No wonder Madagascar inspired a Disney animated movie of the same name—no less than five percent of the world’s animal and plant species are unique to this island nirvana, populating its dry desert, its deep green rain forest, and it’s long and stunningly beautiful coastline. Offshore is equally abundant, with dozens of islands and a barrier reef providing shelter to the marine life. All this beauty has attracted many groups, giving the island a melting-pot culture; it’s easy to see why, once they visit, people don’t want to leave.