Madagascar
Lemurs and Vangas
September
28 - October 15, 2008
Reservations and prepayment are required on all Ventures. Your place on this Venture will be reserved when your deposit of $300 has been received. Please make your check payable to VENTURES, Inc. and send it to this address or call the office with your VISA or MasterCard #.
Limited to 14 participants.
Madagascar evolved in isolation from other landmasses, giving rise to a large number of birds and mammals not found in any other parts of the world. Ninety per cent of Madagascar's forest birds are endemic, as are about half of the island's 260 recorded birds. In addition, most of the land mammals are unique to the island and include 30 species of lemur. Lemurs, being primates, might be described as distant relatives of Man, and we shall see several species, from the tiny nocturnal Mouse Lemurs to troops of confiding Ring-tails and the impressive black and white Indris. Five families of bird are only found here; the rail-like Mesite that superficially resemble some Asiatic babblers; Madagascar Cuckoo-Roller that sweeps over the forests in elegant display-flight; the widely differing but beautiful Ground-Rollers that nest in burrows; the Asities or 'false sunbirds' and the Vangas, which are allied to the shrikes. Other wildlife is equally impressive with inordinate numbers of chameleon, geckoes, lizard, over 3000 species of butterfly (97% of which are endemic), and many weird and fascinating insects and plants! Man arrived in Madagascar between 500 and 900 AD, and since then 14 species of lemur and four species of ostrich have been extirpated. Forests are continually under pressure from slash-and-burn peasant farmers and the human population is growing enormously. Fortunately there are now many excellent, albeit small, reserves that look-after Madagascar's unique treasures.
Leaders: Ian Davidson and Simon Thompson
$6795 per person double occupancy from Antananarivo (Tana) Single supplement: $575
Price includes: All land transportation, all accommodations, meals, service charges & gratuities (except for leader & local guide), information packet & bird checklist, leader/guide service throughout.
Not included: Air to Tana, alcoholic beverages, and any items of a personal nature.
So many birds are restricted to Madagascar and we will see a great selection of these endemics. Highlights should include the following: Red-tailed Tropic-bird, White-throated Rail, Sub-desert Mesite, Madagascar Kingfisher, Madagascar Bee-eater, Grey-headed Lovebird, Red-fronted and Blue Couas (5+ species of Coua), Long-tailed and Pitta-like Ground-Rollers, Sickle-billed and Hook-billed Vangas (10+ species of Vanga) and many more- plus an excellent selection of lemurs, chameleons and unique flora.
We have 2 options for our flights to Antananarivo, Madagascar. We can either
fly through Par
is
(Charles de Gaulle) on Air France or via Johannesburg on South African Airways,
but both flights are quite long. You may want to go ahead a day or so to rest
and relax and bird before the tour starts. The costs for any overnights and
meals are not included in the cost of the Venture. This tour visits the lush
eastern rainforests (Madagascar's richest habitat) at Ranomafana and Perinet,
the dry Spiny forests and Coral rags of Tulear, Ifaty and Anakao, and the dry
deciduous forests of Zombitse near Isaolo and Ampijoroa on the west coast.
DAY 1 (Sunday, September 28) INBOUND TO ANTANANARIVO
On arrival in Antananarivo (Tana), you will be met by our local operator
and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the time of the inbound flights we
would hope to have time in Tana to visit Lake Alarobia. This lake, on private
land offers sanctuary to myriads of waterfowl, egrets, and some passerines. It
is an ideal place to get to grips with Madagascar Pond Heron, Common Squacco
Heron, Black-crowned Night-herons, and with luck the now very elusive Meller's
Duck. Here we should also find Madagascar Kestrel, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar
Kingfisher, Madagascar Green Sunbird and Madagascar Red Fody. Overnight
Pallisandre Hotel
DAY 2 (Monday, September 29) TANA TO FIANARANTSOA
Today it is a long drive southwards. We pass through interesting
countryside, the town of Antsirabe, and the rickshaw capital of Madagascar and
the picturesque market town of Ambositra, famed for its woodcarvers. Birds we
might see along the way include Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo,
Madagascar Bee-ea
ter,
Madagascar Lark, Madagascar Wagtail, Souimanga Sunbird and Madagascar Mannikin.
We overnight in the town of Fianarantsoa
DAY 3 (Tuesday, September 30) FIANARANTSOA TO RANOMOFANA
Continuing from Fianarantsoa we work our way east to the Ranomafana
National Park, a short 2 hour journey. The park was set-aside to give protection
to what remains of the upland humid rainforest of the central spine of
Madagascar; the bird-list is long, and contains an impressive number of endemic
species including Madagascar Green and Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Red-fronted and
Blue Couas, Madagascar Spine-tailed Swift, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, the
elegant Cuckoo-Roller, the bowling-ball-like Velvet Asity, Madagascar Paradise
Flycatcher, Crested Drongo, and various members of the endemic Vanga family.
Equally the mammals are fascinating and include Brown and Greater Bamboo Lemurs,
the rare Milne-Edwards Sifaka and the newly discovered Golden Bamboo Lemur and
the smaller Grey Gentle Lemur and Red-bellied and Brown Mouse Lemurs. Fanaloka
or Malagasy Striped Civet may be found on a night excursion here. Reptiles in
the form of giant chameleons, lizards and geckoes and a multitude of butterflies
keep one busy, too.
DAYS 4 & 5 (Wednesday, October 1 & Thursday, October 2)
RANOMOFANA NATIONAL PARK
Days exploring Ranomofana and Vohiparara sectors of the National Park
DAY 6 (Friday, October 3) RANOMOFANA TO ISAOLO
Today after breakfast we make our way from Ranomofana through
Fianarantsoa again and onward in a south-westerly direction. We pass through
rolling grasslands and vineyards to the south of Fianarantsoa. Shortly after the
town of Ambalavao know for its paper making industry we will stop at the village
community refuge site of Anja where Ring-tailed Lemurs are found as well as a
good selection of Chameleons and other reptiles. Continuing we pass onto the
Harombe plateau, an extensive grassy plain where you may see vast herds of
Malagasy cattle. It is here that we have our best chance of seeing Reunion
Harrier and Madagascar Partridge. As we approach the spectacular Isaolo Massif,
we will pass some impressive rock outcrops. The hotel Relais de la Reine is home
to the localised Benson's Rock Thrush and a good place for White-throated Rail
too. We overnight here.
DAY 7 (Saturday, October 4) ISAOLO TO IFATY
After an early breakfast at our hotel, we board our bus that will take
us onwards toward the south-western town of Tulear. We pass through the sapphire
towns that have sprung up outside of the park - the ambience is a bit like the
Wild West. Shortly after leaving the Isaolo we will get to the new National Park
of Zombitse where we shall stop for a few hours to bird this important dry
deciduous forest. This is our only chance for the endemic Appert's Greenbul, and
we may also encounter Coquerel's and Giant Couas, Grey-headed Lovebirds, Mad
Hoopoes, Mad Green Pigeon and a host of other species. Once it gets warm,
though, the activity decreases and we will then continue on our way to Tulear.
Along the roadside you will stop to marvel over the elaborately decorated
roadside tombs of the Mahafaly people. Tulear, a dusty outback town is the
gateway to some marvelous birding and botanical destinations. Northwards from
Tulear we venture into the tall "Androy Woods" - the condition of the
road varies but on average one makes slow progress. Here, the original
vegetation is the bizarre sub-arid thorn thicket - a tangled mass of thorny and
drought resistant plants, which includes many impressive species such as bottle
baobabs, large Pachypodiums and Moringas. Marooned in the south-western spiny
desert is a select band of endemic birds, which are generally found during a
good morning's excursion, these are the Sub-desert Mesite, Long-tailed Ground
Roller, Running and Olive-capped Couas, Lafresnaye's Vanga and Archbold's
Newtonia. We have two nights here and our hotel is the seaside lodge, Le
Paradisier (or alternative).
DAY 8 (Sunday, October 5) IFATY
Today we have a full day to explore this fascinating area, including the
mangrove mudflats nearby.
DAY 9 (Monday, October 6) IFATY TO ANAKAO
We will have an early breakfast before a short drive to Tulear for our
boat trip to Anakao and the tiny island of Nosy Ve. We visit this area to see
the endemic Littoral Rock-thrush, Lafresnaye's Vanga, Verreaux's Coua and the
island of Nosy Ve is renowned for its breeding colony of Red-tailed
Tropic-birds. Perhaps we may see some Crab Plover too. We'll overnight at Anakao
or return to Tulear for overnight.
DAY 10 (Tuesday, October 7) TULEAR TO TANA OR MAHAJUNGA
Depending on the time of our flight to Tana we will have time for some
more birding in this area. If our flight is later in the day we will overnight
in Tana tonight (alternatively we might get as far as the town of Mahajunga on
the west coast).
DAY 11 (Wednesday, October 8) TANA (MAJUNGA) TO AMPIJOROA
Once in Majunga it is a two-hour drive southwards toward the hot western
lowlands. Our target destination is the forest of Ampijoroa in the
Ankarafantsika Reserve, one of the two best remaining examples of western
Malagasy tropical dry deciduous forests. A night walk is usually exciting and
rewarding and one may find Milne-Edwards Sportive Lemur, Grey Mouse Lemur and
Mongoose Lemur. During the day Coquerel's Sifaka are commonly seen. Oustalet's
and Rhinoceros chameleon are likely as are the iridescent green day geckoes.
Diurnal birds here include a host of vangas including Van Dam's, Sickle-billed,
White-headed and Hook-billed, Torotoroka Scops Owl, Schlegel's Asity,
Grey-headed Lovebird and Coquerel's and Red-capped Couas.
DAY 12 (Thursday, October 9) AMPIJOROA
Today is another day to explore this fascinating and rewarding
habitat.
DAY 13 (Friday, October 10) MAJUNGA TO TANA
Later today, after the morning, we return to Majunga for our flight to
Tana where we overnight.
DAY 14 (Saturday, October 11) TANA TO PERINET
Today we drive to the eastern highlands and the well-known Perinet/Analamazaotra
forest and newly proclaimed Mantadia National Park. It will take us about three
hours on a good paved road. Our time here will be spent in the Perinet reserve
and the Mantadia National Park. The protected rain forest here exceeds 10,000
hectares and is vital for the survival of many of the island's unique species.
The forest is characterised by humid climate, huge trees, and a lush, dense
understorey, but there is good access along a number of footpaths. The main
attraction to Perinet is the Indri, the world's largest (and noisiest) lemur, a
tailless lemur found in family groups and often heard moaning and wailing. Other
lemurs to be seen here include Brown and Greater Dwarf, The bird-life includes
six species of Vangas: Red-tailed, Hook-billed, White-headed, Chabert's, Blue
and Nuthatch. Also likely to be encountered species include Madagascar Little
Grebe, Madagascar Buzzard, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Blue Coua, Madagascar
Spine-tailed Swift, Broad-billed Roller, Madagascar Bulbul, Ward's and
Madagascar Paradise Flycatchers, Souimanga and Madagascar Green Sunbirds,
Madagascar White-eye, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Starling and Nelicourvi Weaver.
A night walk usually reveals four species of nocturnal lemur, as well as a
plethora of reptiles and frogs - including chameleons galore. We explore Perinet
Reserve but at daybreak, around the lodge, we will find Mas
carene
Martin, Madagascar Wagtail, Souimanga Sunbird and Mad Magpie Robin. Among
others, we should see Indri lemur, Grey Bamboo Lemur and Brown Lemur, as well as
many birds - specials include the Madagascar Woodrail and the coral-billed
Nuthatch Vanga. Reptiles abound, including Parson's chameleon (2 - ft) and the
Madagascar Tree Boa. Trails into the forest are easy to negotiate. Because the
wildlife in Perinet is highly habituated, animals tend to allow a close
approach. Mantadia is primary rain forest and home to many species not found at
Perinet. Star mammal attractions include the Diadem Sifaka and Ruffed Lemur,
while sought-after birds include Pitta-like Ground-roller, Short-legged
Ground-roller, Forest Rock-thrush and Pollen's Vanga - among others.
DAYS 15, 16, 17 (Sunday, October 12 - Tuesday, October 14) PERINET
Days in Perinet and Mantadia parks.
DAY 18 (Wednesday, October 15) PERINET TO TANA AND OUTBOUND
Due
to weather and other conditions, this itinerary is subject to change.
