The next stop north was the Montagne d’ Amber National Park, so named after the amber sap seeping from the Copal trees in the park.

A park of 182km2 and contrasting with Ankarana as truer rainforest. Massive trees reaching 120 feet/40m, giant sized ferns, palms the size of houses, and an abundance of orchids.

The park is famed for its waterfalls, crater lakes and profusion and diversity of birds (75 species), mammals (25 species, including 8 types of lemur) and reptiles (59 species).

Strangely on this day we didn’t clock up lots of high profile species ( the smallest chameleon was a highlight – see below) but still, what an incredible place.

I have never been anywhere where so much happened around your feet and up to eye level. The place was alive and moving with frogs, insects, small reptiles, flowers and fungi.

The trees, the star of the show. Enormous in size, roots spreading strongly underfoot and strangling figs making incredible artistic pictures across their bark.

It was simply a place to stroll around, and feast your eyes on nature and its awe-inspiring diversity.