What Makes it Special?
- Swim with wild dolphins off Île aux Benitiers.
- Taste your way through Port Louis on a local street food tour.
- Hike the wild trails of Black River Gorges National Park.
- Sail, dive, or windsurf the protected coral reefs around Belle Plage.
- Explore the kaleidoscopic sand dunes of Seven Coloured Earth.
- Paddle down the Grand River South East or relax by the waterside.
Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Mauritius experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
If you're looking to combine some tranquil beach time with plenty of laid-back adventures around the local highlights and culture, this three-stop stay on the island of Mauritius is a wonderful itinerary. The island is relatively small, so it is easy to move from place to place, and offers sweeping beaches, fantastic swimming opportunities, along with a rich culinary scene and the chance to get off the beaten track in the mountains found inland.
Start your trip with four nights on the southwestern side of the island, sample street food at Port Louis, hike in the Black River Gorge National Park, explore the coastline by boat, or simply relax on the coast. From here, hire a car to head towards the more remote eastern side of the island, perhaps stopping at Chamarel on the way for lunch. When you arrive on the eastern beaches, for those wanting more activity, kite-surfing and mountain biking are on offer, or picnic on the beautiful eastern beaches of Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangenie. Finally, head north to the famous Belle Plage region for five nights in your final hotel, chosen for its slice of luxury, to make the most of your remaining time in paradise.
12 hours from London
When to go
- April to December
Average temperature
- 25-30°C
Average rainfall
- 90mm/month
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by Day
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Mauritius holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
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Your island escape begins as you board your overnight flight to Mauritius. Over the next two weeks, you’ll explore pristine beaches, tropical landscapes, and vibrant culture, with plenty of time to relax and unwind along the way.
You’ll be greeted at arrivals and taken by private transfer to your first hotel today, where you’ll spend the next four nights. Whether you're staying in a beachfront retreat or a luxury resort, your time here is all about slowing down and settling into the island’s relaxed rhythm. Take the afternoon to explore your surroundings, enjoy a cocktail by the pool, or take a barefoot stroll along the sand.
Your hire car will be delivered to your hotel this morning, giving you the freedom to explore Mauritius at your own pace. The island is small and easy to navigate, so you can drive from one side to the other in just a couple of hours. Spend the day discovering hidden beaches, visiting local markets, or driving through spectacular scenery. Today is yours to explore as you please.
An incredible day on the water awaits as you head out on a thrilling dolphin swimming adventure at Île aux Benitiers. The stuff of bucket lists, you’ll be swimming alongside wild dolphins in their natural habitat, snorkelling in the clear waters near the coral reef, and enjoying a relaxed barbecue lunch on the beach. This is one of the most memorable experiences Mauritius has to offer and one we highly recommend. It blends unforgettable adventure with the island’s stunning coastal beauty; quite simply, it’s a must.
Today, you’ll join a guided street food tour of Port Louis, sampling flavours from Creole, Indian, and Chinese influences as you weave through the capital’s vibrant streets. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the city’s past and how Mauritius’ unique blend of cultures has shaped its food scene. Expect spiced curries, fresh seafood, and sweet treats that you won’t find anywhere else. Our top tip? Come hungry!
Today, you’ll travel across the island to the Grand River region for your next stay. We recommend stopping in Chamarel for lunch, where you can visit a local rum distillery, see the famous Seven Coloured Earth sand dunes, or stop at Chamarel Waterfall, the highest on the island. By this afternoon, you’ll have arrived at your new accommodation, ready to enjoy the riverside views, peaceful surroundings and yet another sundowner.
You'll spend the next couple of days on the eastern coast. If you’re looking for a more active day, Mauritius' east coast offers kite-surfing, mountain biking, and hiking to hidden waterfalls. Alternatively, pack a picnic and take a boat to Île aux Cerfs or Ilot Mangenie. These are two of the most beautiful eastern beaches, where you can spend the day snorkelling, sunbathing, or simply soaking up the tropical beach paradise and plotting how to never leave.
Today, you’ll drive north to Belle Plage to spend the next five nights in one of Mauritius’ most scenic regions. This part of the island is home to some of the best beaches, vibrant coastal towns, and a great mix of relaxation and activities. There are some brilliant hotels to choose from here, and we’ll make sure your base is perfect for exploring or simply kicking back and enjoying the island life.
Your final days in Mauritius are all about relaxing and exploring at your own pace. If you’re keen to explore beyond the coastline, the warm waters and coral reefs make snorkelling and diving a must, while windsurfing, kite surfing, and paddleboarding are all brilliant here. Away from the water, Mauritius is home to stunning golf courses and scenic trails perfect for a morning stroll.
Evenings are best spent sipping local rum, dining on fresh seafood, or taking a sunset cruise along the coast. However you choose to spend your time, these last few days are all about making the most of island life before heading home.
After one final relaxed morning by the beach, you’ll head to the airport for your flight home. Depending on the day, you may have the option of a direct British Airways flight to London Gatwick. We'll be sure to help find the most convenient flight option for you.
Places you'll visit
We have hundreds of partner hotels across the world, with our tailor made trips you can pick from our range of beautiful hotels
What You're Saying
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Our recent family holiday to South Africa, expertly organised with the assistance of Holiday Architects, was an unforgettable experience. The journey exceeded all expectations, offering phenomenal moments from start to finish. The service provided by their team was exceptional, with a special mention to Catherine, who was absolutely outstanding. I wholeheartedly recommend Holiday Architects to anyone looking for a meticulously planned and extraordinary travel experience. Their team’s expertise and commitment to excellence truly set them apart.
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Excellent company to deal with. Lisa Dyboll pulled together an exceptional South African itinerary for us and was available to us throughout our trip. We had one tiny issue and she dealt with it swiftly and effectively. Lisa totally understood our requirements and put together a perfect trip. I would highly recommend Holiday Architects and we will certainly use them for future trips and a special mention for Lisa Dyboll who has incredible knowledge of South Africa.
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We had a wonderful 2-week trip to South Africa organised by Kirsty from Holiday Architects. Everything was perfect: the fact that she listened to our vague ideas of what we wanted to do and then came back with very thoughtful suggestions. We followed her guidance and could not have been more delighted with our experience! It was all very personal and the attention to detail was excellent - from pre-trip briefings to a lovely welcome back phone call seeking feedback. The accommodation throughout our road trip was top quality and the suggested activities were brilliant. We would definitely recommend!
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We had a fabulous holiday in South Africa. Catherine at Holiday Architects really listened to what we wanted to achieve in our 10 days there and planned an itinerary that was pitched perfectly for us. The hotel in Cape Town, Bed and Breakfast in Franschoek and the lodge in Amakhala were all extremely comfortable and the transfers between the three and the airports were like clockwork. We were provided with links and information to book tours and trips while we were there. We will definitely be using Holiday Architects again, the only problem will be picking the destination as there are many exciting trips to chose from!
Mrs Helen Watts
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We have just returned from a 6 week epic adventure in South Africa and Mozambique , put together by Lisa Dyboll at Holiday Architects . She put up with my endless changes and requests and the end result was outstanding . To have a company take such time in ensuring we got exactly the trip with the right balances of budget and experience was amazing. Lisa gave us excellent advice and steered us away from potentially stupid ideas! We will absolutely use them again as their expert knowledge and service was invaluable.
Rona Hulbert
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The most amazing and memorable trip to South Africa. Catherine organised the perfect itinerary for us, listening to our requirements and booking accommodation which completely suited our needs. The attention to detail from initial phone call with Catherine, to the final documents listing detailed driving instructions, restaurant recommendations, excursion recommendations etc etc was first rate. We had an issue with the hire car on day 2, this proved no problem at all and Catherine arranged (with local ground team) to replace the car first thing the following morning. This was our second trip with Holiday Architects and I look forward to booking our third trip sometime soon!
LennonJ
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Kirsty @ Holiday Architects helped us to plan an amazing trip to Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. We'd found the area we wanted to visit but were uncertain about the self-drive suitability but Kirsty was able to give first hand insight and experience of the area and many of the places we ended up visiting which was invaluable, giving us a really good balance of mountains, safari, lakes & coast that suited us perfectly. Everything went very smoothly - we would absolutely use Holiday Architects again.
Nick Trowell
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Top marks go to Lisa who arranged our holiday to Cape Town and the Garden Route. All the places we stayed were amazing and the driving directions were perfect. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone who wants a great holiday.
Richard
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We used Holiday Architects to book our honeymoon to South Africa last May. We honestly couldn't recommend them enough. Kirsty was so knowledgeable and helpful. She listened to exactly what we wanted and planned the perfect itinerary for us. Kirsty planned everything - flights, accommodation, draft excursions, restaurants and tips & advice. Kirsty is a regular visitor to SA and so her recommendations were personal and well-thought out which we really appreciated. We would definitely use the company again and would recommend them to anyone. Holiday of a lifetime thanks to Kirsty!!
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Holiday Gallery
Meet our South Africa experts
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Catherine, Kirsty, Lisa and Paul are dedicated to all things South Africa and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Catherine Williams
Destination Manager
Catherine fell for Africa in 2000 and has been back countless times ever since. With South Africa being one of her favourite spots, she’s your go-to for everything from self-drives to safaris, hikes and vineyards.
Kirsty Leggate
Destination Manager
With family living just outside Kruger National Park, Kirsty’s been travelling to South Africa for more than 20 years. From solo trips to family adventures, she knows the country inside out, and always finds new reasons to return.
Lisa Dyboll
Destination Manager
Our resident South African, our Lisa really has spent a lifetime exploring the country. Especially fond of Kruger, coastal drives and any excuse for a well-earned sundowner with a view, she brings real passion and knowledge to every holiday she plans.
Paul Turner
Destination Manager
It's the sheer variety that first enticed Paul to South Africa. The wine, the landscapes, the wildlife. He's full of ideas for how to pair the highlights with the lesser-known corners to make your South Africa holiday extra special.
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