Visit Madagascar
Walk beneath baobabs that look as though they have been planted upside down, then head into rainforest where lemurs move through the canopy and the soundtrack changes completely. Madagascar is one of those countries where the natural world is the main event: the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha, eastern rainforests, dry western forests, tropical islands and highland landscapes all sit within one country. UNESCO describes its protected forests as containing exceptionally high levels of threatened and endemic biodiversity. Its isolation has produced ecosystems found nowhere else, but the country is not simply a wildlife destination. Malagasy culture reflects African and Austronesian influences, and regional differences are pronounced in language, food, music and local traditions. A good trip mixes national parks and wildlife with time in towns and communities rather than treating the island as one long nature reserve. The Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava is one of the best-known landscapes, while the UNESCO-listed western dry forests include the extraordinary limestone formations of Tsingy de Bemaraha. Give yourself at least ten days, and preferably two weeks or more, because distances are large and overland travel can be slow. The drier months are generally the easier period for travelling around much of the country; cyclone season normally runs from November to April and can disrupt access, particularly in coastal and remote areas. Current UK travel advice should be checked before planning routes, alongside entry and health requirements. Add Madagascar to your list and see what happens when evolution, geography and culture are allowed to develop on an island for millions of years.