Itinerary Highlights

  • Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate - some of the most beautiful scenery is Africa
  • Still active, Piton De La Fournaise is a highlight on any travellers' list
  • Enjoy your time on this beautiful beach in the sunshine
  • Best time to travel MAY - DEC

What's Included

  • Accommodation Throughout
  • Breakfast
  • Car Hire
  • Domestic Flights
  • Fly Drive Pack
  • International Flights
10 nights from £2,640 per person

Greig

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect Africa holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

This little French Island has got so much to offer travellers, from adventurous hikers to birding enthusiasts. Spectacular scenery, breath-taking craters and majestic volcanoes are all easily combined in our Réunion Island self-drive holiday.

On this itinerary, you will stay in stunning accommodation on the east, southwest and west coasts to be able to access all of the must-see sights, including vast cirques – natural amphitheatres formed by erosion.

Itinerary

Board your London Heathrow flight bound for Réunion Island via Paris.
Upon arrival into St Denis, collect your standard hire car and drive to Diana Dea Lodge, where you will spend the next three nights (breakfast included). Situated on a private reserve, this five-star lodge is the perfect place to relax and acclimatise. There are several walks available within reserve – you may see deer and other resident bird and wildlife. There’s also a spa for those looking for some pampering.
You will have two full days to explore the east coast and interior of the island. Salazie is the most easily-accessible of Réunion’s cirques, and is also home to some of the most beautiful villages on the island. Here you will find many brightly coloured creole houses, little French style restaurants and traditional local cuisine. Stop at La Voile des Maries lookout point and explore waterfalls and cascades.
Staying at   Diana Dea Lodge
Today, perhaps explore the surrounding forests of Belouve and Bebour - from here you can easily see the peak of Piton des Neiges. A 3,069-metre shield volcano, this is said to be the highest point in the Indian Ocean and has been inactive for over 20,000 years. For the more adventurous, why not hire a bike, or challenge yourself to one of the many hikes that are marked on the map.
Staying at   Diana Dea Lodge
Make your way towards the south of the island, where the beaches are covered in volcanic rock and you can spot the peak of the Piton De La Fournaise, an active volcano that still regularly erupts. Visit the small Notre Dame des Laves church that is surrounded by lava and miraculously survived the eruptions. Stop at the Palm Hotel, where you will spend the next three nights (breakfast included).
Piton de la Fournaise is said to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the last eruption was 14th July 2017. The highest point is 2,632m, and you can hike up the caldera; this is not for the faint-hearted, and will take on average five hours to the summit and back. The surfaces are uneven and the walk tough – but reaching the summit is the ultimate reward!
Staying at   Palm Hotel & Spa
Some of the most beautiful beaches are in this area. Spend time relaxing at your hotel or exploring the beaches. The Palm Hotel has two swimming pools, a hot tub, Turkish bath, full spa, fitness room, mini golf, table tennis, Petanque, billiard and table football so there are a variety of facilities to keep guests busy.
Staying at   Palm Hotel & Spa
Today make your way to the Cirque de Cilaos; beware that the road contains some 200 hairpin-bends and is also the largest of the three cirques. There are some great walks from here and you can opt to do some canyoning (abseiling down waterfalls). For the more adventurous, speak to one of our experts and arrange an overnight hike. Overnight at the Blue Margouillat, where you will spend three nights (breakfast included).
The final cirque, Cirque de Mafate, is only accessible by foot. It was formed by the collapse of the large shield volcano, Piton Des Neiges. There are no roads up to the amphitheatre but you can hike and walk through the beautiful scenery. A popular and thrilling activity is to do the helicopter trip which will have different options to see various parts of the island.
The Blue Margouillat is a perfectly situated, classic, creole-style house just 15 minutes’ walk from the beach. The restaurant is a must, famous for being one the island’s best. The beaches here are beautiful, so take advantage of the location. The hotel also has a spa as well as a swimming pool for guests to relax and unwind.
Today you will make your way back to the airport for your flight home via Paris.

Greig

Travel Specialist

Not sure where to stay in Africa? I'm here to help. Give me a call and I'll share my first-hand insights to find your perfect spot.

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Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am - 4pm

10 nights from £2,640 per person

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