Madagascar

Madagascar split from the African mainland millions of years ago, and most of its plants and animals live nowhere else on earth. Lemurs are the stars, from the indri, whose call carries through the rainforest at Andasibe, to the ring-tailed lemurs of the south.

On the west coast near Morondava, the Avenue of the Baobabs is a dirt road lined with giant baobab trees, best seen at sunset. Night walks in the forest reveal chameleons, geckos and tiny mouse lemurs.

Distances are long and roads are slow, so a good trip focuses on a few regions, often with a few days on the beach to finish.