Officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, this island nation located off the southeast coast of Africa is a unique blend of culture, spectacular coastline, voluptuous mountains and mouth watering cuisine. Adorned with lagoons, palm-fringed beaches and coral reefs that beautifully decorate this volcanic island.
Mauritius is a densely populated island of around 1.2 million people. Mauritians are known for their tolerance and kindness towards all people which makes this paradise even more appealing. It has long held a reputation for stability and racial harmony as demonstrated through its its mixed population of Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Chinese and Europeans. Much of this country’s ancestral cultures have been preserved due to the harmony and balance created by a multicultural peaceful coexistence.
There are regular flights from London and Paris to Mahebourg. Expect a long flight between 11 and 12 hours depending on the winds. Flights from Dubai are about 6 hours in comparison. Once you disembark from the aircraft the long transit will be well worth it when you step out into this paradise that will leave you speechless.
Food and Beverage
Due to the incredible mix of people on the island, its local cuisine has transformed into a delicious combination of traditional African flavors, mixed in with just the right amount of Indian, Chinese, and French. Sampling as many different foods as you can humanely try during the course of your stay will inspire and satisfy your tastebuds, I promise!
Farata is the Mauritian version of Indian paratha which is a layered, flaky, pan fried flatbread. They are traditionally served warm and accompany meals. Street food plays a big part in Mauritian food culture and you’ll find vendors selling all sorts of tasty meals everywhere on the island! That’s where I went for my veggie farata:) Not only does the food taste amazing, but it’s also incredibly cheap!
A delightful dipping option is tamarind chutney…You can also get veggie, chicken or salmon filled faratas from street vendors. They are to die for!
Seafood dishes are a staple in Mauritius. The crab soup is particularly awesome!
Other staples as are samosas, rice and a variety of spicy vegetable dishes like paneer. Octopus salad is often served at family functions.
“Phoenix’ as it is affectionately called by the locals became known as the ”Beer of Mauritius”. It’s is a surprisingly refreshing and subtle pale ale. Following international acclaim and awards, it is also appreciated globally.
The fresh fruit juices made in Mauritius that come in a variety of neat flavors like lychee and black current are exceptionally good. My absolute favorite is tamarind juice! It’s so refreshing:)
Boasting centuries of know-how in rum production, Mauritius makes traditional/craft rums made from molasses to agricultural rums made from sugarcane juice. Mauritius blends French and British influences to create a vast and distinguished collection of exceptional rums. There are many to choose from!
Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital and also the economic centre of Mauritius. It is the largest city on the island with approximately 200,000 inhabitants. Additionally it is a port city with a large Harbour, the biggest in the country. There are several ways to see the city from above. The Fort Adelaide Citadel is a worth while trip as the views are panoramic and provide the greatest context with regard to the mountains, ocean and the urbanization of Port Louis.
Blue Penny Museum
The Blue Penny Museum is a love song dedicated to the history of Mauritius. It houses some of the country’s most prestigious and exceptional pieces like postage stamps (the rare blue postage stamp worth 3.2 million is housed here) and an impressive art collection. The Blue Penny Museum provides a fascinating look into the history of Mauritius. It is a celebration of this country’s cultural wealth, diversity and intricate history. Across from the museum is a lovely mall where you can buy paintings, wooden souvenirs, gems, Mauritian sugar and lots of other goodies. Its waterfront location is a nice place to have a coffee or some lunch.
Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden which is also known as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, is named after the founding father of the Mauritian nation, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere.
This tropical paradise stretches over endless acres of land. The gardens have been lovingly nurtured by botanists. The grounds span over a total area of 33 hectares. There are 500 varieties of plants housed at the botanical gardens including giant water lilies. They even have Baobabs and a large spice garden. This amazing collection and collage of plants is definitely worth a visit!
Casela Safari Park
The Casela Nature Park is a 14-hectares sanctuary and home to over 1,500 birds, monkeys, zebras, lions and many other animals. Feeding the giraffes was a highlight!
It is also a beautifully landscaped adventure park that offers a range of activities including animal interactions, zip lining, a giant slide, canyoning, and quad-bike safaris. The cheetah interaction was golden. We got 30 mins with these glorious creatures:) and both cheetahs we petted were chill and were lazying around like its distant cousin the house cat.
We also chose to do the early morning rhino experience. This was my first time interacting with a rhino. These two were white rhinos which are much less ornery than the black species. I was hella stoked to participate in something like this:) However, rhinos are super aggressive and territorial. What was so surprising was how fast they lose their temper and how quickly they move in the direction of the source that is annoying them. Apparently on this particular morning, both rhinos didn’t want to be around one another and they kept charging at each other. It was a tad intimidating since we were attempting to feed them.
Trou aux Biches
Many would consider this to be the most beautiful beach on the island. I would tend to agree. This coastline boasts many boutique establishments, tourist resorts and hotels. And for added bonus, it’s only about a 40 mins drive from Port Louis. This breathtaking beach spans more than 2 kms, where it’s sugar white sandy shores, bordered by casuarina trees, provide the perfect place for people to enjoy the gorgeous Mauritian sunshine and tropical climate.
The reefs in the protected lagoon make for wonderful snorkelling, and the diving is even more spectacular. The water in the Indian Ocean was relatively warm and calm during the month of September when we visited. The coral reefs are alive with a wide array of tropical fish species.
We were lucky to have seen a massive Hawksbill sea turtle and a laced moray eel.
Grand Bassin & Ganga Talao
Grand Bassin and its the sacred lake which called Ganga Talao represents the almighty Ganges river in India. This wondrous locale is tucked away in the mountains of the South West surrounded by incredibly colourful Hindu temples and gods.
A holy pilgrimage to Grand Bassin takes place at the end of February or beginning of March every year. Up to 400 000 devotees visit the holy lake to commemorate Lord Shiva.
Mauritian Mountain Ranges
There are technically 5 mountain in Mauritius. They are the Grand Port Range, the Bambous Range, the Savanne Range, The Black River Range and the Moka Range. The names of the mountains in these ranges are sometimes based on their formations and appearance. However, others derive their names from legends and myths.
Le Pouce is the third highest mountain in Mauritius. Rumored to have been formed some 10 million years ago, this mountain was given its name because it was said to look like a thumb. Sadly, however, there is a huge erosion problem on the mountain and it is becoming harder and more dangerous to climb, but it is rumoured to boast the best views of all the mountain peaks.
Pieter Both has an interesting legend attached to it; it is said that many years ago a milkman passed the mountain where he saw fairies. The fairies told him not to tell anyone of this sighting or they would transform him into a rock. Of course, he couldn’t keep such a secret and the giant rock, which sits at the top of the mountain, is said to be this very milkman. This trek is for only experience hikers and climbers. Once you get to the steep peak, climbing equipment is required to reach the summit rock perched on top.
La Vanille Nature Park
La Vanille Nature Park boasts tropical vegetation of towering bamboo and shades of palm trees. It’s definitely a beautiful setting for an exciting walk in nature.
It also has a wide collection of crocodiles, tortoises, boars, monkeys, and lemurs to name a few. This crocodile park is home to over 2000 Nile crocodiles in different phases of development where you can hold baby crocodiles:)
The Park has the largest man-made territory of Aldabra tortoises of anywhere in the world. The park has dedicated breeding facilities, which have resulted in an increasing population exceeding a thousand tortoises. You can walk around freely, and feed these gentle and docile land animals. Domino is the oldest resident and is over 110 years old!
Gris Gris Beach
Grid Gris Beach is a beach located on the southern part of the island. This is a beach that does not have coral reefs and is home to extremely large and treacherous waves. The view is quite simply breathtaking. Grid Gris is the only beach in this country where swimming is strongly discouraged due to the strong currents and massive waves breaking the shoreline.
La Roche Qui Pleure
Well known for its majestic and mystic waves, the waters on the South Coast of Mauritius crash against the cliffs sending the water and its mist in all directions. It is as if the rocks are crying. Hence the name of this famous landmark. The walk through the trees and the surrounding rock formations are exquisite.
Trou aux Cerfs
Located in the central portion of the island close to the town of Curepipe, the Trou aux Cerfs towers 605 metres into the sky above the island. A dormant volcano which was active 2 million years ago during the creation of Mauritius, this attraction is a nice way to spend an afternoon. You can walk the entire circumference of the crater or choose to head to one of the many viewing points.
L’aventure du Sucre
L’Aventure du Sucre museum showcases 12 exceptional Mauritian unrefined sugars with natural vanilla, honey, or liquorice aromas. There is also 5-star rums from the oldest distillery on the island, New Grove House. You can purchase and try tropical jams and honeys, and vanilla 🙂 All of these products are the purest expression of the Mauritian land and are available for purchase at the Village Boutik and the end of the tour.
Worth the visit or not: WORTH
Mauritius may not be as well known as other island destinations like Bora Bora or Hawaii, but make no mistake, this island paradise is definitely worth a consideration. I have heard it referred to as the “Pearl of The Indian Ocean”, and given my multiples visits to this country, my track record aligns itself with this assessment. Mauritius is a stunning tropical paradise that is full of lush emerald green jungles, turquoise-blue lagoons, and long stretches of powdery white sand beaches. It strikes the right balance between adventure and a soft relaxing beach vacation.
Mauritius is a gorgeous blend of cultures. Its Indian Ocean location has led to a unique blend of African, Indian, Chinese, and European cultures. This mix is a huge part of the its charm. From the visually stunning architecture of the country’s temples and mosques to its music and food that will leave you salivating. Mauritians are extremely friendly, and their acceptance other people’s traditions, customs, cultures, and heritage is something we could all learn from.
I was lucky to be staying with my bestie’s family while in Mauritius. This made learning about the culture, the land, it’s history and the food almost too easy. I was constantly asking questions and in return I was being fed troves of information. I was treated so graciously by my hosts and was even generously invited to my first Hindu wedding which was amazing!
The hospitality that my husband and I experienced in our second and third visit back to this stupendous country was unmatched. Mauritians know how to party and have a care free good time! For added bonus, I even got to go Sari shopping this time around which was a highlight for me as I now have a few more treasures in my closet:) Mauritius was and remains the brightest of gems in a handful of uncut diamonds. Thank-you Mauritius for all that you are!
Happy Travels 🙂
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