Be Whole

“It’s the epitome of a tropical island paradise.”

Dubbed heaven on earth by famed author and traveller, Ernest Hemingway, Mauritius offers every traveller a haven for peace and relaxation.

With a few effortless answers covering her latest girls’ getaway, Staci Jacobs validates why Mauritius should be the destination for your next holiday.

Vibrant, tropical and utopian are the words that first came to mind when asking how she would describe the island. “The white sand, palm trees and the warm Indian Ocean make it the perfect beach destination. There are museums, waterfalls, botanical gardens, and a number of shopping markets further inland. It’s the epitome of a tropical island paradise.”

She recalls that the highlight of her trip was swimming with dolphins. “The tour guides took us into the ocean on a speed boat to look for wild dolphins. As we drew close enough to the dolphins, we were able to jump into the ocean and swim among them. We were close enough to touch them but none of us were brave enough to do so. The ocean was very deep but spectacularly clear. Closer to the coast, as we snorkelled, we encountered plenty of other beautiful sea creatures.”

Explaining that the Island is richly diverse, she recalls how the food on the island resembled much of what we eat in South Africa, with the exception that venison is  quite popular due to a density of deer on the island and no real predators.

Top tips before arriving in Mauritius

• Learn basic French phrases as French is widely spoken among the locals, even though English is also spoken.
• Pack lots of sunblock as the Mauritian sun can be very unforgiving.
• Try to book an all-inclusive package (including flights, accommodation, activities and all meals and drinks) as the cost of living is very high in Mauritius.

Frequently asked questions:

1. When’s the best time to visit Mauritius: All year round! The climate varies from approximately 20 degrees in winter, to around 35 degrees in summer.
2. Do I need a visa? Not if you’re South African. Hallelujah!
3. Do you require any vaccinations? Only if you’re travelling from a country where yellow fever cases have been reported. (Not applicable to South Africa, hoorah!)
4. What’s the time in Mauritius? GMT+4 – two hours ahead of South African time
5. What’s the currency in Mauritius? The Mauritian Rupee (1 ZAR = 0,44 MUR – 14/03/2016)

Must-see attractions: The Grand Bassin  and the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

To view more photos of Staci’s trip to Mauritius, Follow her on Instagram.