Mauritius, nestled in the Indian Ocean and a mere four-and-a-half-hour flight away from South Africa, is the perfect destination for sun-worshippers and beach lovers.
The island is a firm favourite and a dream destination for families and couples alike.
Known for its pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, picturesque landscapes and diverse marine life, Mauritius offers a perfect escape for those looking to unwind.
Families can explore the island’s botanical gardens, water parks and enjoy water activities like snorkelling and boat tours.
The Island continues to cling to its idyllic island status, having recently hosted a star-studded group of South Africans who had quite an experience exploring it.
Africa Stay, known for offering the best value vacations, and the RIU Hotel, which is located on the island, recently welcomed media and celebrities from Mzansi to experience an island adventure.
It was interesting to learn that the former RIU hotels (the Riu Coral and Riu Le Morne), were completely demolished and built from the ground in November 2022. The demolition and construction work took 17 months.
The newly renovated adults-only Riu Palace and the family-friendly Riu Turquoise have restaurants that cater for all tastes.
A four-star hotel on the edge of Le Monde, Riu Palace, where we stayed, is chic, with up-to-date design and every detail taken care of.
Adding to the allure was the presence of renowned stars Lira, Siv Ngesi and Rosemary Zimu, who could not stop raving about the hospitality.
The group praised Africa Stay for its exceptional service and family-like care, further expressing their love for every moment of their Mauritius adventure.
From the refreshing lodge stays to the mouthwatering meals in various restaurants, the exciting landmark visits, and the exciting activities, our four days on the island were nothing short of amazing.
An evening of karaoke was most memorable as Ngesi and Ndlovu wowed the audience with their amazing performances.
One of the most thrilling stops was Mauritius’ geopark, which included a visit to the waterfall, caramel 7-coloured earth, and a giant tortoise park.
The Rhumerie of Chamarel, a magnificent distillery with a strong connection to the Mauritian rum-making heritage, was the next stop where the group sampled rum.
You can also take a tour of the capital city, Port Louis, a vibrant town where you can go shopping. They have well known food chains such as KFC and McDonald’s.
One of the main tourist attractions is the historical Fort Adelaide, a 19th-century military fortress featuring a walled courtyard and panoramic city views. You can visit it if you want to learn a bit about the island’s history.
South African singer-songwriter, Karlien Van Jaarsveld, said: “Loved the stay at the RIU hotel! Beautiful beach. I enjoyed the hot swimming pool, the cocktails, and also the friendly staff. The nightlife here is on fire.”
Ngesi, who was there with his sister to celebrate her birthday, said: “Africa Stay has world-class services with family-like care for your travel experience. I loved every moment of our Mauritius adventure.”
Lira, who has been to Mauritius 16 times, highly recommends the RIU Hotel Palace in Mauritius, an adults-only resort.
She shared: “I had such a lovely time. We stayed at RIU Hotel Palace in Mauritius, which is an adults-only resort. The magnificent hotel has just been refurbished. The rooms were wonderful and modern, and so was the entire hotel.
“We swam in a heated pool that we did not want to get out of when it came to getting ready for dinner. There was entertainment every night. I danced like no one was watching for hours.
“I really had the opportunity to let my hair down. We had several restaurants to choose from. It was the perfectly planned combination of meeting new people and relaxing in Mauritius, far from winter in SA.”
Vanes-Mari du Toit, a former South African netball player, added: “I had such a lovely time experiencing everything that the hotel had to offer; it was tranquil and calm, and one could say an awesome space to get the most out of the time off to relax.
“I love the fact that there is an adult-only area, which is the palace, and then the family/kids hotel next door.
“There are many restaurants to choose from, a lot of different pools to visit, and a lot of activities that you can book using the RIU hotels and resorts app. The fact that the hotel is so interactive with the app just makes the logistics of going on a holiday so much more convenient.
“The food was prepared in spectacular style; everything was very clean and neat, and on top of that, the food was very flavourful.”
Zimu said this trip couldn’t have come at a better time. “I think it was a blessing in disguise. I needed this more than I thought I did. Everything else was top notch — the food, friendly staff.
The group underscored that the sleek, modern design was painstakingly constructed to ensure a pleasant and delightful stay and, among the many other great features, was the helpful, kind staff elevating the experience.
You can sip mojitos on the beach, day in and day out at your peaceful adults-only resort, work on your tan and eat way too much food.
Mauritius is one of those unforgettable experiences to add to your travel bucket list. It’s highly recommended!
∎ Mapaseka Mogotsi was in Mauritius courtesy of Africa Stay and RIU hotel group.