Africa, Eastern: Mauritius

Adventure Island


Primarily known as a beach escape destination with top quality beaches usually located right at your hotel, Mauritius is increasingly being discovered by the South African market as an island that can offer so much more adventure and activity beyond the beach. Together with popular water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, surfing, ocean kayaking and water skiing, people are also beginning to increase their destination awareness to the array of inland adventure on offer.

Some of the finest golf courses in the southern hemisphere are found in Mauritius. Both Le Touessrok and The Belle Mare Plage Resorts on the east coast have 18 hole championship courses set in idyllic surroundings and Le Paradis Resort on the south west tip of the island has an 18 hole course in a beautiful parkland dominated by the Morne mountain. The new Tamarina Golf Estate and Beach Club on the west coast, boasts 119 luxury villas, an 18-hole and par 72 Championship golf course designed by Rodney Wright. Although all 119 villas have already been sold, interesting rental options are also available for visitors to the island - golfers and non-golfers alike!

With 30 miles of trails in the forested area in the south west, Mauritius is a haven for hikers. The best region for free trekking or hiking is the west, namely due to the Black River Gorges National park but some private domains now allow trekking through licensed excursionists, having exclusivity on these premises. Larger domains organise daily guided hikes on a commercial basis, some comprising mountain climbing as well.
Nature Parks are inland and can be explored in land rovers, on foot or quad bikes. Yemen is 4,500 hectares of grassy savannah on the west coast of the island surrounded by mountains. This reserve has recently opened its doors to share with the privileged visitor a selection of outdoor escapades including hiking, quad biking and mountain climbing. The Casela Bird Park is home to 142 species of birds. The Park covers 25 acres (10 hectares) and sits on the flanks of Rempart Mountain with views of cane clothed countryside rolling down to the west coast. There is a restaurant and snack bar and walks criss-crossing ponds and streams. Some other green places of interest include Domaine du Chasseur with the highest restaurant on the island, L'Exil, L'Etoile, Valriche, and Ile Aux Aigrettes, a tiny islet where the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has managed to eradicate all non-endemic species as a way to encourage the proliferation of several endemic species

For nature lovers wishing to discover and learn about the endemic species of Mauritius (mainly flora) by means of guided mountain biking tours, most of these private parks offer special packages. During the bike rides the guides will put emphasis on the endemic species found along the tracks and explain how these (many endangered species) are being protected. Or if one just wants to absorb scenery coupled with the Mauritian way of life, taxis are easily available, while self-drive cars with the help of a good map give independence and is a wonderful way to discover the islands charm in your own time. The coastal road snaking in the South is worth the drive for its breathtaking scenery! The only break in the otherwise perfect barrier reefs circling Mauritius occurs in the South and this is the cause if the angry waves that come crashing onto the cliffs.

Other popular nature and wellness discoveries include swimming in the waterfalls, visits to tropical flower greenhouses and absorbing magnificent views. One can split ones stay between a beach resort and luxury lodges situated inland. The Lodges beyond the laguna beaches are situated upon hills as well as in beautifully preserved tropical forests intimately set in pleasant environments lulled by the songs of birds and waterfalls. The inland beauties of Mauritius as well as the many spa resorts invigorate the mind and the soul.

For those seeking a bit of an adrenaline rush, you can try out the zip line cable ride at Les Cerfs Volants in St. Felix. With 13 speed cables totally 2 km in length with the longest cable at 160 m and the highest at 40 metres, you will fly over sugar cane fields, the River Galets and tree tops. Lasting four hours, you end with a swim under a waterfall in the heart of the tropical forest. And if height is what gets your heart racing, Vertical World offers rock climbing courses for beginners who need to learn the basics of free climbing as well as incentive teambuilding. If you plan to do some serious climbing, they will gladly show you some of their unclimbed routes.
So besides lounging on the beach at self contained resorts that you can easily hold you for the length of your stay, there are mountains, deep ravines and gorges; parks, people and breathtaking views which offer the ultimate way to discover the other side of Mauritius!

For further information and enquiries, please visit www.tourism-mauritius.mu

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The Travel-Informed Team

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