Réunion calling – a tropical island with a difference Posted on 14 August 2019 Tags:Reunion Piton de la Fournaise is Réunion’s ace up its sleeve. It’s what makes it different – very different – from East Africa’s other islands. That’s because ‘Peak of the Furnace’ is an active volcano. Another peak, the dormant Piton de Neiges, is the highest point in the Indian Ocean (3 ,069m), and a popular day hike. Réunion has three cirques, deep volcanic craters that each offer a different world. A visit to Réunion can sometimes feel like you’re in Jurassic Park, with its jungly, rainforested interior filled with waterfalls (the cirques or calderas, home to quaint villages such as the inaptly named Hell-Bourg, are a World Heritage Site). At other times, it can feel like you’re on another planet – the volcanic activity has resulted in lunar landscapes, black-sand beaches and unique lava tunnels to explore. Being a tropical island, it also has azure waters, golden beaches, palm trees, local rum – plus all the action any daredevil desires (hiking, kloofing, paragliding, mountain biking, horse riding, watersports). It’s a distant province of France, so the prices, language, architecture, food and vibe are distinctly Gallic. This also means it has good infrastructure and great roads – on the new six-lane highway built on columns rising out of the sea, it will feel like you’re heading into the future. Plan your Trip Getting There Flights from Joburg go via Mauritius. From R8,600 per person return. airmauritius.com Stay Here Réunion is suitable for a self-drive, self-catering holiday, staying with the locals at gîtes (inns or guest houses) – some are basic, for hikers, while others offer more of a spoil; there are also campsites with furnished tents. Budget from about R600 per person. Or rent a Blacksheep camper van, from R1,415 a day. allonslareunion.com LUX Saint Gilles is the only five-star resort, with direct access to the lagoon. From around R1,350 per person sharing. luxresorts.com Related Posts Rahiem Johnson: Why representation in travel matters 27 March 2023 Founded by Rahiem Johnson, Tray Table Seat Back is a Black-owned travel business that aims... read more 7 great spots to picnic near Cape Town 1 November 2022 Looking for somewhere to kick your feet up and embrace the warm days in Cape... read more 6 best beach campsites in SA 14 June 2022 From bucket-and-spade seaside spots to rugged and remote coastal coves, we’ve got your camping weekends covered.... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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