This tropical département, set in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mauritius, is one of France’s best kept secrets. Within the mother country, Réunion is acknowledged as a destination of outstanding natural beauty with a rich network of walking trails, but outside France little is known of the island. During our two-week tour, we discover many aspects of this uniquely hospitable and multicultural society.
We walk in tropical forest; explore the moonscape of La Réunion’s active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise; swim and snorkel from a sand beach protected by offshore coral reefs and visit historic coffee and sugar estates, botanical gardens and museums depicting the island’s fascinating history.
We enjoy Creole and French cuisine accompanied by (perfectly stored) French and South African wines while based in hotels ranging from an African style lodge in the hills on the east coast to beachfront Creole villas on the Lagoon, set in gardens shaded by palm trees, and a former East India Company palace in the centre of Reunion’s appealing capital, St. Denis.
HIGHLIGHTS of our Reunion walking tour include:
After meeting in the morning at St Denis airport, we have an hour’s transfer along the coast to Ste Anne where we pause to admire the striking naïve Baroque church reminiscent of early South American churches. Our base for the next three nights is an African style lodge with excellent service and views stretching east over the ocean in the direction of Australia. There is an option of an hour’s walk on the property. We may see the endemic Réunion stonechat, one of the exotic species such as Red-whiskered bulbul or Red Fody or some of the deer left from the hunting estate days.
Our goal today is Grand Étang, a volcanic lake at an altitude of 500 m ringed by forested mountains. We strike out from the circular trail to reach the River Anette waterfalls and have good chances of seeing the endemic Réunion Harrier, the island’s only raptor, gliding over the lake. We return to the lodge mid-afternoon to enjoy the infinity swimming pool, indulge in a spa treatment or to relax with a book on the terrace. At dinner, we may try the typical island dish of duck with vanilla.
An hour’s drive takes us to Hell-Bourg, one of the prettiest Creole villages on Réunion, set on the slopes of Piton des Neiges (3071 m, the highest mountain on the island and in the Indian Ocean). As we approach, we have stunning views of the surrounding mountains forming the circle of Salazie. Our walk starts at the atmospheric site of the old Thermal Resort, Hell-Bourg’s original source of fame during colonial times, destroyed by the 1948 cyclone. Later we follow the route of the ‘Maisons Créoles’ (Creole Houses) discovering the history and architecture of this former spa town.
We head for La Plaine des Palmistes, using the only road which crosses the interior of the island. In the Bebour forest reserve, preserving large areas of primary tropical forest, we explore for 2.5 hours, looking for native orchids such as Calanthe Sylvatica or Cynorkis Squamosa. Our simple family-run hotel (2 nights) is in a rural setting and at dinner, we may sample Réunionnais cari, a locally adapted version of the subcontinental dish, accompanied by chou chou (christophine) gratin.
We have an hour’s drive across several microclimates and vegetation zones until we are traversing bare volcanic landscape on a dirt road. Once we reach Pas de Bellecombe at 2354 m, the highest point on the Volcano accessible by vehicle, we continue on foot to descend into the outer crater (Enclos Fouqué). Weather-permitting, we walk within the crater to explore its geological features, witnesses of (relatively) recent volcanic activity. Back in the comfort of our lodge and with a rhum arrangé (flavoured rum) in hand, we may contemplate tectonic plate movement theory.
We continue south, crossing the Grand Brulé and other descriptively named lava flows. It’s easy to understand why any development in this area of the east coast is forbidden. As we round the south coast, we turn our attention to botany and head for the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices in St Phillipe to learn how plants like vacoa (Pandanus utilis), vanilla and lychee have influenced local history, economy, culture and cuisine. After lunch and a stroll along the coastal path on Cap Méchant, we have a short drive to our luxury hotel for 2 nights. It is set in landscaped gardens on a cliff above the Grande Anse beach and features spacious designer rooms, a gourmet restaurant and swimming pools with ocean views.
The first part of the morning is dedicated to visiting a garden with an outstanding collection of tropical orchids. Moving on to another important island product, we visit the Saga du Rhum museum. Nearby St Pierre is the biggest town on the south coast and it is well worth spending some time exploring its sights on foot. The Hôtel de Ville, built as a warehouse for the French East India Company in 18th century, and the adjacent historic Creole mansions are in contrast with the early 20th century Mosque and the richly decorated Hindu temples.
We head inland once again, following the 37-km road with 427 mind-boggling hairpins! The setting of Cilaos couldn’t be more spectacular and we orientate ourselves at a viewpoint before walking (2 hrs) to lunch. There is time to visit the Embroidery museum and workshop and to explore the town centre. Our 3-star hotel (2 nights) offers rooms with balconies overlooking Piton des Neiges.
We set off from the hotel on foot and, passing the present-day thermal baths, climb gently onto the forested slopes of the Cirque. We make the most of numerous points of view to appreciate the extraordinary setting of Cilaos – surrounded by pitons and ramparts of volcanic rock. We return past the original site of the thermal baths (an altogether more rudimentary affair!) following a section of the old porters’ trail. This was the only way to transport goods and, indeed, people into the cirque from the coast, until the road was built in the 1930s. Once back in Cilaos, we make a stop in a teashop serving the best Crêpes Flambées in the world.
We retrace our steps to the coast following the Bras de Cilaos ravine and recover from the experience on an easy 1.5 hr walk with panoramic views of the west coast. A relaxed seafood lunch on a sandy beach precedes a visit to Kelonia, the marine turtle research and observation centre, where we have the opportunity to see and learn about the five species of marine turtles native to the Indian Ocean. We base ourselves for 3 nights in Creole style villas set in a garden shaded by coconut palms and casuarina trees, just steps away from a beach protected by a coral reef.
Our walk starts from one of the most impressive viewpoints on Réunion, le Maïdo, situated on top of a mountain peak (2200 m) with stunning views into the Cirque de Mafate below. This high-altitude area is also known for producing valuable geranium oil, using traditional wood fired stills to extract the essential oil from the plants’ minute ‘hair’. At Villèle, we stop at the Chapelle Pointue, a fine example of Neo-Gothic architecture, built by a notoriously cruel baroness in the 19th century.
We enjoy a free morning by the pool or on the beach. For indefatigable garden lovers, there is an option to visit the nearby Jardin d’Eden, with sections dedicated to medicinal and edible plants, water gardens and palm trees. We walk along the beach looking out for the elegant white-tailed tropicbird, the national bird of Réunion, and at a paillote (beach restaurant), popular with locals and visitors alike, we have a light lunch. A sunset boat trip followed by dinner at a fish restaurant in the port of St Gilles les Bains, is a fitting finale to our time on the west coast.
Following a leisurely start, we have a guided tour of the excellent National Botanic Conservatory of the Mascarene Islands, set on the historic estate of the Marquis of Chateauvieux. En route to St Denis, known as the Paris of the Indian Ocean, and our 3 star hotel in a former East India Company palace, we visit the picturesque market of fresh produce in St. Paul.
St. Denis preserves the graceful atmosphere of a colonial capital. We start our exploration on the iconic Rue de Paris, lined with historic public administration buildings and private mansions, trendy cafés and chic boutique shops. At the Barachois, a popular park on the seafront, we pause at the statue of Roland Garros, the daring aviator born on the island. Our journey concludes with an afternoon transfer to the airport.
Please note that the single use room supplement is imposed by the hotels and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable.
VALUE FOR MONEY - SO MUCH IS INCLUDED
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
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Normally there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to France.
You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of Party
This trip will run with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 guests.
