View Larger Map
The Arabs first discovered Mauritius as early as the 10th Century and cleverly kept this gem of an island a secret for over five hundred years. Then the great seafaring empires, the Portuguese, closely followed by the Dutch, French and British chanced upon this magical island. After that it was a scramble as kings, merchants and pirates squabbled over its prized ownership. Thankfully we can take you there without any such drama.

What the seafarers of old first saw is what holidaymakers still see today, a truly beautiful tropical island with a perfect climate all year round. We can take you to some of the most luxurious beachside properties in the world, where the legendary warmth and hospitality of the Mauritian people will ensure that you are pampered every moment of your stay.

You can make each day as active or lazy as you like with every kind of watersport, as well as superb championship golf courses and magnificent spas. Or just soak up the sun as chefs prepare your next culinary treat based on an unforgettable fusion of Creole, European, Chinese and Indian cuisine. We also strongly urge you to explore the island and see for yourself just what was such a treasured secret. You’ll discover swaying sugar cane fields, volcanic ravines that date back millions of years, ancient Hindu temples and majestic cascading waterfalls. The stunning Black River Gorges National Park is home to monkeys, deer, boar and exotic birds, while your bartering skills will come in handy in the markets of Port Louis, the island’s colonial capital, known for its silks and antiques. As people have known for centuries, once discovered, Mauritius will hold you in its charm forever.


Out and About
From the beautiful beaches to the verdant interior, here are some of our favourite activities.

• Take a catamaran cruise along the south east coast to Cerfs and the idyllic Ile aux Cerfs beach, its crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkelling.

• Explore the lush interior and enjoy panoramic views from Trou aux Cerfs a 700,000 year old volcano. Or hike in the impressive Black River Gorges National Park.

• Quad biking in Valriche Nature Reserve is highly recommended. This stunning area is overflowing with forest, waterfalls and rivers and is home to many endemic and protected species. The view over the sugar canes of Bel Ombre, where you start and finish, is also amazing.

• Watching the horse racing in Port Louis is a great day out. Champ de Mars built in 1812 is the oldest race course in the Southern Hemisphere and sits in a bowl surrounded by mountains. It is a
fantastic place to people watch and try to win your fortune. Races take place on Saturdays or Sundays during the months of April - November and attract a regular crowd of up to 30,000 people. Look out for show days which feature some of the best jockeys from around the world.

Food and Drink
Mauritian cooking is a combination of flavours nurtured through its people of different cultural heritage and cooking traditions. Local chefs show creativity and “savoir-faire” in recipes which boldly blend traditional and local ingredients, with the most delicious results. Mauritian cuisine has gained a fine reputation in the contemporary world, with leading chefs such as Paul Bocuse and Trois Gros brothers visiting the island and contributing to its sumptuous cuisine.

Spoon des Îles at One&Only Le Saint Géran, operated by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, was a favourite of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones when they visited and we would recommend you book ahead and try it yourself. Café Des Artes on the east coast is also fabulous; formally a sugar mill and owned by a Mauritian, the walls are filled with contemporary art and the mouthwatering dishes are regularly changed to showcase new treats. Visitors to Mauritius also have the opportunity to taste a variety of international cooking styles, from Indian to Chinese and Creole to European. For the best Indian try Safran at Le Touessrok and for fabulous Pan Asian cuisine try The Cilantro at Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, with its entertaining live Teppanyaki cooking counter.

Getting There
Flights to Mauritius are with British Airways or Air Mauritius direct. Total journey time: 12 hours 10 minutes approx.

British Airways Departures from Heathrow on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on B777 aircraft with World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World and First Class cabins.

Air Mauritius Departures from Heathrow daily on A343 aircraft with Economy and Business Class cabins.

Note: All our inclusive holidays are based on British Airways World Traveller flights. Prices with Air Mauritius are also available on request.