La Réunion Island – travel planning:
To the island of la Réunion in the Indian Ocean in total two weeks had been planned. The island La Réunion belongs to France and can be reached by plane via Paris.
La Réunion is divided into three large basins. The Cirque de Salazie, the Cirque de Cilaos and the Cirque de Mafate. Due to the geographical conditions, it is advisable to choose several locations for the accommodations. This significantly reduces travel times and you can experience more of the island.
La Réunion Island - The accommodations:
The symbol of La Réunion is the Dodo. Although the bird has long been extinct, it is still ubiquitous on the island. Restaurants, drinks and hotels use the dodo as a mascot.
Starting point of my tour around the island was the Hôtel L’Ecrin in Bourg Murat, above the town of La Plaine des Cafres. The second location was the accommodation Gite des Agrumes in Hell-Bourg. Dritte Unterkunft war die Ferienwohnung „Apart“ in Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains und zuletzt das Hotel Le Cilaos in Cilaos.
For help with travel preparation and assistance with bookings or reservations there is a very useful homepage. On this website you will find numerous, recommended accommodations, tips and actual information about the island.
The best time to travel there is from September to November, La Réunion is excellent to extend the Central European summer into autumn.
La Réunion Island - How to get there:
If you want to visit the island of La Réunion, you can reach the island either with Air France or Air Austral from Paris directly or Air Mauritius via Mauritius.
Because of the cheaper conditions, I flew from Munich to Paris Charles de Gaulle. From there with Air Mauritius and a stopover in Mauritius on to La Réunion. Unfortunately, there are only a few connections, which makes the journey relatively difficult.
It is particularly important to note that, depending on the route, it may be necessary to change the airport from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Paris Orly airport. This is both cumbersome and time-consuming and should be avoided.
For my stay on La Reunion, I also booked a rental car with pick-up and drop-off at the airport.
Arrival on La Réunion Island and driving to Bourg Murat:
The hotel is located directly on the main road, but the passing traffic does not disturb the peace and quiet.
A wide variety of tropical flowers and shrubs can be found in the hotel garden. The hotel also has its own, but relatively simple, restaurant. Those who want it a little better and want to try specialties of the chreolian cuisine will find what they are looking for in the village of La Plain des Cafres.
Driving to Saint Pierre:
Descent to Grand Bassin:
The following morning started out more promising. In the direction of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, thick clouds were still hanging, so the descent to Grand Bassin has been the better choice that day.
Gîte de Bélouve & Forêt de Bélouve:
Unfortunately, the weather didn't really want to get any better today either. Nevertheless, I started the hike in the afternoon in the Forêt de Bélouve, a wonderful tropical forest. Due to the heavy rain, however, I turned back after a few hundred meters.
Driving to Hell-Bourg & arrival at Gite des Agrumes:
In the late afternoon it was time to leave for the second accommodation in Hell-Bourg. Although the mountain hut Gîte de Bélouve and the Forêt de Bélouve are close to Hell-Bourg, the only way around by car is via Bras-Panon and Saint-André. When we arrived in Hell-Bourg, it was still raining.
The accommodation, Gite des Agrumes, is set in a beautiful tropical garden. The dinner, for which you have to register in advance, is lovingly prepared by the owners and is an absolute recommendation.
From the parking lot at Col des Boeufs over the Plaine des Tamarins to Marla:
The Col des Boeufs is the easiest way for hikers to get to the Mafate basin. The hike is an easy descent through terrain overgrown with bushes and trees. Sometimes there are also pastures to cross.
On the way there are wonderful views into the Mafate valley basin and the small settlements. Unfortunately in the early afternoon the weather got worse again and the hike had to be stopped before Marla. Halfway back it started pouring rain and we reached the parking lot completely drenched.
Hike around the Chemin du Grand Sable:
Today was finally a sunny day. Perfect for hiking near the property after breakfast. From Hell-Bourg a round trail goes around the Chemin du Grand Sable.
Driving from Hell-Bourg to Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains:
The drive from Hell-Bourg to Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains led around the southern part of the island. On the road, along the sea, there are often places worth seeing for a worthwhile stopover.
Also in the south of the island is the cliff formed by lava, the Cap Méchant. Here you can experience the wild La Réunion.
On arrival in Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains, at the end of the day there was a wonderful sunset to watch over the small port.
Trip to the volcano Piton de la Fournaise:
Finally a wonderful day. Perfect for driving to the Piton de La Fournaise volcano and hiking there before the next clouds come up. The Piton de la Fournaise is the active volcano on Reunion Island. From Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains you have to plan about an hour and a half for the drive.
From the parking lot at the Pas des Sables you have an excellent view on the unpaved road that leads to the Pas de Bellecombe, the starting point of the hikes in the vicinity of the volcano. Due to the activity of the Piton de la Fournaise, not all hiking trails are always open. The homepage always provides up-to-date information about the volcano and its current activity.
From the Piton de Bert you have the most beautiful view of the volcano. Had the weather been better in the past few days, a fantastic view of the eruption would have been possible from here. In times of volcanic activity, the Piton de la Fournaise is a real crowd puller. Because of its location in the caldera basin, it is safe to watch the eruption of a volcano here.
The regions into which the lava usually flows are not populated on La Réunion. That is why the volcano does not normally pose a major threat to its residents.
Through the rainforest to the Trou de Fer waterfall gorge:
In the afternoon, the Forêt de Bélouve could be explored in significantly better weather.
La nacelle is the historic freight elevator that supplies the Gîte de Bélouve with food and supplies. The cable car, with which up to two people can be transported, is still in use today.
Various plants in lush green, here and there colorful, tropical flowers bloom. On the way to Trou de Fer you feel like you are in another world and can enjoy the peace and quiet on the way and listen to the sounds of nature.
Circular hike at the Cap Noir:
The weather stayed perfect, so the panoramic route aorund the Cap Noir was program for today.
The circular route at the Cap Noir is one of the most popular panoramic hiking trails on the island. From here there are spectacular views into the rugged basin Mafate.
Visiting Garden of Eden, the botanical garden of La Réunion Island:
Located near Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains, you can find the Garden of Eden. A wonderful, tropical garden where you can marvel at the diversity of flora and fauna on the island. A visit is really recommended.
Einiges größer als die Echsen, aber mindestens genauso gut versteckt sind die Pantherchamäleons. Als seltene Einzelgänger sind sie auf der Insel schwer zu finden. Hat man Glück, eines dieser Tiere zu entdecken, kann man sie in Ruhe fotografieren. Wegen ihrer gemächlichen Fortbewegung haben sie den Spitznamen „Träumer“ bekommen.
The capital Saint-Denis:
The locals sell their goods here at small market stalls along the streets. Fresh fruit, flowers and much more is offered here. The capital Saint-Denis is a good place to fill a less pleasant day with local impressions.
Driving to Cilaos:
Circular hike Cascade du Bras Rouge:
The weather was wonderful, not too hot and not too cool, perfect for setting off in the morning. The view of the surrounding mountains became particularly impressive when the last clouds had cleared.
The hike is of medium difficulty. The entire circular route takes just under 5 hours. The path goes up and down and can be relatively slippery and muddy depending on the weather.
Driving from Cilaos to the airport in Saint-Denis:
The last day on La Reunion has begun, in the late afternoon we went back to Mauritius and from there on to Paris and Munich. In order to make the best possible use of the remaining time, the route to the airport near Saint-Denis led along the sea.
At Saint-Leu it is worth taking a break, because there are unique water spectacles to watch. Caused by the surf of the sea, the Souffleur spits gigantic fountains back into the ocean.
Then it was time for the return flight. From Saint-Denis the route led back via Mauritius to Paris and on to Munich.
Conclusion:
The trip to Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean was an impressive experience. Those who like to hike, enjoy nature and hear the sound of the sea are in good hands on the island.
Due to the location in tropical latitudes, however, you have to be prepared for mixed weather with rain showers. Appropriate weatherproof clothing is necessary.
If this does not bother you, you will find dreamlike landscape, untouched, wild nature and an absolutely fascinating world of flora and fauna on La Réunion.
I could have stayed a little longer on the island, but unfortunately every trip comes to an end at some point.
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