Mauritius Holidays

You can combine a Mauritius beach break with a safari in mainland Africa.

Flight duration from Mauritius to Johannesburg or to Nairobi is just four hours. So, we can easily tailor your Mauritius and safari holidays, combining chill time with the thrill of game viewing and the natural beauty of Africa's dramatic landscapes. The calm azure waters of Mauritius make the island an appealing place in which to dust off after a safari. Mauritius can be visited year round: May to October is the driest period while during February and March, cyclonic weather can occur. In the more humid summer months (November to April), the climate is warmer and wetter but has sunny spells in between showers.

Mauritius wildlife holidays are also an option if you combine Mauritius and Madagascar. Swapping out the safari for offbeat wildlife-watching experiences, this type of trip heads out on foot rather than more traditional game drives that are undertaking on the African continent. After exploring some of Madagascar’s splendid protected areas on foot, the option of relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Mauritius appeals to many. Mauritius is home to abundant beaches; Flic-en-Flac Beach on the west coast, Belle Mare Beach on the east coast, Gris Gris Beach on the south coast and Grand Baie Beach on the north coast.

Or how about Mauritius adventure holidays? As well as unwinding on its sunny beaches, you can visit lesser-known parts of the country through exploring its waterfalls, such as the Seven Waterfalls hike in the Chamarel region (which involves some boulder climbing, following the river). There are gorges for you to discover in addition to biking, kayaking, snorkelling and dolphin watching.

Read more about when to go on holiday with our expert-led Mauritius Travel Guide. UK citizens don't need a visa to visit, making holidays to Mauritius one of the most popular safari and beach combination ideas.

While holidays to Mauritius are primarily about soaking up the rays, there's a whole host of activities and excursions beyond the idyllic beaches that can be easily incorporated into most Mauritius holidays. You can explore the island by hiring a car for a self-drive, or with a chauffeur for a reasonable supplement. Excursions can either be booked through your hotel or we can pre-arrange for you. You drive on the left in Mauritius, which adds to the ease of exploring under your own steam.

If you enjoy flora, don't miss the giant Victoria regia water lilies in the Pamplemousses Gardens, one of the world's oldest Botanical Gardens. Fine French colonial buildings and the lively market can be visited in the capital, Port Louis, along with its modern piazza-style Caudan Waterfront and its shops and cafés.

In central Mauritius, drive through the resort town of Curepipe to the surrounding hills for panoramic views of the island from Trou aux Cerfs, an extinct crater 85m deep and 200m wide. Access to the nearby Black River Gorges National Park, which protects the indigenous forests, is via La Marie. Finding sanctuary in the tropical evergreen forest of Black River Gorges National Park are some of the world's rarest and most endangered birds, notably the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, echo parakeet and Mauritius fody. A half-day walk in the forest should reveal most of these rarities, along with other endemic species which are also protected on the offshore island Île Aux Aigrettes. Grand Bassin Lake, another extinct volcano crater close by, is a revered pilgrimage site for Hindus.

Other things to do in Mauritius include mountain bike tours or catamaran cruises with snorkelling. Alternatively, why not go kite surfing, explore the tropical gardens and Natural History Museum in Port Louis, search for abundant marine life offshore or savour fresh seafood?

Le Morne Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the southwest tip of the island, provides another excellent sightseeing opportunity during your holiday here.

Mauritius has plenty of accommodation options for a variety of occasions.

For the most part, the well-managed beach resorts are relatively large, although designed to maximise a sense of space. Some are small and romantic while others cope with kids but still have quiet corners. A huge array of marine pursuits on offer, from snorkelling and water skiing to scuba diving and deep sea fishing, all add to the quality of Mauritius beach holidays.

There are relatively small boutique hotels such as Hotel 20 Degrés Sud with just 28 rooms, several exclusive mid-sized hotels like Shanti Maurice with 61 suites and villas and the elegant Oberoi with 71 villas and pavilions. If you're looking for Mauritius luxury holidays, these are excellent options.

Some hotels are adult-only such as Paradise Cove, which we recommend for honeymooners, whereas many others have facilities specifically designed for families and friends. On the east coast, Constance Belle Mare Plage is an great choice with a two-kilometre-long unspoilt beach that works well for relaxing family breaks and Mauritius honeymoon holidays.

Our suggested selection of Mauritius hotels covers a superb range of accommodations on the island from Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa nearby Le Morne Beach to Tamassa on the southwest coast at Bel Ombre.

We tailor-make all our Mauritius holidays. So, just tell us what sort of things appeal to you (style, size, facilities, sporting activities), and when you plan to travel, and we can design your bespoke itinerary.

At Rainbow, our Mauritius holiday packages are all tailor-made, respectful and responsibly delivered. Each is crafted by our Travel Specialists and led by our trusted guides, taking you across the country.

Whether it's discovering the magic of the Mascarene isles or combining the best of both worlds on a safari and beach holiday including South Africa, you can book a Mauritius holiday tailored to you.

Price Includes

• Return international flights as per the itinerary

• All airport taxes and security charges

• Accommodation and meals as specified

• Transfers as outlined

• Activities and excursions as indicated

• All entrance fees on sightseeing tours as listed

Price Excludes

• Travel insurance

• Any meals not specified in the itinerary

• Gratuities

• Optional excursions

Yes, we offer tailor-made Mauritius multi-centre holidays.

Among the more popular pairings are a safari and beach holiday, combining the island with one or more African safari destinations like Tanzania and Kenya. Or, if you're someone who simply wants to relax on their break, then Reunion and Mauritius multi-centre holidays provide the ultimate escape.

To get started, speak with our Travel Specialists to create your bespoke holiday. Every part is tailored to you for a seamless experience, whether that's adventure first and relaxation second or vice-versa.