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There is a fourth crater too, the active volcano of Piton de la Fournaise, but it is situated further south where it periodically spews molten lava towards the east coast. The latest eruption was only last year. At Hell Bourg, near the town of Salazie, I climbed a rocky path for two hours through the cloud forest to a viewpoint overlooking the Bébour forest.
Clouds scudded across the 3069m summit of Piton des Neiges, while trickling waterfalls sent ice-cold water cascading through the ferns clinging to the sides of the mountain. Wild strawberries decorated the edges of the path and tec tecs (tiny finches) hopped through the trees, chirping at me as I passed. There were toads with glistening skin in the leaf mould beside the steep track, and for five hours (there and back), I saw no other human beings. Back at my mountain hotel the night air was cool, as I ate steaming lentils flavoured with chillis and drank a glass of the sweet dessert wine made from grapes grown in the mountains. Madagascar
World’s fourth largest island.
Spectacular mountain forests and national parks.
Naturalist’s paradise with unique plants and animals, including 51varieties of lemur.
Beaches, watersports, plus fascinating cultures and ceremonies.
Bassas da India
Remote, almost submerged, atoll 10km in diameter.
Superb scuba diving with some 32km of reef to choose from. Comoros
Once controlled by Muslim sultans, then by the French, now an Islamic republic.
Mountainous terrain with active volcano on Njadzidja.
The coelacanth, a “living fossil” was “discovered” in deep offshore waters.
Aldabra
World heritage site.
Limestone formations known as champignons dotted around lagoon.
Wonderful island and marine life, including giant land tortoises, turtles
and the flightless Aldabran rail. Réunion
Stylish mix of French and Créole: Euros, croissants, séga and sorcery.
Dramatic volcanic interior popular with naturalists, hikers and adventure enthusiasts.
Mauritius
Accessible tropical paradise for sun-worshippers and watersports fans.
British, French, Indian and Créole influences. Superb deep sea fishing.
Infamous as the home of the extinct dodo. Rodrigues
Simple and laid-back: a Mauritius of 30 years ago.
Small volcanic island surrounded by reefs.
Activities include coastal hikes, diving and spelunking. Seychelles
Popular tropical paradise offering sun, sea, sand and watersports.
Dense forests, pink-boulder beaches and superb diving.
Several exclusive resorts and private islands, but little budget accommodation.
Maldives
Most ‘watery’ nation on earth (99.6% sea).
1200 palm-fringed coral islands.
Pristine beaches, spectacular diving, snorkelling and big-game fishing. Copyright © 2004 Travel Africa Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of the author is prohibited. | 
