African Travel Tips When Visiting Mauritius

Mauritius is a typical tropical paradise, Mauritius'mosques and temples. Clothing is beachwear by
reputation for beach bliss is indisputable. Sunday and casual wear at night.
worshippers and water sport enthusiasts canTIME DIFFERENCE:
make the most of the golden palm-fringedGMT +4
beaches, turquoise sea and coral reef that nearlyTIPPING:
surrounds the entire island through a great varietyA 10 percent Government Tax is added to all
of activities. These include catamaran cruising,hotel and restaurant bills. Tipping is not compulsory
windsurfing, water skiing, diving, para-sailing, deepand remains a gesture of appreciation left to the
sea fishing, golf and adventure sports. Away fromguest's discretion. Tipping taxi drivers is not
the beachfront, mountains; forests with uniquecustomary.
flora and bird life as well as cultural, historical andTOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
natural sights like craters and giant lilies,Port-Louis:
mesmerize visitors. With all this to do, Mauritius willCapital and main port of Mauritius; French colonial
let you discover a different rhythm of life, thebuildings e.g. the 18th century Government House
Sega rhythm...and Municipal Theatre; Natural History Museum;
CAPITAL:market; Edward VII Avenue; Fort Adelaide; The
Port-LouisWorldwide Masks Museum; the Caudan and
CLIMATE:Port-Louis Waterfronts.
Tropical. Every month is rainy, but Dec-May arePamplemousses
the wettest months. Cyclones occur Nov-May. AThe gardens are known to naturalists throughout
well-structured system of phased warnings exist.the world for their large collection of indigenous
During the cyclone, visitors are not allowed toand exotic plants, incl. the giant Victoria Amazonica
leave their accommodation and car insurancewater lilies and many species of palm trees; of
policies often cease to be valid.particular interest is the talipot palm, which is said
CURRENCY:to flower once every sixty years and then dies.
1 Mauritian Rupee = 100 cents. Travel withGrand Bassin:
Rupees or EURO traveller's cheques. There is noOne of the island's two natural lakes, resting in a
restriction on foreign or local currency broughtcrater of an extinct volcano and is the place of
into the country. The export of foreign currencypilgrimage for Hindus, especially on the occasion of
is limited to the amount declared on arrival. TheMaha Shivaratree.
airport bank will exchange Rupees into foreignChamarel:
currency on departure. Credit cards accepted areA mound of undulating land stretching in
American Express, Diners Club, Visa andcontrasting layers of colour; the patches of blue,
Mastercard. Main hotels will exchange traveller'sgreen, red and yellow earth are believed to be
cheques and bank notes.the result of weathering; the nearby waterfall
ELECTRICITY:emerges from the moors and primeval
230 volts, 50Hz. Continental 2-pin plugs are mostvegetation and is startlingly beautiful.
common, but 3-pin round and flat plugs have beenTrou Aux Cerfs:
noted. Take a travel plug.An extinct crater 85m deep and more than 200m
HEALTH:wide; enjoy an extensive view of the island from
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is requiredthe rim.
from travellers over 1 year of age coming fromSouillac and Gris-Gris:
infected areas. Visitors are advised to takeSmall seaside resort with beautiful cliff scenery
pre-arrival precautions against malaria (exists inand no bathing; in the south is the popular
certain rural areas, no risk on Rodrigues island),viewpoint of Gris-Gris, where you can see the
hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Other healthwaves crashing into the dark, hollowed-out rocks.
concerns include high constant humidity (mayDomaine Du Chasseur:
affect persons with arthritic conditions); sinusitisNear Mahebourg, a forest park with luxurious
and hay fever (Jul-Aug); influenza (risk throughoutvegetation including wild orchids and animals e.g.
the year); and diarrhoea.stags, deers, wild boars and monkeys, covering
LANGUAGE:2000 acres.
English is the official language and understoodBlack River Gorges National Park:
throughout the island. French is also a principalProtects much of the remaining native forests
language and Creole is spoken by all locals. Orientaland provides spectacular natural scenery and
and Indian languages are also spoken.some of the unique endemic plants and birdlife;
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:number of walking trails and viewpoints.
New Year's Day (1 Jan); Day after New Year'sBeaches Grand:
Day (2 Jan); Chinese New Year (22 Jan); AbolitionBaie has many beaches and spots for safe
of Slavery / Thaipoosam Cavadee (1 Feb); Mahabathing, sailing, windsurfing and water skiing; Blue
Srivatri (18 Feb); Good Friday (9Apr); Labour DayBay is one of the finest bathing spots of the
(1 May); Assumption (15 Aug); Ganesh Chaturthiislands, is close to Mahebourg and has a natural
(18 Sep); All Saint's Day (1 Nov); Arrival ofbathing pool; Le Morne & Tamarin are known
Indentured Labourers (2 Nov); Deepavali (12 Nov);for their surfing spots; Iles aux Cerfs is an island
End of Ramadan (14 Nov); Christmas Day (25resort with 2 restaurants, a boat-house and
Dec)beautiful beaches.
SHOPPING:saris; silk shirts; Indian fabrics;Rodrigues Island:
basketwork; knitwear; hand-embroideredAbout 560 km east of Mauritius where you can
tablecloths; macrame work; wood carvings;be charmed by locals' easy way of life; the nature
pottery; model boats, diamonds, jewellery; casuallover will find several species of endemic tropical
wear. Low prices limit bargaining.fauna and flora and can enjoy hiking, bird
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:watching, angling and mountain biking; visits to the
More than half the population is Hindu, so respectCaverne Patate and surrounding islets e.g. Ile aux
their traditions and religion. Dress appropriatelyCocos (a haven to some rare species of sea
when visiting religious shrines (no shorts,birds) can be arranged.
mini-skirts, etc.) and remove shoes when entering