Mauritius is Ready to Amaze You

Mauritius is a small country located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Its territory is directly adjacent to the sea. With an area of ​​just 2,040 kilometers square, the Republic of Mauritius looks like a tiny dot when compared to its neighbors, the Madagascar Archipelago, and the South African countries.

Mauritius is said to be a place like nowhere else on earth. Many things about Mauritius are unforgettable, such as its paradise beaches, beautiful resorts, unique wildlife, and strong rum. 

Why Visit Mauritius?

Wonderful nature

Mauritius is known to be the last habitat of the long-extinct Dodo bird. It is also famous for its beautiful beaches, lagoons, and reefs. Although small, Mauritius is one of the most populous countries in Africa.  The multicultural population has resulted in the coexisting of many languages and religions. It is one of the most highly-rated honeymoon destinations in the world.

When in Mauritius, the first thing you should pay attention to is its scenic forests, lagoons, reefs, waterfalls, and landscapes. Put Chammarel on the list, a waterfall with a colorful landscape area around it. The soil is in the colors blues, greens, reds, and yellow. It’s said to be caused by the erosion of volcanic ash. Do some scuba diving in Blue Bay Marine Park to see more than 50 different species of corals and fish. 

Due to its wide variety of animals and plants, Mauritius island has implemented a world-recognized standard for the protection of its endangered species and natural resources. In Mauritius, you are up for an adventure of wonder.

Tasty food

After all those fun outdoor activities, you’re ready to taste Mauritians delicious cuisines at Market Flacq and Grand Bay. Try its Boulettes, a Mauritian Dim Sum that is usually made from fish, minced meat, prawns, calamari, and chayote. Enjoy its Gateau Piment, a French word for Chili Cake that is made from yellow split peas and sliced green chilies. You can also find Vindaye, a dry curry that originates from the country’s Indian descent.

Related: What to eat in Mauritius

Things to do in Mauritius

Yes, the Republic of Mauritius is also known for its various ethnicities. If you wish to know more about the local cultures, you can always visit Triolet Shivala and Mahebourg.

Many tours and travel companies offer a trip package to South Africa and Mauritius. The itinerary often consists of visiting Cape Town, Franschhoek, Swellendam, Plettenberg Bay, Eastern Cape Game Reserve, and Johannesburg in South Africa, then spending the rest of the lazy days in beautiful Mauritius. The scenic routes accompanied by beautiful resorts and incredible food are perfect for couples and honeymooners.

Related: The Ultimate 25 Activities to Do in Mauritius – The 2022 Edition

If you are coming from South Africa, let’s check out the best ways to get to Mauritius:

How to Travel to Mauritius from South Africa

By Air

Mauritius has two airports. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport are situated in Plaine Corail on Rodrigues. You can always find direct flights from South Africa’s Johannesburg to Mauritius. 

The flights from O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport Mauritius are around 3 hours and 56 minutes. There are usually 2 flights traveling to Mauritius from South Africa in a day. 

Popular airplanes that offer air travel to Mauritius from South Africa are: 

• South African Airways
• Air Mauritius
• Air Austral
• FlySafair
• British Airways
• Air France

South African citizens traveling to Mauritius from South Africa are required to bring a valid passport. The visa is free for a 90-day stay.

A one-way flight cost from Johannesburg to Mauritius ranges from $556 to $820. The lowest prices at Trip.com can be found on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The other travel website that you can also check is Mytrip, eDreams, NusaTrip.com, Makemytrip.com, and CheapOair.

By Sea

Opting for something other than the airplane? There are several ways to travel to Mauritius from South Africa by the sea. The best way is to join a cruise trip. It may take longer than the direct sea trip from South Africa to Mauritius, but the experience will be extraordinary.

One of the international cruises is the MS EUROPA 2 international cruise ship from Hapag Llyod cruise, a company that is traveling from Cape Town, South Africa, to Port Louis, Mauritius. The trip duration is 13 days and the departure date is around October.  The total cost for the accommodation during the trip is starting from $30,000 including a luxurious suite, different entertainment programs every day, gourmet meals all the time, ocean spas, and saunas. Not mentioning all the beautiful port cities that are included in the itinerary: Gqberha, East London, Durban, Richard Bay, Port d’Ehoalla, Le Port, and Port Louis in Mauritius.

Sadly, the Hapag Llyod company is the only one that offers a sea trip from South Africa to Mauritius. Due to the far distance between South Africa and Mauritius, it is impossible to sail a small ship or ferry directly from South Africa to Mauritius. 

By Land

Since Mauritius is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, there is no way to travel to  Mauritius from South Africa by land. 

Renting a car to travel around Mauritius

Once you’ve landed in Mauritius, you might want to explore more of its city by renting a car. Cheap public transportation is available in the country, but the tourists usually prefer to get around by private car. A car rental cost in Mauritius is around $81 per day. The minimum age to drive and rent a car in Mauritius is 21 years old. Obey the speed limit and carry your driver’s license with you all the time. Mauritius is a pretty small country. It is said that you can cross the entire country using the highway in under 90 minutes. So there’s no need to drive too fast.

Dos and Don’ts in Mauritius

Welcome to Mauritius! Here below are several things you should do in Mauritius.

1. Find a hiking guide because the forest of Mauritius is very thick and dense. 
2. Double-check the google maps search or simply just ask your hotel for directions. Google Maps is not optimized for Mauritius, so there’s a big chance of inaccurate guides.
3. Read the bus schedule twice. Make sure that you will not miss your trip back to the hotel at night. Mauritius has no nightlife and the Mauritius buses stop operating around 6PM.
4. Book everything in advance so you can enjoy your trip without fuss!
5. Check your vaccine. It is not just a visa, you are also required to get several vaccines to enter the country such as the Hepatitis A vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. 
6. Check the weather before visiting. Mauritius is a cycle-prone island, and there is no way to predict when it will hit. You will receive cyclone alert news around 48 hours before approaching, but it’s best to stay inside the hotel when it happens.

Things you should never do in Mauritius:

1. Do not smoke in public because it is not allowed in Mauritius.
2. Do not go topless, especially if you are a female and you are looking for a great sunbathing experience.
3. Do not touch shrines or religious artifacts in temples.
4. Eat non-vegetarian food while visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples or village locations.
5. Hurting the local animals and plants. This country is home to many endangered species and plants, so be careful before you touch or set your foot on anything.
6. Do not drink from the tap.