Madagascar is an island with a feast of experiences ranging from desert & sandstone to sprawling lemur filled primary rainforests to some of the most beautiful islands I have ever encountered. The people are delightfully friendly, if not a little amused by the constant dribble of anorak clad tourists flowing through the towns and rainforests. Service can be a little ad hoc and slow but the food is usually excellent –such as fresh fish, brochettes of Zebu (local humped cattle) and, of course, plenty of rice – Madagascar’s staple (paddie fields are a regular sight). Even the local tipple Three Horses Beer was delicious (not sure how the name originated as there are virtually no horses in Madagascar?).

Tourism and the quality of accommodation is definitely a few ‘light years’ behind the rest of Southern Africa but if you are prepared to accept the ‘rough at the edge’ nightly sleep then Madagascar will not let you down. There are a few real gems for those requiring a ‘bit’ of luxury such as Anjajavy with its lemur oasis and Tsarabanjina island with the most beautiful beach I have seen in a long time – especially after two hours by speedboat on a very rocky sea!

My other favourites, that are definitely for the more adventurous, is Masoala Peninsula, a primary rainforest, marshland, mangrove forest, coastal forest National park in the north east of the island. Accommodation is basic (I stayed at Masoala Forest Lodge which was a comfortable bush camp that focuses on eco-tourism and living in harmony with the forest). There are not many places in the world where you can walk straight from primary rainforest with lemurs to glorious white sandy beaches in two steps to watch humpback whales?

Isalo National Park, located in the South, is personally one of the most beautiful Malagasy landscapes, with a solid mass of sandstone incised with gorges and deep canyons, secondary rainforest and a labyrinth of waterfalls and natural swimming pools surrounded by African savannah.

My trip was only 2 & ½ weeks which did mean that I could not explore every inch of Madagascar, considering it is almost the size of Europe but I certainly gave it a good go – plenty of speedboats, 4x4, light air and road transfers – and word of warning that some of the roads are atrocious!

If you love your small primates, flora and fauna, beautiful and constrasting landscapes, scuba diving, whales, reptiles and rainforest (or for the more sedate relaxing on idyllic beaches) then Madagascar is one to visit.

A colleague once said to me, "You cry when you arrive in Namibia and you will cry when you leave". More than any other, this phrase encapsulates the haunting magic of this unique country.

I had read much about Namibia but in all honesty nothing can quite prepare you for it. It's a place to sit and watch the sunset, a myriad of oranges and reds. It's a place to take time out and marvel at the vastness of the landscape that surrounds you.

During my stay I visited the majestic Sossusvlei Dunes in the Namib Naukfault Park, the black volcanic hills of Damaraland where one can see the desert elephants.

I travelled north to one of Namibia's most remote and beautiful camps, Serra Cafema, and finished at Etosha, one of Africa's largest salt pans.

My favourite place had to be Serra Cafema. Located alongside the Kunene River in an oasis of greenery, this beautifully crafted camp is hidden by the long, lush reeds. The backdrop to the camp is breathtaking - thousands of miles of rock and desert.

One of the highlights of my stay at Serra Cafema was a quad bike excursion into the mountains and dunes surrounding the camp - an experience not to be missed!

For more information on Namibia please click through here.