Fodor's Expert Review Reunion National Park

Reunion's very active, but friendly volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, is the centerpiece of Reunion National Park, a designated World Heritage Site. The Park covers 42% of the island and its biodiversity is hard to match. There are 1,600 native plants species and 91 species of birds, like the Reunion harrier and cuckooshirke. Access to the crater rim is a relatively easy hike, but check ahead. The path is often closed due to frequent volcano activity. The reddish rock and ash, lunar-like landscape of Plaine des Sables is just north of the crater.