With its azure waters, white sandy beaches and spectacular lagoons and reefs, it’s not surprising Mark Twain wrote, “Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.” And there’s a lot more to it as well, including the forested and mountainous parts and the Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife. In the capital, Port Louis, visitors can enjoy botanical gardens like the 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, as well as colonial plantation houses.
The Indian Ocean nation is particularly inviting for travellers from the GCC as Muslims can find prayer facilities around every part of the Island. Plus, hotels and restaurants in the fabulous culinary destination serve a wide range of Halal food. Another reason for Muslims to add Mauritius to their must-visit list is that conservative families can find private accommodation with pools to enjoy their privacy while staying at one of the numerous world-class luxury resorts. There’s also the fact Saudi Airlines serves five direct flights a week from Jeddah and Emirates has daily flights from Dubai, making it a practical getaway.
As well as being the perfect destination to escape the region’s scorching temperatures thanks to its moderate temperatures, Mauritius is ideal to visit during the summer because there are so many activities for the whole family.
Amusement parks, museums, sports activities and nature trails and reserves are found throughout the island. There’s also this list of memorable and thrilling experiences the young and young-at-heart can enjoy:
Close encounters with all kinds of animals
Visitors who go on safari trips have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, whether it’s feeding a giraffe or walking with the lions. Mauritius is also home to lots of other types of fascinating animals and birds. Children will enjoy outings where they can see, touch and learn about the wide variety of creatures, big and small, including giant tortoises that have lived for 100 years. These massive centenarians are a sight to behold. Also, little ones get to meet the Mauritian Kestrel, the rare Pink Pigeon, the bright-hued Macaws and some of the 1,500 Nile crocodiles living there.
Zipping away
Adventurers will find zip lining an exciting way to discover the country’s breath-taking and diverse landscapes. And the great thing is that in Mauritius, which boasts the most extended zip lines in the Indian Ocean, it’s easy for you to find zip lines of different lengths, heights and speed to choose from. So Just about anyone has the chance to get that adrenaline rush while whizzing through a magnificent forest canopy.
Meet and greet with dolphins
An early morning one-on-one with marine life makes for an extraordinary and unforgettable experience for anyone. Dolphins love the warm Mauritian waters and are often seen playing in the bay as the sun rises, before heading back to the open sea. Going on a boat trip is a unique opportunity to see these adorable marine mammals in their natural habitat.
