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Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations that are Visa-free for Africans: Mauritius

 

6. MAURITIUS

Mauritius is a country in the Indian Ocean on the eastern coast of Africa. 

 

 

13 Interesting Facts about Mauritius

 

1. The islands of Réunion, Mauritius, and Rodrigues, were originally referred to as the Mascarene Islands located along a submarine ridge, the Seychelles-Mauritius Plateau, 400 to 500 miles (640 to 800 km) northeast from southern Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean. The name “Mascarene is from a 16th-century Portuguese explorer Pedro de Mascarenhas. 

 

2. About two-thirds of the people of Mauritius are of Indo-Pakistani origin. You also have about a quarter of the people, Creole (mixed French and African descent), and small numbers of Chinese.

 

3. In the 1780s, thousands of voluntary Chinese migrants arrived Port Louis from Guangzhou on board British, French, and Danish ships and worked as blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, and tailors. They formed a small Chinatown, the ‘Camp des Chinois’, in Port Louis.

 

4. The official language of Mauritius is English though about 80% of the people speak Creole (a French-based local language).

 

5. More than half of the country’s arable land is cultivated with Sugar Cane, Mauritius major export.

 

6. Mauritius has two major seasons: hot (December to April) and cool (June to September). Thunderstorms occur in Mauritius mostly between December and April. On rare occasions, though, thunderstorms may occur in May and June. 

 

7. Grand Bay, located in the North of Mauritius is the top tourist destination of the Island. It is the starting point of excursions  to the small group of islands in the North  and other sea activities.

 

8. The West and South-West coasts are the driest areas of Mauritius with its rich and dense vegetation you could forget you were on an island.

 

9. The East of Mauritius is known to have the most beautiful coastlines and numerous beaches, such as the long Belle Mare beach.

 

10. Hotels and resorts in Mauritius are known for giving up to 25% honeymoon discounts and on their rooms and suites, while adding other extra benefits like free spa or beauty treatments, fruit baskets, private candle-lit dinners on the beach and more.

 

11. The capital of Mauritius, Port Louis has been listed among the top ten cities in the world for street food.

 

12.  Mauritius is fast becoming a popular destination for medical tourism, particularly when it comes to cosmetic surgery, dentistry services, hair transplants, rehabilitation etc.

Surgery in Mauritius is even said to be cheaper than in many parts of the world. 

 

13. Mauritius is home to many financial institutions, commercial banks  and several offshore banking facilities and companies.

 

 

10 Things to do in Mauritius

 

1. Go diving in the country’s designated diving spots. Mauritius is known for its safe lagoons stretching up to the barrier reef, its passes, drop-offs and wrecks. Whether you’re a first time diver or an expert Mauritius has a wide variety of dives for you.

 

2. Go golfing in world-class golf courses with premium facilities. Mauritius has ten 18 hole and three 9 hole golf courses.

 

3. Go on a culinary adventure! Top of your “to eat” list should be to try ‘heart of palm’ salad, also don’t miss the curries, briani and vindaye, rougaille, drink healthy citronelle (water spiced with lemon grass and ginger), homemade rhum arrangé digestive, flavoured with coconut or chilli.

Don’t forget to sample the street food from dholl puris to samosas, gateaux arouille, gateaux piments and more.

 

4. You can choose to go shopping in the marketplace or high-end stores. Some shops are even tax-free; you will see that on any shop marked with a tax refund logo.

 

5. Go hiking to the Black River Gorges National Park which is home to endangered species of plants and animals.

Ensure you prepare for the hike by wearing the right boots and clothing, taking your own food and drinks, medication, creams, and any other supplies as there are no shops or medical support within the park.

 

6. Go surfing at One Eye.

The One Eye at Le Morne is  an internationally known surf spot with its fast left tube that makes the shape of an eye before breaking on the shallow reef. On one side of the mountain of Le Morne, which has seven faces, you will see a huge hole crossing the cliff that looks like an eye in a Rasta profile. Some say that this is how the surf spot got its name. Interestingly, we found out that the owner of the area around Le Morne has only one eye, so what can we say!

7. If you’re in the Northern part of Mauritius visit the Goodlands market. The village of Goodlands, which has a population of about 14,000, hosts fabric and fashion fairs on Tuesdays and Fridays. There is also the fruit and vegetable market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

8. In the west of Mauritius there are a few Nature Parks like Casela and  Gros Caillouxin where you can go to see local birds, reptiles, mammals and some tamed animals imported from other parts of Africa. 

9. If you’re in the capital,  Port Louis,  then you have the opportunity of also visiting China Town to experience the rich  Chinese culture; from Chinese restaurants to busy grocery stores.

10. If you’re in the East of Mauritius you can go biking to the Bras d’Eau National Park. The mountain-bike trail in the Bras d’Eau forest is a winding way through the shady forest, passing an old railway line and to the lava caves where you will discover the ruins of an old sugar factory. 

 

 

 

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