Djibouti

This tiny speck of a country packs a big punch. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. Few countries in the world, with the possible exception of Iceland, offer such weird landscapes – think salt lakes, extinct volcanoes, sunken plains, limestone chimneys belching out puffs of steam, basaltic plateaus and majestic canyons. Outdoorsy types will enjoy a good mix of land and water activities, including hiking, diving and whale-shark spotting in the Gulf of Tadjoura.

Barring Djibouti City, the country is refreshingly devoid of large-scale development. It’s all about ecotravel, with some sustainable stays in the hinterland.

Traveling independently around Djibouti may not come cheap, but despite the high cost of living, you’ll surely leave this little corner of Africa with new experiences and wonderful memories.