Bird Watching

Take a boat trip to a nearby island in our archipelago to see four species of Terns, predominantly Sooty Terns, at one of the largest nesting sites in the Indian Ocean. From mid-May to September, over 40 000 breeding pairs arrive on Manamphao. Combined with a castaway beach picnic on its uninhabited shores, this is an experience that can’t be beat.

The rest of the year is also a birder’s delight. The long-billed green sunbird always greets the morning with its sharp, distant call, while Madagascan bulbuls chatter noisily throughout the day. The Madagascar Coucal’s deep call echoes in the early hours. Guests may spot paradise fly-catchers, bee-eaters, hoopoes, and the elusive button quail, known for its tiny size and charming ground-scratching habits. At night, Madagascan nightjars perch near villa lights, feasting on insects. Along the shore, humblot herons, whimbrels, terns, Eurasian avocet and plovers complete the island’s rich tapestry of birdlife.