Stunning beaches, unique wildlife and an adventurer’s paradise that’s relatively off the beaten tourist path. Madagascar, off the south-east coast of Africa, has seen a slump in its tourism industry since the COVID pandemic but is brimming with unique experiences and sights and is one of the prettiest destinations in the world.

It is the fourth biggest island in the world - similar in size to Texas or France, with a population of almost 29 million. Before the pandemic, tourism was a key cog in Madagascar’s economy, making up 6.7% of the nation's gross national product (£726 million). However, the nation’s tourism industry has struggled to bounce back, although there are some signs of improvement.

Pre-pandemic, Madagascar was a popular tourist destination that welcomed more than 400,000 visitors per year, but that figure has slumped, with the national tourism ministry now reporting around 132,000 arrivals.

This figure represents both foreigners and Malagasay natives residing abroad who returned home in a huge blow to the local economy.

Madagascar’s tourism industry has several challenges, including poor infrastructure and expensive airline travel.

Local hotel owners in the past have expressed some concern that the road to recovery could be tricky.

Madagascar, which was a French colony until 1958, is probably best known for one thing - lemurs.

The adorable primates can only be found in Madagascar and the nearby tiny Comoro Islands.

Of the 50 different lemur species, 10 are critically endangered, seven are endangered and 19 are vulnerable.

The ring-tailed species is the most populous and possibly best known because of King Julien from the Madagascar film franchise.

The different lemur species can vary greatly in size, appearance and behaviour, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Their habitat can range from Madagascar’s tropical rainforests to dry forests and desert areas.

Lemurs, which are sacred to the local population, are not the only natural wonders of Madagascar.

The island is rich in natural biodiversity and is also famous for its baobab trees.

Six of the eight baobab species are only found in Madagascar.

The world’s third largest coral reef system is also just off Madagascar’s south-west coast.