November 2015 (23 days) - Cincinnati Nature Center

Cincinnati Nature Center
Best of Madagascar
1st to 23rd November 2015 (23 days)
Scaly Ground Roller by Jonathan Rossouw
Madagascar is often referred to as the “Eighth Continent” and its exceptional fauna and flora have
evolved over millions of years of isolation. 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 do not neglect 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. We hope you’ll join us!
THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…
DETAILS
Tour Dates
Tour Size
1st to 23rd November 2015 (23 Days)
US$ 13,445.00 per person sharing; Deposit US$ 1,500; $500 nonrefundable.
US$ 1,250.00 per person is cost for single supplement (where available).
Limited 7- 8 participants and 1 bird tour leader
THE ITINERARY
1st November
Departure from Cincinnati to Paris, France (tentative air schedule)
Tour Price
nd
2 November
Connections from Paris, France to Madagascar
3rd November
Arrival in Antananarivo (Tana) & visit Lac Alarobia
4th November
Antananarivo to Ampijoroa Forest Station via Mahajanga
5th November
Ampijoroa Forest Station
6th November
Ampijoroa to Mahajanga
7th November
Betsiboka Delta boat trip & flight from Mahajunga to Tana
8th November
Antananarivo to Perinet
9th & 10th November
Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park
11th November
Morning at Perinet and afternoon drive back to Tana
12th November
Flight to Fort Dauphin & transfer to Berenty Lemur Reserve
th
Berenty Lemur Reserve
th
Berenty Lemur Reserve to Fort Dauphin and flight to Tulear
th
Boat trip to Nosy Vé and late afternoon transfer to Ifaty
th
16 November
Ifaty & surrounds
17th November
Ifaty to Isalo via Zombitse Forest
18th November
Isalo to Ranomafana National Park
19th & 20th November
Ranomafana National Park
21st November
Ranomafana NP to Tana for departure
22nd November
Departure from Madagascar to Paris, France (tentative air schedule)
23rd November
Connections from Paris to Cincinnati
13 November
14 November
15 November
Our guide, Glen Valentine grew up in South Africa where his unquestionable passion for
birds and wildlife began at an extremely early age. His interest mounted as he explored
every corner of the country with his family and at the age of 19, broke his brother’s record of
becoming the youngest person to have seen 850 species of birds in the South Africa. His solid
knowledge of these birds is complimented by experience further afield in remote corners of
Africa, Asia and Madagascar. His exceptional birding skills and personable nature coupled
with his extreme levels of enthusiasm will ensure a fantastic and memorable tour with Glen.
THE TOUR IN DETAIL
Day 1, 3rd November: Arrival in Antananarivo (Tana) & visit Lac Alarobia. Upon arrival in the
bustling capital of Antananarivo, or “Tana” as it is more commonly known, we transfer to our hotel on
the edge of this intriguing city for an overnight
stay. If time allows, we’ll make our first birding
excursion at Lac Alarobia. Travelling from our
hotel into the city, 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. Lac Alarobia, a
private sanctuary set within the city, protects large
numbers of ducks and egrets. As evening sets, the
small lake literally teems with waterfowl. Large
numbers of White-faced Whistling Duck and Redbilled Teal should be seen, usually accompanied
by small numbers of Hottentot Teal, Knob-billed
and sometimes Fulvous Whistling Duck. The Lac
also supports a fantastic assortment of egrets that
Malagasy Pond Heron by Rich Lindie
roost or breed in the sanctuary, including a few
splendidly adorned Malagasy Pond Herons and
Dimorphic Egrets. African Openbill, a very scarce bird in Madagascar, is sometimes also recorded
here. Mascarene Martin is common overhead and we will be watching in adjacent areas for more
Madagascar endemics and near endemics, which may include Malagasy Kestrel, Malagasy Coucal,
Malagasy Kingfisher, Malagasy Black Swift, Madagascar Wagtail, Madagascar White-eye,
Madagascar Mannikin and Red Fody.
Overnight at Relais des Plateaux
Day 2, 4th November: Tana to Ampijoroa Forest Station via Majunga. Today we fly to Mahajanga
on the northwest coast of Madagascar, for the first leg of our island adventure. After arriving in this
sleepy town, we will 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.
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.
On arrival at the forestry station 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
Lesser Vasa Parrot by Markus Lilje
Malagasy Turtle Dove, before birding the dry forest
that surrounds the camp. We may embark on a night walk as the sun sets, searching for the large range
of chameleons and mammals that call these woodlands home.
Night at Gite Ampijoroa
Day 3, 5th November: Ampijoroa Forest Station. We have a full day to explore the network of trails
through the dry forest around Ampijoroa, in search of the many birds restricted to this region. Foremost
amongst these is the secretive White-breasted Mesite, and the jewel-like Schlegel’s Asity, which recalls
a miniature Bird-of-paradise! We will also
concentrate on finding the highly localised Van
Dam’s Vanga and the two species of coua that are
restricted to these deciduous forests: Red-capped
and Coquerel’s. Other birds we hope to see while
searching for these specials include Madagascar
Ibis, Madagascar Buttonquail, France’s Sparrowhawk, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, and Rufous,
Hook-billed, White-headed, Chabert’s and Redtailed Vangas.
No less than eight species of lemur occur in
the near vicinity of the camp and we will search
for the comical Coquerel’s Sifaka, Common
Brown Lemur and the rare Mongoose Lemur
during the day, and Western Avahi (Woolly
Schlegel’s Asity by Markus Lilje
Lemur), Milne-Edward’s Sportive, Fat-tailed
Dwarf and Grey Mouse Lemurs after dark. If we are lucky, we may also find the recently described
(1998) Golden-brown Mouse Lemur, one of the world’s smallest primates and only known from around
Lac Ravelobe (hence its scientific name Microcebus ravelobensis.)
Reptiles are also plentiful along the trails and we hope to see the impressive Giant Hog-nosed
Snake, as well as several smaller species of snake (all harmless – amazingly, 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. Impressively spiky Cuvier’s Iguanids
scurry around the campsite.
We will spend some of the afternoon birding along the
edge of the adjacent Lac Ravelobe, where we hope to find the
critically endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle, a pair of which is
resident here. Wintering Sooty and Eleonora’s Falcons are
sometimes seen hunting overhead in August, while White-throated
Rail favour the waterside vegetation and we may find noisy groups
of Sickle-billed and Blue Vangas moving along the forest fringe.
Night at Gite Ampijoroa
Day 4, 6th November: Ampijoroa to Mahajanga. After a final
morning birding, lemur watching and photographing around
Ampijoroa we will return by bus to Mahajanga for an overnight
stay in a comfortable, beachside hotel. We will once again search
for waterbirds en route to our hotel in Mahajanga. We will stop off
at Lac Amboromalandy to search for other waterbirds including
the striking Madagascar Jacana, which are sometimes seen as they
Blue Vanga by Jonathan Rossouw
strut through lily-covered lakeshore vegetation, Humblot’s Heron, Madagascar Grebe, African Pygmy
Goose and Allen’s Gallinule.
Overnight at Les Roches Rouge
Day 5, 7th November: Betsiboka Delta boat trip & flight from Mahajunga to Tana. Today we fly
back to “Tana” for an overnight stay. Our flight in
the early afternoon/evening provides 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.
Overnight at Relais des Plateaux
Day 6, 8th November: Antananarivo to Perinet.
We depart early for the short drive eastwards
across the Highland Plateau to the famous reserve of Perinet (otherwise known as Analamazaotra).
Hamerkop, Black Kite of the Yellow-billed form, Brown-throated Martin and Madagascar Cisticola are
regularly encountered en route. We will also keep a look out for the delightful Madagascar Pratincole,
but will be very lucky if we find this sought after beauty.
Our accommodation for the next three nights is a very comfortable hotel, located between
Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park. Good birding can be had in the gardens of the
lodge with Red-tailed Vanga, Ward’s Flycatcher, Nelicourvi Weaver, Madagascar Magpie-Robin and
Chabert’s Vanga often in attendance.
Night at Vakona Forest Lodge
Indri by David Shackelford
Days 7 & 8, 9th & 10th November: Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park. 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
and we will search for such specials as
Madagascar Flufftail, the elusive Madagascar
Wood Rail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Greater
Vasa Parrot, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar
Spinetail, Madagascar
Pygmy Kingfisher,
Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar
Cuckooshrike, Ward’s Flycatcher, Tylas Vanga,
Madagascar Starling, Long-billed Bernieria,
Spectacled Tetraka, White-throated Oxylabes,
Nelicourvi Weaver and Souimanga Sunbird.
Cuckoo Roller by Glen Valentine
Amongst the most sought-after of Madagascar’s birds are those of the five families endemic to
the Malagasy region: the peculiar mesites, exquisite ground rollers, Cuckoo Roller, Malagasy warblers
and the vangas. Some of these, such as the
ubiquitous Cuckoo Roller, Pitta-like Ground
Roller, Common Sunbird-Asity and a number of
the vangas are reasonably common and regularly
encountered, while 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 localised Red-fronted and Blue
Coua, Velvet Asity, and flocks of vangas that may
include White-headed, Chabert’s, Blue, Red-tailed,
Hook-billed or the bizarre Nuthatch Vanga, and if
we are lucky, we may locate some of Perinet’s
Velvet Asity by David Shackelford
forest rarities such as Madagascar Serpent Eagle.
While in the Perinet area, we will make a
special effort to see the reserve’s most famous residents: the huge, singing lemurs known as the Indri.
A journey in search of these magnificent creatures is an incredible experience, and if we are fortunate
we will be treated to a close encounter with a family group; their eerie, whale-like howling echoing
through the forest. Other lemurs we hope to see include Common Brown and Grey Bamboo Lemur,
while we will also search known roosting sites for the nocturnal but inquisitive Weasel Sportive Lemur.
Another “must see” member of the island’s fauna is the Giraffe-necked Weevil, a tiny red and black
insect named for its unusually proportioned neck!
In the evenings, we will embark on night walks. Nocturnal outings are a thrilling and indeed,
essential part of any trip to Madagascar and Perinet is one of the best sites to search for the island’s
night birds. Specialities here include Madagascar Owl, Rainforest Scops Owl and both Madagascar and
the rare and little known Collared Nightjar. While seeing these birds will be the focus of our walks, we
will not neglect the immense variety of non-avian life that emerges after dark. Although Madagascar is
famous for the spectacular lemurs that have adapted to a daytime existence, a number of species of
these primitive primates remain, like their African cousins the galagos, denizens of the night. We will
search for and should find Eastern Woolly, Furryeared Dwarf and the diminutive Goodman’s Mouse
Lemur, and may also encounter some of
Madagascar’s other evolutionary masterpieces such
as the bizarre Lowland Streaked Tenrec. The
island’s reptile and amphibian (“herp”) fauna is
equally fascinating and even the most hardened
birder would not fail to be impressed by the
plethora of colourful and bizarre frogs, chameleons
and geckos to be seen on an evening’s stroll
through the rainforest. 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
Goodman's Mouse Lemur by Keith Valentine
phantasticus.
Mantadia National Park lies a short distance from Perinet,
protecting a large expanse of primary forest at a somewhat higher
altitude. Though it has only recently been opened to the public,
Mantadia is now an essential destination on any birding trip to
Madagascar, having rapidly gained a reputation as an excellent site
for a handful of highly sought-after forest birds. Not least amongst
these are a number of species formerly considered to be restricted
to the poorly accessible rainforests of the far north-east, such as
Red-breasted Coua and Scaly Ground Roller. We will concentrate
on finding these specials, also watching for more widespread yet no
less desirable forest birds including Madagascar Blue Pigeon,
Rufous-headed and Short-legged Ground Rollers, Crossley’s
Babbler (recent DNA-analysis suggests this species is an aberrant
terrestrial vanga!), Common and Dark Newtonia, Wedge-tailed,
Green, Stripe-throated and Common Jery, the newly described
Cryptic Warbler and Forest Fody.
Other attractions in this scenically beautiful park include the
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur by
vocal Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur, the elusive Diademed Sifaka
David Shackelford
(considered by many to be the world’s most beautiful lemur) and
Baron’s Mantella, a spectacularly coloured forest frog. Much of the birding in Mantadia National Park
can be enjoyed from the wide road that runs up into the reserve, although seeing the skulkers of the
forest understorey will require that we take to the steep and at times slippery trails into the rainforest.
Nights at Vakona Forest Lodge
Day 9, 11th November: Morning at Perinet and afternoon drive back to Tana. We have a final
morning to explore the wonders of this fantastic area before heading back to Antananarivo for an
overnight stay. The route winds its way through rural Highland Malagasy scenery, where traditional
double storey red brick houses line intensively
managed rice paddies. We will also keep a look out
for the delightful Madagascar Pratincole, but we’ll
be lucky to find this sought after beauty.
Overnight at Relais des Plateaux
Day 10, 12th November: Flight from Tana to Fort
Dauphin & transfer to Berenty Lemur Reserve.
Today we board a flight to Fort Dauphin (also
known as Toliagnaro), in the southeastern corner of
the country. Upon arrival we will transfer to the
world-famous private lemur reserve of Berenty. The
gruelling 3.5 hour drive takes us from the windblown but picturesque town of Fort Dauphin
through well watered valleys packed with paddy
Common Sunbird-Asity by Adam Riley
fields and finally into the rain-shadow of the
Andohahela Mountains, where the octopus-like trees of the Didiereaceae family are diagnostic of the
xerophytic spiny forest. As we near Berenty, this natural habitat is replaced by extensive tracts of sisal
plantations stretching as far as the eye can see. Berenty Preserve belongs to the De Haulme family who
have set aside sections of gallery forest along the Mandrare River to conserve its population of lemurs
and other wildlife.
We will venture out in the evening in
search of Torotoroka Scops Owl and the
impressive White-browed Hawk-Owl, but may
also encounter a host of other nocturnal creatures
such as the strange Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec and
several species of attractive geckos (including the
remarkable Big-headed Gecko and unique Fishscaled Gecko).
Night at Berenty Lodge
Day 11, 13th November: Berenty Lemur
Reserve. Berenty is justly famous for its lemurs,
not only because its deciduous woodland is home
to no less than five species of these primitive
primates, but also for the ease with which they may
White-browed Hawk-Owl by Markus Lilje
be seen and appreciated in the wild. Red-fronted
Brown Lemur occurs in large numbers during the
day and both White-footed Sportive and Grey Mouse Lemur are regularly encountered on night walks
through the reserve, though the undoubted favorites are the delightful Ring-tailed Lemurs and
Verreaux’s Sifakas. While the bands of cat-like, quizzical Ringtails are often the first to steal visitors’
hearts, their appeal is easily matched by the
strikingly patterned sifakas, with their soulful
expressions and bizarre, bipedal dancing
locomotion. To spend time with groups of these
gentle creatures will certainly be one of the
highlights of our Madagascar adventure! A further
mammalian highlight of Berenty is visiting the
Madagascar Flying Fox roost, where about 300 of
these impressive animals sporting 1.25 metre
wingspans spend their day squabbling and
presumably sleeping.
Here we will be on the look-out for the
numerous Giant Couas that stroll along the wellcleared paths through the woodland, and we may be
lucky enough to find the dimorphic Madagascar
Ring-tailed Lemurs by Markus Lilje
Buttonquail as they scurry through the leaf litter.
Potential new species we may also find here include
Reed Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, Madagascar and France’s Sparrowhawks, Helmeted Guineafowl,
Madagascar Sandgrouse, Bat Hawk (a very rare bird in Madagascar) and Alpine Swift.
If time allows, we might visit the well presented local museum, which displays various cultural
aspects of the local Antandroy Tribe, as well as one of the few complete Elephant-bird eggs in the
world.
Night at Berenty Lodge
Day 12, 14th November: Berenty Lemur Reserve to Fort Dauphin & flight to Tulear. Today we
return to Fort Dauphin in time to make the connecting flight to the southwestern city of Tulear. Upon
arrival we will then transfer directly to our hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Overnight at Victory Hotel
Day 13, 15th November: Boat trip to Nosy Vé and late afternoon transfer to Ifaty. 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-plover roosting on the sandbars here, as well
as good numbers of other migrant waders and a
large gull and tern roost. In 2005 one tour
discovered a Sooty Gull at this site, a new bird for
Madagascar. Depending on time and weather
conditions, we may snorkel on the beautiful coral
reef encircling the island. Lunch will then be had
on the mainland, our other target here being the
localised Littoral Rock Thrush.
We return to Tulear shortly after lunch and
upon arrival will continue overland to Ifaty where
we will be based for the following 2 nights. En
route we will stop to look for the uncommon
Red-tailed Tropicbird by Markus Lilje
Madagascar Plover, while wetlands and salt pans
may hold numbers of Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Kittlitz’s Plover, assorted migratory
waders, and Malagasy Harrier if we are very fortunate.
Night at Les Dunes de Ifaty
Day 14, 16th November: Ifaty & surrounds. 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
Red-capped
Couas,
Archbold’s
Newtonia,
Thamnornis, Subdesert Brush Warbler and
Lafresnaye’s Vanga. Two very special birds here are
the near mythical Subdesert Mesite, which we may
find adopting its strange, cryptic posture on a thorny
branch, and Long-tailed Ground Roller, an elusive
ground dweller best located by its low, hooting call.
Flocks of noisy Sickle-billed Vanga are another
Subdesert Mesite by Rich Lindie
feature of this bizarre, Tolkienesque landscape. We
should also see the numerous Three-eyed Lizards as the day heats up, while we may be lucky enough to
find a beautiful Spider Tortoise or rare Dumeril’s Boa.
In addition, the tropical ocean off Ifaty is alive with marine life and we will have some time to
don masks and snorkels and appreciate the myriad colors of a coral reef or relax in the warm shallows
in front of our hotel. An optional afternoon excursion will be taken to bird some wetlands to the south
of Ifaty where previous tours have found Greater Painted Snipe, Little Bittern, White-throated Rail and
Baillon’s Crake.
Night at Les Dunes de Ifaty
Day 15, 17th November: Ifaty to Isalo via Zombitse Forest. We depart Ifaty early this morning for
our lengthy journey to Isalo in south-central Madagascar. En route we will undertake an excursion to a
flat-topped mountain aptly named 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.
Thereafter, we continue to Zombitse Forest in order to search for the dainty Appert’s Tetraka.
This species is listed as Vulnerable by Birdlife International and restricted to two forest sites in
southwestern Madagascar totalling a tiny 500 square kilometres! A variety of other interesting species
are resident in the dry, deciduous forest and we may find Madagascar Ibis, Madagascar Harrier-Hawk,
Giant and Crested Couas, raucous Cuckoo Roller displaying high overhead, Madagascar Cuckooshrike,
Long-billed Bernieria, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Rufous, Blue and Red-tailed Vangas, and
Madagascar Starling. The highly elusive Fosa also
occurs here, though we will have to be most
fortunate to see this, Madagascar’s largest
predator.
In the late afternoon, we continue inland
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 nonetheless stop to scan for
Madagascar Partridge, Madagascar Buttonquail,
Madagascar Sandgrouse, the elegant Namaqua
Dove, Madagascar Lark and the attractive
Malagasy Harrier, now split from the Reunion
species. Watercourses through the bizarre
Giant Coua by Rich Lindie
sandstone 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 Lovebird,
Stripe-throated Jery and the region’s special bird, Benson’s Rock Thrush.
Overnight at Jardin du Roy
Day 16, 18th November: Isalo National Park to Ranomafana National Park. Today we embark on
the long drive from Isalo to Ranomafana, the scenery characterised by grassland and dramatic rocky
hills. Our main target on this drive will be Malagasy Harrier, which can sometimes be seen quartering
over the vast grasslands we bisect. Like Perinet, Ranomafana 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. We will round off our adventure in Madagascar by
exploring these rich forests, concentrating on the many specials of the park and any forest birds that we
may have missed at Perinet and Anjozorobe.
Night at Setam Lodge
Days 17 & 18, 19th & 20th November: Ranomafana National Park. Ranomafana National Park was
originally proclaimed to protect its population of Golden Bamboo Lemur, a smart animal first described
to science as recently as 1987. In addition to this
and both Greater and Grey Bamboo Lemur, we
may find Red-fronted Brown, Red-bellied and
Small-toothed Sportive Lemur, the impressive
Milne-Edwards’s 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 high concentration of
“herps” here, and we should find a range of
fascinating chameleons and frogs (this park is
particularly well endowed with frogs, with over
100 species recorded!).
In the lower elevation forest near our
lodging, we hope to find Henst’s Goshawk, the
elusive Brown Mesite with its strange duetting
Malagasy Harrier by Adam Riley
call, Grey-crowned Tetraka, Forest Rock Thrush,
Wedge-tailed Jery, and Rufous and Pollen’s
Vangas. 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, with this
being the most accessible place to see this
endangered and very elusive species. We will
concentrate our searches in some stunted ridge-top
forest where we may also locate the scarce
Madagascar Yellowbrow, Red-fronted Coua, the
elegant Rufous-headed Ground Roller, the
creeping Brown Emutail, Rand’s and the recently
discovered Cryptic Warbler, Common SunbirdAsity, Pollen’s Vanga and, if we are lucky,
Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk.
Nights at Setam Lodge
Day 19, 21st November: Ranomafana National
Park to Tana for departure. After an early
Pitta-like Ground Roller by James Wakelin
breakfast we will make our way back north to
Tana. It is a very long drive, so we intend breaking our journey for lunch at the quaint, highland town
of Antsirabe, famous for its locally manufactured handicrafts. The route will take us northwards across
the open landscape of the Horombe Plateau, offering an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the
Malagasy people. Steeply terraced rice paddies, tall earthen houses with thatched roofs, and roadside
markets displaying a wide variety of handicrafts form part of the passing pageant, all against the
backdrop of golden-yellow grasslands and bare granite inselbergs; a fitting end to our exploration of
this enchanted island! Upon arrival in Tana we’ll head to the familiar hotel, Relais de Plateaux, for a
farewell dinner and chance to freshen up. Thereafter, we transfer to Ivato International Airport in order
to connect with our international flights home.
GROUP SIZE:
This tour is limited to 8 participants & bird leader.
TRIP PRICE:
US$ 13,445/person based on double occupancy.
Deposit is US$ 1,500/person; $500 non-refundable. Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
The single supplement cost for this tour is US$ 1,250
This includes:
All meals starting from dinner on Day 1 to dinner on Day 19;
Roundtrip International airfare from Cincinnati, OH;
Domestic Airfare in Madagascar as per Itinerary;
Accommodation on a sharing basis as specified above (or similar, subject to availability);
Entrance fee for all reserves, national parks and forest sites;
All ground transportation in suitable vehicles, with drivers and fuel throughout the tour;
All transfers airport/hotel/airport required by the itinerary;
All activities required by the itinerary including boat trip to Nosy Vé and Betsiboka Delta;
Bottled mineral water throughout;
Gratuities for hotel/restaurant staff, porters, drivers and local guides;
Local bird/wildlife guides at ALL birding sites, national parks, reserves, etc…;
Guiding services & costs of a local Malagasy escort and
Guiding services & costs of a special bird/natural history leader
The tour fee does not include:
Visa/Passport fees;
Any drinks;
Snorkelling at Ifaty;
Special gratuities to bird leader;
Trip Insurance and
Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in
tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result.
d) We may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated tour leader at short
or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as
close to the original program as possible.
Tipping:
As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc) are included on this tour. However, this
does not include your bird tour leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given you excellent service, it
is entirely appropriate to tip him.
Special Notes:
It is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick
to 20kg (44lb) for check in luggage and 8kg (+-18lb) for hand luggage.
Fitness: This Madagascar comprehensive tour requires a reasonable level of fitness and
participants should be in good general health as most of the birding will be done on foot, and
may require walking for several hours at a time. Some trails in the rainforest can be quite steep
and slippery, especially after rain, and a few longer walks will be made in an attempt to locate
some of the more localized species. Should you have any physical limitations, please notify us
in advance of departure.
Accommodation throughout the trip is of a generally good standard, and the hotels and resorts
that we make use of are clean and comfortable. Some of the accommodations however are basic
and less comfortable from than what you have come to expect from the developed world; we
will however make efforts to make this tour as comfortable as possible. There is no camping on
this trip.
Please note that the seas during the boat trip to Nosy Vé Island can be rough, and it is advised
that you carry a suitable rain jacket and protection for photographic/electronic gear aboard the
boat (a thick waterproof plastic bag is very useful in this regard). Also, tidal variation may
require us to walk (in water) across potentially sharp substrate when accessing and/or leaving
Nosy Vé. In this regard, it is advised that you carry a pair of shoes that you do not mind getting
wet (plastic sandals are very useful). If you have any medical conditions or physical limitations
relating to balance and mobility please do let Bill Creasey know.
In some areas it can be hot to very hot, especially at midday. We will thus make a number of
early starts in the morning to maximize the most pleasurable time in the field. In addition, some
of the days are long and fairly demanding.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS:
Day 1 has been set aside as an arrival day. If we arrive in the morning then a short afternoon visit will
be made to Lac Alarobia in Antananarivo. If we arrive in the evening or afternoon on this day then we
will unfortunately not take part in this activity. Further meeting details in this regard will be forwarded
to you in due course. The tour will conclude at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo on day 19
around 10 pm.
FLIGHTS:
All internal flights will be taken with Air Madagascar. Please note that internal flight delays and
last-minute flight schedule alterations are an inherent risk in any tour to Madagascar and we
may have to re-arrange the tour itinerary around the internal flight schedule. However, we will
still visit all the scheduled sites and will take all reasonable precautions and actions to ensure the tour
follows the advertised itinerary as closely as possible.
Cincinnati Nature Center Branch Out Travel Reservation Form
Completed forms can be mailed to: Bill Creasy 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
Trip: __________________________________
Trip Dates: ________________________
Name: ________________________________
Passport Expiration: ________________
(As it appears on passport)
Street Address: __________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________ State: ____________ Zip: _____________
Phone: Home: _______________ Work: _________________ Cell: _______________
Email address: ___________________________________________________________
Roommate Name: ________________________________________________________
(As it appears on passport)
Roommate Street Address: ________________________________________________
Roommate City: ________________________ State: _________ Zip: _______________
Phone: Home: _______________ Work: _________________ Cell: _________________
Roommate Email address: __________________________________________________
Please mark the appropriate boxes below:
* I do not have a roommate. Please find a roommate for me. I understand if no roommate is
found, I will pay the single supplement.
* I prefer a private room (if available) and will pay the single supplement for this amenity.
I/we prefer
* separate beds
I/we prefer
* smoking (if available)
I/we prefer to fly
* shared bed
* Coach
* non-smoking
* Business (additional fee)
I/we will leave from * Cincinnati
* Other: _________________________
Delta Frequent Flyer #:_____________________
This deposit covers _____ persons.
At a rate of $_________/person, my deposit amount is $___________________.
* Enclosed is my check: #_________
* Please bill this deposit to my credit card (circle one):
VISA
MC
AMEX
DISCOVER
Card Number: _____________________________
Expiration: ______________
Cardholder Name: __________________________
Security Code: __________
Signature: ________________________________ Today’s Date: ________________
Name(s) to be used on nametag(s): __________________________________________