Mauritius

Types of trips: Relaxation, Culture, Geography, Nature, History, Exploration

Best known for: Beaches, Origin of the Dodo, Multicoloured earth

Why Go?: Mauritius seemingly has it all - from great weather and fantastic beaches to an exciting culture and historic sights, this will be an excellent destination for people of all ages and interests!

Fact File

Population: 1,300,000

Capital: Port Louis

Ties to the UK?: Good relationship & popular travel destination

Landscape: Generally tropical environment, with many beaches along the coast and thick forests in central higher regions.

Climate/Seasons: Tropical climate with year round warm temperatures - coolest and driest from May - November and warm/humid from December - April. 

When to Go: In general, May through til early December is the best time to visit, but there can be strong winds in July and August making the east coast quite blustery.

Reasons to Visit: Relaxation/beaches, local culture/sights

How to Get There: Flying is the best way to get to Mauritius from the UK, and you should be able to fly direct from London

Places to Go: Blue Penny Museum, Eureka House, Ganga Talao

Famous People: Kailash Purryag, Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard, Joël de Rosnay

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Black River Gorges National Park, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, Pieter Both

History: Under British rule from 1810 til 1968 when it gained independence, becoming a republic 1992 in the Commonwealth

Architecture: Chateau de Labourdonnais, Jummah Masjid

Culture: Current day society is a blend of the indigenous cultural traditions and the influences of visiting cultures in its history. 

Sport: Football, Cycling, Horseracing, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball

Events: Thaipoosam Cavadee, Maha Shivaratree, National Day, Mauritius Marathon, Barbe Cup

Watch Out For: Cyclones can occur in the rainy season, so if you are visiting curing that period make sure to keep an eye on weather updates and be aware of safety procedures. You will need a visa to enter Mauritius, but you can get these on arrival and they shouldn't be a problem.

Medical Issues: Some vaccines and boosters may be advised for a trip to Mauritius - see here for a general overview and always talk to a doctor!