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Madagascar - Remote Northern Endemics - Marven

© Long-tailed Ground Roller by Markus Lilje
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 * GBP3,947 * EUR4,763 * AUD7,948

Single Supplement: USD350 * GBP279 * EUR337 * AUD562

Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD572 * GBP456 * EUR550 * AUD918

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

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.

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
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.

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!

Gregory de Klerk
SC - Madagascar

We had been with Greg before on the Ethiopia tour. We selected this tour because Greg was leading it. Not only does he have excellent birding skills, but he also has excellent people skills. He kept the tour running smoothly, handled problems quickly, and was most anxious that every member of the tour got to see the birds if at all possible. We would definitely travel with him again. We got lots of new birds, had lots of laughs, and enjoyed our fellow birders.

Adam Walleyn
RR, Madagascar

Adam Walleyn went above and beyond to find just about everything there was to see. His knowledge of herps, mammals and birds is very comprehensive.

Heinz Ortmann
JT, Madagascar 2015

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…

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