A huge island geologically cut off from the rest of the world for millions of years is often referred to as the "eighth continent".
Many countries have a few rare animal species, but Madagascar stands apart. Scientists estimate that about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth.
The African island is home to nearly 100 species of lemur, some of the world's most impressive chameleons, over a hundred bird species that exist only there, and seven different kinds of baobab tree. These wonders are set among rainforests, spiny deserts, and long, empty beaches. Such is the rich variety of the island's flora and fauna, some ecologists argue it should be considered a continent, not just a country, in its own right.
The shape and length of Madagascar mean it has one of the longest coastlines in the world. Its 3,000 miles of coast is the longest in Africa, and means that it has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to beaches. Of the many options to choose from, Île Sainte-Marie is highly rated for its whale watching, while Andilana Beach on Nosy Be is widely considered stunning. The remote and beautiful beaches near Morondava, as well as the beach and spiny forest scenery of Ifaty, are particularly dramatic.
The size and geographical variety of Madagascar mean the weather changes drastically depending on where you are. The hottest months tend to be December and January, when average temperatures sit around the high 20s on the coast - perfect for leaping into those crystal-clear waters.
Madagascar was once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. It then broke away and finally separated from India around 88 million years ago. Since then, its plants and animals have mostly evolved in isolation, with very few new arrivals and almost no departures. This long separation is why so many species here are endemic, found only within Madagascar's borders.
The island's geography helps explain this uniqueness. A central range of highlands splits the humid eastern rainforests from the drier western and southern regions. In the west, great limestone "tsingy" formations and dusty plains create one type of habitat, while in the east, cloud forests and rivers create another. Species have adapted to very specific parts of this patchwork. Many now face threats from deforestation and climate change, but for most visitors, the focus is simply on how different everything looks, sounds, and behaves compared with mainland Africa.
Travel experts at Sundowner Holidays, who arrange personalised trips across the island, describe Madagascar as a paradise for nature lovers.
Lemurs - Madagascar's most famous animals - are found naturally only on this island, with more than 100 recognised species and subspecies. They range from tiny palm-sized mouse lemurs to the indri, which can grow nearly a metre tall. Different lemurs live in different habitats: ring-tailed lemurs roam the dry south, indris live in the eastern rainforests, "dancing" sifakas leap through gallery forests and rocky canyons, and the nocturnal aye-aye dwells in coastal and inland woods.
All lemurs evolved from ancient primates that somehow reached the island -- probably by rafting across the sea on mats of vegetation. Over millions of years, they diversified without competition from monkeys or apes. Their calls now define many parts of Madagascar. The indri's long, rising song can be heard for kilometres at dawn, while sifakas bark and grunt as they leap between tree trunks.
The reptiles are just as special. About two-thirds of the world's chameleon species live in Madagascar, from the huge Parson's chameleon to tiny leaf chameleons small enough to stand on a fingernail. They have the classic swivelling eyes, gripping feet, and colour-changing skin and can be found in many national parks, from rainforests to dry woodlands. Guides often point out several species on a single night walk.
Then there's the fossa -- a sleek, cat-like carnivore more closely related to mongooses. It is Madagascar's top land predator and is found only on this island. Other unique animals include tenrecs (spiny insect-eaters that look a bit like hedgehogs), bright day geckos, and an extraordinary variety of frogs, almost all exclusive to Madagascar.
Madagascar's plants are just as unusual as its animals. Of the nine known baobab tree species in the world, six are found only here. Some have lived for well over a thousand years. Their swollen trunks and thin crowns give parts of the west coast an almost other-worldly feel, especially along the famous Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava, where giant trees line a dirt road used by local farmers and zebu carts. Botanist Nisa Karimi puts it simply: "One species occurs all across continental Africa, and then you get to Madagascar, and you have six."
Sundowner Holidays advises that the best way to experience this amazing variety of plants and animals is to visit several different regions in one trip, rather than staying in just one resort. For many travellers, the lasting memory is not just a single animal or tree but the feeling that almost everything they see -- from a lemur in the canopy to a tiny chameleon on a branch or a row of baobabs at sunset, belongs to a world that exists only on this one island.
Traveling with a package provider or tour company is how most travelers to Madagascar choose to visit, as getting there is not easy. There are no direct flights from the UK, so you will need to book one with at least one stop.
Flights typically connect through cities like Paris (CDG) and Johannesburg, with popular airlines for the route including Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Air, and Air France. Most people fly into Ivato International Airport (TNR) in Antananarivo, the main airport.