Mauritius, Madagascar & Seychelles

[kpc]

La Reunion is not really blessed with the magnificent beaches we saw in the Seychelles, but is a hiker's paradise.... My +1 wanted to hike 5 hours to see the tallest waterfall, and when I refused, then wanted to hike to the active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise which takes at least 6 hours for people of average fitness which I dont even think I am!! Some online reviewers said it took them 8 hours return!!

Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet in terms of the frequency of new eruptions (on average one every nine months over the last ten years). It last erupted in August 2023!

I managed to book an hour helicopter tour over the volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls etc which we took yesterday....it was not outrageously expensive at €339 each.

As +1 was the lightest, she got to sit upfront for the best views and photos, whilst I was sqauahed at the back with 3 others ...but the views were still fantastic and I avoided hours of hiking!

 

[kpc]

Just got back from this 4 and 1/2 week trip. I don't do TRs these days but happy to answer any Qs you may have on Seychelles, Madagascar, La Reunion and Mauritius based on our experiences

 

[Flashback]

Just got back from this 4 and 1/2 week trip. I don't do TRs these days but happy to answer any Qs you may have on Seychelles, Madagascar, La Reunion and Mauritius based on our experiences

Where did you end up going in Mads and how'd you get around? I can probably add some additional insights now too as I've finally done some "touristy" things.

If wanting to avoid chartering planes, Fort Dauphin is a good option and will allow you to see all the various wildlife.

 

[tassie6]

Just got back from this 4 and 1/2 week trip. I don't do TRs these days but happy to answer any Qs you may have on Seychelles, Madagascar, La Reunion and Mauritius based on our experiences

Did you stay in any resorts on Mauritius? Potentially a family reunion style trip in a couple of years so looking at options with a group of 15 or so with kids from 3-15 years of age

 

[kpc]

Where did you end up going in Mads and how'd you get around? I can probably add some additional insights now too as I've finally done some "touristy" things.

If wanting to avoid chartering planes, Fort Dauphin is a good option and will allow you to see all the various wildlife.

We took a private tour (same company as @Myrna ). Spent a couple of days in Antananarivo where we visited Lemurs Park, Queens palace and tour of city. Then took a domestic flight to Morondava when we went by road to Tsingy National Park (to climb the limestone cliffs) via Kirindy National Park (to see the nocturnal and diurnal lemurs) and Avenue of Baobabs, which we revisited at sunset ....magical! Rest of the time was spent on the very dodgy and bad Madagascar roads.

Madagascar is probably the poorest country I have ever visited and can be quite confronting at many levels

 

[kpc]

Did you stay in any resorts on Mauritius? Potentially a family reunion style trip in a couple of years so looking at options with a group of 15 or so with kids from 3-15 years of age

We stayed at Hilton Mauritius Resort at Flic en Flac for a couple of nights...has direct beach access which is nice. I can't comment though whether it is kid friendly or not unfortunately although I did see a few kids around. The rest of time we spent at cheaper apartment type accomodation

 

[Flashback]

We took a private tour (same company as @Myrna ). Spent a couple of days in Antananarivo where we visited Lemurs Park, Queens palace and tour of city. Then took a domestic flight to Morondava when we went by road to Tsingy National Park (to climb the limestone cliffs) via Kirindy National Park (to see the nocturnal and diurnal lemurs) and Avenue of Baobabs, which we revisited at sunset ....magical! Rest of the time was spent on the very dodgy and bad Madagascar roads.

Madagascar is probably the poorest country I have ever visited and can be quite confronting at many levels

I guess I'm used to it having been to countries all over Africa, and worked in places like Guinea, Liberia, India, Madagascar etc. So, it's always good to get perspective of others less desensitised to it.

Fort Dauphin is also a good option and you can fly commercial down there (circa €330 return) and then once there easy to head to places like Berenty, Cascades, Nahampoana, Lokaro etc.