Mauritius, East Africa
Mauritius, East Africa
Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa. It is known for its gorgeous beaches, multicultural heritage, and stunning volcanic landscapes. The island’s lagoons are protected by the world’s third largest coral reefs, making it an amazing place to dive, snorkel, swim with dolphins, and even whale watch.
Mauritius’ geographic location and colonial history—it was colonized by the Dutch, the French, and the English throughout its history—make it a culturally and ethnically diverse country, and its cuisine reflects this, often combining Indian, Creole, Chinese and European flavors. The island is also known for its rum, and visitors can tour the Chamarel Rum Factory to learn more about the island’s history.
The capital city of Port-Louis is a bustling port with lots of museums, markets and architectural gems to visit. Don’t miss the Port-Louis market, known for its varied products and competitive prices.
Driving across the island only takes an hour. It’s easy to travel from places like the Black River Gorges National Park, which protects much of the island’s remaining rainforest in the southwest, to the picturesque town of Cap Malheureux at the northern tip of the island. No matter where you decide to stay on the island, you’ll find many activities within easy driving distance.
| Languages spoken | Creole, English, French |
|---|---|
| Currency used | Mauritian Rupee |
| Area (km2) | 2040 |
| Country name | Mauritius |
Activities for kids
Casela World of Adventures
This wildlife adventure park has fun activities for the whole family. Casela started as a bird park but now visitors can discover all kinds of animals, from big cats to llamas, monkeys, giraffes, and of course, birds. Most of the animal attractions are included in the ticket price, and a set of premium activities that include things like ziplines and segway tours are also available. The park is very child-friendly, and many of the activities are suitable for kids of all ages.
Whale Watching in Tamarin
For children who love animals, whale watching is a magical experience. If you’re visiting Mauritius between July and November, choose a humpback whale tour and see if you can spot one of the majestic creatures as they travel towards their breeding grounds near the equator. If you’re visiting at a different time of year, you can also spot sperm whales off the western coast of Mauritius all year long.
La Vanille Nature Park
This conversation park is home to over a hundred giant tortoises, as well as lemurs, crocodiles, and more. It’s a great place for kids excited about animals to learn more about the environment through fun activities like feeding one of the giant tortoises or the baby crocodiles, meeting Octar the resident iguana, and much more. The park also has an insectarium, an aquarium and a fossil museum to explore.
Ride a horse on Le Morne Beach
For older children, horseback riding along Le Morne peninsula is a wonderful way to see the area differently, riding along the beach and up towards Le Morne mountain. Some tour operators have ponies available for children, and several also offer optional add-ons like riding in the waves on horseback.
Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Garden (North)
This garden is one of Mauritius’ most famous sites, and dates all the way back to the 18th century. Opt for a guided tour for a more informative experience, or simply stroll through the plants and discover species from all over the world. Kids will particularly like the many animals who wander in the park freely, including tortoises, birds, butterflies, mongooses and more.
L’Aventure du Sucre (North)
Sugar has an important place in Mauritian history. This tour takes visitors through a refurbished sugar mill, where they can learn about the history of the island and taste different Mauritian products like unrefined brown sugar and jam. Kids will love exploring the cavernous space and old machinery that’s on display.