MAURITIUS
This island nation is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. And for lovers of wildlife, Mauritius offers an opportunity to swim with dolphins in the wild – but make sure to research the company you choose to ensure they follow welfare guidelines. There’s also shark diving for qualified divers.
Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Eureka plantation house and the 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.
Take a day tour to see giant tortoises and visit the Bois Chéri Tea Factory, Saint Aubin Colonial House and La Vanille Réserve Nature park. Or head to the private island Ile-aux-Cerfs, which is famous for golfing, parasailing, snorkelling and more.
Visit Chamarel to find stunning waterfalls, the Rhumerie de Chamarel with its wonderful restaurant and Curious Corner of Chamarel, a gallery featuring dozens of interactive optical illusions.
Trek up the 605-metre-high Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano. And make sure to see The Seven Coloured Earths, a geological formation found in the Chamarel plain of the Rivière Noire District.
Pick up colourful handicrafts at Quatre Bornes central market place.
Take a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with dolphins in the wild.
Check out the amazing Pamplemousses Garden also known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
Visit the distillery at Rhumerie de Chamarel for local sugar cane beverages and great food.
Dip into 200 years of history at the Eureka Plantation House.
The Seven Coloured Earths is an archaeological wonder not to be missed.
SEYCHELLES
This archipelago of 115 islands, off the coast of East Africa, is home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises.
Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and beaches, including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka. Mahé is also home to Victoria, the world’s smallest capital city. There you’ll find the famed Victoria Market and Tempio Hindu temple. Also pay a quick trip to the Seychelles Natural History Museum where you’ll see genuine coco de mer and other specimens you might not spot out and about.
La Digue is the third-largest island in the group and is like a snapshot of a bygone era. There are barely any cars, very few paved roads and some of the most unspoiled beaches in the Seychelles. Visitors to L’Union estate will see an ox-powered coconut oil extraction machine as well as the cemetery of the original settlers.
If you journey to Praslin, take a walk in the Vallée de Mai. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often described as a ‘primaeval’ forest, thanks to the clusters of 4,000 coco de mer palms. If you’re in luck, you may spot the island’s rare black parrot.
Seychelles boasts many fine restaurants and foodies will also love the Creole takeaways dotted across the islands which offer great food and great value.
Victoria Clock Tower
Anse Source D’argent is recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Look out for the elusive black parrot at Valle?e de Mai on Praslin.
Make sure you check out the curiously shaped coco de mer, the world’s largest seed.
Creole food is served at restaurants and street stalls across the islands.
The Seychelles is home to the rare giant Aldabra tortoise.
COMOROS
The Comoros is a volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast, in the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique Channel. The nation state’s largest island, Grande Comore (Ngazidja) is ringed by beaches and old lava from the active Mount Karthala volcano. Around the port and medina in the capital, Moroni, are carved doors and a white colonnaded mosque, the Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi, recalling the islands’ rich and interesting Arab heritage.
Visitors say Moroni doesn’t feel like a capital city and, it has to be said, Comoros is one of the world’s poorest countries. However, it is also very beautiful with a lively atmosphere and the people friendly and welcoming.
For divers, the island of Moheli is a paradise. There are only few places left in the world awaiting to be discovered. The Island of Moheli is one of these. Located in the centre of the Marine Park of Moheli, spanning over 400sq/km of coral reef and sand banks, it’s not easy to get to but totally worth it.
If you’re into history, take a trip to Ikoni (Iconi), the chief city of Ngazidja Island to see the Funi Aziri Bangwe, a historic open space named after the young crown prince of Hambu. it is a remarkable example of a 17th century public square which is now used mainly as a site for weddings, heritage ceremonies, and traditional dances and rituals that define the local community.
Traditional women paint their faces with a paste of sandalwood and coral as sun protection.
Moheli is a divers’ paradise; an undiscovered underwater world.
Keep your eyes peeled for traditional wedding parties.
The wild and rugged areas of the coastline shield beautiful sandy beaches.
Comoros lemurs are the only wild lemur population outside Madagasgar.
Mount Karthala is an active volcano and the highest spot in the archipelago.
