Critically Endangered with <10,000 individuals. Cannot breed in captivity. Your eco-tour directly funds rainforest protection.

A haunting, melodic wail — one of the loudest sounds in the animal kingdom, audible up to 3 km. Families sing coordinated duets at dawn to announce their territory.

indri-indri-call.mp3

Local Malagasy legend says the Indri is the sacred "father of the forest" — an ancestor of humans transformed into a lemur. It is never hunted. 🌿

Indri live in small family groups and are strictly territorial. Unlike most lemurs, they almost never descend to the ground — spending their entire lives leaping vertically between trees. They cannot survive in captivity.

Indri form lifelong pair bonds. A mated pair and their offspring travel and sing together as a tight family unit.

Wide distribution, though still affected by forest loss.

High-frequency whistles (some ultrasound) and soft trills.

It is the most abundant lemur in the dry forests of the West.

Stores fat in its tail; can hibernate during the dry season.

Declining due to large-scale mining and hunting.

An intense chorus of "roaring-barks" used by the whole group.

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur.mp3

They have the loudest call of any primate after the Howler monkey.

Very agile; hang upside down by their feet to reach ripe fruit.

Highly sensitive to forest disturbance and hunting.

Bird-like chirps and loud "honks" when threatened.

They have a very large home range compared to other sifakas.

One of the most colorful and largest sifakas; high-energy canopy dwellers.

Generally common but facing local extinctions from hunting.

Low grunts and cat-like "purr-meows" during social play.

XC980023 - Brown Lemur - Eulemur fulvus.wav

They play a vital role in seed dispersal across many forest types.

Highly adaptable; can be active day and night.

Threatened by forest fragmentation in the eastern rainforests.

Deep, low-frequency grunts and soft contact calls.

They are one of the few lemurs where males and females are easily distinguished.

Gentle and quiet; the father often carries the infants more than the mother.

One of the rarest primates on Earth; specialized habitat is disappearing.

Once thought extinct, they were rediscovered in 1986.

Specializes in eating the tough woody pith of giant bamboo.

Extremely small population limited to the Ranomafana region.

High-pitched squeaks and soft chattering.

They consume enough cyanide daily to kill 10 humans.

Endemic to Ranomafana; eats bamboo shoots rich in cyanide.

Persecuted as a "bad omen" and victim of habitat destruction.

Low, raspy snorts and occasional "creaking" sounds.

Its teeth never stop growing, much like a rodent's.

Uses a specialized thin middle finger to tap on wood and find grubs.

Threatened by forest burning and subsistence hunting.

Soft, mournful "ava-hy" whistles (giving them their name).

Unlike other nocturnal lemurs, they don't use tree holes but hide in foliage.

Woolly fur for camouflage; they are very inactive during the day.

Most of the 26 species of Lepilemur are highly threatened.

Loud, harsh "ra-ra-ra" barks to defend territory.

XC1089366 - Milne-Edwards's Sportive Lemur - Lepilemur edwardsi.wav

They have a low metabolism to digest leaves, making them "slow".

Spend their nights leaping between trees and days sleeping in hollows.

Madagascar's most accessible park — ancient montane rainforest echoing with the haunting call of the Indri.

Threatened by habitat loss (spiny forest) and the illegal pet trade.

Purring, meowing, and high-pitched alarm barks.

XC1026135 - Ring-tailed Lemur - Lemur catta (1).mp3

Their ringed tail has exactly 13 black and 13 white rings.

Terrestrial and social; use scent glands on wrists for "stink fights".

A community-run site famous for its Ring-tailed Lemur (Maki) colonies, with over 300 individuals.

Restricted to the Northern tip of Madagascar; habitat is shrinking.

Soft, nasal grunts and loud "explosive" alarm calls.

Males have a dark V-shaped crown; females are much lighter.

Found in the "Tsingy" of the North; very agile on sharp rocks.

An isolated peninsula home to 10 very friendly lemur species, including nocturnal observations of the Aye-aye.

A high-altitude fragmented forest home to 9 lemur species, including the rare Diademed Sifaka.

The best site to hear the Indri’s song. This reserve protects 11 lemur species in a humid rainforest environment.

A vital biological corridor home to 11 lemur species, including the Indri and the Red-bellied Lemur.

Known as "The Dragon Forest," a sanctuary for 13 lemur species including the Indri and the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur.

A world-renowned rainforest sanctuary for 12 lemur species, including the critically endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur.

Extreme habitat loss in the dry forests of the Northwest.

Low grunts for contact and sharp whistles for danger.

They are the "Zoboomafoo" lemurs from the famous TV show.

Very vertical leapers; spend most time in trees in dry forests.

An educational park near the capital, ideal for observing 7 lemur species in total freedom.

The famous "Lemur Island" allowing unique proximity with 5 species, including the Ruffed Lemur and Bamboo Lemur.

Population fragmented by agriculture and charcoal production.

Explosive "shif-auk" sound used to warn the group.

They can leap 10 meters between spiny trees without getting hurt.

Arboreal but "dances" sideways on the ground with arms raised.

A Jurassic landscape of canyons and oases home to 7 lemur species, including the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur and Verreaux’s Sifaka.

Sensitive to the logging of old-growth trees with nesting holes.

Soft, melodic whistling and quiet chirps.

Their tail acts as a biological "battery" to store energy.

Only primate to enter true hibernation for 7 months.

A strictly protected area home to rare wildlife and 11 lemur species living within a stone labyrinth.

A coastal reserve home to 8 lemur species, including the rare White-collared Lemur, an emblem of the East region.

A unique site where 3 ecosystems meet, sheltering 12 lemur species such as the Red-collared Brown Lemur and the Ring-tailed Lemur.

The last vestige of natural forest on the Central Highlands, home to 3 lemur species including the Brown Lemur.

Famous for its gray Tsingy, the reserve is home to 11 lemur species, including the Crowned Lemur and Brown Lemur.

Critically rare due to severe forest clearing for pasture.

They are the only lemur species found outside Madagascar (Comoros).

Shift activity from diurnal (wet season) to nocturnal (dry season).

A paradise for birdwatchers and 8 lemur species, including the rare Golden-brown Mouse Lemur and Coquerel’s Sifaka.

Rugged terrain famous for the Silky Sifaka (Angel of the Forest). The park protects 11 lemur species within a dense jungle.

The last primary forest of Nosy Be. Easily observe the Black Lemur among its 3 protected lemur species.

A wild park home to 4 threatened lemur species in the heart of a remote mountain forest.

A unique transition forest home to 8 lemur species, including the Zombitse Sportive Lemur, endemic to this specific area.

Extremely endangered due to the loss of the Kirindy Forest.

Very faint, high-pitched squeals and chirps.

It weighs less than a single chocolate bar!

Smallest primate in the world; lives in the Kirindy Forest.

Dependent on specific sap-producing trees that are being logged.

Rapid "yip-yip-yip" sounds heard throughout the night.

They are extremely fast and vocal, making a "yip-yip" sound at night.

Specialists in tree sap; have a "comb" tooth to scrape bark.

A transition zone home to 8 lemur species, including Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, the smallest primate in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage site. Between the limestone needles, observe 11 lemur species such as Decken’s Sifaka.

Very dense rainforest home to 13 lemur species, including the Indri and the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur.

Lush high-altitude forest home to 7 lemur species, including the Crowned Lemur and Sanford’s Brown Lemur.

Only found in Masoala; hit hard by illegal logging (Rosewood).

Red Ruffed Lemur.mp3

They are major pollinators of the Traveller’s Palm (Ravinala).

High-canopy dwellers of Masoala; extremely vocal and loud.

A biodiversity sanctuary home to the rare Red Ruffed Lemur. It hosts 10 lemur species between the primary rainforest and the sea.

A member of our team will welcome you at Ivato international airport Hall. And then you will be transferred to your hotel located downtown Antananarivo (often abbreviated to Tana) where you can relax before the start of your next day adventures.

Overnight: San Cristobal Hotel ★★★

Arrival in Antananarivo – Airport Transfer

Morning domestic flight to Toliara. En route to Ifaty, birding stops target Ring Plover, Lesser Flamingo, Kittlitz's Plover, Black-winged Stilt, and the rare Madagascar Plover. Settle into your lodge on the beach.

Flight to Toliara – Drive to Ifaty with Roadside Birding

Set off early in the morning by 5 a.m. visiting Ifaty spiny forest. Ifaty is home of the long-tailed Running coua, Chaberts vanga, Red-shouldered vanga, Sickle-billed vanga, Sub-desert Mesite, Madagascar Nightjar, Green-capped coua, Red-capped coua, Lafreysnaye’s vanga, Common Newtonia, Archbolds Newtonia, Hook-billed vanga, Sub-desert brush-warbler, Madagascar Harrier hawk, Sakalava Weaver, Madagascar Fody, etc. In the afternoon, you can relax by the beach or explore the village to see and learn how fishermen do their daily business when taking offshore their catch, fresh and plenty.

Drive back to Toliara then board a fast motorboat to Anakao (approx. 1h30). Continue by road to Tsimanampetsotse National Park, a protected coastal limestone plateau and lake system of exceptional bird diversity.

Ifaty → Toliara → Fast Boat to Anakao – Drive to Tsimanampetsotse

Full day in the park targeting: Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Red-tailed Vanga, Madagascar Plover, Red-knobbed Coot, Verreaux's Coua, and the park's famous blind cave fish. A unique mix of coastal wetland, limestone forest, and underground cave ecosystems.

Tsimanampetsotse NP – Full-Day Exploration

Drive back to Anakao and board a boat to Nosy Ve island. Target seabird species: Red-tailed Tropicbird, Sanderling, White-fronted Plover, Great Crested Tern, and Lesser Crested Tern. The pristine coral reef also offers excellent snorkeling with colorful reef fish. Picnic lunch on the island.

Drive to Anakao – Boat to Nosy Ve Birding & Snorkeling

Morning boat back to Toliara. Transfer directly to the airport for the domestic flight back to Antananarivo. Check in to your hotel upon arrival.

Anakao → Toliara Boat – Domestic Flight to Antananarivo

Long drive north along RN4 with birding stops targeting Madagascar Kestrel, Madagascar Harrier, Squacco Heron, Black Egret, Green-backed Heron, and Black-crowned Night Heron. Arrive Ampijoroa Forest Station in the evening.

Tana → Ankarafantsika NP – Roadside Birding en Route

Full day in Madagascar's premier dry deciduous birding site (103 recorded species). Priority targets: Madagascar Fish-Eagle, Van Dam's Vanga, Schlegel's Asity, White-breasted Mesite, Coquerel's Coua, Madagascar Jacana, Rufous Vanga, Cuckoo-roller, and Malagasy Scops-Owl. One of the most species-rich single days of the tour.

After breakfast, drive south back to Tana with additional roadside birding stops en route. Arrive in the capital in the afternoon. Evening at leisure.

Ankarafantsika → Drive Back to Antananarivo

Final morning city tour covering Antananarivo's upper town, Rova, cathedral, Lake Anosy, and Zoma market. Shopping stop at Digue market. Transfer to airport for your international flight home.

Tana City Tour – Queen's Palace & Departure

Birdwatching, Dry forest exploration, Coastal wildlife spotting, Snorkeling & marine life, National park visits, Scenic drives, Cultural village visits

There is one roundtrip flight on this itinerary : 
   - Day 2 : Antananarivo - Toliara
   - Day 7 : Toliara - Antananarivo

1/ International flights 
2/ Domestic flights (Antananarivo ↔ Toliara) 
3/ Dinners & Lunches (except picnic lunch on Nosy Ve) 
4/ Gratuities for the local team 
5/ Travel insurance 
6/ Personal spending & drinks

1/ Accommodations in the Hotel + Breakfast 
2/ 4x4 Car with professional driver + Fuel during the tour 
3/ Licensed English driver guide during the tour 
4/ Local guides fees & specialist birding guides 
5/ Park tickets entry fees (Ifaty Spiny Forest, Tsimanapetsotse NP, Ankarafantsika NP) 
6/ 1.5L of water bottle per person per day 
7/ All transfers from/to Airport – Hotel 
8/ Fast boat transfers Toliara ↔ Anakao (return) 
9/ Boat excursion to Nosy Ve island 
10/ Picnic lunch on Nosy Ve island

Dry Deciduous Birding itinerary - Google My Maps

Tour Package - Dry Deciduous Birding Itinerary.pdf

A paradise for birdwatchers, this tour unlocks Madagascar's most exceptional avian landscapes. From the spiny forests of Ifaty, home to rare endemics like the Sub-desert Mesite and Sickle-billed Vanga, to the coastal shores of Nosy Ve with its Red-tailed Tropicbird, and the rich dry deciduous forest of Ankarafantsika harboring the legendary Madagascar Fish-Eagle and Van Dam's Vanga, every day brings new discoveries. A must for serious birders seeking Madagascar's most sought-after species.

Ask a quote

Ask a quote

Lemurs & Rainforests

Dry Deciduous Birding Itinerary

Overview

Itinerary

Itinerary Map & Route

Inclusions

Exclusions

Departures