Why Reunion Island Is A Dream Destination For South Africans

Tropical Reunion Island is one of the fastest-growing international destinations for South Africans, here are 20 reasons why it should be top on your travel bucket list.

1. It’s 90 days visa-free for South Africans

Courtesy of LUX Saint Gilles via Instagram

Say goodbye to pesky Schengen visa fees and hello to tropical France.

2. You can get a return flight from R6000

Be sure to look out for package deals to get even better rates with accommodation and flights included. Speak to Travelbar for expert advice.

3. The flight is only 4 hours from Joburg

Courtesy of luxsaintgilles via Instagram

Direct flights between South Africa and Saint Denis, Réunion are available with Air Austral twice a week from Johannesburg. That’s less than half the time of a flight to the UAE or Europe.

4. The food

Courtesy of LUX Saint Gilles via Instagram

For the Francophiles there are the buttery-pastries and expertly-made petit-fours, then there are the curries, unique to Reunion where Indian, Chinese & African cuisines collide. Dragon fruit and fish freshly caught from the sea, curried lentils and cold Dodo beers.

Courtesy of LUX Saint Gilles via Instagram

5. It’s perfect for sun-seekers and adventurers

Courtesy of luxsaintgilles via Instagram

Relax on the gorgeous resort beaches for half your time then amp things up with a three-day hike through forested mountains.

Courtesy of minish88 via Instagram

6. It’s far more affordable than France

Top SA travel and lifestyle blogger Natalie Roos travels to the island frequently. She suggests the following budget:

Accommodation: R6000 – R8000 per week, for self-catering accommodation which sleeps up to six people

Car rental: R450 – R550 per day

Paragliding: R1500 – R2000

Helicopter flight: R4000 – R6000

Dining out: R150 – R800 per meal

Grocery store: R400 for a basic meal that feeds eight people

Wine: Approx R150 per bottle from a grocery store, more in a restaurant depending on quality

Also read:

• Reunion Island: Festival of Freedom
• 10 Reasons why Reunion belongs on your bucket list

7. You can take a helicopter flight over a live volcano

Courtesy of sophieebraca via Instagram

Getting close and personal with a live volcano might sound scary but it’s watched round the clock by a team of experts and the lava, when it does erupt, flows directly into the sea not affecting the inhabited side of the island.

8. It’s a brilliant place to be for New Year’s

Festive and fun with multiple parties and a joyeuse spirit. Check out flights around New Year’s now.

9. You can go canyoning

A bit like kloofing but with river rafts, for the ultimate thrill jump off waterfalls!

10. You can hike to mountain villages which can only be accessed on foot

Courtesy of baya_la_reunionnaise via Instagram

11. Encounter genuine hospitality wherever you go

Courtesy of elchadi via Instagram

When hiking in the mountains, you’ll stay in charming gites, or chalets where you’ll meet the owner, share a meal and some of the local rum. The best part of travelling is the people you meet along the way.

12. Lap up 5-star luxury in beach-side resorts

Courtesy of LUX Saint Gilles via Instagram

You’ve also got the option of some seriously high end resorts in St Gilles, such as LUX Saint Gilles hotel. It’s like Mauritius but from a new perspective.

13. You don’t have to be able to speak French

A few phrases will help but aren’t essential. People are friendly and helpful and will try their best to help you.

14. Interesting street art

Courtesy of angeliquecarteryoga via Instagram

Look out for interesting pieces by Kid Kreol and Boogie in the vibrant capital St Denis.

15. As a family destination it ticks all the boxes

There’s something for everyone, adventures for the adventurous, sun-loungers for those needing a break, solitude or a lively night scene depending on your needs.

16. Incredible natural beauty

You will feel as if you’ve fallen into a land time forgot with lush green forests, icy water falls and mountains which climb into the sky.

17. Got a budding Indiana Jones or geologist in the family?

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about volcanoes at the world-class volcano museum.

18. Reunion island is wildly beautiful but with the benefit of quality infrastructure such as hospitals and well-sign-posted roads.

This makes it easy and cheap to rent a car to do your own sight-seeing.

19. Reunion also just wins with cocktails on the beach, snorkelling, see-through-bottomed boat trips and stand-up paddle-boarding, there’s even surf-yoga!

Courtesy of LUX Saint Gilles via Instagram

20. Island sunsets of course!

Courtesy of LUX Saint Gilles via Instagram

For more insight into Reunion read:

• Tropical France is only 4 hours away!

Diverse, complex, beautiful Reunion will enthrall you from the moment you step off the plane.

Book your flight here.

We’d love to hear your take on Reunion in the comments below.