Call me!
C
a
l
l

m
e
!

Reunion Map

Map Reunion

Find your dream package

29.07.2010
mostly cloudy
24°C
Sunrise 06:50:00
Sunset 17:58:00

Reunion

Reunion Island (otherwise known as La Réunion) was uninhabited until the mid-17th century, when it became a stopover on the burgeoning trade routes. The island was valued for its abundance of fresh water which was available near the coast. As a result, many navigators – Arabic, Portuguese and English – visited Reunion, which appeared on numerous maps under different names.

The French were first to inhabit Reunion. They used it as a prison, or rather a penal colony, for undesirables from Madagascar. The Kingdom of France then tried to penetrate the south of the Big Island, located 700km further west. In 1638, the small volcanic island became known as Bourbon, “possession of the king”. An engraved rock on the shore marked the occasion, and today Bourbon belongs to the community that calls itself the interesting name: La Possession!

Climate
Reunion’s climate is tropical. Temperatures are affected by elevation. The average coastal temperature is between 64°F and 88°F (18°C to 31°C), with temperatures dropping in the interior. Humidity is high. The island has two seasons: summer and winter. November to April is hot and rainy, while May to October is usually dry and cool and is the popular time for travel to Réunion. The cyclone season runs from mid-November to mid-April and the island is occasionally affected. Like the rest of Reunion, Saint Denis has a tropical climate. Temperatures in the capital range between 70°F and 79°F (21°C to 26°C). November to April is hot and rainy, while the rest of the year is slightly cooler and drier. Humidity is high, particularly on the east coast. Saint-Denis is home to the Indian Ocean’s only tropical cyclone monitoring centre, although the island itself is only affected occasionally.

A blue and green island
Because of this steep terrain, human activities take place at the coast, where the following principal towns are situated: Saint Denis, the administrative centre; Saint Paul, the first “capital”; and Saint Pierre, the most southerly town. The beautiful Creole architecture that characterises these towns has been well preserved.

On the shore, at Saint Gilles and Saint Leu, as well as at l’Etang-Salé, a breeze blows all year long. The high basins and plains are typically rural and populated with well-kept cabins, fields hugging the slopes and pastures dotted with herds. Sugarcane forms a green belt around the island, only interrupted in the southeast by the imposing dome of the volcano.
The rugged terrain doesn’t leave much room for agriculture. The volcanic mountain, carpeted with vegetation and waterfalls, reigns supreme.
The original forest is still visible at Bébour-Bélouve, in the Plaine-des-Palmistes region, or at Mare-Longue, near Saint Philippe. A unique species of tree, the “Tamarin des Hauts", grows in the high-lying woods.
Hence, Reunion offers a diverse landscape of lush vegetation and rocky terrain, as well as beaches, tropical heat and fresh mountain air.

A celebration of nature
Reunion’s inhabitants value their island’s plant life. Whether you’re a botanist, an amateur gardener or a plant lover, Reunion’s flora will inspire you. In this tiny land lost in the middle of a vast ocean, indigenous plants abound on the coast and in the high-lying forests. Man’s arrival in Reunion introduced alien plant species to the island. Today, for instance, palm trees from around the world stand alongside the native Bourbon latanier palm.

Reunion’s fauna consist of sea and air creatures. The elegant Tropicbird is the national bird; it nests in the cliffs near the ocean. The Papangue is a bird of prey that circles around the basins and ravines, while Java deer frolic about in the forests.

The ocean teems with life even close to the shore. The reef “slope” provides a habitat for both coral and the sea creatures and plants. Beyond the reef starts the kingdom of large migratory fish such Blue Marlin, Common Dolphinfish, Sailfish, Tuna, Barracuda and a host of fish that are caught for commercial purposes.

Religion and customs
Despite their historical attachment to France, Reunion’s citizens remain proud of their respective roots. Muslims, Catholics and Hindus live alongside one another and religion forms a large part of life for these islanders.
In the towns, the calls of the muezzin often answer the bells of the churches, while incense burns under the impassive eye of Buddha. Some descendants of slaves still perpetuate the “Malagasy service”, a rite of homage to their ancestors. Even though Catholicism is the most practised faith, the Hindu community gives the island its most remarkable customs. Hinduism shows its colours on the façades of the island’s many temples. In October and November, Deepavali, the “festival of lights”, draws thousands of faithful. In addition processions and spectacular “fire walking” are organised to the rhythm of an ancient calendar.

Maloya, a moving hybrid of blues music, originated from the island’s slaves, while Sega music reflects both European and African influences. In Reunion, the expression of culture is a reflection of its inhabitants: everyone is free to commemorate and celebrate their customs.

Gastronomy as a Creole way of life
The island’s cuisine is as diverse as its population. No dish has kept its original flavour, thanks to influences from Bourbonese, French, Indian and Chinese recipes.

The two dishes every visitor should taste are Lamb Masala, an Indian recipe, and curry. Curry is the major local speciality. It takes the form of a meat, fish or shellfish stew prepared with garlic, onions, ginger, cloves, turmeric and other local spices. Curries are served with white rice and “grains” such as beans, broad beans or lentils, topped with a spicy condiment made from tomatoes, lemon and pistachios called rougail. However, sausage rougail is a smoked sausage curry: nothing to do with the condiment. The same goes for smoked rougail, which is a smoked pork curry.
 
In the Creole culture, it is very important to eat well. Cooking remains an art, and secrets are passed from mother to daughter across the generations.
In the old days, rice was the main course. Although rice remains an integral part of  traditional cuisine, it is now the accompanying food that’s the focus.

Craftsmanship
Over the years, craftsmanship has increased in popularity, mainly due to increased tourism to the island. Besides the typical tourist souvenirs like T-shirts, books, food products like vanilla, DVDs and CDs, some items made in Reunion are quite rare. Examples of these include items made from tortoise-shell (jewellery, lacquered boxes and boxes with tortoise-shell inlay) and fish skin (shagreen). You will also find objects made from woven vegetable fibres.

Reunion Top Attractions

  • Piton de la Fournaise: An experience no visitor should miss. View the lunar landscape of this grumbling monster by helicopter. Or hike into the volcano along the path from Pas de Bellecombe where you can leave your hired car. Also see the lava flows on the east coast near the tiny settlement of Tremblet.
  • Saint Gilles Les Bains: Reunion’s seaside resort, where you’ll find an array of hotels, vibey restaurants and bars, and the island’s prettiest white sand beach, Boucan Canot.
  • Saint Leu: Further down the west coast is Saint-Leu, which is a surfer's paradise. The west coast towns are renowned for their nightlife.
  • The three Cirques: Converge at the island’s highest peak, the
    3 069m Piton des Neiges.
  • Cirque de Mafate: Wild, verdant scenery and extensive trails. Accommodation is in so-called mountain houses.
  • Cirque de Cilaos: Drier than Mafate, and known for its thermal springs and local wine-making industry. Mountain bikers up for a challenge will enjoy the road from the coast up to Cilaos.
  • Cirque de Salazie: Stay at Reunion’s famed mountain retreat, Relais des Cimes. Salazie is well-known for its scenery.
  • La Plaine-des-Palmistes and Bebour-Belouve Forest: La Plaine-des-Palmistes is one of the island’s most beautiful towns, especially with the burst of colour of spring and summer flowers.
  • The Wild South: In between the sea and mountain lie Petite Ile, Saint Joseph and Saint Philippe. Visit Caheb perfume workshop and the Perfume and Spice Garden near Saint Philippe which has a variety of medicinal, fruit-bearing and fragrant plants.

Reunion Travel Tips

  • Getting there: Air Austral flies from Johannesburg twice a week.
  • Visas: Are not required for EU, British and American passport holders. South Africans need a visa!
  • Currency: The Euro. It is near impossible to exchange money at a bank! Travel with either a Master Card or Visa credit card. Traveller's cheques are not accepted everywhere and must be in Euro.
  • Health: No malaria. No immunisations needed. Water is safe to drink.
  • Climate: Hot along the coast, dry on the west coast and humid on the east coast. Temperate in the mountains with cool to very cold nights.
  • Customs & luggage allowance: 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine; 20kg of luggage.
  • Language: French — English is hardly spoken.
  • Power supply: European 2-prong plugs, 220v.
  • Time zone: GMT + 4 hours.
  • When to go: anytime except February when cyclones occur.
    Read on: Guide to Mauritius, Rodrigues, Reunion by Royston Ellis.

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions will apply to your holiday and the arrangements which you make. Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them.

By making a booking, the client confirms that all of the people named in the booking made by him/her have read these conditions, and have agreed to be bound by them and all the other terms of the contract, and that he/she has the authority to accept these terms and conditions on their behalf.

1.    Regardless of the place of execution, performance or domicile of the parties, this contract, together with all modifications and amendments, shall be governed by, construed under and in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

2.    All packages and tours are sold subject to our standard terms and conditions. Reservations must be signed on a booking form. If the services of a courier are employed during this process, the costs shall be borne by the client.

3.    A 20% deposit is payable on confirmation, unless otherwise stated on the booking form. The balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to your departure. No contract is made between the client and Unusual Destinations until the deposit or, where required, the full price has been paid, whether or not a booking confirmation has been issued by Unusual Destinations or one of its agents. Failure by the client to pay any sum by due date shall entitle Unusual Destinations to cancel the booking, and to charge a cancellation fee as set out below (see point 17 below).

4.    Quotations are based on the exchange rates valid at the time that they are sent to the client. Unusual Destinations reserves the right to increase any prices where currency fluctuations occur, until such time as they have been paid in full. It is the client’s responsibility to check on possible price increases prior to full payment. Airfares are subject to prices quoted by airlines, and Unusual Destinations can therefore not accept responsibility for unexpected fare increases.

5.    It is the clients’ responsibility to obtain travel documents including a valid passport and air tickets. It is also the clients’ responsibility to contact the airlines at least 72 hours prior to departure to reconfirm all flights. All clients who, at the time of departure, are under the age of 18 years, must be accompanied by a client aged 21 or over who will at all times during the tour or trip be responsible for their welfare, conduct and behaviour. Clients are expected at all times to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner with due regard to the health, safety, comfort, enjoyment and general well- being of all the other people who may be on the tour or trip, or other people who may be staying in the relevant hotels. If it appears that the client’s conduct or behaviour is such as to be a breach of this requirement, or is likely to endanger the client’s own health or safety, or that of others, or where their actions or conduct impedes the operation of the trip, then Unusual Destinations reserves the right to refuse the further participation of any such client. No refund will be considered in respect of any client whose participation in the trip is terminated for these reasons. Further, where the client is repatriated pursuant to this clause at Unusual Destinations’ expense, or where Unusual Destinations is put to any additional expense as a result of the client’s conduct, then Unusual Destinations shall have the right to recover such costs upon demand. Under no circumstances, at any time, shall Unusual Destinations have any liability for the denial of boarding or expulsion from an aeroplane by any airline contracted in terms of this contract, such denial being at the sole discretion of the airline concerned.

6.    While Unusual Destinations will do its best not to cancel or make any material alteration to the itinerary after a booking confirmation has been issued, it shall nonetheless be entitled at any time prior to departure to cancel the contract between the parties, or to change and/or curtail the scheduled itinerary where this becomes reasonably necessary on operational, commercial or other grounds. Unusual Destinations will however inform the client of any such cancellation or change of itinerary as soon as possible. Where such a change of itinerary amounts to a material alteration, the client shall be entitled to cancel the booking within 3 days of being advised of the itinerary change without any cancellation fee being applicable.

7.    Although Unusual Destinations attempts to make all itineraries as accurate as possible at the time of printing, they are to be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of the tour rather than an inflexible chronicle of events. The itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, whether as a result of weather, government restrictions, transportation problems, road conditions, acts of God, terrorist threats, natural disasters, fires or other circumstances. Unusual Destinations however undertakes to do its best to maintain the itinerary, and will not unreasonably change it. However any such changes shall not constitute a material alteration of the contract, and Unusual Destinations shall in consequence have no liability to the client in respect thereof.

8.    Unusual Destinations will not be responsible for any additional costs occasioned by changes in the itinerary or flight schedules, such as additional flights, hotel nights or meals not included in the scheduled itinerary. Payment for such additional services will be required at the time when the amended itinerary is provided to the client. Further, any expenses incurred owing to unexpected extensions to packages, trips or tours caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other reason beyond Unusual Destinations’ control will be paid by the client upon demand.

9.    Where the client is making a booking with a tour, the rates quoted are based upon group participation, and no partial refunds will be given for unused trip arrangements or sightseeing tours for any reason whatsoever.

10.    Unusual Destinations, in order to provide the tour as set out in the brochure, group/individual tour or individual package, quotation and/or booking, is obliged to make arrangements with local operators who may themselves engage the services of local suppliers. Unusual Destinations endeavours at all times to appoint reputable and competent local operators to comply with the requirements and standards expected by the client. However, although these local operators are appointed by Unusual Destinations, they are acting as an agent on behalf of the client directly, and a direct contract is therefore entered into between the client and the local operator or service provider, and the terms and conditions of the local operator, whether or not contained in this brochure, will apply to arrangements made by them. Unusual Destinations makes the travel arrangements on behalf of the client on the express condition that it is not liable for any inconvenience, irregularity or expense occasioned by the failure of the local operator to comply with the itinerary provided, whether in relation to travel arrangements, airline scheduling, airline changes, cancelled flights, missed flight connections or any other factor not directly under Unusual Destinations’ control. In the event however that Unusual Destinations is, in spite of the provisions of this clause, found to be liable to the client, then its liability will be limited to the sum paid by the client in respect of the travel arrangement(s) in question.

11.    As Unusual Destinations acts only as an agent for local operators, it accepts no liability for any loss or damages which clients may suffer as a result of the failure by such local operators to fulfil their obligations whether in relation to travel flights, land arrangements, accommodation or otherwise. These local operators are independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Unusual Destinations in any way. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience caused to any person, their property or luggage under any circumstances.

12.    Unusual Destinations will not be liable for bodily injury to, or death of any client, or damage to their property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or local operator or individual engaged in providing these services or for any reason, including, but not limited to, acts of God, quarantine, strikes, industrial action, medical emergencies, civil disturbances, theft, detention, annoyance, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, closure of ports, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, medical emergencies or failure of the conveyance to depart or arrive as scheduled.

13.    Unusual Destinations does not provide medical services during the trip or tour. However, wherever possible, Unusual Destinations will offer general assistance to any client who suffers illness, personal injury or death, whether or not arising from an activity forming part of the trip or tour, and whether or not the result of fault by any party.

14.    Clients should bring with an ample supply of any prescription medicines required, and a first aid kit.

15.    Any cost or expense which is reasonably incurred by Unusual Destinations for or on behalf of the client in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, or any other expenses of whatever nature, shall be repayable by the client to Unusual Destinations on demand, whether or not such sum is covered by the client’s travel insurance.

16.    Travel insurance (medical and personal accident) is compulsory. However, clients are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover the loss of their luggage, and the deposit or part of the tour fee through cancellation.

17.    Any changes and/or cancellations will incur penalties; in many cases air tickets are totally non-refundable. All cancellations have to be in writing. Unless otherwise stipulated, the following fees shall be charged by Unusual Destinations if a client cancels a reservation:

More than 6 weeks prior to departure:
10% of price

4 – 6 weeks prior to departure:
50% of price

2 – 4 weeks prior to departure:
75% of price

Less than 2 weeks prior to departure:
100% of price

18.    These terms and conditions, together with any other clauses set out on the application form, defines the responsibility of Unusual Destinations with respect to all of the trips/tours/arrangements made by them. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for the failure of performance or improper performance which is wholly attributable to any or all of the following:
    
a)    The fault of the client;

b)    The unforeseeable or unavoidable act of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under this contract;

c)    Unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care was exercised;

d)    Any event which Unusual Destinations could not even with all due care have foreseen or avoided, including (but not limited to) an event or force major. Unusual Destinations further confirms that the carriage of passengers and their luggage by air is governed by various international conventions and the client shall be bound by the rules, regulations and conditions of contract laid down by any carrier upon which he / she may travel as a result of the reservations made, and Unusual Destinations shall be free from any liability in consequence thereof.

Beaches and Business

Saint Gilles Les Bains is Reunion’s sun, sea and sand holiday Mecca. There are coral reefs for swimming, snorkelling or diving. As Reunion is a French prefect, Saint Gilles Les Bains has a distinctly French Riviera feel about it.

Further down the west coast is Saint Leu, a surfer’s paradise.

The Palm Hotel lies in the south, surrounded by a 3,5ha nature park, and overlooks the most beautiful coral beach on the island: Grand Anse.

Saint Denis was the second town founded in Reunion, after Saint Paul. In the mid-17th century, the site of the future Saint Denis was just a wild corner where a fort was due to be built. Saint Denis became a town in 1689.

Link to business and beach itineraries.


The three Cirques

Reunion is a small island that’s almost round in shape: a main road goes all the way around it, over 240 kilometres (150 miles). Born of two major volcanic events, the island takes the form of a mountain rising out of the ocean.

The first volcano occurred two-and-a-half million years ago. The magma gushing out of the crater spread around and into the ocean, making up what is today the high point of the island: the Piton des Neiges (snow peak), measuring 3 069 metres.

Today, at the centre of the island are three gigantic basins (cirques): Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie.

Link to our self-drive itineraries.

Volcanoes and hiking in Reunion

The second volcanic event occurred 380 000 years ago, about 30 kilometres to the southeast. A new volcanic mound formed and became attached to the first. This is how the Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace Peak), measuring 2,632m, was formed. It is still active today and regularly erupts, offering a spectacle all the more enchanting as you can safely approach lava flows and fountains.

Definitely the most thrilling site must be Piton de la Fournaise in the south east, when you can get close. The island is a haven for vulcanologists and there is even a Volcano Museum to put you properly in the picture.

Hiking lovers come from all over the world in order to discover Reunion Island. Its reputation in terms of hiking is firmly established. Nature speaks by itself.

Link to our self-drive and hiking itineraries.

Website by: Cytracon