Madagascar: Ampijoroa-Betsiboka Pre-trip

Banded Kestrel © Dion Hobcroft

This short pre-trip visits the remote west coast of northern Madagascar, where we will spend time exploring the Ampijoroa National Park.

This lovely park protects varied habitats, from rainforest pockets to dry woodland with extensive wetlands nearby. We will have the chance to see several highly endangered and localized birds, including the remarkable Schlegel’s Asity, White-breasted Mesite, Van Dam’s Vanga, and the ultra-rare Madagascar Fish-Eagle and Madagascar Jacana.

The park supports many other bird species and is especially good for a variety of vangas and couas, and we can hope for rarities like Madagascar Harrier, Banded Kestrel, Sooty Falcon, and Madagascar Ibis. We will spend time exploring the Betsiboka Delta by boat, where our main focus will be the endangered Bernier’s Teal and Madagascar Sacred Ibis that survive only here.
Lemur-watching will be excellent, with a variety of species possible, including the beautiful Coquerel’s Sifaka.

Accommodations comfortable but not luxurious; boat trips on rivers and dams for fish-eagle and teal; good walking trails, some gentle uphill walking in areas for mesite and vanga; warm to hot with breaks in the middle of the day.

Sooty Falcon © Dion Hobcroft