Mauritius

             

                       

Geography

Mauritius, a volcanic and mountainous island in the Indian Ocean, lies 2000km (1240 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, due east of Madagascar. The island state stands on what was once a land bridge between Asia and Africa called the Mascarene Archipelago. From the coast, the land rises to form a broad fertile plain on which sugar cane flourishes. Some 500km (310 miles) east is Rodrigues Island, and 900km (560 miles) to the north is Agalega. 

Area: 2040 sq km (788 sq miles).

Population: 1,122,811 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density: 599.4 per sq km.

Capital: Port Louis. Population: 144,303 (2000).

Time: GMT + 4

A visit to Mauritius will linger in your memory as an unusual mixture of scenes and experiences taken up here and there along the roads leading past verdant mountains and spectacular beaches. It will be a heterogeneous blend of island mystery and brightly transparent lagoons, the exuberant Creole character encountered in the marketplace, the astonishing variety of deep-sea fauna, mysterious primeval forest with exotic fragrances, the delicious combinations found in Mauritian cooking, the excitement of water sports, and the charm of an incomparable hotel industry.

Language: Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English and French. Creole and French are the main languages in the everyday environment and several oriental languages are also spoken.

Fascinating Cultural Diversity

Fascinating Cultural Diversity Where You Can See Faces From All Over the World. Indeed, the rich cultural diversity of the people has become the island's pride: it’s Indian, Chinese, Creole, African, European and Malagasy populations live together in perfect harmony, respecting one another's traditions and remaining true to their own. Mauritius holds a sweet surprise for those who have come only to see its incomparable lagoons and glorious beaches: the incredible ethnic and cultural diversity of its population, whose ancestors have come from all over Europe, Africa, Asia and the Madagascar. They all brought with them their own customs, language, and religion, which they have kept alive.

In fact, the main religions of the world have left their mark on Mauritius and a remarkable number of religious festivals are celebrated on the island. Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism are the most practiced religions. All year long, cultural and religious festivals are celebrated in peace and harmony in Mauritius. 

Moreover, the people of Mauritius all share a common identity centered on the Creole language, an active literary scene, and the national dance, the Sega. The Sega is the Mauritian dance par excellence.

Beautiful Beaches in Mauritius

The glorious beaches have been attracting travelers since the sixteenth century. Mauritius is embraced by a spectacular coral reef which transforms the mighty Indian Ocean into coastal lagoons as calm as a baby's bath, laced with golden, powder-soft coral beaches, fringed with exotic coconut palms and casuarinas.   

These lagoon waters are a blend of exotic shades of blue, green, turquoise and indigo and astonishingly translucent. The protecting reef sustains the delicious warmth of the waters, preserves their calm, and keeps the little fish in and the big fish out. It makes Mauritius one of the few places on earth where you can indulge whichever water sport you fancy, or simply swim and sunbathe all year round. The spectacular beaches of Mauritius are among the most treasured and unsurpassed anywhere else in the world for their quality or beauty

Mauritius Excursions

Enjoy Hiking and Trekking in Mauritius with its breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, forests and more. Enjoy hiking trip through the fields, trekking on a zip line or on a bike, and discover this magnificent nature paradise. 

Mauritius offers many hiking and trekking tours in its parks and reserves, around the basaltic mountains, and in many other beautiful locations. Each peak offers a unique panoramic sight of this most amazing paradise. Trekking in Mauritius in places like the Black River Gorges national park where the native forest and birds can be seen, or hiking to Mauritius' summits like Le Pouce and Black River peek mountain will all offer you a memory of a lifetime.

There are currently several zip Lines activities in Mauritius, of different heights and lengths.

Mauritius being a volcanic island has several breathtaking summits and valleys to explore on foot. The island is well known for its natural beauty.

Mauritius is famous for its breathtaking nature with its beautiful birds, flora, coastlines and with many magnificent views. Mauritius has several National Parks and is a true wildlife Sanctuary. The flora of Mauritius is composed of 700 species of indigenous plants.

In addition to the traditional trekking activities in Mauritius, you can also go on a unique adventure activity of trekking with the zip lines. A zip-line (also known as a flying fox, zip wire, aerial runway, aerial rope slide, Tyrolean crossing) consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline.

Some of the more popular National Parks in Mauritius are:

• Black River Gorges National Park
• Yemen - Safari and Bird Park
• Domaine des Chasseurs
• Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary 

Additional information on top trekking & Hiking destinations in Mauritius:

The "Black River Gorges" National park -The Park which is located on the southwest corner of Mauritius, extends over an area of 6,754 hectares and covers about 2% of the island’s area. There are several short and long recommended hikes in the park. With the help of guides, you will discover Mauritius' natural heritage in this unique area which is also the location of one of the rarest forests in the world. It harbors about 311 species of native and endemic flowering plants and 9 species of birds, which are found only in Mauritius. These are called endemic species. At the Black River Gorges National Park all efforts are taken in order to protect these species, while allowing visitors to enjoy this unique place. We offer few hiking trips that will take you into the heart of the indigenous forest offering many panoramic views and with a visit to a refreshing river where you can have a swim.

Le Pouce – This Mountain is the third highest in Mauritius, peaking at 812m, located in the North West of the island between the Pieter Both and the Signal mountain. From the peak you will have a 360 degree view. The sight of the northern part of the island is splendid, with a beautiful view of the northern small islands of Mauritius - Flat Island, Round Island and Snake Island. It also offers one of the most beautiful views of the capital: Port Louis, as well as Moka and the high grounds of Plain Wilhems. Le Pouce is known as ‘The Thumb’ peak. The first person to climb Le Pouce is accredited as Charles Darwin.

• Maccabée Forest - Discover this National Park with many panoramic views onto the native forest, waterfalls and onto the sea. You may come across various endangered birds like the pink pigeon and the echo Parakeet, and even see wild monkeys! It lets you experience the Mauritian tropical forest at its best.

• La Nicoliere reserve - La Nicoliere is a water reserve which is located on the way to the East and provides access to the center of Mauritius. The small lake is surrounded by hills, forming a protected zone where the vegetation is totally different from the one along the coast just.

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Kestrel Valley -This private valley stretches over hundreds of hectares and offers several trekking possibilities. You will be able to discover Mauritian fauna and flora in a preserved natural environment along carefully laid out trails. Circuits go from one to two hours walks. The vallery offers great panoramic views and lush vegetation together with wild boars and deers. There is an entrance fee to the valley.

• The Corps de Garde - An excursion whose climax peaks at 780m, with an impressive panoramic view of the island as far as the eye can see. The path proceeds through basalt rock, steep enough to make use of your hands, and at other times through the bush. The drops are impressive although remote, which gives character to this excursion. Seen from above, the urban civilization in all its extent presents an overall view of Curepipe, Vacoas, Quatre Bornes, Rose Hill, Beau Bassin and les Pailles. On the other side, towards the West, a green stretch of mountains appears. The most well known are: Trois Mamelles, Rempart, Tourelle de Tamarin, Black River Piton, and further away the mountain of Morne Brabant standing majestically. This is a more adventures trek which will take at least 4 hours to complete.

The Trois Mamelles-  This atypical solid mass on the West of the island with three distinct sections is peaking at approximately 500m. Climbing the central peak is done in two parts: initially on the path which goes through the bush while the second part is definitely more exposed. The drops on both sides are rather impressive. Frequently the adrenalin peaks up as you approach the top. The panoramic view is awesome and most rewarding for this challenging climb. Three hours are required to accomplish this outstanding hike.

• The Tamarind Falls - The sight of these great waterfalls from close is really a must see. Tamarind waterfalls are the highest in Mauritius with a "fall" of almost 300 meters! The trek starts with a walk down in this impressive canyon, discovering progressively each waterfall with its natural basin. Sometimes the trek shall progress in the forest, sometimes in an open area on the basalt rock nearby the water. One can feel free to have a swim in the water or enjoy a natural massage when standing under the cascade. The path is steep sometimes; one should be rather fit in order to explore this trek. You can choose between a full day (also including lunch) and half day trips.

• The Tourelle de Tamarin - This mountain of 548m offers the best view of the entire western area of Mauritius. This is a private property; the land belongs to the Maingard family. The climb starts at the sea level on the northern slope of the mountain. The path to the top of the mountain is rather steep, except for a few sections which are ideal for a drink break and for taking some beautiful pictures. Nature is completely well preserved. A beautiful variety of indigenous plants grow here. At the end of the climb you will enjoy the exceptional panorama view of the most beautiful lagoon “les Fonds Blancs” and of the Morne Brabant mountain.

Tourist Attractions in Mauritius

Mauritius Botanical Garden, also known as Pamplemousses Garden and SSR Botanical Garden, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius, and is located near Port Louis. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. The spectacular garden was built by Pierre Poivre in 1767, and covers an area of around 37 hectares. The botanical garden is most famous for its giant water lilies, spice garden and unique collection of 85 varieties of palms from Central America, Asia, Africa and the islands around the Indian Ocean. 

Black River Gorges National Park is a national park stretching on an area of 6,574 hectares in the hilly south-western part of Mauritius. It was construction in order to save the natural vegetation of the island and make it one of the most important Mauritius sightseeing. One can walk along the greenery and reach the highest point of the island, which is the Black River Peak. Facilities for visitors include two information centers, picnic areas and 60 kilometers of trails. The Black River Gorges National park protects most of the island's remaining rainforest, and is home to many species of wild animals and birds. Many endemic plants and animals can be found in the park including the Mauritian flying fox, Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, Mauritius parakeet, Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, Mauritius bulbul, Mauritius olive white- eye

Île aux Cerfs Island, known in English as the deer island is an island near the east coast of Mauritius in the Flacq district. Ile Aux Cerfs is famous for its sandy beaches, beautiful lagoon and big selection of activities and facilities. In Ile Aux Cerfs you are sure to have a day of relaxation and fun on one of the picture-postcard beaches, and to enjoy a swim and snorkeling in the lagoon. This paradise island of Mauritius constitutes of around 100 hectares of land. Nowadays there are no more deer on the island, but you will find there some of the worlds beautiful beaches and as such it is one of the must place to visit and see in Mauritius.

Port Louis is the capital city and main port of Mauritius, Port Louis was constructed in the year 1735 by the noted French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais. Today Port Louis is the largest city in Mauritius. Port Louis is surrounded by a mountain range, called the Port Louis Moka Range which makes it worth Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings through the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide or La Citadelle, built by the British in 1835. The latter dominates the city. The main tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis Bazaar, Police Barracks, the Mauritian Chinatown and the old Port Louis theatre. The capital has also three museums which are: the Blue Penny Museum, the Mauritius Natural History Museum and the Mauritius Stamp Museum. Also, the biggest and oldest post office in Mauritius is found in Port Louis near the Caudan Waterfront. At the city center there are number of French styled buildings, which enhances the charm of Port Louis. Port Louis is definitely a must place to see and visit during your visit to Mauritius.

Blue Penny Museum: Founded by the Mauritius Commercial Bank, this museum houses items of high national heritage including the famous stamps of the Post Office series printed in 1847

Domaine Les Pailles: Stretching more than 3,000 acres, this nature park and cultural center features fun activities for all ages including tours by horse-drawn carriages, train rides, pony rides for children and an adventure safari in Land Rovers along winding mountain trails

Citadel Fort Adelaide: This old Forteress have been the symbol of the colonial periode of the island. Some time ago its was used to hold concerts where some of the most popular artists have performed. Now a days it still symbolise some sort of power thought it have never seen any battle. Still it remains a unique historical building in the region.

Natural History Museum:  Founded in 1880, this museum features an exhibit of the popular Dodo, the flightless bird that has been extinct since the end of the 17th century, and a vast library collection of more than 50,000 books

Caudan Waterfront: This modern shopping and entertainment complex features clothing boutiques, fine restaurants, hotels, a casino and live street entertainment.

Grand Bassin, known also as Ganga Talao is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 600 meters above sea level. The Grand Bassin is a holy lake for Mauritian of Hindu faith. It is said that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India. The Hindus of Mauritius declared the Grand Bassin as a Holy lake. The Hindu community performs there a pilgrimage every year on the Maha Sivaratri/“Siva’s Great Night”, on this day they honor the Lord Siva. Beside the lake there a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman and Lakshmi. Also, overlooking the lake is the statue of Mangal Mahadev (Shiva statue) which is of 33 meters, making it the highest statue in Mauritius.

Chamarel park - 7 colored earth & Chamarel falls - The “seven-colored earth” of Chamarel is a geological curiosity and a major tourist attraction of Mauritius. The landscape at Chamarel is truly unique; it is the only place in world where you can find a clay earth of 7 colors at one place. The colors of these unique dunes are red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellowand red are predominant. Also when visiting the park you get to see a great view of the neighboring falls and of the lush vegetation all around. The Chamarel park offers another attraction to be relished first, the Waterfall of Chamarel. It is a truly beautiful waterfall; some consider it as the best in Mauritius. Three distinct stream plunging down a free fall of nearly 100 meters down into the gorge.

Trou aux Cerfs is a 605 m high extinct volcano located in Curepipe, Mauritius. The crater has been alternately described as 300 meters in diameter, and is 85 meters deep. Trou aux Cerfs is considered the main attractions of Curepipe. In the center of the crater there is a small lake. From the view point on the crater you will have a spectacular view of major part of Mauritius Island. The volcano is considered as a dormant volcano, which has been formed millions of years ago and was active until 600,000 to 700,000 years ago

Ile aux Aigrettes - Ile aux Aigrettes is a tiny coral island (25 hectares) just off the coast of the town of Mahebourg. The island has been declared a nature conservation site and today is being preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Owing to the remarkable work accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, the island has become an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species. A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there. You can also discover the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise. Some of the plants found in Ile aux Aigrettes grow nowhere else in the world and they form the last remnant of a coastal forest that once surrounded much of Mauritius. Eighteen Mauritian plant species which grow on the island are classified as endangered or very rare

Gabriel Island, known also as Îlot Gabriel, is located near the Round Island and the Flat island, at the extreme north of Mauritius, about 10 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux. The distance between Gabriel Island and Flat Island is only 750 meters. The size of the island is 42 hectares and the highest point is of 28 meters. Gabriel Island is a protected natural reserve and is most famous for if its beautiful unspoiled beaches, with crystal clear water surrounding the entire island. It is a very popular site for snorkeling, it offers great dive sites, and is the ideal destination for a day of relaxation on the beach.

Eureka Creole House - Eureka House is a unique Creole house built in 1830 in a magnificent garden surrounded by waterfalls of Moka River and the Moka Range. Eureka House is reputed to be one of the largest houses on the island, with 109 doors and windows. The Eureka house was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1986. The museum has areas dedicated to music, art, antique maps, Chinese and Indian house wares and quirky contraptions like a colonial-era shower.

About Mauritius Sea & Water Excursions

Mauritius is a real paradise island for any sea and water related excursions and activities. Whether it is a day of sailing along Mauritius coasts or to one of the many islands surrounding the mainland, or any other sea and water sport activities; you will find what you looking for.

RESORTS IN MAURITIUS