Mauritius is a beautiful island nation off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The nation is comprised of Rodrigues and Mauritius island as well as the outer islands, which are all part of the Mascarene Islands. It is located about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the African continent, east of Madagascar.
With a French-speaking mainly Hindu population, this African island is not quite like anywhere else on the continent. It Is one of the safest, most tourist-friendly spots in the world.
Mauritius is another country that offer free visa on arrival to Nigerian passport holders. The estimated flight duration from Lagos to Port Louis, Mauritius is 11 hours, 30 minutes and from Abuja, it is 19 hours, 40 minutes.
Mauritius uses Mauritius Standard Time (GMT+4). which puts Nigeria 3 hours behind in time.
Currency & Exchange
The Mauritian Rupee is the official and only currency used in Mauritius. Visitors can exchange their foreign currencies at various bank and exchange outlets in the country.
Nigerians importing and exporting the local currency (Mauritian Rupee) and foreign currencies which amounts exceed MUR 500,000 or equivalent in foreign currencies must be declared before entry into the country.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- This visa on arrival permits Nigerians to stay for a duration of 14 days.
- Prospective visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry into Mauritius. The passport should have at least one blank page for visa stamping.
- Tourists are required to have a return or onward ticket and proof of enough funds to spend during their stay in Mauritius.
- Confirmation of accommodation during their stay in Mauritius is also required.
When To Go
Mauritius has a mild tropical maritime climate throughout the year. The country has two seasons, which are a warm humid summer from November to April and a relatively cool dry winter from June to September, which is the best time to travel.
Things To Do
Hike the Le Morne Brabant Mountain
The majestic landscape of Le Morne Brabant Landscape showcases gorgeous mountains hugging the Indian Ocean. Located on the southwest side of the island, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit place in Mauritius for its remarkable history and breathtaking views.
See the Heritage Nature Reserve
Nature lovers will love this reserve as it is filled with amazing waterfalls, gorgeous views and green nature. It offers many opportunities to picnic, ride quads around the reserve, and more. There are several hidden corners that will leave you constantly curious about what else there is to discover the many things to do in Mauritius.
Admire the Chamarel Waterfall
Easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Mauritius, the Chamarel Waterfall is one of the icons of the island nation. The 83m tall mesmerizing waterfall is located on the southern part of the island between the Black River Gorges National Park and the Seven Colored Earth.
Visit the Black River Gorges National Park
Located on the western side of the island and home to Black River Gorges National Park, you could easily spend a day or more seeing all there is to see here. If you’re not into hiking or short on time, you can also drive up to lookout spots to have a quick view of just how vast and impressive the landscapes of this area truly are.
Marvel at the Seven Colored Earth
This natural phenomenon is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island! The broken down elements from volcanic rock have separated and formed these amazingly colorful mounds! The 7 colors represented here are easy to distinguish and people travel from all over the world to experience this unique place. You’d need to purchase a ticket to be allowed entry here, possibly steep depending on your budget but it’s undoubtedly worth it.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
The town of Pamplemousses is home to one of the most important and most-visited sights in Mauritius: the botanical garden. Its full name is quite a mouthful – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. The pond with the giant water lilies is particularly impressive, as is the nearby pond full of lotus flowers. There’s also a population of giant turtles in the botanical garden.
Try out the Casela Nature Park Zip Line
Not for the faint-hearted, this is an extra-long zip line that flies you over Casela Nature Park, a mix of safari and adventure park. This scenic and often hair-raising thrill ride will have you zipping over canyons, sweeping over the incredible scenery and splashing into the water. Some of the lines are singles, some doubles and some quadruples where four people link up for the ride.
Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius. At first sight, the city isn’t particularly attractive, as only a few old buildings are preserved. Nevertheless, the city still has some interesting sights to offer.
Ile aux Cerfs
The Ile aux Cerfs is located off the east coast of Mauritius and is a true island paradise. Around the island you’ll find some of the most beautiful sandy beaches that Mauritius has to offer.
Savor the cuisine of Mauritius
The cuisine in Mauritius has often been described as a melting pot of flavors. It is a mix of various influences with French, European, Indian, Chinese flavors. The cuisine is seafood-heavy and you can expect a lot of rum in Mauritius!
Popular dishes include their curries, farata or a type of Indian bread, seafood dishes as well as a popular street food called dholl puri, which is a wheat bread stuffed with ground split peas. From high-end fine dining restaurants to roadside shacks, you will be spoilt for choice!
