Accommodation
Hi,I will be going to Mauritius for my honeymoon in January for two weeks. I am currently looking into accommodation options and had a few questions.
1. What is the best area to stay in? I read in other posts that its a better idea to stay on the west coast as opposed to the east because its more windy there. However, when I look into different areas/neighborhoods I cannot seem to decide which one to choose - what neighborhood/area would you recommend (Flic En Flac, Belle Mar etc)? We want to stay at a hotel that is on a beach so I wanted to know what are the best beaches and in what areas are they located? Our budget is about $100 to $150 (USD) per night - are there specific hotels you might recommend based on this budget?
2. Since we will be there for two weeks - I was thinking about staying in two different areas (1 week each) instead of staying in one place. However, I am also aware that the island isn't that big so I was just wondering whether you think that would be a good idea or not.
3. As far as transportation is concerned do you think its advisable to rent a car if we are there for 14 days or is it safe and affordable to travel in a taxi?
4. Are 2 weeks too much for Mauritius? We would like to relax for 4-5 days but of course we want to do some activities as well - is there a lot to do in Mauritius or should we consider going for 7-10 days instead? I was considering going to South Africa for 4 days in addition to 1 week in Mauritius but its turning out to be quite expensive so I had to cut that out. Are there any other destinations close by which you would recommend that we visit while we are there?
Thanks so much!
1
The Trou Aux Biches area in the north west is nice and has quite a few resorts at various budgets. It is also close to Grand Baie where there are a number of bars and restaurants.Taxis will work out to be more expensive than renting a self drive car. It is a small island. If you get bored after a week, you could try flying/sailing to the islands of Rodrigues or Reunion. Also the ship "Mauritius Pride" offers full day cruises from Port Louis. Check out the schedule here
http://www.mauritiusshipping.intnet.mu/schedulepage.html
5
So the hotel I have selected (so far) is Beachcomber Trou aux Biches Resort & Spa. My fiancé wants a luxury trip and this hotel seems a bit expensive but I was thinking we could cut down on the number of days in Mauritius and stay in this hotel while we are there. Another thing we were considering - and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it - is that we wanted to possibly include another destination in this trip. We will be coming from Pakistan so what possible destinations do you think we could include? Dubai seems to make sense since Emirates already has a stopover there. But I was more interested in Tanzania, South Africa or Kenya. The problem with Tanzania seems to be that there aren't direct flights from there to Mauritius.. any recommendations?Secondly, since I would like to do a safari (even if its a one day or two day safari) at the second destination - which one would you recommend makes the most sense to go to keeping in mind that we would be on a budget? I have heard Serengiti in Tanzania is a great place for a safari but is also quite expensive.. any suggestions?
Thanks so much!
6
I don't think there are any flights from Mauritius to Tanzania. But there are flights to Nairobi, Kenya. From Nairobi you can take a shuttle (they are nice, clean, air conditioned and cost about $25) to Arusha, Tanzania. The Serengeti safaris start from Arusha. But a one day or 2 day safari is a waste of money and time. At a minimum, the safari should include Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. This will be a 4 night/5 day safari. Safaris are expensive. They start from $150+ per person per day. But it's an amazing experience.7
Arusha is actually closer from Nairobi than Dar-es-Salaam. If I remember correctly, it is approx a 4 hr drive from Nairobi to Arusha. It's almost a 12 hour road journey from Dar to Arusha.9
I would also suggest that you turn the trip upside down. Do the safari first and then end the trip relaxing in peace in Mauritius.Emirates flies to both Nairobi and Mauritius. So you can buy an "open jaw" ticket from Emirates. Fly Pakistan - Dubai - Nairobi and the return Mauritius - Dubai - Pakistan. Buy a separate Nairobi - Mauritius ticket either on Air Mauritius or Kenya Airways.
10
Yes! I am doing the safari first but I've shortlisted Tanzania for that instead of Kenya..This is what i have narrowed it down to:
First 3 nights - Zanzibar
4 nights - Mainland Tanzania Bright African Safaris helping me organize the safari for these 4 days
last 3 nights - Mauritius
From Pakistan I think we can get a flight to Dar es Salam and can probably take a ferry from there to Zanzibar - need to figure out how to get from mainland Tanzania to Mauritius. I will look into the shuttle you suggested above to figure out if I can go to Nairobi from there and then to Mauritius.. only problem is the visa - i will probably need three visas if I use the shuttle from Arusha to get there to catch a flight to Mauritius. But I'll look into this. Thanks!!
12
Hi,I would recommend not staying out at the railway station but somewhere handy within or on the outskirts of the medina such as suggested by Cashaseiro and Windcity here. There are quite a number of very interesting places that are within walking distance of the centre though many places are also easily gotten to by using low priced taxis. Take a look and choose your hotel room with live webcam pics. http://www.webcam-index.com/Africa/Morocco/
Have a good journey!!!
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Hi from Trou aux Biches,Mauritius....I live in this slendid location and would recomment anyone to go to this region which is also near Grand Baie,where nightlife is much busier! But for accomodation,there are quite a few possiblilities and you better get in touch with someone on the spot! I'll be glad to help!
http://www.google.mu/search?q=trou+aux+biche&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=gESaUOO0GIfrrQeuxYDQCg
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Dear mq2804,Many congratulations on your wedding and hope you have a happy married life.
I went thru the post and I must say you have a very nice honeymoon planned.
Even I am planning a honeymoon in the month of Feb and the question i have is how much US$ is this trip working out for you cos even I can plan something if it is within my budget.
Best regards,
Avinash
