A gorgeous island boasts almost 90 percent flora and fauna which can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.

Whilst numerous nations possess a handful of uncommon animal species, this particular destination truly sets itself apart. This vast island, situated just off Africa’s eastern coastline, has remained isolated from the remainder of the globe for tens of millions of years.

Researchers believe that approximately 90 percent of its plant and animal life exists nowhere else on the planet. In fact, the island’s remarkable distinctiveness has prompted some ecologists to dub it the “eighth continent”.

This exotic destination is inhabited by nearly 100 lemur species, some of the planet’s most spectacular chameleons, over a hundred bird species that are exclusive to this location, and seven distinct varieties of baobab tree. These marvels are nestled amongst rainforests, thorny deserts, and lengthy, deserted coastlines.

Whilst it might seem almost too good to be true, the island is, in fact, entirely real.

Travel specialists at Sundowner Holidays, who organise bespoke journeys across this island, characterise it as a paradise for nature lovers. So, what sets this island apart from every other place on Earth — and what exactly lives here that you won’t see anywhere else in the world?

An island that evolved in isolation 

Madagascar was formerly part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana before breaking away and ultimately splitting from the Indian subcontinent approximately 88 million years ago. Before this occurred it had slowly drifted apart from Africa nearly 160-180 million years ago, during the Early Jurassic period.

Ever since, its flora and fauna have largely developed in complete isolation, with minimal new arrivals and virtually no departures. This prolonged separation explains why numerous species here are endemic, existing exclusively within Madagascar’s boundaries. Scientists estimate that roughly 90 percent of all plant and animal species discovered in Madagascar are unique to the island. Its flora alone encompasses more than 12,000 species, with approximately 83percent of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth.

In fact, entire families of plants, birds, primates, and freshwater fish exist only here in this magical paradise. The island’s topography helps account for this distinctiveness. A central highland range divides the moist eastern rainforests from the more arid western and southern areas.

In the west, enormous limestone “tsingy” formations and dusty plains form one habitat type, whilst in the east, cloud forests and waterways create another. Species have evolved to suit very particular sections of this mosaic, but sadly, many now face dangers from deforestation and climate change.

Nevertheless, for most tourists, the emphasis is simply on how different everything appears, sounds, and acts compared with mainland Africa.

Lemurs, chameleons, and the fossa 

Lemurs are, undoubtedly, Madagascar’s most famous animals and the mega-blockbuster animated film series is a testament to that (hello King Julien).

These primates are exclusive to Madagascar, boasting over 100 recognised species and subspecies. They vary in size from the petite palm-sized mouse lemurs to the indri, which can reach nearly a metre in height.

All lemurs evolved from ancient primates that somehow made it to the island — likely by rafting across the sea on vegetation mats. Over millions of years, they diversified without competition from monkeys or apes. Now, their calls characterise many regions of Madagascar. The indri’s lengthy, ascending song can be heard for kilometres at dawn, while the sifakas bark and grunt as they leap between tree trunks.

But that’s not all. Madagascar’s reptiles are equally remarkable. Approximately two-thirds of the world’s chameleon species reside in Madagascar, ranging from the enormous Parson’s chameleon to tiny leaf chameleons small enough to perch on a fingernail.

Then there’s the famed fossa — a sleek, cat-like carnivore more closely related to mongooses. It reigns as Madagascar’s top land predator and is found exclusively within the island’s confines.

Other creatures exclusive to Madagascar include tenrecs (prickly insect-eating mammals resembling hedgehogs), vibrant day geckos, and a remarkable array of frogs, nearly all endemic to the island.

Groves of baobabs and other distinctive flora

Madagascar’s vegetation proves equally fascinating as its wildlife. Among the nine recognised baobab species globally, six exist solely on this island.

Several have thrived for more than a millennium, their bulbous trunks and sparse canopies lending the island an almost ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. Botanist Nisa Karimi explains it succinctly: “One species occurs all across continental Africa, and then you get to Madagascar, and you have six.”

Elsewhere, woodlands of thorny vegetation, aloes, and euphorbias characterise the southern regions, whilst the eastern areas are celebrated for palms, orchids, and the traveller’s tree, whose distinctive fan-shaped foliage creates one of the island’s most iconic profiles. Vanilla creepers and indigenous coffee shrubs flourish in certain locations; elsewhere, pandanus trees and ravinala palms border quaint settlements and paddy fields.

Travel specialists at Sundowner Holidays recommend that the best way to witness Madagascar’s incredible diversity of flora and fauna involves exploring multiple different areas during a single visit, rather than remaining at just one resort.

Getting there

There are no direct flights to Madagascar from the UK, so those travelling would have to book flights with at least one stopover. Some popular flight routes to Madagascar are operated by Kenya Airways, Air France, Emirates (with at least two stops), and Ethiopian Airways. The country’s most popular and well-connected airports are Ivato International Airport (TNR) in Antananarivo and Fascene Airport (NOS) on Nosy Be.