Madagascar

Madagascar is an island republic in the Indian Ocean, some 400 kilometers (250 miles) off the coast of East Africa across the Mozambique Channel. Its official name is the Republic of Madagascar, and it was previously known as the Malagasy Republic.

It is the world's fourth-biggest island. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a more wild, biologically rich location. Madagascar is an island, although it is not tiny. It has wild scenery, village culture, and beaches. The island is an explosion of nature at every turn, from boundless forests loaded with unique vegetation, rare birds, and endangered creatures to the white-sand beaches of the Malagasy islands and limestone karst formations of Ankarana.

Madagascar developed in isolation after being cut off from the African continent 165 million years ago, resulting in numerous unique and endemic species. The hands-down superstars of this wild performance are the endangered lemur, of which 90 per cent of the surviving global population is found only here.

If you want a challenge, boats are available from Madagascar’s Toamasina on the east coast to Mauritius via Réunion.