Parc National de Montagne d'Ambre, Madagascar

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This is northern Madagascar's most visited attraction, and it covers 18,200 hectares (44,954 acres) of a prominent volcanic massif. It was created in 1958 to preserve the area's biological treasures as well as the massif itself. Montagne d'Ambre's flora and fauna are virtually the same as that in the eastern rainforests, with a few endemic species not found farther south. The forest is lush, with over 3.5m (11.5ft) of rain a year. Of the seven lemur species in the park, the most notable are the crowned lemur and Sanford's brown lemur. The reptile and amphibian life is diverse, and includes frogs, geckoes, chameleons and snakes. Look especially for the bizarre blue-nosed chameleon and the stump-tailed chameleon. Birdwatchers won't be disappointed as 73 species of birds have been recorded in the park.

Montagne d'Ambre is ideal for walkers during the dry season, and it has about 20km (12.4mi) of well maintained paths. Worth seeing are the Petite Cascade, a beautiful small waterfall flowing into a gorgeous rock pool surrounded by fern covered cliffs, and the Petit Lac, a serene crater lake reached after a steep walk. Near the Petite Cascade is a path known as the Jardin Botanique>, a forest track with a good mix of interesting and bizarre vegetation, including orchids, palms, lianas and bromeliads.

The park is about 800km (495mi) north of Tana, and the nearest large town is Antsiranana, served daily by Air Mad from Tana. You can hire a taxi-brousse from Antsiranana to the park, and the 40km (25mi) road is paved all the way.

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