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Mauritius

Mark Twain once wrote that ‘Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius’. For the most part, it’s true: Mauritius is rightly famed for its sapphire waters, powder-white beaches and luxury resorts. But there’s so much more attraction to Mauritius than the beach, and it's the kind of place that rewards even the smallest attempts at exploration. There’s hiking in the forested and mountainous interior and world-class diving and snorkelling offshore. There are boat trips to near-perfect islets and excursions to botanical gardens and colonial plantation houses. Mauritius is a fabulous culinary destination with great wildlife watching thrown in. And the real Mauritius away from the beach resorts – a hot curry of different cultures and quiet fishing villages – is never far away.

Must see in
Mauritius

  • Île aux Aigrettes

    Lying offshore from the dramatically beautiful southeastern coast, Île aux Aigrettes is one place where time has moved in reverse. With an ancient ebony forest and extensive programs to restore to the island wildlife species that were, in the not-too-distant past, in danger of extinction on the mainland, the nature reserve can feel like a return to the pre-contact time before Dutch sailors arrived in 1598. Highlights include the rather lovely pink pigeon, the vivid Mauritian fody and free-ranging wild tortoises.

  • Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens

    The botanical gardens at Pamplemousses can feel as if all the fecundity of this tropical Indian Ocean paradise has been gathered in one place. Weird and wonderful plant species – some exceptionally rare; others, like the giant Victoria amazonica water lilies, utterly improbable – share the expansive grounds with enclosures of giant tortoises as well as abundant birdlife. Having sated your inner botanist, round off a fabulous day trip with a visit to world-class sugar museum L'Aventure du Sucre and the stately colonial architecture of nearby Château Labourdonnais.

  • Eureka Plantation Mansion

    There are no better excursions to the island's Central Plateau than a trip to Eureka, arguably the finest plantation mansion left on Mauritius. Situated in the cooler climes of Moka, the estate seems to have captured in bricks and mortar all the languid charm of island living and the sedate elegance of the island's French colonial architecture. If you're really taken with the place, you could enjoy a meal at the equally lovely restaurant and then stay the night in the chambre d'hôte (guesthouse).

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