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Madagascar - Highlights (Relaxed)

© Sickle-billed Vanga by Rich Lindie
Madagascar - Highlights (Relaxed) 2026

04 Dec 2026 - 19 Dec 2026 (16 days)

USD6,795 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

Tour price (Per person): USD6,795 * GBP5,376 * EUR6,489 * AUD10,687 * ZAR124,906

Single Supplement: USD920 * GBP728 * EUR879 * AUD1,447 * ZAR16,912

Flight costs: USD1,210 * GBP957 * EUR1,155 * AUD1,903 * ZAR22,242

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 fewer than five endemic families (the ground rollers, cuckoo roller, mesites, Malagasy warblers and asities), plus the near endemic 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.” For our Madagascar Highlights tour we have cherry-picked the best of Madagascar and offered it in a shorter package, and as a result, this expedition provides a more relaxed pace and less demanding Madagascar experience than our Comprehensive tours. We target all five endemic Malagasy bird families as well as good numbers of lemurs and other representative wildlife, making this ideal for travellers with limited time or less interest in targeting every single endemic bird.

Top Birds

Subdesert Mesite; Cuckoo Roller; Long-tailed, Pitta-like, Rufous-headed, Short-legged & Scaly Ground Rollers; Red-breasted, Red-fronted, Running, Red-capped, Blue & Giant Couas; Velvet Asity; Nuthatch, Lafresnaye’s, Crossley’s & Sickle-billed Vangas; Madagascar & France’s Sparrowhawks; Madagascar Sandgrouse; Madagascar Buttonquail; Madagascar Owl; Madagascar & Collared Nightjars; Madagascar Crested Ibis; Madagascar Wood Rail; Brown Emutail; White-throated Oxylabes; Archbold’s Newtonia; Thamnornis; Nelicourvi Weaver.

Top Mammals

Indri; Ring-tailed & Red-bellied Lemurs; Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur; Diademed & Verreaux’s Sifakas; Madagascar Flying Fox

Habitats Covered

rainforest, riparian forest, deciduous woodland, spiny desert, mudflats, wetlands

Expected Climate

cool to warm, cold evenings in highlands

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Some long travel days due to variable road conditions, moderate food diversity & some average accommodations are taxing.

Accommodation

Generally comfortable standard of hotels and resorts. Some more basic lodges are clean & comfortable.

Ease of Birding

One of the most incredible birding & wildlife destinations in Africa. Several species are approachable & provide good visuals in open conditions, several difficult rainforest skulkers.

Number of Species Expected

100

Other Attractions

Spiny Desert, Berenty, weird herps & insects, coral reefs, shopping, culture

Photographic Opportunities

Excellent to incredible.

What our clients say about us

David Hoddinott
D, Madagascar Comprehensive

David Hoddinott is the best!! He is tenacious about getting all participants on all birds!

David Hoddinott
JV, Madagascar 2019

Another excellent Rockjumper trip. David did a good job meeting our needs through the whole trip.

Adam Walleyn
KO & MD, Madagascar 2018

Adam Walleyn was amazing, and we will definitely be looking into arranging a private Rockjumper tour with him in the future. Not only did he have extensive knowledge of the birds, but also the other flora and fauna, as well as some of the historical aspects of Madagascar.

Adam Walleyn
JM, Madagascar 2018

Excellent tour overall. Adam Walleyn is probably the best overall bird tour guide I have had the pleasure of touring with. He not only knows the birds and wildlife, but is great at handling all types of people and doing whatever he can to make the tour fun, pleasant, and productive. He was always respectful of participants, and made sure their priorities were the focus of the trip rather than his own.

Adam Walleyn
GB & DB, Madagascar 2017

Our guide, Adam Walleyn, was exceptional. His knowledge and enthusiasm is unparalleled.

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