With the world reopening to South African travellers and the Easter holidays fast approaching, now’s a good time to choose your next family holiday destination. Mauritius makes a strong contender for its affordability, massive range of adventures and attractions for kids of all ages, and hassle-free holidays for parents. Here are 5 solid reasons to put Mauritius top of your list:
Get the kids away from the X-box and into the big blue with the wide range of beach sports and activities offered at top Mauritian resorts. Think snorkelling, volleyball, kitesurfing, water-skiing and paddle boating, all day long.
Outside of the resorts, you can give your children the once in a lifetime experience of swimming with the pods of dolphins that meet on the west coast of Mauritius every morning.
For that ultimate holiday brag experience, take the kids on a real submarine 350 metres below the sea. Sink down to the famous Star Hope wreck and get up close to the coral reefs and tropical fish.
Or experience the thrill of being a deep-sea diver from yesteryear with the Solar Under Sea Walk (for children five and older).
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Mauritius’ jaw-droppingly beautiful biodiversity makes the island a giant outdoor classroom.
Ile aux Aigrettes, a 26-hectare nature reserve just off the coast of Mauritius, is a must-do. This tiny reserve is like a living time capsule, giving kids the opportunity to see Mauritius as it was 500 years ago when the first explorers arrived – think lush tropical forests, wild orchids, rare bird species and giant Aldabra tortoises.
Another unique outdoor lesson can be had at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. Commonly known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, it is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. First constructed in the early 17th century, it’s famous for its long pond of giant water lilies. Take your time, and take a pram if you have toddlers.
Kids need to work off some energy? Head to the Black River Gorges National Park for hikes ranging from four to 10 kilometres in length. You may even spot one of the roe deer, flying foxes or wild boars that live in this lush forest.
Or, for kids who drag their heels, take the Ebony Forest Discovery Tour in a jeep. And if they’re feeling restless afterwards, there are two raised walkways to explore.
The Flycatcher Raised Walkway is a guided mid-canopy tour 300 metres through the forest, while the Sublime Point Raised Walkway leads to Sublime Point, from where you get a stunning view of the Le Morne Unesco World Heritage Site.
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In-between all the activity, you can take full advantage of the excellent kids’ clubs offered at the islands top family-friendly resorts. Grouped in age from toddler to teens, these clubs have supervised age-appropriate activities designed to keep your children busy, active and well socialised from dawn to dusk!
The best part? Most resorts include kids clubs in the package price, so parents can drop the kids off for an hour or two – or even the entire day – while they have some well-deserved alone time.
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Get the whole family’s adrenaline racing with ziplining and/or canyoning at the Casela World of Adventures, a 14-hectare nature park that is also home to animals such as rhinos, giraffes and lions.
For kids 12 and older, take a heart-pumping quad bike adventure through the 4,500-hectare Yemen Nature Reserve Park on the West Coast of Mauritius. You’ll be able to spot animals, such as wild boars, monkeys, mongooses and fruit bats, along the way.
For more animal thrills, head to La Vanilla Nature Park, home to 2,000 Nile crocodiles and the greatest number of giant tortoises in captivity in the world – the result of a successful breeding programme to protect the species. The kiddies will also marvel at the collection of more than 23,000 species of mounted insects.
If it’s laughs you’re after, the Curious Corner in Chamarel is your spot. This quirky spot is made up of rooms each with a different optical illusion, from mirror mazes to upside down rooms. Take your selfie stick!
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As the island’s tourism industry recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, resorts are rolling out the red carpet to entice back South African travellers in 2022. This means travellers are spoiled for choice with affordable holiday packages that include plenty of value-adds.
This month, World Leisure Holidays is pulling out all the stops with a ‘Pay for 5 nights; stay for 7’ promotional offer for 3 of its family-friendly resorts. It gets better for families travelling with young kids: depending on the resort selected, one or two children stay and eat for free when sharing with adults!
Need another reason to start planning your ultimate family holiday in Mauritius? Of course not – contact your nearest Sure Travel agent today.
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World Leisure Holidays’ ‘Pay for 5 nights; stay for 7’ (on sale until 28 February 2022) special offer is applicable to 3 family-friendly Sun Resorts in Mauritius, each with a unique style and charm. We’re here to help you choose the resort best suited to your family:
As one of the oldest resorts on the island of Mauritius, the four-star La Pirogue has mastered the art of combining luxury with the laid-back fishing village lifestyle for which it is named.
Enjoy the unrivalled charm of cosy, thatched-roof bungalows nestled in a lush coconut grove on the vibrant west coast of the island, famed for its stunning beaches and spectacular sunsets.
Adjacent to its sister resort, Sugar Beach, La Pirogue gives guests the opportunity to enjoy dining experiences at all of the restaurants and bars across both resorts, ensuring a vast and deeply satisfying culinary journey.
Best for: Families wanting a laid-back resort experience but with all the creature comforts and the full spectrum of experiences, activities and dining options.
Book it: From R26,420 pps including return flights, half board and one child under 12 free. Full details and Ts and C here.
Imposing and impressive, the elegant five-star Sugar Beach unfurls along the sun-drenched, sheltered bay of Flic-en-Flac. This plantation-style resort masterfully balances the aesthetics of colonial estates from a bygone era with modern comforts and offers panoramic views of the sunset over the ocean.
Although a large resort with 238 elegant sea facing rooms, garden facing rooms and suites, privacy and intimacy are assured. Each room has a private balcony with an infinite view of the immaculate garden and/or ocean or, on the ground floor, a fully furnished private patio.
Best for: Those wanting to experience the grandeur of yester-year Mauritius with all the mod-cons and a relaxed, uber kid-friendly environment.
Book it: From R29,400 pps, including return flights half board and one child under 12 free. Full details and Ts and Cs here.
The five-star LongBeach pulses with tangible energy that sets the scene perfectly for holidaymakers looking for an active island experience. Located on the wild Eastern Coast of Mauritius, this luxurious lifestyle resort hotel boasts an incredible 1.3 km beach along mesmerising tropical waters – perfect for leisurely, romantic strolls.
The resort’s world-class spa, along with a wide range of host of activities – from water sports to wall-climbing and archery – provide the perfect balance between exhilarating adventure and blissful relaxation.
Best for: Those wanting a balance between family activities and some romantic adults-only time for parents.
Book it: From R24,810 pps, including return flights half board and two children under 12 free. Full details and Ts and Cs here.
The Easter school holiday period is peak season for travel to Mauritius. Book your World Leisure Holidays ‘Pay for 5 nights; stay for 7’ special before 28 February to avoid disappointment. Contact your nearest Sure Travel agent today, or call 0861 47 48 49.