MAURITIUS

Travel Tips

Black River Gorges National Park: you can get a map of this recently created national park at the tourist information office in Port Louis or in Le Petrin in the visitor centre, for free. You do not have to pay any entrance fees yet, and there is no need for a permit. To get there, take a bus to the village called 'Grande Riviere Noire' and from there you have to walk about 6km along the road to the western entrance of the park. They are planning to build a visitor centre here as well, but so far there is nothing except a parking area.
Michael Jaksch & Susanne Speidel - Germany (Oct 97)

Moving About

Mauritius is a really beautiful island but be warned: if you are travelling by Air Mauritius, make sure that you confirm your return flight the MINUTE you get there and again a week before departure. They have a tendency to 'forget' your ticket and you may lose your seat! I had travelled to Mauritius and the day after arriving I confirmed my ticket but three weeks later, on departure, the person on check-in said that I was 'lucky' that the plane wasn't full otherwise I wouldn't be going home today!
Vishnee Seenundun (Mar 98)

Port Louis: there is now a new airways centre directly on President J Kennedy Street. There are offices of all airlines, which is quite good to know in case you have to reconfirm your flight.
Michael Jaksch & Susanne Speidel - Germany (Oct 97)

Scams & Warnings

If you hire a car in Mauritius look out for the bus drivers! They only know one way to drive - FAST! The locals let their children and animals roam on the roads and if you stop to avoid them a bus is likely to hit you from behind. This happened to us and as the police have to be called to all accidents and impound the vehicles for inspection, this could involve a long wait (four hours). The police always prosecute if you hit another vehicle from behind.
Dick & Cathy Blenko (Aug 98)

Gems, Highlights & Attractions

The best beach we found in Mahebourg (and maybe even the whole of Mauritius) was at the 'Club Nautique', halfway between Mahebourg and Blue Bay. Just take the local bus to Blue Bay and tell the driver to drop you at 'le Club Nautique': perfect quiet, white beach with huge shallow turquoise lagoon and no people hassling you to sell their goods. It's a public beach but there's no shop, so bring your own food and drinks.
Philippe Quix, Belgium (Dec 98)

For more news, views and the odd bit of gibberish, drop in on the rec.travel.africa newsgroup.

For detailed up-to-date travel information check out Lonely Planet's Destination Mauritius.

Check out more African Postcards