gite5 km
Mafate · Îlet à Malheur · GR R2
Camping Chez Gigi, Îlet à Malheur: a homestay experience at the heart of Mafate
Camping and a gîte at Gigi's place in Îlet à Malheur, on the GR R2 trail between Îlet à Bourse and Aurère. What it promises is a genuine homestay: shared home-cooked Creole meals (table d'hôte) and a glimpse of daily life with a Mafate family. From €7/person.
Îlet à Malheur, MafatelocationFrom €7 / personrateGR R2trailA homestay experiencespecial
Camping Chez Gigi in Îlet à Malheur is one of the most immersive stops in Mafate. The promise of the place is a genuine homestay experience: you pitch your tent on Gigi's land, share her Creole table d'hôte (home-cooked set meals), and stock up at her small grocery store. For anyone who really wants to experience Mafate from the inside, it's the one to choose.
This page brings together what you need to know before booking: rates, access from the various Mafate entry points, facilities, a Creole table d'hôte with local produce, nearby viewpoints and ideas for planning your crossing. The GR R2 trail opens up onto nearly the whole cirque, also reachable via the guided trek from Cayenne.
At a glance
The campsite essentials
The experience
A night with Gigi
Arriving in Îlet à Malheur.The îlet (hamlet) sits right on the GR R2 trail, one of the most walked in Mafate. Once on the îlet, look out for the typical red house set against the majestic rampart: that's Gigi's gîte. You're welcomed with the simplicity of a real homestay, not the efficiency of a hotel. That's exactly what gives it its value.
The setting.The red house stands out against Îlet à Malheur's dramatic rampart, one of the most impressive in Mafate. The campsite sits right beside it, partly shaded. Banana trees, a vegetable garden, chickens: the whole of îlet life is right in front of you. At night, the silence is total, broken only by the night-time calls of wildlife.
The table d'hôte. Gigi cooks flavourful Creole food made with local produce: caris (curries), rougails, chayote or sweet potato gratin, rice, beans, sometimes homemade smoked chicken. Meals are shared under the veranda. It's one of the best home-cooked meals in Mafate, at a reasonable price.
The small grocery store.As in every inhabited îlet in Mafate, you'll find a small grocery store on site, run by Gigi: staples, drinks, tinned goods, sometimes fresh fruit. Handy for restocking between two stages without having to head back down to the coast.
How to get there
How to reach Îlet à Malheur
Îlet à Malheur is only reachable on foot, via the GR R2 trail. Several main entry points lead to the îlet:
Sans Souci (La Possession): around 4 to 5 hours of walking via the trail that reaches Cayenne before branching off towards Îlet à Malheur. A sustained trail with significant elevation gain.
From Aurère: around 1.5 hours of walking, the shortest option if you arrive via the north entrance (Sans Souci to Aurère, then Aurère to Îlet à Malheur).
From Roche Plate or La Nouvelle: trails linking the îlets inside the cirque via the GR R2, allow 4 to 6 hours depending on your starting îlet.
There's no road access: all supplies come in on foot or by helicopter. Fill up with fuel and do your shopping down in La Possession before heading up.
On site
Services and facilities at Gigi's
- Tent pitches on the family's own land
- Gîte accommodation also available, a genuine homestay
- A table d'hôte with flavourful Creole cooking made from local produce
- Dinner and breakfast included in the package
- A small grocery store on site (staples, drinks, tinned goods)
- Toilets and showers
- A water point for washing up and washing
- Trail advice and orientation from Gigi
- A family atmosphere, shared with your host
Rates
How much does a night cost
The base rate is from €7 per person per night. For the table d'hôte (dinner plus breakfast), expect an additional charge, which often makes it the best-value half-board package around.
Confirm current rates by phone before booking. No card payments, bring cash to pay on site.
Contact & booking
Booking with Gigi
Phone: +262 692 22 74 06
Address: Îlet à Malheur, 97419 La Possession
Booking is by phone only. Signal is poor in Îlet à Malheur, so be patient. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (June to October).
Let Gigi know if you'd like the tent pitch or the gîte, and whether you're taking the table d'hôte (dinner plus breakfast).
Combine it with
Activities to combine with the campsite
Îlet à Malheur sits on the GR R2 trail. Make the most of your stop to explore the local trails and viewpoints.
Guided trek in Mafate from Cayenne
A multi-day crossing of the cirque, a classic starting point from Cayenne.
See the activity
Bélouve and the Trou de Fer waterfall
A guided trail from the highlands of Salazie to the viewpoint over the island's tallest waterfall.
See the activity
Horse riding at Piton Maïdo
A horse-riding trip through the cryptomeria forests of the western highlands, towards the rampart overlooking Mafate.
See the activity
Also worth combiningAerial view
Mafate from the sky: the complementary perspective
Camping at Gigi's gives you the daily life of a Mafate îlet at ground level: a vegetable garden, chickens, a Creole table, evening conversations in Creole. A helicopter flips the perspective: it flies over the entire cirque in a few minutes, from the rampart shared with Salazie to the Brèche, and reveals Îlet à Malheur within its full setting.
Ideal alongside a trek, to see the same territory before and after the flight. 8 routes, from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
Other campsites
Other campsites in the Mafate cirque
Camping Les Filaos, Îlet à Malheur
A neighbouring campsite run by Mr Libelle, with hot water and gear rental on site.
See the campsite
Camping La Bonne Terre, Aurère
A campsite at €5/person in Aurère îlet, 1.5 hours' walk to the north.
See the campsite
Camping Jeff et Cathie, Cayenne
A campsite at €13/person with tents pitched in advance, several hours of walking away.
See the campsite
Stay nearby
Alternative accommodation nearby
If the campsite is full or you're after more comfort, here are partner places to stay within 25 km.
gite5 km
hotel7 km
hotel13 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book with Gigi?
Book by phone on +262 692 22 74 06. Signal is poor in Îlet à Malheur, so be patient. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (June to October). Let Gigi know if you'd like the tent pitch or the gîte, and whether you're taking the table d'hôte (dinner plus breakfast).
How much does a night cost?
€7 per person per night for a tent pitch. For the gîte and the table d'hôte (dinner and breakfast included), expect an additional charge. The half-board package remains the best-value option for hikers.
What does a "homestay experience" mean here?
You pitch your tent on Gigi's land, right next to her family home. You share her table d'hôte, and buy your supplies at her small grocery store. It's the most immersive experience Mafate has to offer: living a few hours like a Mafate family, sharing conversations in Creole, and understanding the rhythm and constraints of an îlet with no road.
How do you get to Îlet à Malheur?
Îlet à Malheur is only reachable on foot, via the GR R2 trail. There are three main options: Sans Souci (La Possession, 4-5 hours via Cayenne), from Aurère (1.5 hours, the shortest, via the north entrance), or from Roche Plate or La Nouvelle within the cirque (4-6 hours).
What's the difference between Chez Gigi and the neighbouring Camping Les Filaos?
Both campsites are in Îlet à Malheur, just metres apart. Les Filaos, run by Mr Libelle, offers more formats (camping, dorm, room, gear rental) and hot water at the showers. Chez Gigi is more minimalist, closer to a pure homestay spirit. Choose Les Filaos for more comfort and options, and Gigi's for family immersion.
Which activities pair well with the campsite?
Îlet à Malheur sits on the GR R2 trail. On the agenda: continuing on to Aurère, Cayenne, La Nouvelle or Roche Plate, access to local viewpoints (Deux Fesses, Grand Rein). For the widest perspective on the cirque, the helicopter flyover remains unbeatable.
When should you come and camp with Gigi?
The austral winter (May to October) offers the most stable conditions on Mafate's trails, with dry ground and frequent clear skies. Avoid the cyclone season from January to March, when some trails can become impassable after heavy rain.
Page updated on 22 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the campsite before travelling.