Tulear, Madagascar

On the southwestern shores of Madagascar along the Mozambique Channel, Toliara is embraced by the unique natural habitat of this fascinating island in the Indian Ocean. While a day could easily be spent relaxing on white sand beaches and snorkeling or diving the coral reefs in the clear waters offshore, you may well wish to explore beyond the beach. South of Toliara, Tsimanampetsotsa National Park features a large salt lake, limestone cliffs and majestic baobab trees — diverse ecosystems that are home to lemurs, rare tortoises and many species of endemic bird and plant life. A wide variety of succulents and endangered local flora thrive in the Arboretum d’Antsokay, where you can also observe creatures like chameleons and lemurs that exist nowhere else on earth. Further conservation efforts are revealed in Honko Mangrove Reserve, a community-based project that educates visitors on the importance of this unique ecosystem while also supporting the local economy.