Population
1,277,245
capital
Port Louis
Language
English, Mauritian Creole, French
currency
Mauritian Rupee
Flight time
11 hours and 50 minutes from the UK
time difference
UTC/GMT +4 hours
best time to go
Apr-Jun / Sep-Dec
Introducing Mauritius
This volcanic island is certainly an island for beach lovers. The palm fringed beaches with soft white sand and crystal clear waters tell us that much. But it’s also an island for nature lovers too. Because you’ll be surrounded not only by glorious coastlines, but endless rainforests, waterfall walks, beautiful national parks with hiking trails, and infinite flora and fauna across the land. Whether you find yourself coconut in hand stretched out on the powder soft sands watching the waves or rucksack in tow heading out to the Black River Gorges to explore the nation’s wildest preserved forest, Mauritius is a dream destination with something for everyone and all the East African charm you could dream of. This magical island nation is set in a remote location in the Indian Ocean and is the perfect haven for couples, honeymooners or families and if you’ve got a penchant for opulence, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the island’s grand 5 star resorts. If you’re after a taste of the beach life, you’ll get to enjoy it with all of life’s luxuries. And with the most incredible beach views and coastal sunsets which won’t cost you a penny, you can do as much or as little as you like. Whether you come to Mauritius to relax and wind down or you come to get back to nature, here lives an adventure for everyone.
Family
Most beach resorts in Mauritius are family friendly and some can offer childcare services for parents. Some great family activities on the island include Mauritius National Botanical Garden, Vallée des Couleurs, Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park & Nature Reserve, Mauritius Aquarium and the East Coast Kids Adventure Park. Mauritius is also famed for its safari adventures, dolphin and whale spotting and hiking. The country is a safe place to travel to, with around 100,000 British tourists visiting Mauritius every year and most visits being trouble free.
Cuisine
The food of Mauritius is an exotic and interesting fusion of flavours influenced by the country’s Chinese, French and Indian history. French dishes in particular are hugely popular in modern day island cooking and some must try dishes include Dholl Puris (a great street food option), Mauritian curry, Rougaille Mauricien and Gajak fried snacks. Mauritians are known to eat Mazavaroo chilli with everything and they love to wash it all down with their signature vanilla tea.
History and Culture
The capital, Port Louis is worth a day trip if you want to witness the multicultural influences which have been brought upon this island. The city has a rich and diverse colonial history from 18th Century French, Dutch and British rule and the Mauritius is also home to one of the few China Towns in Africa which formed after the influx of Chinese immigrants in the late 19th Century. Many believe that the island was first discovered by the Arabs and was later visited by Portuguese sailors from 1507 and 1513. Today, the culture is diverse and the fusion style cuisine is reflective of the country’s multicultural past.
Recommended Mauritius Specialists
Top Locations in Mauritius
Black River Gorges National Park
The island of Mauritius is only known for its beautiful beaches but it is also home to some of the wildest preserved rainforest areas in the world. Head to Black River Gorges National Park and take a hike to all the major viewpoints – the Gorges View Point and Alexander Falls. Parking is free and there’s also a handy visitor’s centre with information, toilets and picnic benches. Be sure to pack waterproofs in case it rains, mosquito spray and plenty of water.
Big Cats Drive Thru (Casela Park)
The Big Cats Drive Thru at Casela Park is a fun and light-hearted safari experience suitable for visitors of all ages and will give you the rare opportunity to see one of the ‘Big Five’ in Africa. Operating hours are from 09:00 to 17:00 and the drive will last around 45 minutes. You will get a chance to see Bengal tigers as well as lions and there are also big cat interaction opportunities at an extra cost. The park also features a number of protected rhinos, giraffe and camels.
National Botanical Garden
The National Botanical Garden makes a great day out for the whole family and it’s a fantastic nature alternative to hiking in the rainforest. This easy day out will take you to one of the most spectacular maintained gardens in Africa, which is one of the most famous tourist attractions on the island. Located close to Port Louis, this garden stretches over acres and acres of land and features more than 650 varieties of plants and flowers.
Mauritius Aquarium
This delightful aquarium is home to more than 200 different species of fish, invertebrates, live coral and sponges all from the water surrounding the island. Starting at just 6 Euros for kids and 9 Euros for adults, the Mauritius Aquarium is a very affordable day out and visitors will get to tour the venue from 9:00 to 17:00 daily. The marine life you will see during your visit includes Devil Firefish, Crown Squirrelfish and some different shark species.
Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery
For adults only, the Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery in the stunning Chamarel region (not far from Vallée des Couleurs which is also a must-see) is a great little place for learning more about rum. Spend the day rum tasting and taking a grand tour of the factory. During your visit, you will also get to go to The Sugar Cane Spirit Shop where you can buy the local rum as well as some locally designed crafts and souvenirs and the Restaurant L’Alchimiste where you can enjoy a locally grown menu with exotic delicacies.