heat. Our accommodation is right on the beach. After a successful birdwatching session, we enjoy a cocktail under the palm trees.

Stage 3: Anakao – Nosy Ve
From Ifaty, the journey takes you to the southernmost tip of Madagascar. Around three hours’ drive will take you to the small coastal town of Anakao. Here you will not only find paradisiacal sandy beaches and azure blue sea, but also a very special little island: Nosy Ve. This island is a sanctuary for rare birds and is not inhabited by humans. A variety of seabirds and shorebirds offer the best photo opportunities when we cross over to the small island by boat. Red-tailed tropicbirds, dune rock thrushes, turnstones, sea swallows and storm petrels can be observed on Nosy Ve, and some even breed here. A little bird paradise!

Stage 4: Zombitse – Isalo
The journey takes us right across the south-west of Madagascar until we suddenly come across a dry forest on both sides of the road in the middle of nowhere. This is Zombitse-Vohibasia, famous for its abundance of birds. Almost half of all bird species found in Madagascar can be found in Zombitse. The Appert’s tetraka is only found here, but the somewhat more widespread Giant Coua is also a favourite subject for bird lovers. We then continue to Ranohira, from where we visit the breathtaking sandstone mountains of Isalo the next day. There are small oases in the gorges, which form a fantastic contrast to the dry savannahs in the surrounding area. You can take a refreshing dip in the natural pools and later picnic among ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’ sifakas.

Stage 5: Ambalavao

Today we continue northwards. The landscape changes and we reach the foothills of the southern highlands. Ambalavao, the town with the largest zebu market in Madagascar, is already waiting for us. The beautiful Betsileo Lodge with its magnificent views is our accommodation. We visit the nearby Anja Community Reserve and the ring-tailed lemurs that live there, which we can observe up close in the wild. Blue vangas, hoopoes and bee-eaters are regular sightings here. We have a fantastic view over the treetops from the cliffs that can be climbed in the reserve.

Stage 6: Ranomafana
A winding stage of the journey takes us into the fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ranomafana rainforest. What a contrast to the forests we have visited so far on this trip! In the morning mist, we set off into the evergreen rainforest. The four Asity species in particular are on the programme today. These small, colourful and beautiful birds are only found in Madagascar and are easier to find near some bushes than others. They are high on the wish list of most bird lovers. In the jungle, paradise flycatchers will accompany us as we visit the golden bamboo lemur and the endangered Edwards’ sifaka. Between enchanted jungle giants, exciting birds and waterfalls, we enjoy the birdlife of Ranomafana.

Stage 7: Antsirabe
We continue through the highlands to the city of gemstones, Antsirabe. Between the characteristic rice terraces, we look out for hamerkops with their conspicuous large nests. Various herons and the ubiquitous red fody are also frequently seen near the rice fields. In Antsirabe we spend the night in a very nice hotel. Even in the hotel garden, we still have the chance to spot Malagasy kingfishers and Sunbird Asities.

Stage 8: Andasibe – Mantadia – Analamazaotra – Maromizaha
We drive around 280 kilometres east past the capital Antananarivo. Our destination is the famous rainforests of Andasibe and Mantadia. We reach our lodge with a direct view of the rainforest in the late afternoon. Over dinner, we listen to the many sounds of the jungle and watch Sunbird Asities and kingfishers flying to the nearby pond. With a bit of luck, we may spot one of the Madagascar scops owls that are always to be found here in the evening. Over the next few days, we will visit various rainforests to track down as many birds as possible. We start in the wild rainforest of Mantadia. This is home to Madagascar’s largest lemur, the indri, and the critically endangered diademed sifakas. In addition to these fantastic lemurs, our main aim is to find some flagship species of birds, including the scaly, pitta-like, short-legged and rufous headed ground rollers. In Analamazaotra, we look for the beautiful Madagascar fruit dove and the fascinating blue coua, which we have seen here several times before. In the Maromizaha reserve, which unlike the national park is only visited by a few people, we go stalking for the iconic helmet vanga. We will also visit this forest for a night excursion, as the region is famous for its abundance of reptiles and amphibians.

Stage 9: Andasibe – Antananarivo
Finally, it is time to say goodbye to the country we have grown fond of. With unforgettable memories, we travel back from the rainforests of Andasibe to the capital Antananarivo. We stock up on souvenirs, spices and Malagasy delicacies at the handicraft market and the nearby markets. After a final dinner and one last THB, we head to the airport. Veloma, Madagasikara – see you next time!

Stage 10 (extension): Antananarivo – Ankarafantsika
Those who have opted for the extension only spend one night in Antananarivo before travelling on. Our vehicles take us into the winding northern highlands. We have a good 425 kilometres to cover today. Kites and Fodys accompany our journey to the north-west, during which we take several breaks. The closer we get to our destination, the warmer it gets. We reach the Ampijoroa campground in the evening and pitch our tents between the lake and the dry forest.

The next morning, the Coquerel’s sifakas visit us and watch from the trees to see what delicious breakfast we are having. The sickle-billed vangas nest in the trees directly above the campground. With our cameras at the ready, we then set off on a stalk through the dry forest. Around 130 different species of birds live in Ankarafantsika, more than half of which are endemic. One of the most famous inhabitants is the majestic Madagascar fish eagle, which we will observe at Lake Ravelobe. In contrast, the sunbird is a tiny but extremely colourful highlight. White-faced spoonbill and crested ibises prefer to stay at the edge of the lake, which is best reached by boat – so we will also be travelling by boat! With a little luck, you may also see Nile crocodiles and the endangered big-headed turtle.

Stage 11 (extension): Ankarafantsika – Antananarivo
After a final breakfast in the dry forest, we break camp and leave Ankarafantsika. With the call of the fish eagle ringing in our ears, we can look back on the many adventures of the past week during the drive. It has been an eventful trip! In the evening, we return to the capital, Antananarivo. The next day, we will be happy to take you to the colourful, large craft market and the markets in the surrounding area. Spices, carvings and other souvenirs are available there in abundance. The day passes quickly and soon it’s time to say goodbye.

Tour itinerary
Endemic birds
This trip combines the hot south-west of Madagascar with the evergreen rainforests of the east. In Ifaty in the deep south, you will experience the birdlife of the spiny forest and can relax on dream beaches. We visit the bird paradise of Nosy Ve island to photograph the full wealth of Madagascar’s southern birdlife. On the way to the highlands, we visit the bird paradise of Zombitse and the fantastic, dazzling sandstone massif of Isalo. In Ambalavao, we visit Madagascar’s mascots, the ring-tailed lemurs, in one of the last remaining dry forests in the highlands. And finally, we experience the east of Madagascar. In the rainforests around Andasibe, where we mainly enjoy lesser-visited forests, a first-class biodiversity awaits us. A fantastic trip with a maximum of bird watching!

Travel period

We only offer this exclusive photo tour from mid-October to mid-December. During this time, most of the birds are at the beginning of breeding, the last ones are just mating and are particularly colourful. This trip can also be organised individually for four people.

Next date for a group trip:
29th November to 18th December 2027 | 3 spots left!
12th November to 3rd December 2028

Can it be a group trip?

‘Group holidays, they’re just coffee trips with strange strangers!’ This is probably exactly what many travellers imagine group travel to be. We at Tanalahorizon would like to prove to you that there are other ways of travelling than ‘all-inclusive and boring’! Each of our group tours is made up of hand-picked guests who share similar interests and are just as nature-loving and open to new things as we are. Humour and a good amount of fun quickly bring our small groups of a maximum of ten people together – on exclusive safaris even just four people. We help and support each other as we explore the red island, learn about foreign cultures and search for animals. Many eyes see more than two! For us, travelling in small groups is the most fun and every year we look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. We have already made many lifelong friends in Madagascar.

Or would you prefer something of your own?
Would you prefer to travel to Madagascar alone or as a couple? Do you already have a circle of friends with whom you are travelling, but don’t know your way around Madagascar? Then we have just the thing for you! With individually planned trips, you can experience your dream trip with just your family, friends or partner. We offer you our best guides, experienced drivers and the entire planning and organisation of your complete trip to Madagascar as a complete package (without flights). We are only limited by the local conditions, which we have known for 30 years. Let us organise your perfect Madagascar dream trip together – with heart, mind and the right feeling for the country and its people on the eighth continent.

What makes this trip special?
This exclusive photo tour offers plenty of time for photography with intensive birdwatching – a birdwatcher’s dream! We don’t just dash in and out of the forest, but spend as much time on location in nature as you like. The small group is particularly important: only four travellers and one guide are on the Endemic Birds tour together. The following highlights are also part of this special trip:

Photographing in the best bird hot spots during the breeding season
Dream beaches of Ifaty
Bird excursion in Reniala Reserve’s spiny forest
Dream beaches of Anakao
Visit to the bird island of Nosy Ve
Nature experience Isalo National Park
Foot safari in the Zombitse bird paradise
Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ranomafana
Excursion to the ring-tailed lemurs of the Anja Community Reserve
Helmet vanga trip in the Maromizaha reserve
Nature experience Mantadia National Park
Indri and diademed sifaka hike in Analamazaotra
Safari to see ground rollers, couas, blue vanga and other birds