Madagascar - Remote Northern Endemics - Marven 2025

22 Oct 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 (11 days)

USD4,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Nigel Redman

Pricing notes : The pricing structure is based on a minimum of 7 guests. Refer to the itinerary outline for smaller group sizes.

Tour price (Per person): USD4,950 * GBP3,748 * EUR4,451 * AUD7,341

Single Supplement: USD350 * GBP265 * EUR315 * AUD519

Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD572 * GBP433 * EUR514 * AUD848

TV Presenter Nigel Marven is teaming up with Rockjumper for an adventure to Madagascar showcasing the island’s iconic endemic birds and mammals. On this adventure Nigel will join another Nigel, his friend  Nigel Redman of Rockjumper Birding Tours, world birder par excellence and author of the brilliant “Where to watch”  books!

This tour of remote northern Madagascar is dedicated to finding several rarely encountered endemics. We’ll start birding in the dry deciduous forests of the Ampijoroa Forest Station located in the Ankarafantsika Reserve for the highly localised Van Dam’s Vanga, White-breasted Mesite and Schlegel’s Asity. Then it is off am an adventure to reach the remote Lac Matsaborimena, which will be the undoubted highlight of the trip as we search for Madagascan Pochard, the critically endangered Slender-billed Flufftail, declining Malagasy Harrier and rare Red Owl.

Top Birds

Madagascan Pochard; Bernier's Teal; Meller’s Duck; Van Dam's, Hook-billed, Blue, Tylas & Pollen’ Vangas; White-breasted Mesite; Schlegel’s Asity; Slender-billed Flufftail; Malagasy Harrier; Red, Madagascan & Rainforest Scop Owls; Broad-billed Roller; Lesser Vasa Parrot; Red-capped & Coquerel’s Couas; Sickle-billed & Madagascar Blue Vangas; Madagascar Serpent Eagle; Madagascan Ibis; Madagascan Wood Rail; Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher; Pitta-like Ground Roller; Forest Rock Thrush; Rand’s Warbler; Grey Emutail; Madagascan Snipe; Forest Fody; Madagascan Buttonquail; Madagascan Lark; Madagascan Nightjar.

Top Mammals

Coquerel’s Sifaka; Common Brown, Mongoose, Milne-Edward’s Sportive, Fat-tailed Dwarf, Golden-brown Mouse (rare), Western Grey Bamboo & Grey Mouse Lemurs; Sambirano & Western Avahis;

Habitats Covered

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

Expected Climate

Warm to very hot, cooler evenings in highlands, some rainfall possible

Max Group Size

7 with 1 Rockjumper leader, Nigel Marven & local leader

Tour Pace & Walking
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WARNING: This tour involves strenuous activities and is intended for experienced adventurers. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, please check out our [Explore Relaxed Tours]

Demanding & tiring. Designed for the dedicated lister & serious birder. Not suitable for inexperienced travellers, dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges.

Accommodation

Generally comfortable standard of hotels & resorts in main cities. Otherwise basic dome tents at Bemanevika.

Ease of Birding

Moderate to difficult. Many low-density targets that may require repeat attempts.

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good, opportunities are limited due to time.

What our clients say about us

Adam Walleyn
RV, Madagascar

With Adam Walleyn as our guide, it was hard to imagine how the trip could have been any better. Madagascar is certainly a challenging place, but his experience and ability to help us know what to expect were invaluable. As far as seeing birds, my expectations were exceeded. A great trip.

David Hoddinott
HH, Madagascar

Our Madagascar experience surpassed our wildest dreams. We didn't even realise it was a 'birding trip' but David ensured that we saw much much more. The birds were great anyway, especially the pursuit of the magical Helmet Vanga! An unforgettable experience!

Adam Walleyn
PF & BF, Madagascar 2017

This was our first tour with Rockjumper and it was absolutely fabulous. Adam Walleyn is by far the best bird guide we have ever had the privilege of working with. His combined qualities as the overall tour leader in terms of personality, ability to deal with whatever got thrown at him and interactive skills were all great. He was very good at keeping us informed of what was planned and was happening next. He was very good at imposing a gentle but essential discipline on the group - rotation in the procession, rotation of positions in the buses, ensuring that everyone got to see the bird - all made for a really good functionality in the group. His sharpness in the field, knowledge of bird calls and bird identification were simply remarkable.

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.

David Hoddinott
D, Madagascar Comprehensive

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

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