It was with some trepidation that we set off from the UK last October to join the two-week Small Group Safari to Madagascar Last year we heard of an outbreak of plague on the island, but in 2018 it had not surfaced, although even if it had I’m sure NWS would have made sure we kept well away! We had an amazing group and an amazing time, beginning with finding an indri beside our veranda.

Initially I had had reservations about staying at a place where lemurs are habituated around the lodge where you stay, but having seen the poverty and extent of the deforestation in the country I feel that if it weren’t for projects like this, even these small patches of forest would be destroyed along with their lemurs.

We moved on through a stunning variety of scenery which made even the long travelling times fascinating.

We watched so many types of lemurs in the wild at far closer range than we had imagined, and how our guides spotted so many chameleons I will never know.

The accommodation everywhere was excellent and the food, far from consisting of rice and beans as we had imagined, was plentiful and delicious, especially the French bread!

We ended our group trip at Anakao on the beautiful arid coast, adjacent to the dry spiny forest area of the southwest. We were taken to our boat transfer by zebu cart, another unique aspect of our trip, before having a relaxing time in a wonderful resort right on the beach.

Four of us then transferred to Sakatia for a final fling on the beach of the more luxuriant northwest. A real island paradise with coral reefs complete with huge green turtles just offshore, and even the chance to snorkel with whale sharks. A fabulous holiday and one we will never forget.