Where to stay in the Cirque de Mafate?

We're heading back to Réunion on Wednesday, April 30th, and we'd like to spend 2 or 3 days in the Cirque de Mafate. Can you recommend a nice gîte where it'd be pleasant to stay, with a warm welcome and good meals? We're planning to get there by helicopter. What do you think? We're interested if you've got another great tip!

I thought tourists weren’t allowed to get dropped off in Mafate, but maybe I’m wrong. Mafate is something you earn—it takes a bit of effort, though once you arrive, the orange groves along the canals are actually pretty peaceful.

We intend to get there by helicopter

I’ll be more direct than the last member who replied to you. If you’re not thinking about the peace and quiet of hikers, at least consider the people who live in the cirque!

What do you think? We’re interested if you have another plan

In Mafate, you either go on foot or you don’t go at all. You don’t get dropped off in Mafate—can you imagine the situation if that became possible? Thousands of tourists being dropped off?! That said, you *can* leave the cirque by helicopter in case of a medical emergency or fly over it as a tourist (which I personally regret). I don’t know where you live, but would you like it if your home were flown over dozens of times a day at low altitude? I know Mafate well—I have family there.... Helicopters (flying over the island) in Réunion are already a real nuisance!

hi, the downside of going by helicopter is that you don’t get time to appreciate the landscapes or the lush surrounding vegetation. Not to mention, as mentioned earlier, the noise and disruption caused by this mode of transport.

I’ll second the previous comments. It’s best to do the hike—it’s the most beautiful part. If you get dropped off, you’ll miss the best bits. But to answer your question, you can stay at Gîte Yvon Gravina, for example.