Mauritius is a beautiful African island and country in the Indian Ocean. It includes everything in paradise, from stunning pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters to lush rainforests. It’s no wonder that the country’s beaches landed a spot on Travel & Leisure’s 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World list. Although it was technically winter in Mauritius, I wanted a summer holiday to keep the little Gokas busy and a recharge for myself. Mauritius winters (May through October) are a balmy 22°C/72°F, allowing you to enjoy plenty of outdoor activities. We travelled through Johannesburg, where I worked before and after our short 4-day holiday. Yes, I was doing a lot, hence the needed reprieve. There are about 14 flights per week from Johannesburg O.R Tambo (JNB) to Mauritius (MRU) operated by Air Mauritius. The short flight time to the African paradise is approximately 4 hours. It’s safe to say the island is a popular destination from South Africa. MRU airport is in the southeast, and most of the island’s resorts are on the west and north coasts. It is the only international airport on the island, so be prepared to travel up to an hour to your accommodation by road. The languages spoken most prominently are Mauritian Creole, French and English. If you venture away from your resort, and I recommend that you do, be sure to have cash in the local currency, rupees. You can use sterling and dollars in some places, but the locals prefer rupees.
I decided to stay at the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort. With all the tender memories we made there, I plug them happily! The resort blends luxury, intimacy and elegant plantation-style interior design and architecture. Do we still use the word plantation? The property is known for creating a stay tailored around fine dining, personalised service, and exclusive spa facilities. They also have a multi-award golf course if you are into that sort of thing. Melvin, our resident host, met us at reception and cared for our every need throughout our stay. While Eyram and Rusan would have been happy to spend the whole day at the beach or the pool, we were spoilt for choice with many available activities. Melvin quickly arranged and booked our daily itineraries based on selections we made upon arrival. When I received our schedule, it was action-packed with creative classes, morning workouts, water sports, and excursions. In the excitement of finally being able to slow down, I completely overestimated my desire to exercise while on holiday. Do people spend their time participating in organised exercise in paradise?
My days were spent snorkelling, in floral art class, and spa treatments. The resort’s Kid’s Club kept Eyram and Ru busy throughout the day with water sports, visits to the Turtle Sanctuary, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden and short hikes with magnificent waterfalls. The Chamarel Waterfall is a marvel and the highest waterfall in Mauritius at a height of 100 metres. It is in the Black River Gorges National Park in the south-western village of Chamarel. I accompanied them, which should count towards exercise, right? When we weren’t partaking in activities, we were dining at one of the many restaurants on the property. Telfair has 14 restaurants specialising in Italian, Pan Asian, African-style BBQs and more. We thoroughly enjoyed the crepe bar and found ourselves there at least once or a few times a day. We enjoyed Mauritius abundantly, the stunning Telfair Resort and all the friendly staff—a stellar 10 out of 10. We were sad to leave, returning to the cold winter in Johannesburg. Goodbye paradise! But we plan to visit again and make it one of our frequented family holiday destinations.
Some other things to remember when planning a trip to Mauritius: The best time to visit the island is during the dry season between May and November. Mauritius has a rich culture and fantastic biodiversity, so consider excursions and activities away from your resort. I highly recommend Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, but many all-inclusive resorts in Mauritius cater to families.
If you want a family-friendly paradise, I hope this helps you plan your next holiday.
With Love,
