Destinations

Travel Guides, Mauritius

Mauritius Travel Guide

| November 1,2011

It is thought that Mauritius was discovered by a group of Arab sailors in the 9^th century. Mauritius was uninhabited both before and after then, then in 1598, the Dutch took possession of the island and decided to inhabit it themselves. However, after they destroyed much of the island, the Dutch left and the French came, followed by the British. The island has been run democratically since 1992 and has attracted much foreign investment, enabling it to have one of Africa’s highest incomes.

The island is very famous for its wonderful attractions and extravagant natural make up. Although the beaches on the islands are the ones that have made the place very famous with tourists, there is lots more to see on Mauritius. Moreover, the attractions are very close to each other on the island and it takes no more than an hour to drive from one to the other. For those who love history, the natural attractions are not the only ones worth seeing; there are also many historical locations which commemorate important events and people.

Things to do in Mauritius

Once you get to Mauritius it makes sense to book a tour or at least get a map showing the most important places and things to see. As far as sightseeing is concerned, there are some very important places on the Mauritius that should not be missed. Let’s see what these places are:

Rochester Falls. This is one of the most beautiful places that Mauritius has to offer. Here, water can be seen rushing over volcanic rock, which has been carved, naturally into fascinating formations over many years.
Ganga Talao – Grand Bassin. This is a place of pilgrimage for people of the Hindu faith and it is situated some 1800 feet above sea level. It used to be a volcano and now, in the crater which is left, there is a natural lake, called the Grand Bassin.
Ile Aux Cerfs. For those who are looking to spend a great day sunbathing or swimming, Ile Aux Cerfs is probably the best place to indulge in these pastimes. The great beaches and the clear water are great for a relaxing day spent in the sun. This small island is situated to the east of Mauritius and you can get there by boat.
Mauritius Aquarium. Another great attraction of the island is considered to be the Mauritius Aquarium, where you can see sharks, giant moray eels and sea turtles, which are all fed by hand at about 11 am every day. For those who want to enjoy a great experience in a tropical garden, this is the place.

Mauritius also offers its tourists a chance to go shopping and you can do that in places such as: