Routes · Africa

Nairobi to Mauritius: Port Louis and the Le Morne peninsula

Nairobi → Mauritius (Port Louis) → Le Morne

Lagoons & dolphins Best season (general guide): May–Dec (avoid Jan–Mar cyclones)

Mauritius combines a busy capital, quiet lagoons and a mountain with a painful history. This route spends three nights near Port Louis and four on the south-west coast at Le Morne. From Nairobi it's a flight east across the Indian Ocean.

Port Louis has a covered market, and the Caudan Waterfront is pleasant in the evening. Aapravasi Ghat, by the harbour, is where hundreds of thousands of indentured labourers from India arrived in the nineteenth century, and UNESCO lists it as World Heritage. North of the capital, the Pamplemousses botanical garden is known for its giant water lilies.

Move to the south-west. Le Morne Brabant is a basalt mountain that sheltered escaped slaves, and UNESCO lists it as a cultural landscape. Guided climbs lead to the top for views over the lagoon. Inland, Black River Gorges National Park has forest trails, and Chamarel has the coloured earths.

Dolphin trips run from Tamarin Bay. Mauritius has a code of conduct for watching dolphins and whales, so choose an operator who follows it.

May to December is the best season, avoiding cyclone months from January to March.

Pacing: a hire car makes it easy to explore, but driving is on the left, and roads can be narrow and busy. Taxis are a relaxed alternative. The guided climb up Le Morne Brabant is steep near the top, so wear good shoes and start early.

On the lagoon, snorkelling is best in the calm morning water. Choose reef-safe sun protection to help protect the coral. Respect the dolphin code of conduct, keeping a distance from the animals and not chasing them.

The south-west coast is quieter than the north, and the sunsets over the lagoon are a highlight.

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