The beauty of safari holidays in Africa is that there are numerous itineraries to stunning beaches and islands around the east coast with the Indian Ocean. The largest of all these islands is Madagascar which is in fact the fourth largest island in the world. Although there is no big game in Madagascar it is incredibly biodiverse. Because at one point the landmass of Madagascar broke off from the coast of Africa, the animals there evolved differently. As a result Madagascar has some of the most fascinating wildlife anywhere on the planet including striking creatures such as ring tailed lemurs, with their long tails and huge eyes. Madagascar is also a cultural melting pot making it one of the most rewarding places that offer safari holidays. As well as traditional safaris on four-by-four vehicles to the reserves it is also possible to use Madagascar as a base for an island hopping trip through the country. Furthermore, for an unforgettable experience, you can sail around the coast on the classical African dhow boats.