12 emerging travel destinations that you have to visit in 2016

Anisha Shah is a broadcast journalist and photojournalist, specialising in travel to emerging destinations. After six years as a BBC radio and TV journalist, she's now a freelancer published across CNN, BBC Travel and Huffington Post. Tweet her @anishahbbc

2016 is all about emerging destinations. Wilderness, wildlife and culture; these themes will illuminate the year's travel itineraries. Escapism and authenticity are key and nowhere offers them quite like fledgling and far-flung nations. Kyrgyzstan's vast rolling mountains, Iceland's wild natural phenomena, Madagascar's prehistoric lemurs and Taiwan's cultural treasure troves are some of the highlights marking the year ahead.

Whether it's staring into the eyes of a wild gorilla in Gabon, joining indigenous tribal dances in rainforests of Papua New Guinea or drinking yak butter tea with nomads in a ger in the Gobi desert, unique experience is paramount. And with travel becoming more accessible, the world is conceivable.

Leaving no stone unturned, this is our pick of the 12 emerging destinations adventurers and trendsetters will love in 2016: