Airport in Mauritius Climate Population	Currency Credit cards Visas and health	Packing Time Zone Electricity	Car rental Shopping Sightseeing	Entertainment Insurance Drinking water	Communication Medical Babysitting

WELCOME TO MAURITIUS (Bienvenu a l'ile Maurice)
Nestling some 3000 km off the East Coast of Africa, just above the Tropic of Capricorn, is the beautiful tropical island of Mauritius. This jewel of the Indian Ocean boasts 160km of beautiful coastline, powdery white beaches, gently waving palm trees, azure waters and spectacular coral reefs. An earthly paradise with jade green fields broken by shady valleys veined with streams from which suddenly, as though from nothing, rise mountains with fantastic shapes. This must surely be paradise. Now add a fascinating cosmopolitan blend of French, British, Indian, Chinese and Creole, and you'll understand something of the island's unique and vibrant culture.

Mauritius was originally discovered by the Arabs in AD975. Although they named it Dinarobin - meaning Silver Island - they left no evidence of their presence. In 1507, the Portuguese discovered it and gave it the name Ilha do Cerne or Island of the Swan. The Dutch - en-route to their colonies in the East Indies - discovered it in 1958, naming it Maurits after Prince Maurice of Nassau. In 1715 the French landed, calling it Ile de France. For years, pirates and bounty hunters under French protection plundered the British vessels travelling to and from the spice and silk markets of the East. In 1810, the British landed a surprise attack against the French and conquered the island, along with nearby Reunion. In 1968, Mauritius won her independence from Britain, remaining within the Commonwealth. Today Mauritius has little unemployment and a thriving economy, based mainly on sugar, tourism and textiles.

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Airports in Mauritius
The International airport in Mauritius is known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Plaisance. There is a facility for you to exchange money at the airport.

Distances from Airport:

• Le Coco Beach 55 Kms (approx 60 minutes)
• La Pirogue 40 Kms (approx 50 minutes)
• Sugar Beach Resort 40 Kms (approx 50 minutes)
• Le Touessrok 46 Kms (approx 55 minutes)
• One&Only Le Saint Géran 55 Kms (approx 60 minutes)

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Climate
The seasons can be divided broadly into a hot, wet season from December to April,and a pleasantly cool, dry season from May to November, making Mauritius aperfect year-round destination. Coastal air temperatures range from 22 degreesCentigrade in Winter to 31 degrees Centigrade in Summer. The limited cycloneseason usually falls between January and March. Water temperatures vary between22 degrees Centigrade and 27 degrees Centigrade.

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Population, religion and languages
The population in Mauritius numbers just over a million consisting of Hindus, Muslims, Chinese, Creoles and Europeans. At present there are approximately 500 000 Hindus, 300 000 Christians, 180 000 Muslims and 4000 Buddhists in the country. English (the official language) and French are spoken along with Hindi, Creole and other oriental languages.

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Currency
The currency is the Mauritian rupee, divided into 100 cents.

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Credit Cards
All Kerzner International hotels in Mauritius accept all major credit cards, however it is not possible to draw cash against your credit card at the hotels. You are able to withdraw cash from your credit card at the banks or from an ATM (using your secret PIN number).

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Passports, Visas and health
Visas are not required for South African passport holders. However, certain other passports do require visas/re-entry permits and the regulations in this regard should be investigated prior to departure. Passports should be valid for 6 months after date of departure from Mauritius. No vaccinations are required for Mauritius. We suggest that any personal medication be carried in your hand luggage and not in your suitcase.

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Packing
Beachwearand informal clothing are perfect for daytime - cotton is ideal. The sun inMauritius can be very strong so sunglasses and suntan lotion with the necessarysun protection factor should not be forgotten. A light sweater or jacket isrecommended during the so-called "cool" season evenings (May toSeptember). The dress at dinner is smart/casual. Gentlemen are requested towear long trousers at dinner. Take a good pair of comfortable walking shoes forexploring the island.

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Time Zone
Mauritius is 4 hours ahead of GMT and 2 hours ahead of South African time.

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Electricity
Electricity is 220/240 volts - square pinned plug.

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Car rental
Vehicles are available for hire through Avis Rent-A-Car in Mauritius. All guests intending to hire cars, must be in possession of an International Driving Permit and carry a drivers licence while driving. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road, the minimum age for drivers is 21 years. Vehicles can be hired from either Mauritius International Airport (pick up/drop off fee applies) or from each of the Kerzner Resorts.

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Shopping
Mauritius is a shopper's paradise. There are several different shopping areas, as well as bargains which can be found at the various local markets and independent vendors.
The duty free shops, exclusively for tourists having their passport and flight ticket has been multiplied during the last years and the prices are very attractive.

Models of ancient ships - with fine details as per the ancient plans constitute a very nice souvenir.

Handicrafts - basket making, embroidery, pottery, serigraphy, stone cutting.

Souvenirs that can be brought back from Mauritius are beach clothing, shells, the local rum, stamps, arts and crafts from Madagascar, spices, weaving goods, like bags and hats.

In Port Louis, there is a large and colourful market, specialising in clothing, hand-embroidered linen, stunning Indian fabrics, souvenirs and spices. Nearby is the Caudan shopping precinct offering intricate model boats, clothing, jewellery, books, Persian rugs, beachwear and souvenirs. Curepipe is the main residential town and specialises in model boats, clothing and beautiful knitwear. Cosmopolitan Grand Bay on the North Coast of the island also offers some great shopping opportunities as well as some interesting restaurants.

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Sightseeing
PortLouis, capital city and the worlds latest freeport, is a kaleidoscope of colourand activity, sights, smells and sounds. Scour the market for bargains, take adrive to the top of La Citadelle for the marvellous view, admire the grand19th-century buildings; see the reconstructed dodo and rare artifacts at thefascinating Natural History Museum.

PamplemoussesRoyal Botanical Gardens, a short 15 minute drive from the bustle of Port Louishouses an astonishing array of rare indigenous flora as well as small deer andsome giant Aldabra tortoises from Seychelles, where they are an endangeredspecies.

GrandBay, offers intimate art galleries and a wide variety of boutique clothing andfascinating souvenir shops.

EurekaHouse is a beautifully restored Creole-style house situated in Moka. Reputed tobe one of the largest houses on the island, it has 109 doors and windows. Teais served on the wide verandah.

Domaineles Pailles is a gracious estate which will delight nature lovers, gamblers,gourmets and horse-riders alike. Ten minutes drive south of Port Louis, thearchitecture is in traditional style.

Ile auxCerfs is five minutes on a taxi-boat from Le Touessrok, this idyllic tropical islandhas restaurants, bars and numerous watersports.

Domainedu Chasseur, a privately owned nature reserve nestles in the Bambous Mountainsoffering spectacular views down to the sea. Wild boars, hares, guinea fowls andmonkeys abound. The rare Mauritian Kestrel can be seen by visitors at thisnaturalist's haven.

Mahebourg,once capital of the island has an unspoilt, rural atmosphere and a visit to theNaval Museum is well worthwhile. Relics from shipwrecks and battles, portraitsand the bell of the renowned Saint Geran are housed here.

BlackRiver Gorges, Grand Bassin, Plaine Champagne, Chamarel. The Black River Gorgescarve dramatically through the Black River National Park, where the rarePaille-en-Queue and pink pigeon thrive. A marvelous place for a nature ramblethrough the park. An extraordinary phenomenon is the seven coloured earth atChamarel on the Plaine Champagne. The sacred lake at Grand Bassin is a place ofpilgrimage for the Hindu people of Mauritius.

Casela Bird Park allows visitors the opportunity toenjoy a peaceful stroll through beautiful gardens where some 2000 birds of 150different species live in 85 aviaries.

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Entertainment
AllKerzner resorts offer unique, exceptional, world class entertainment. Ourspecialised, highly trained entertainment team offer you different themes,ranging from Mauritian sega to Chinese dragons to classical island rhythmdancing, with such variety you will never have to see the same show twice.Guests can join in the dancing after the show.

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Insurance
Tour participants are strongly advised to take out travel insurance covering personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, baggage loss, loss of funds through cancellation or curtailment.

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Drinking water
Tapwater is safe to drink, although bottled water, which is served in all hotelsand restaurants, is recommended for drinking.

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Communication
Telephone, fax and email / internet facilities are available at all of our hotels. To use your cellphone in Mauritius you will need to activate your international roaming facility. This can be done by contacting your service provider (MTN, Vodacom or Cell C), and should be done at least 10 days before your departure date. If you are currently on a "Pay As You Go" package, you will not be able to make use of International roaming.

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Medical
Thereis a resident nurse on call 24 hours a day, at all our resorts.

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Babysitting
AllKerzner Hotels offer baby-sitting facilities, at a nominal fee, with booking 24hours in advance a necessity.

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