Madagascar Wildlife and Discovery with Daniel Austin 2021

We then explore the south-western quarter, beginning with a Spiny bush excursion at Ifaty, home to a select band of endemic birds, notably Subdesert mesite and Long-tailed ground-roller. The botanical aspect here is fascinating, with thorny Didiera trees clawing their way towards the sky like giant octopi, and bloated baobabs standing like sentinels presiding over an otherworldly landscape. We travel inland to Isalo National Park, one of the country's most visited protected areas thanks to its sandstone canyons and also, some wildlife. Near Isalo, a trip highlight is the transition forest of Zombitse-Vohibasia, a small forest where wildlife viewing is rewarding all year long. 

The last section of the itinerary focuses on the humid eastern region, where first we spend three nights at Andasibe-Mantadia, the country's premier rainforest wildlife hotspot. Aside from its iconic Indri and various other lemur species, we will seek flagship species such as Parson's chameleon; Coral-billed nuthatch vanga and Giraffe-necked weevil. After having enjoyed the wildlife here, we travel down to the Pangalanes Canal for two nights at Le Palmarium, a prominent attraction of which its its habituated population of the Aye aye, a large and bizarre-looking nocturnal lemur which epitomises all that is weird and wonderful about Malagasy wildlife. 

Daniel will be accompanied by ace Malagasy wildlife expert guide, Harry (Hery) Rakotosalama. 

Group size: minimum 6 - maximum 8 participants.