Tour report - Naturetrek

Madagascar’s Lemurs 

Naturetrek Tour Report 3 - 17 October 2012 

Belted Chameleon by Andy Harding Hubbard's Sportive Lemur by Andy Harding 

Madagascar Giant Swallowtail by Peter Butler Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher by Andy Harding 

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England 

T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 

E: info@naturetrek.co.uk W: www.naturetrek.co.uk 

Report compiled by Andy Harding 

Images by Andy Harding and Peter Butler

Tour Report Madagascar’s Lemurs 

Tour Leaders: Andy Harding Naturetrek 

Participants: Dave Allen 

Rivo Rarivosoa Local Guide 

Jane Allen 

Andy Booth 

Mavis Butler 

Peter Butler 

Del Colbert 

Pat Colbert 

Sam Geddes 

Eileen Mathers 

Ian Mathers 

Andrew Mattle 

Ros Reynolds 

Day 0 Wednesday 3rd October 

Travel from UK to Paris 

Day 1 Thursday 4th October 

Rainy in Paris, warm in Tana 

The group had all travelled to Paris the previous evening, but from different parts of the British Isles and at 

different times. Ten, as well as the tour leader, stayed in the Hotel Ibis, at Charles de Gaulle airport, overnight 

and we were able to meet up early the next morning, and make our way to the departure terminal. Andy and Ros 

had stayed in a different hotel and we met them in the departure lounge. The long flight was in good weather, so 

uneventful but as usual visa and passport formalities at Tana were protracted and bureaucratic, but eventually we 

met up with Rivo, our local guide, transferred to the Ibis Hotel and got to bed after a long day... 

Day 2 Friday 5th October 

Fine and sunny max 23 O C 

A late breakfast was taken at 9.00 am. The trip ‘briefing’ was held on the splendid veranda of the Hotel Orchid 

where Madagascar Fody and Wagtail and Mascarine Martin were first noted. We then headed off about 25km to 

the west to the Lemur Park. The traffic en route was slow but almost infinitely variable, allowing us to see at 

close quarters the myriad small ‘shops’ and enterprises, usually with a solid throng of people on both sides of the 

road. Those areas not so dedicated used every square metre for either some kind of agriculture, split into small 

family owned plots or communal brick ‘factories’ using the mud which the rainy season bought down annually. 

Both of these enterprises occupied vast areas but seemed entirely non-mechanised. 

© Naturetrek December 12 1

Madagascar’s Lemurs Tour Report 

Those of a birding bent noted Dimorphic, Cattle, Great White and Black Egrets, the latter with its sun-shading, 

feeding technique, regularly dotted across the ‘paddies’ accompanied by Common Squacco Herons. At the 

Lemur Park itself we took a lengthy walk before lunch. The Lemurs here are nearly all ‘rescues’ which roam 

freely, successfully breeding, but in an area where there are ‘no truly wild’ Lemurs. Nonetheless the eight species 

found on our walk kept all the cameras clicking, and were both charming and entertaining: an excellent 

introduction to this fascinating group of mammals. Several species of exotic butterfly enhanced the tour of 

which only Madagascar Monarch was identified. A Collared Iguana was the reptilian highlight. There were more 

birds seen than we anticipated, but given that all were new to nearly all of the group, identifying the stars is 

difficult. Perhaps the males of two species of Sunbird and the Madagascar White-eye win on colour brilliance 

alone. Lunch was taken in cool and very pleasant surroundings with chicken and zebu being the alternative main 

courses – both were excellent. 

We had to drive through more of the suburban Tana traffic before escaping to the south-west on twisty roads, 

regularly punctuated by ramshackle (to northern European eyes) villages and poor parking! En route Pied Crow, 

Striated (aka Green) Heron and Madagascar Nightjar at dusk were added to the bird list. We checked into La 

Residence Camelia in Antsirabe at around 7.30 pm and we were supping pre-dinner drinks by 8.00 pm. The 

chicken/zebu choice re-appeared but in very different and delicious guises. Once given detail of the next day’s 

itinerary the group either went for a well-earned sleep or stayed for the evening call-over or log of species seen. 

Day 3 Saturday 6th October 

Fine, sunny 24 ○ C 

After a brief tour to see that Antsirabe was not an entirely one dimensional town, we set off on the long journey, 

which of course we broke at several points. Among these was Ambositra, which is famous for wood carving and 

in a fairly short stop most of the group bought some souvenirs. At another point a couple of Hamerkops joined 

the regular Egret/Heron species in the paddyfields, so we stopped to enjoy scope views. Since a break was 

timely we walked on for a while, but rapidly split into two groups, with those at the rear still watching herons. 

Those at the front had excellent views of Lesser Madagascar Cuckoo, while those at the rear saw six Red-billed 

Teal! 

Our next planned birding stop was near the village of Ambatofitorahana. The attraction here was some small 

areas of marsh, which had not been cultivated. Here Madagascar Swamp Warbler was well seen, Cuckoo Roller 

displayed over the nearby forest, Madagascar Hoopoe gave a couple of fly-pasts, as did a Purple Heron. Having 

provided excellent opportunity to see how different Madagascar Stonechat is from our British version, the main 

target of the visit, Madagascar Snipe, was seen and heard well. We had spent longer here than scheduled but well 

worthwhile. 

Our rather late lunch stop was at Ialatsara, a beautifully set rural restaurant in some of the little remaining forest 

in that area. Souimanga Sunbird, Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher and Cuckoo Shrike were perhaps the best 

species seen here before and after lunch. Much of our subsequent long journey was through very degraded 

landscape, so few birds were noted, of which Madagascar Buzzard and Yellow-billed Kite were new to us. 

2 © Naturetrek December 12


We arrived at the Hotel Cristo near the Ranomafana National Park around 7.00 pm and had dinner at 8.00 pm. 

The late evening entertainment was exceptional with two spectacular and beautiful Hawkmoths vying with a very 

large Praying Mantis and a Rhinoceros Beetle for most of the attention, while Day (!) Geckos looked on. 

Day 4 Sunday 7th October 

Fine Sunny 24 ○ C 

Early risers at the beautifully located Hotel Cristo were able to see Crested Drongo and Madagascar Magpie 

Robin in the gardens. We then went to the entrance to the Talatakely section of the Ranomafana National Park 

having picked up our two guides and some ‘spotters’. To make forest watching more practical we split into two 

groups. Both groups had wonderful views of 4 Golden Bamboo Lemurs and 2 Greater Bamboo Lemurs, 4 

Milne-Edwards Sifakas and a usually nocturnal Small-tooth Sportive Lemur, doing a little sunbathing! 

The terrain is demanding – often steep and quite rocky, and above all undulating, which makes seeing these 

wonderful creatures all that more rewarding – they are not an easy ‘gimme’. Birding is often frustrating so 

getting all of the group to see a bird well often fails, and some desirable species were only reliably identified on 

call by our expert guide Jean-Cree. That said Pitta-like Ground-Roller is unlikely to be bettered on the trip and 

decent views of Rand’s Warbler, Common Sunbird-Asity, Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo and Tylas Vanga were 

much appreciated. A good number of beautiful, if mainly unidentified butterflies cruised by. An absolutely tiny 

Short-nosed Chameleon was probably the most appreciated lizard, and numerous odd bugs were photographed 

– will they ever get on the list? 

We returned to the Hotel Cristo to pack for a move about 15km nearer to the National Park, but first enjoyed a 

lovely al fresco lunch. Our departure was delayed by a double Chameleon hit. Firstly a large and spectacular 

Belted Chameleon near the entrance, and then a second smaller cousin in the potted plants. However eventually 

we made our move and checked in to the Hotel Nature Domain from where we embarked on a late afternoon/ 

night-time walk in the Vohiporara area of the National Park. 

On the forest edge from the road birds were a little easier to get to grips with, so Forest Rock Thrush, Common 

Newtonia and Hook-billed Vanga were much enjoyed. A host of Chameleons of various species, ages and sizes 

were picked up mainly by torchlight – this group of reptiles were a huge hit with the group. We also had our first 

look at Giraffe-necked Weevils: they looked rather bigger in the Attenborough programmes. The biggest bonus 

of all was that when we eventually passed the now deserted stake-out for Rufous Mouse Lemur, one was still 

present and willing to be seen, if fairly briefly by torchlight. Then back for dinner. 

Day 5 Monday 8th October 

Fine and sunny 25 degrees C 

We awoke to spectacular views across the forest from our bungalows, gathered early for breakfast and picked up 

the same guides and spotters as yesterday – the target being different areas of the Talatakely area of the forest. 

Madagascar Starling and Madagascar Blue Vanga were additions to the bird list before we left the car park. 



We kept the same groups as yesterday and one group bumped into some Golden Bamboo Lemurs before we 

even approached the areas in which we hoped to see new species. In the event neither group was disappointed 

because in addition to the above a group of 8 Red-fronted Brown Lemurs and a very active pair of Red-belled 

Lemurs were just reward for the hard work of getting through the forest. Birding highlights for the groups 

included Hook-billed Vanga on the nest. Madagascar Lesser Cuckoos were regularly seen as opposed to just 

heard. A huge showy black Millipede and a Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko were the most photographed of the other 

fascinating finds in the forest. 

Lunch was taken back at the hotel after a half-hour excursion into ‘town’. The afternoon walk was back in the 

Vohiporara section of the reserve and here we chanced upon another very active group of Milne-Edwards 

Sifakas, who were both entertaining and delightful. We were by now used to not seeing everything which Jean- 

Cree hears, such as Madagascar Turtle Dove and Pollens Vanga but Rufous Vanga was excellent, as was 

Madagascar Flufftail just outside the forest. We decided against extending the afternoon and evening excursion 

into night and returned for dinner. 

Day 6 Tuesday 9th October 

Fine and sunny 28 degrees C 

What a fantastic send-off from Ranomafana – a Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher in a small sapling opposite the 

hotel entrance which stayed for 10 minutes. Today was essentially a transfer day of 350km, with only a few 

planned stops. First we needed to drive through Madagascar’s second largest city, Fianarantsoa. As well as 

refuelling, and Michel and Rivo organising the picnic lunch, there were souvenir buying opportunities. Further 

such opportunities arose when we visited the community paper-making project and its shop at Ambalovao. The 

whole process is done by hand and the decoration beautifully delicate, so they did a good trade. 

Back on the wildlife trail our next stop was at Anja, where there is a locally organised reserve, primarily for Ring- 

tailed Lemurs. There are several groups of these in the forest here and we were soon able to spend about an hour 

in close proximity to one of them. All ages were represented and several small babies were with their mothers – 

cuteness personified. It was here we also saw our first Giant Madagascan Swallowtail Butterflies, and, under a 

shady, straw-roofed canopy enjoyed our lunch. 

There was still a long journey ahead, but as we started to climb towards the savannah vegetated plateaux a 

Madagascar Partridge crossed the road. We stopped for 10 minutes - long enough for a successful flushing 

operation of a showy male. This success encouraged some fairly concentrated watching as we traversed the vast 

uniform landscape, but we failed to find the hoped-for Reunion Harrier. Some Black Swifts and a spectacular 

evening sky which provoked a camera stop were the best we could manage. 

It was dark when we reached the Jardin du Roy, and the drink and refreshing facecloth which welcomed us 

alerted us to a different level of comfort and accommodation. The hotel was set among huge outcrops of rock, 

which we could just make out in the gathering gloom, and were even more spectacular the next morning. 



Day 7 Wednesday 10th October 

Fine and sunny max 30 degrees C 

The earliest breakfast could be served was 6.40 am, but what a breakfast, superbly presented. Given the opening 

time of Isalo National Park, this actually only cost us half an hour… In the adjacent village we picked up our 

main guide, Charles, and two porters to carry our substantial picnic lunches and several extra litres of water. 

The track to the forest itself is 17km, and along the way we enjoyed point blank views of Madagascar Bee-eater 

and Madagascar Bush Lark. We then had about 45 minutes walk to get into the right sort of habitat in the 

Canyon de Rattes. We stopped just inside the forest while the guides went off in search of our main quarry, and 

we occupied ourselves birding – Madagascar Magnificent Flycatcher, Coucals and Hook-billed Vanga on the 

nest, Lemuring with some fairly distant Ring-tails, insecting with Flatid Leaf Bugs, Giant Madagascar Swallowtail 

and some amazing Shieldbugs (not like those in the UK). 

Eventually word came that the hoped-for Verreaux’s Sifakas had come down from their night-time roost high on 

the cliffs and had been found, and we set off. After a fair distance on a track we hacked off into the thicker stuff 

and – eventually - came upon the Sifakas, with young – a fabulous sight. After spending about half an hour with 

this troupe we headed off to Canyon Maki, also within the reserve – for our lunch stop. Narrow tracks and 

many stepping stones later we came across a mini-paradise with cool clear water falling into limpid pools. Our 

packed lunch was both substantial and very tasty. About half of the party could not help assuaging the heat by 

standing knee-deep in the water. 

With revived feet we headed back and having dropped off our guide and porters we returned to the superbly 

appointed Hotel Jardin du Roy. We could now fully appreciate its amazing surroundings and how it nested 

between gigantic rock formations. The swimming pool was irresistible to half a dozen of us but at 5.00 pm half 

ventured out to the local Lac du Lion, to see Madagascar Pond Heron, Madagascar Little Grebe, Purple Heron 

and 10 Red-billed Teal, as well as getting excellent views of some commoner species. Dinner was taken at 7.30 

pm in preparation for a very early start tomorrow; and later that evening our breakfast was bought to our rooms! 

Day 8 Thursday 11th October 

Fine, sunny max 29 degrees C 

After our coffee, all the bags were ready for loading before 5.00 am and we set off on the drive south. The 

recently hugely expanded sapphire mining town of Ilakaka was mercifully still quiet as we passed through and 

after 90 minutes we pulled into the reserve of Zombitse. Local advice suggested that one side of the road was 

best for Lemurs and the other for birds. So we divided again with a trip length of around an hour. Due in part 

to the discovery of a Hubbard’s Sportive Lemur at its roost, but completely visible at reasonable range but on the 

wrong side of the road, the visit eventually lasted 2.5 hours! A couple of Verreaux’s Sifakas performed well for 

the Lemur group, and they also saw an interesting subset of the birds; Two Owls, Torotoroka and White- 

browed, were very visible, if at roost, and kept a watchful eye on us. Madagascar Button Quail scuffed along the 

ground, Crested Couas were staggeringly bright and Appert’s Greenbul, a real speciality here, were well seen. 

Lastly a fine Coquerel’s Coua was tracked down by our guides. 



We then headed off for a long stretch until taking lunch just a few kilometres short of Toliara at a very smart 

restaurant, with a Sakalava Weaver colony and a pool which held a Greenshank. Adjacent to the restaurant is a 

first-class arboretum, but it was now so hot we decided to miss it out now, but planned to visit it when we came 

back to Toliara in a couple of days time. In the event, when we drove into Toliara to find adequate supplies of 

water, and having done so, drove along a sandy track to Ifaty and the Hotel de Paradisier. Of course we stopped 

at some roadside pools and saw Kittlitz’s Plover, Tumstone, Curlew Sandpiper and Black-winged Stilts. 

We then had some relaxing time, since it was still very hot when we finally reached the hotel. We reconvened for 

a short night walk before dinner which produced wonderful views of one of three Reddish-grey Mouse Lemurs 

and several Madagascar Nightjars. The start of dinner was enlivened by local musicians and dancers and we 

retired to bed – another early start tomorrow. 

Day 9 Friday 12th October 

Fine, hot 30 degrees C 

The first arrivals for coffee at 5.00 am in the reception area drank by torchlight! 5.20 am saw us en route for the 

Spiny Forest at Reniala, and after a trudge up a deep sandy track, we met up with our guides. It was decided that 

we all needed to see the two most iconic birds of the forest the Sub-desert Mesite and the Long-tailed Ground 

Roller. As it happened 5 Mesites sat huddled together in a row on a branch watching us watching them – 

brilliant! The Ground Roller was altogether more lively but absolutely beautiful. 

Subsequently we split into our now familiar two groups. This is an excellent forest for birds and it is rather more 

open than rainforest so eventually we had good views of White-headed, Lafresnaye’s and the extraordinary 

Sickle-billed Vangas. Even more striking was the Running Coua and the Green-capped Coua, which is surely 

faster than a Roadrunner. One or two other species gave us less than brilliant views, but we’ll be coming back 

here again. The largest Baobab Tree in the forest was encircled by seven of the group, just touching hands. This 

tree is well over 1000 years old. At our beachside resort, outrigger canoes are very much in evidence, and in the 

forest all the five (at least) trees whose wood is required to construct an ‘outrigger’ canoe, were identified and 

their purpose explained. 

It gets hot early so we returned to the hotel and several of the group had booked snorkelling later in the 

morning, but the wind had got up so, unfortunately, so viewing the reef and its inhabitants via the glass- 

bottomed boat was all that was permitted. 

The next organised activity was at 3.30 pm with departure back to the Spiny Forest. A stop at pools en route 

produced 3 Three-banded Plovers (with red eyes) as well as a few other waders. Little entirely new was seen on 

this visit, but better views of some species and more ecological information made it a splendid visit to a unique 

habitat. Just before departing a juvenile Harrier Hawk was disturbed from drinking just outside the reserve 

reception, frightening everything within a few hundred metres. 

More dance and music preceded our arrival for dinner after another nocturnal torch survey of part of the 

gardens. Dinner was again excellent at this hotel as we have come to expect. …and another early start 

tomorrow! 



Day 10 Saturday 13th October 

Fine, hot 28 degrees C 

A repeat of yesterday’s very early coffee and two alternative venues: the Spiny Forest at Reniala or the saltpans at 

Mangjly. Those who chose the latter were ultimately rewarded with good numbers of birds seen including 

several Madagascar White-fronted and Three-banded Plovers, Marsh Sandpipers and a Painted Snipe. A White- 

throated Rail was another bonus. 

The Spiny Forest walk was even more botanically informative than yesterday, but birds were not ignored. A 

flock of Grey-headed Lovebirds could be seen perched in the next tree to a Harrier-Hawk. Both White-headed 

and Sickle-billed Vangas were seen well and there was a fortunate encounter with a Running Coua. 

We then returned to the hotel for a late breakfast before packing, checking out and then relaxing before lunch. 

The sea, the activities of the outrigger canoes and the distant reef provided an ideal opportunity for just enjoying 

sitting and watching. We then drove back through Toliara to visit the Arboretum in somewhat lower 

temperatures. Rivo’s knowledge of the trees and plants of the island and the history of the arboretum, came to 

the fore. 

We were to take an evening flight back to Tana, but had been unable to confirm the flight by phone. So, since it 

was not far away we went to the airport to check the flight time – to discover it was running an hour late. So 

while the group went to the Hotel Victory to lounge about for a couple of hours Rivo organised a group check- 

in. We had our evening meal at the Hotel Victory and returned to the airport just 30 minutes before the flight – 

plenty of time since formalities and security are pleasingly non-existent. Then it was a short transfer back to the 

Hotel Orchid. 

Day 11 Sunday 14th October 

Fine and dry 25 degrees C 

An early start and the fact that it was a Sunday meant that Tana traffic was not quite so bad, and we were soon 

heading out through the familiar patchwork of paddyfields and brick fields en route for Andasibe. We stopped 

en route at the River Mangora where we had only a distant view of a single Madagascar Pratincole. Just before 

11.00 am we reached the private Perinet Reserve, part of the larger Analamazoatra Reserve. Almost immediately 

we saw Ward’s Flycatcher, but the main focus was again Lemurs; 3 roosting Eastern Woolly Lemurs were 

relatively inactive, and that spot was enhanced by a Red-fronted Coua, but then we came across a Common 

Brown Lemur which moved off speedily. However it joined up with another and sat placidly in an accessible 

glade, while we watched from the track. Even more desirable was a larger group of superb Diademed Sifakas, 

which contained adults that were content to groom and move quietly about, but there were some very lively 

juveniles playing roly-poly down the hill clinging to one another. For the last half an hour of our time with the 

Sifakas we had been partly distracted by the calls of the Indri, the largest of the Lemurs. This group of Indri 

proved highly mobile and for their considerable size, great leapers. We also had to be pretty mobile in quite 

difficult terrain, but eventually enjoyed fabulous views, before returning to the reserve entrance to take our 

packed lunch. 



As it grew hotter no-one opted to stay in the forest, so we drove to the Vakona Forest Lodge to check-in. A 

night walk in the Mitsinjo area of forest started at 6.30 pm and both Eastern Woolly Lemurs and Furry-eared 

Dwarf Lemur were picked out in the torches, as well as an array of Chameleons, Geckos, Spiders and Moths. 

Then back for dinner. 

Day 12 Monday 15th October 

24 degrees C Fine and sunny 

Another early start, but before setting off a Blue Coua gave much better views than a couple of rather shy birds 

noted previously. The morning’s destination was part of the Mantadia National Park, with Lemurs again the 

main target. Two Red-bellied Lemurs and a single Black and White Ruffed Lemur were the new species enjoyed. 

However most people think the Diademed Sifaka the most beautiful of all so seeing more again of these fantastic 

creatures as well as the largest of all, the Indri, who were calling again, albeit distantly made for an excellent 

morning. The cream of the birds were Broad-billed Roller and Short-legged Ground-Roller, which was roosting 

as you would expect, high up in a tree, but highly visible! 

After returning and taking lunch a small number of the group visited the nearby ‘Lemur Island’ – not wild 

animals but it’s difficult to get enough of Lemurs. The 4.00 pm walk was very focussed on two species of birds 

which Maurice eventually succeeded in tape-luring out – Madagascar Rail and Madagascar Flufftail. 

This sojourn almost overlapped with the night patrol which in addition to an interesting array of Chameleons, 

saw us admiring the evening work of large Orb Spiders constructing their webs to catch their food. They eat the 

webs just before dawn to retain valuable protein! A tiny Rufous Mouse Lemur was a good find, but the star of 

the show was a Lowland Streaked Tenrec seen very well on the path by all who had ventured out. We were only 

a little late for dinner, and looking forward to the morrow. 

Day 13 Tuesday 16th October 

Mist rapidly clearing, fine 22 degrees C, warmer at Tana 

Several of the group either before or after breakfast enjoyed the very attractive male Nelicourvi Weaver building 

its nest within the complex - over water, yet within a few metres of interested onlookers. A slightly later start still 

enabled us to be at the entrance to the Perinet Reserve by 7.30am. However we hoped to meet Maurice on the 

road, rather than at the reserve itself, because that would mean he had located the Long-eared Owls roost – and 

he did…an adult, much larger than our version of LEO, and a very white and cute baby were fully visible from 

the road...a great start! 

Our intention this morning was to stay as a single group, at least until we had all seen Indri again...and hopefully 

in full voice, but that is very unpredictable. There were few other visitors in the reserve when we set off and 

once a group of Indri had been located for a while we were able to have them all to ourselves. A;though other 

groups of Indri could be heard ‘singing’ in the distance, this group was stubbornly silent! 



Eventually those keenest on birds suggested they move off in the hope of seeing new species in this new area of 

the forest. That venture lasted less than five minutes since our Indri now decided to join in the chorus, so the 

splinter group rushed back a short distance to share in enjoying an astonishing and magical experience. 

Eventually the group did divide, with those keenest on birds going off with Maurice, leaving the main party in 

Monique’s care. Maurice was able to point out roosting Eastern Scops Owl and an amazing Collared Nightjar 

which was so confident in its camouflage it allowed an approach to a couple of feet. How he found the latter 

defies belief. Half a dozen of the beautiful Diademed Sifakas and a single Woolly Lemur entertained the main 

group, as well as a variety of insects and Chameleons. When the two groups converged again, two Tree Boas 

were rather incongruously on the ground, but one of them bedazzled us with its blue sheen. 

We then bade farewell to our rainforest guides, but drove only a short distance to our lunchtime restaurant, 

which also overlooked forest, which we were able to enjoy for a short time after the meal, before starting the 

journey back to Tana. This went even more smoothly than the journey south, so that we were at the craft market 

on the outskirts of the capital in plenty of time to peruse at our leisure, the 150 or so stalls and buy souvenirs of 

every kind imaginable. 

We then returned to the Hotel Orchid where everyone had a ‘day’ room for around 3 hours allowing for 

repacking and refreshing prior to the flight home. Before actually going to the airport we were able to have our 

farewell meal in a nearby brasserie, and then after appropriate farewells to Rivo and Vincent, we checked-in and 

did money-changing operations before moving through security to await our essentially overnight flight back to 

Paris. 

Day 14 Wednesday 17th October 

We arrived in Paris on Wednesday morning where once again we dispersed to different gates to take our onward 

flights to different parts of the UK 

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Tour Report Madagascar’s Lemurs 

Species List 

Lemurs ( = recorded but not counted; C = Captive) 

© Naturetrek December 12 1 

October 

Common name Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

Cheirogaleidae 

1 Reddish-grey Mouse Lemur Microcebus griseorufus 

2 Rufous Mouse Lemur Microcebus rufus 

3 Furry-eared Dwarf Lemur Cheirogalus crossleyi 

Lepilemuridae 

4 Small-tooth Sportive Lemur Lepilemur microdon 

5 Hubbard's Sportive Lemur Lepilemur hubbardorum 

Lemuridae 

6 Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur griseus C 

7 Golden Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur aureus 

8 Greater Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur simus 

9 Ring-tailed Lemur Lemur catta C 

10 Common Brown Lemur Eulemur fulvus C 

11 Red-fronted Brown Lemur Eulemur rufus 

12 Black Lemur Eulemur macaco C 

13 Red-bellied Lemur Eulemur rubriventer 

14 Mongoose Lemur Eulemur mongoz C 

15 Black and White Ruffed Lemur Varecia variegata variegata C 

Indridae 

16 Eastern Woolly Lemur Avahi laniger 

17 Verreaux's Sifaka Propithecus verreauxi 

18 Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli C 

19 Crowned Sifaka Propithecus coronatus C 

20 Diademed Sifaka Propithecus diadema 

21 Milne-Edwards' Sifaka Propithecus edwardsi 

22 Indri Indri indri


2 © Naturetrek December 12 

October 


Other Mammals 

1 Eastern Ring-tailed Mongoose Galidia elegans 

2 Lowland Streaked Tenrec Hemicentetes semispinosus 

3 Eastern Red Forest Rat Nesomys rufus 

Birds (h = heard only) 

1 Madagascar Little Grebe Tachybaptus pelzelnii 

2 Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae 

3 Common Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 

4 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 

5 Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus 

6 Great White Egret Egretta alba 

7 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 

8 Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca 

9 Dimorphic Heron Egretta dimorpha 

10 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 

11 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 

12 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 

13 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha 

14 Henst's Goshawk Accipiter henstii h 

15 Madagascar Harrier- Hawk Polyboroides radiatus 

16 Madagascar Buzzard Buteo brachypterus 

17 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptus 

18 Madagascar Kestrel Falco newtoni 

19 Madagascar Partridge Margaroperdix madagascariensis 

20 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix 

21 Madagascar Wood Rail Canirallus kioloides 

22 Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi 

23 Madagascar Button-quail Turnix nigricollis



October 


24 White-throated Rail Dryolimnas cuvieri 

25 Madagascar Rail Rallus madagascariensis 

26 Madagascar Flufftail Sarothrura insularis h 

27 Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis 

28 Madagascar Snipe Gallinago macrodactyla 

30 Madagascar Pratincole Glareola ocularis 

31 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

32 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 

33 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 

34 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 

35 Madagascar Plover Gallinago macrodactyla 

36 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 

37 White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus 

38 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 

39 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 

40 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 

41 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 

42 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 

43 Sanderling Calidris alba 

44 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 

45 Feral Pigeon Columba livia 

46 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 

47 Madagascar Blue Pigeon Alectroenas madagascariensis 

48 Madagascar Green Pigeon Treron australis 

49 Madagascar Turtle Dove Streptopelia picturata 

50 Grey-headed Lovebird Agapornis canus 

51 Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa 

52 Lesser Vasa Parrot Coracopsis nigra 

53 Madagascar Coucal Centropus toulou 

54 Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus rochii h h



October 


55 Green-capped Coua Coua olivaceiceps 

56 Coquerel's Coua Coua coquereli 

57 Running Coua Coua cursor 

58 Red-fronted Coua Coua reynaudii h h 

59 Blue Coua Coua caerulea 

60 Crested Coua Coua cristata 

61 Madagascar Long-eared Owl Asio madagascariensis 

62 Barn Owl Tyto alba dead 

63 White-browed Owl Ninox superciliaris 

64 Rainforest Scops Owl Otus rutilus 

65 Torotoroka Owl Otus madagascariensis 

66 Collared Nightjar Caprimulgus enarratus 

67 Madagascar Nightjar Caprimulgus madagascariensis 

68 Alpine Swift Apus melba 

69 Madagascar Black Swift Apus balstoni 

70 Little Swift Apus affinis 

71 Madagascar Spine-tailed Swift Zoonavena grandidieri 

72 African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 

73 Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola 

74 Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica 

75 Madagascar Kingfisher Alcedo vintsioides 

76 Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx madagascariensis 

77 Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus 

78 Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus 

79 Madagascar Cuckoo-Roller Leptosomus discolor 

80 Long-tailed Ground Roller Uratelornis chimaera 

81 Short-legged Ground-Roller Brachypteracias leptosomus 

82 Pitta-like Ground-Roller Atelornis pittoides 

83 Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea h 

84 Common Sunbird-Asity Neodrepanis coruscans



October 


85 Madagascar Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensis 

86 Appert's Greenbul Bernieria cinereiceps 

87 Long-billed Greenbul Bernieria madagascariensis 

88 Spectacled Greenbul Bernieria zosterops 

89 White-throated Oxylabes Oxylabes madagascariensis 

90 Madagascar Magpie Robin Copsychus albospecularis 

91 Madagascar Hoopoe Upupa marginata 

92 Forest Rock-Thrush Monticola sharpei 

93 Benson's Rock-Thrush Monticola sharpei bensoni 

94 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata 

95 Madagascar Wagtail Motacilla flaviventris 

96 Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata 

97 Ward's Flycatcher Pseudobias wardi 

98 Common Newtonia Newtonia brunneicauda 

99 Dark Newtonia Newtonia amphichroa 

100 Archbold's Newtonia Newtonia archboldi 

101 Madagascar Cisticola Cisticola cherina 

102 Madagascar Bush Lark Mirafra hova 

103 Madagascar Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus newtoni 

104 Madagascar Brush Warbler Nesillas typica 

105 Thamnornis Warbler Thamnornis chloropetoides 

106 Subdesert Brush Warbler Nesillas lantzii 

107 Common Jery Neomixis tenella 

108 Stripe-throated Jery Neomixis striatigula 

109 Green Jery Neomixis viridis 

110 Wedge-tailed Jery Neomixis flavoviridis 

111 Rand's Warbler Randia pseudozosterops 

112 Madagascar White-eye Zosterops maderaspatanus 

113 Madagascar Green Sunbird Nectarinia notata 

114 Souimanga Sunbird Nectarinia sovimanga



October 


115 White-headed Vanga Artamella viridis 

116 Chabert's Vanga Leptopterus chabert 

117 Madagascar Blue Vanga Cyanolanius madagascarinus 

118 Sickle-billed Vanga Falculea palliata 

119 Rufous Vanga Schetba rufa 

120 Red-tailed Vanga Calicalicus madagascariensis 

121 Lafresnaye's Vanga Xenopirostris xenopirostris 

122 Hook-billed Vanga Vanga curvirostris 

123 Pollen's Vanga Xenopirostris polleni 

124 Tylas Vanga Tylas eduardi 

125 Madagascar Cuckoo Shrike Coracina cinerea 

126 Madagascar Starling Saroglossa aurata 

127 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 

128 Crested Drongo Dicrurus forficatus 

129 Pied Crow Corvus albus 

130 Madagascar Fody Foudia madagascariensis 

131 Forest Fody Foudia eminentissima 

132 Sakalava Weaver Ploceus sakalava 

133 Nelicourvi Weaver Ploceus nelicourvi 

134 Madagascar Mannikin Lonchura nana 

Reptiles & Amphibians 

Painted Golden Tree Frog, Mantella madagascariensis Brook Frog, Mantydactylus grandidieri Blue-legged Chameleon, Chameleo crypticum 

O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon, Calumma oshaughnessyi Short-nosed Chameleon, Calumma gastrotaenia Nose-horned Chameleon, Calumma nasuta 

Oustalet's Chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti Jewel (Carpet) Chameleon, Furcifer lateralis Belted Chameleon, Furcifer balteatus 

Three-eyed Lizard, Chalerodon madagascariensis Collared Iguanid, Oplurus cuveri Four-lined lguanid, Oplurus quadrimaculatus 

Large-headed Gecko, Paroedura bastardii Painted Big-headed Gecko, Paroedura pictus Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko, Uroplatus phantasticus 

Lined Day Gecko, Phelsuma lineata bifasciata Peacock Day Gecko, Phelsuma quadriocellata Common House Gecko, Hemidactyus mercatorius 

Gravenhorst's Skink, Trachylepius gravenhorstii Ornate Girdled Lizard, Zonosaurus ornatus Four-lined Girdled Lizard, Zonosaurus quadrilineatus 

Madagascar Girdled Lizard, Zonosaurus madagascariensis Madagascar Tree Boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis Bell's Hinged Tortoise, Kinixys belliana 

Radiated Tortoise, Geochelone radiata


Butterflies 

Citrus Swallowtail, Papilio demodocus African Monarch, Danaus chrysippus Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui 

Yellow-shouldered White, Mylothris phileris Saribia sp Banded Commodore, Precis andremiaja 

Henotesia sp Clearwing sp, Acraea sp 

Gaint Madagascan Swallowtail aka Antenor Butterfly, Pharmacophagus antenor 

Moths 

Harlequin Hawkmoth, Batocnema coquereli Hawkmoth sp, Theretra sp Large Green Hawkmoth sp, 

Striped Hawkmoth sp, Hyles sp Comet Moth, Argema mittrei Silkmoth sp 

Other Invertebrates 

Dragonfly (Red), Trithemis selika Emperor Dragonfly, Anax imperator Painted Giant Locust, Pyrgomorhus sp 

Praying Mantis, Mantis sp. Cockroach (Black), - Hissing Cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa 

Cicada, Tibicinidae sp. Stick Insect, - Giraffe-necked Weevil, Trachelophorus giraffa 

Rhinocerous Beetle, Oryctes sp. Flatid Leaf-bug, Phromnia rosea Firefly, Lampyridae sp. 

Pill Millipede (Green), Sphaerotherium sp. Giant Black Millipede, - Golden Orb-web Spider, Nephila madagascariensis 

Orb-web Spider, Nephila sp. Thorn Spider (Orange), Gasteracanthinae sp Huntsman' Spider, Holconia sp.

Tour report - Naturetrek

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