Madagascar?

This huge island nation is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore its parks and reserves to see many species that can be found nowhere else on Earth.

1 FOSSA

Kirindy Forest Fossas are Madagascar’s apex predator, a large mongoose-like carnivore that can grow to nearly 1.5m long (if you include the tail). Elusive and hard to spot, but Kirindy is said to offer better odds than other locations.

2 AYE-AYE

Nosy Mangabe The extraordinary ayeaye was introduced to Nosy Mangabe, which it was hoped would develop an ‘ark’ population. If you want to see any aye-ayes, you’ll have to stay the night.

3 GIRAFFE-NECKED WEEVIL

Ranomafana NP These famously bizarre bugs are only found in rainforest on the east side of Madagascar. In the mating season, look out for males fighting for a female using their necks.

4 INDRI

Andasibe-Mantadia NP The indri is the largest-living lemur and, with its black and white, luxuriously thick coat, unmistakable for any of its relatives. Also renowned for their extraordinary calls, there are some habituated groups within the park.

5 VERREAUX’S SIFAKA

Berenty Reserve This lemur is renowned for its elegance, whether it’s leaping through the trees or bounding along the ground with its arms in the air. There are habituated groups at Berenty.

6 RING-TAILED LEMUR

Isalo NP If there is such a thing as the archetypal lemur, the ring-tailed lemur is it, even though it can only be found in the south. It feeds on the ground in groups of up to 30 individuals.