Madagascar: The 8th Continent - Naturalist Journeys · 2017-03-21 · Madagascar: The 8th Continent...

Madagascar: The 8th Continent With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures

NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]

Nov. 30 – Dec. 14, 2017 866.900.1146 800.426.7781 520.558.1146

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IsolatedfromanycontinentallandmasssincetheCretaceousperiod,MadagascarhasdriftedthroughtheIndianOcean,followingitsownevolutionarycourse,havingonlyfivemajorterrestrialanimalcolonizationeventssincethetimeofthedinosaurs.Theresultisanislandwhereeverylandmammalisendemic,asarenearlyhalfthebirdspecies.Reptilesarewellrepresentedaswell,likechameleons,anddayandleaf-tailedgeckos.Theuniquenessofthisisland’sfaunamakesitoneoftheworld’sgreatdestinationsforthebirdwatcherandnaturalist,alike.Ourtourfeaturesbothbirdsandmammals.WefocusonMadagascar’smosticonicandcharismaticbirdspecies(wehopetoseeover95%oftheendemics),aswellastheIsland'sotheroddities,likeendearinglemursandstrikinglybizarrechameleons.WealsofocusontheIsland’sgeologyandgeographywithresultingvarioushabitats―fromthespinyforestsofIfatywithitstoweringbaobabsandother-worldlyDidiereaoctopustrees,totheverdantrainforestsofAndasibe-MantadiaNationalPark.Tour Highlights

• ExploreAndasibe-MantadiaNationalParkinsearchoftheworld’slargestlemur,theIndri,alongwithalonglistofavianjewels,fromRufous-headedGround-RollertoMadagascarBluePigeon

• VisitRanomafanatosearchfortherareYellow-belliedSunbird-AsityandquirkyBrownMesite,andupto12lemurspecies,includingMilne-Edwards’Sifaka

• TraveltoZombitseNationalParkandLaTablefortwoveryrange-restricted,recentlydiscoveredbirdspecies:Appert’sTetraka(Greenbul)andRufous-shoulderedVanga(thelatePhoebeSnetsinger’slastbird)

• Walkthroughthe“spinydesert”ofIfaty,withitsbizarrebaobabsandeuphorbias,insearchofLong-tailedGround-RollerandSubdesertMesite

• JourneytotheunspoiledisletofNosyVetoexperienceabreedingcolonyofRed-tailedTropicbird,protectedbygenerationsoflocals

Tour Summary 15-Day/14-NightMadagascarWildlifeTourwithCarlosSanchez$6590*fromAntananarivo



AirportisIvatoInternational(TNR)Journeyislimitedto11participantsandCarlosSanchezofNaturalistJourneys *Pricesubjecttocurrencyexchange.Basedon3/20/17rateofexchange.

Thurs., Nov. 30 Arrival in Antananarivo WelcometoMadagascar!OurjourneybeginsinAntananarivo,thecapitalcityofMadagascar.Lyingatalmost4,200feetabovesealevelinthemiddleofthecountry,thecitysitsatopa2-milelongrockyridgethatoverlooksextensiveterracedricepaddiesjustwestofthecity.“Tana,”asitiscolloquiallyknown,originallyservedasthecapitalfortheindigenouspeopleoftheislanduntilitsoccupationbytheFrenchinthefirsthalfofthe20thCentury.YearsofcolonizationandimmigrationfromotherpartsoftheworldhavecreatedacitywithaneclecticmixofindigenousMalagasy,SouthAsian,andFrenchelements.Whenyouarriveintheairport’sarrivalhallafterpickingupyourluggageandpassingthroughcustoms,lookforsomeonetomeetyouwithasignshowingyourname.Thisisadriverfromthehotelwhohandlesthetransfer.Onthetourstartday,yourguidemeetsyoutoansweranyquestionsandletyouknowthenextmorning’sbreakfastanddeparturetime.(D) Fri., Dec. 1 Tana to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Onthisfirstmorning,wemeetforabriefingoverbreakfast.Wethenheadabout150kilometerseastofTanatothefamousAndasibe-MantadiaNationalPark,ourbaseforthenextthreenights.Thispark,establishedin1989,protectsaspectacular155-squarekilometerrainforestthatishometo11speciesoflemurs,includingthechild-sizedIndri.If

Itinerary



wearelucky,wearegreetedbytheIndri’scallslongbeforeweseethem—theycanbeheardfromuptoamileaway!Thejourneytakesthreehours,withastopforamealalongtheway.AccommodationsinAndasibe-MantadiaNationalPark(B,L,D)

Sat., Dec. 2 & Sun., Dec. 3 Andasibe & Mantadia National Parks Todayweexplorethisincrediblewilderness,anincrediblylushregionthatrecordsover200daysofrainayearandhomeoftheiconicIndriLemur.AlsoknownasAnamalazaotraSpecialReserve,orbytheFrenchnamePerinet,AndasibewasformerlypartofatractofcontiguousforestwiththelargerMantadiaNationalPark.Deforestationhassincefragmentedtheseprotectedareas.TodaywevisitthetwonowdividedpreservesthatprotectoneofMadagascar’smostimportantprimaryrainforestareas.Weexplorethearea’svarioustrailswithlocalguides,walkingalongstreamsidesandinridgeforest,aswellasasmalllake.ThisrainforestisMadagascar’smostbiodiverseecosystem.Asaresult,thelistofbirdswecanseeislong;highlightsmayincludeMadagascarFlufftail,MadagascarBluePigeon,DarkNewtonia,NuthatchVanga,andMadagascarPygmy-Kingfisher.WemayalsobefortunateenoughtoencounterCollaredNightjarroostingalmostimperceptiblyontheforestfloor,aspeciessopoorlyknownthatitsvocalizationsarestillunknown.AnothernocturnalspeciesthatwemayseeisMadagascarLong-earedOwl,thelargestowlspeciesontheisland.MantadiaisalsothebestplaceintheworldforGround-Rollers.Withpatience,visitorsmayfindfoursecretiverainforestspeciesinasinglemorning:Pitta-like,Scaly,Rufous-headed,andShort-leggedGround-Roller.WemayalsofindLesserVasaParrotandthreespeciesofCoua:Red-breasted,Blue,andRed-fronted.Despitealonglistofincrediblebirds,oneofthetopexperienceshereistheIndri’smorningcallsastheyechothroughthemistyforests.Theseplaintivewailsfromtheworld’slargestlemurarereminiscentofwhalesounds!WelistenandhopefullyobservethematAndasibe,alongwiththeiconicDiademedSifakaandBlack-and-WhiteRuffed,GreaterDwarf,Brown,andGrayBambooLemurs.TheeasternrainforestisalsoanexcellentplacetosamplesomeofMadagascar’svariedandcolorfulchameleons,daygeckos,andleaf-tailedgeckos.WesearchforthesewhilebirdingduringthedayandwewillhaveanotheropportunitytospotsomeofMadagascar’sunusualreptilesandamphibiansona



nightwalk.AccommodationsinAndasibe-MantadiaNationalPark(B,L,D)Mon., Dec. 4 Andasibe to Antsirabe AftersomefinalmorningbirdingaroundAndasibe,weheadsouthwardsforapproximately300kilometerstoournextbirdingarea,RanomafanaNationalPark.WepasscolorfulricepaddiesonwindingroadsthroughthecountrysideuntilwearriveatthepicturesquecityofAntsirabe,thethirdlargestcityinMadagascar,knownforitscoolclimate,thermalbathcenter,andplentifulrickshawtaxis.AccommodationsatAntsirabe(B,L,D) Tues., Dec. 5 Antsirabe to Ranomafana Thismorning,weembarkfromAntsirabeonthesecondlegofourjourneytoRanomafana,travelingsouthforjustover220kilometers.Afteralongdrivethroughrollinggreenmountainsandpastsmallvillages,wearrivejustbeforedark,settlein,andpreparefortomorrow’searlystart.Weknowthatthesedaysoftravelarelong,andstrivetomakethemasinterestingaspossible!AccommodationsatRanomafana(B,L,D) Wed., Dec. 6 – Fri., Dec. 8 Ranomafana National Park Madagascar’sgovernmentestablishedRanomafanaNationalParkin1991toprotectoneofthelargestremainingrainforestpatchesineasternMadagascar.In2007,theparkbecameaUNESCOWorldHeritageSite.Thissuperbtractofforest,situatedataslightlyhigherelevationthanMantadiaNationalPark,boasts161-squaremilesofmid-altituderainforestandhigheraltitudemontaneforest.Smallstreamscascadethroughtheeternally



greenpark,drainingintotheNamoranaRiver.Thisriverdividestheparkandservesasasourceofelectricityforthearea.Thisparkisofspecialinteresttoprimatologists:anewspeciesoflemur,theGoldenBamboo,wasdiscoveredherein1986.Itisalsooneofthebestplacestofindoneoftheworld’srarestprimatespecies,theGreaterBambooLemur.Ahotspotforlemurdiversity,Ranomafanaboasts12species,includingthesuperbMilne-Edwards’Sifaka.Weexploretheexcellentnetworkofpathsthroughtheforestsanddensestandsofgiantbamboofortheseandothermammalspecies.Ifwearelucky,wemayseeMalagasyStripedCivetandRing-tailedMongoose.Wealsofindahostofnewbirdspeciesinthesefoothillandmontanerainforests―hometomostofMadagascar’savianendemics,including:Pitta-likeGroundRoller,White-throatedOxylabes,Crossley’sVanga,andPollen’sVanga.WealsosearchforthemoreretiringMadagascarWood-Rail,BrownMesite,andHenst’sGoshawk.Vohiparara,anearbycloudforestsite,isourfocusonemorning.ThisemeraldforestofmistandmossisthebestsiteintheworldtofindthebrilliantlycoloredYellow-belliedSunbird-Asity.OtherexcellentspecieshereincludeRufous-headedGround-Roller,BrownEmutail,andVelvetAsity.SmallpatchesofmarshmayholdGrayEmutailandMadagascarSnipe.AnearbyriverholdspossibleMadagascarPratincole.AccommodationsatRanomafana(B,L,D)



Sat., Dec. 9 Ranomafana / Anjaha & Isalo’s Palm Savanna Thismorning,wecontinuesouthtoAnjahaandIsalo.ThesacredforestofAnjahaprotectsapopulationofRing-tailedLemur.Thesesocial,iconic,andcharismaticlemursmayoffersplendidphotoopportunities.WecontinueourwaysouthtowardsIsaloonaspectacularlyscenicdrive.WesearchfortheelegantMadagascarHarrieralongthewayonabeautifulgrasslandplateau,wherewemightalsospotafewspeciesofendemicgroundorchid.TheIsaloMassifitselfisalandscapecoveredingoldengrasslandswithruggedsandstoneoutcropswithhintsofsilverandgreen.Setagainstthedeepbluesky,thismagnificentlandscapeisreminiscentofaJohnWayneWestern.FascinatingbirdshereincludeMadagascarPartridge,TorotorokaScops-Owl,andBenson'sRock-Thrush.AccommodationssurroundedbythespectacularmountainsoftheIsaloMassif(B,L,D) Sun., Dec. 10 & Mon., Dec. 11 Isalo to Zombitse to Ifaty Weheadoffonanearlystart,headingsouthwesttoexploreZombitseNationalPark,whichprotectstalldeciduousforestsandsavannas,andtheirwildlife.Cuckoo-Roller,morecloselyrelatedtofalconsthaneithercuckoosorrollers,regularlydisplaysoverthecanopyhere.Malesengageinflappingdisplaysandloopsaccompaniedbyshriekingwhistles.TheseforestsarealsohometoAppert’sTetraka(Greenbul),ahighlyendangeredspeciesrestrictedtojustahandfulofforestpatches.GiantCoua,Coquerel'sCoua,andRufousVangaareafewoftheotherspecieswemayencounterhereinthisspecialtransitionzonebetweenthesouth’sfloraandthewesterndeciduousforest.Afterlunch,wecontinuealongthecoasttothesouthernpartofthecountry,wherewespendfourdaysexploringthe“SpinyDesert,”mudflats,andcoastal“coral-rag”scrub.



OnthedrivetoIfaty,scanningthemudflatswelookforthedistinctiveCrab-PloverandvulnerableMadagascarPlover.ThebeachresorttownofIfatyisapopularplaceforbeach-goersandnaturalists,alike.Whitesandybeachesandturquoisewaterofferashockingjuxtapositiontothefamous“SpinyDesert,”alandscapeofinterwovenbaobabswithbulboustrunks,Ocotillo-likeDidierea,andeuphorbiassoweirdandwonderfulthatyoumightaswellbeonadifferentplanet.Thisareaisloadedwithextravagantsemi-desertendemics.Weexplorethisfascinatingecosystemthisafternoonandtomorrow.AccommodationsatIfaty(B,L,D)Tues., Dec. 12 Ifaty / Toliara / St. Augustin Bay The“SpinyDesert,”anecologicallydiversewonderland,isdominatedbyacompletelyforeignassociationofplantspecies.WecarefullywindourwayamongtheDidierea,avoidingthesharpspines,whiletryingtofindvariousspecialized,endemicspecies.ThestarsofthisecosystemareLong-tailedGround-RollerandSubdesertMesite,charismaticmembersoftwodifferentendemicbirdfamilies.Fourspeciesofvangas,includingthespectacularSickle-billedcanalsobefound.TheelusiveBandedKestrelisagoodbonus!Mid-day,whentemperaturessoar,wetakeawelcomebreak(andperhapsarefreshingdipintheocean!).Intheafternoon,wedrivehalfanhourdownthecoasttotheseasidetownofToliaraandsettle



inatourlodge.AridhillsidessurroundingtheBayofAugustinarehometoMadagascar’smostrecentlydescribedendemic,Red-shoulderedVanga,aswellasthescarceandrange-restrictedVerreaux’sCoua.MadagascarSandgrouseoftenfrequentareadrinkingholes.AccommodationsatToliara(B,L,D) Wed., Dec. 13 Toliara / Anakao and Nosy Ve Ifwehavetimethismorning,wesearchagainforMadagascarSandgrouse.Afterwards,weboardaboatacrosstheBayofAugustintoAnakaoandNosyVe.Pleasenotethatthisexcursioncannotbeguaranteed,asitissubjecttoweatherconditionsandAirMadagascarflighttimes.InthecoastalvegetationnearAnakao,ourtargetisLittoralRock-Thrush.WethenmaketheveryshortboattriptotheuninhabitedisletofNosyVewhereweenjoysplendidlycloseviewsofRed-tailedTropicbirdastheyhoveroverhead.Thisunspoiledisletwithlongwhitebeachesandaquamarinewaters,alsohostsroostsofrestingseabirds.WescanforLesserCrestedTern,White-frontedPlover,andCrab-Plover.Optionalsnorkelingcanbearrangedinadvance.Wereturnbymid-afternoon,dependingonwindconditions,thenheadtotheairportinToliaratoboardourflightbacktoAntananarivo.AccommodationsatTana(B,L,D) Thurs., Dec. 14 Departures from Tana Catchyourinternationalflightshometoday,orwecanhelpyoumakearrangementstostayonandexploreonyourown.Justask!



OurhotelsaregoodbyAfricanstandards!Thisisn'tabudgettripandwemakeanextraefforttostayincomfortablehand-pickedaccommodations,upmarketwherepossible,andascloseaspossibletothebestbirdingareas.Roomshaveprivatefacilitieswithhotshowers,althoughthesupplyofhotwaterinMadagascarcanbeintermittent!MealsareWestern-style,withahintofFrenchandMalagasyinfluence.Zebu,thelocalbeef,featurespredominantlyonthemenu.Seafoodispopularatthecoast.Pleaseadviseifyouarevegetarianandwhatfoodsyouenjoy,sothatwecanaccommodateyou.Waterisnotsafetodrinksowesupplyfreebottledwaterinthevehicle,whichyoucantaketoyourroomintheeveningfordrinkingandbrushingteeth. Important Note TheexactsequenceofeventsandlocationsonouritinerarymayvarywithAirMadagascar’sflightschedules.Themainareaswevisitremainthesame. Pace of the Tour, Transport & Timing Thetouristimedtocoincidewiththebreedingseason.Thedaysarecooltowarminthehighlandsandhotinthedryforest.Tofindbirdsandlemursandcopewithheat,weneedtohaveearlystartsandalotoftimeinthefield.Transportforshortdistancesisbyminibusorfour-wheel-drivevehicles,andforlongerdrivesbyalargercoasterbus,whichregularlyallowsforapproximatelyoneandahalfseatsperperson.Thistourrequiresamoderatetogooddegreeoffitness.Mostwalksstartatthecoolesttimesofthedayataslowtofairpace.Mostwalksaregenerallyrelativelyflat,withsmallupsanddownsonmanytrails.Therearetwoexceptions:atRanomafanaandAndasibewherethetrailscanbesteepandthepacefaster.Thesewalkscaneitherbeskippedortakenslowlywithaprivatetrailguide.

Plan Ahead! ProtectyourselfwithAllianzTravelInsurance.Offsetyourcarbonfootprintononeofthemanyonlineprograms.Showusthereceiptandwe'lltake50%―upto$50.00―ofyourcarbonoffsetfeeoffyourfinalpayment! Cost of the Journey Costofthejourneyis$6590*DBLperperson/$7390*SGL,fromAntananarivoandincludesaccommodationsfor14nights,allmealsasindicatedintheitinerary,CarlosSanchezfromNaturalistJourneys(withatleast8participants)andaBirdingAfricatour-leader.Itincludeslocalguides,bottled

Accommodations & Meals

Cost of the Journey



waterinthebus,entryfeesatparksandreservesandactivitiesasindicatedontheitinerary.Abirdchecklistisprovidedonarrival.*Pricesubjecttocurrencyexchange.Basedon3/20/17rateofexchange. Travel Information Tomakesureyourflightsyncswellwiththetourstartandendtimes,pleasediscussyourflightdetailswithus,beforeyouconfirmyourflightbooking.Onceweknowyourflightdetails,wewillbookyourairporttransferandanyextraaccommodationyoumayneedbeforeorafterthetour.Thesearenotincludedinthetourcostandyoucanpaythemdirectlyatthehotel’sreception. Arrival Flights Pleaseplantoarriveonthefirstdayofthetouratanytime(November30,2017).Thetourstartswithabriefingatthehotelneartheairportat19h00.Ifyouarrivesomewhatlater,thetour-leaderwillleaveanoteforyouatreceptionstatingbreakfasttime. Departure Flights Ifyouflyhomeonthelastdayofthetour(December13,2017),pleasenotethatonthislastday,wemayneedtotakealocalflighttoreturntoTana.TheexacttimeoftheflightistobedeterminedbyAirMadagascarandmaychangeatamoment’snotice.ToallowforthepossibilitythattheflightmayarrivelateinTana,pleaseplantoflyoutafter23h00onDecember13ORplantojustrelaxthefinalnightandbookyourflightoutonDecember14. Forthosewhohavesometimebeforethetourstartsorafterthetourends,wecanbookoptionalday-rooms,overnightrooms,andairporttransfersuponrequest.YoucanrelaxatthehotelorexploreTana’sLacAlarobia,whichmayofferMadagascarPondHeron,CombDuck,HottentotTeal,LittleGrebe,MadagascarKingfisher,dragonflies,butterflies,andtheskulkingdaygeckos. Photo Credits Cocquerel’sSifaka,PegAbbott(PA);JewelChameleon,PA;CrestedCoua,PA;GreenSunbird,PA;Ring-tailedLemur,BobAshley;Oustalet’sChameleon,PA;AuBoisVertHotelinTanax2,PA;Indri,PA;MadagascarPygmy-Kingfisher,BobRodriguez(BR);Black-and-whiteRuffedLemur,PA;RickshawRide,MikeAnderson;RiceFieldsenRoutetoAntsirabe,PA;CommonSunbird-Asity,PA;GoldenBambooLemur,PA;BrownMesite,PA;RoadtoIsalo,PA;Ring-tailedLemur,PA;HikinginIsalo,PA;CrestedDrongo,PA;CrabPloverandTerns,PA;Sickle-billedVangaBR;Baobabs,PA;NosyVeBeach,PA;Red-tailedTropicbird,PA;SeaUrchin,PA;MadagascarPlover,PA;FamilyinLaTable,PA.

Madagascar: The 8th Continent - Naturalist Journeys · 2017-03-21 · Madagascar: The 8th Continent...

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Transcript of Madagascar: The 8th Continent - Naturalist Journeys · 2017-03-21 · Madagascar: The 8th Continent...