A Big Five safari in Kenya, with the magic of Madagascar

The King of the Kenyan safari, the Masai Mara is bucket-list travel down to a tee. The iconic wildlife (think big cats, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra and the famous river crossings of the Great Migration from July to September) is matched by some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa – and there’s a lengthy list of activities to help you discover it all.

Morning and afternoon game drives are the bread and butter of a Masai Mara safari, and all-day expeditions are common especially during the Great Migration. There’s usually a bush breakfast under a shady tree or a mobile sundowner bar to complete the experience too. Specific to the private Mara Conservancies are walking safaris and night drives, both allowing you to get to grips with the landscape in different ways. In specific locations, early-morning hot air balloon flights are possible – definitely worth booking in advance – as are horseback safaris for varying capabilities. Finally, many camps have partnerships with local Maasai communities for a chance to join them in their daily life.

On an island where curious, endemic wildlife and surreal scenery is the norm, Andasibe is one of the most spectacular destinations in Madagascar. Alongside its namesake national park, there are a number of other reserves, which you can explore on hikes, horseback rides and pirogue trips along quiet waterways. The really adventurous can even discover the unique nocturnal wildlife! Andasibe is home to 13 lemur species and there’s no better place to see these characterful creatures in the wild, especiall the largest lemur on Earth - the indri. The region is saturated with kaleidascopic flora, butterflies and chameleons, from the Jurassic Parson’s chameleon to ones the size of your thumbnail.

Sitting off the coast of Madagascar, Nosy Be and its surrounding isles is a true-blue beach paradise. You could spend all day soaking up the sun, go island-hopping in a pirogue canoe, or delve below the surface on a snorkelling or diving excursion, exploring reefs where sea turtles, rays and shoals of colourful fish dwell - and whale sharks in the right season. Look skywards and you may just see the especially rare Madagascar fish eagle in flight. Take a boat ride past the Organ Pipes of Nosy Mitsio, a striking formation of copper tubes that formed around 125 million years ago when Madagascar separated from the African continent. Then again, you may like to hike into the forested interior to spot lemurs, dazzling chameleons and tortoises. Hike to its highest point, Mont Passot, for the very best view on the island - especially around sunset.

Sprawled across the hills, Madagascar’s capital city is packed with history, which is best discovered on foot. Highlights include the Cathedrale Catholique d’Andohalo, the ruins of the Rova palace complex (once home to the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar) or its recovered artifacts in the Musee Andafiavaratra, and learn about Madagascar’s many tribes at the Musée de l’Art et de Archéologie. Head a little out of the city to marvel at the World Heritage Site of Ambohimanga, sacred grounds with incredibly-preserved royal residences and graves. Get a sense of modern-day Madagascar at the lively Analakely Market and pick up hand-made souvenirs at La Digue Market, learn to make chocolate the Madagascan way and satisfy your taste buds at one of Antanarivo’s fabulous restaurants.