22 Oct 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 (11 days)
USD4,950 - Spaces Available
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 * GBP3,951 * EUR4,759 * AUD7,932
Single Supplement: USD350 * GBP279 * EUR337 * AUD561
Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD572 * GBP457 * EUR550 * AUD917
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.
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.
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;
Rainforest, riparian forest, deciduous woodland, spiny desert, mudflats, wetlands
Warm to very hot, cooler evenings in highlands, some rainfall possible
7 with 1 Rockjumper leader, Nigel Marven & local leader
DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.
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.
Generally comfortable standard of hotels & resorts in main cities. Otherwise basic dome tents at Bemanevika.
Moderate to difficult. Many low-density targets that may require repeat attempts.
Good to very good, opportunities are limited due to time.
Our leader, Rob Williams, was extremely knowledgeable, had a good sense of humour and was keen to see as many species as possible. He helped group members locate more difficult species.
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.
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.
Just a short note to say that I thought Heinz did a great job with the Masoala extension---he's a a sharp birder, energetic, and very personable with a lot of good stories! I look forward to traveling on another trip with him…
Honestly, I didn't know what to expect since this was my first birding specific trip, and it exceeded my expectations. Seeing all the endemic birds, mammals and reptiles was a once in a lifetime experience I will always remember. Adam Walleyn is a great guide who is extremely knowledgeable about most things "Madagascar." And he has balanced the skills of keeping us all on track and being fun to hang around with - so many interesting stories about his travels.
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