Madagascar

Split apart from the super-continent of Gondwanaland around 160 million years ago, the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar lies 425-kilometres off the east coast of Southern Africa. Go on a safari holiday to Madagascar and experience one of the world’s greatest kaleidoscopes of nature; between 80 and 90 per cent of the flora and fauna is endemic, and the 80 or so species of lemur are astonishing. Madagascar is packed full of wonders, also tempting with white-sand beaches making for the perfect luxury beach holiday, rich rainforests, and world-class dive sites.

Defined by its epic wildlife offerings, the world s fourth-largest island evokes paradise for those with a specialist interest in nature holidays, who also relish tropical white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, and national parks teeming with lemurs. Madagascar is home to thousands of plant and animal species, including chameleons, geckos, birds, tenrecs, fossa, baobabs, octopus trees, the bright-red Tomato frog, and the endemic aye-aye, the world s largest nocturnal primate.

For nature-lovers, Ranomafana National Reserve is one of Madagascar's best-known parks, most famous for its 1986 discovery of the golden bamboo lemur that remains its star attraction. Equally fabulous is marvelling at gorges and canyons at Isalo National Park. walking the iconic Avenue of Baobabs , gazing at Amber Mountain, and enjoying otherworldly wildlife and fascinating culture at Mandrare River Camp on the banks of the Mandrare River.

Further fun awaits on the tiny offshore islands, where divers and snokellers are spoilt for choice with shipwrecks, underwater cathedrals , and plenty of marine-life action. If you prefer to stay dry, laze on pristine near-deserted sands at Nosy Be. Ile Sainte Marie and Ifaty. and take a whale-watching boat trip to see humpbacks.

There is much history to discover, too. Built on 12 hills, French-flavoured capital city Antananarivo. known as Tana , is a cultural melting pot complete with cobbled streets, churches, rice paddies, open-air markets, and the Queen s Palace. Also noteworthy is the world s only pirate cemetery at Ile Sainte Marie off Madagascar s east coast, the colonial-era train station at Antsirabe, and the UNESCO-listed Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve - a unique mineral 'forest' with a labyrinth of limestone needles .

Read here about the trip our Africa specialist, Jennifer took to Madagascar.

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For me, Madagascar's biggest appeal has to be the weird and wonderful wildlife - including lemurs, birds, insects, or reptiles. As well as this, you have hugely contrasting landscapes and the friendliest people you can hope to meet

What I love about Madagascar is that you've got idyllic beaches to kick back and relax on, as well as the usual water sports, but you've also got really interesting land activities nearby such as spiny forests, wildlife reserves, or local villages.