Holidays in Mayotte

Understanding Mayotte

Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843 When Comoros voted for independence in the 1970's, Mayotte decided to remain a French "collective" In March 2009, the islands voted overwhelmingly 952% to become France's 101st 'departement' effective in 2011 The island is 95% Muslim and many Muslim customs such as polygamy, Islamic-inspired law, and male dominance are commonplace, although all will be reversed in accordance with French law by 2011 A large amount of the island's population is composed of illegal aliens from neighboring Comoros Despite the island's French ownership, less than half of the population understands French and very few speak French fluently

Climate

Tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon November to May; dry season is cooler May to November

Landscape

Generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks

Talking in Mayotte

French is the official language and is spoken by roughly 35% of the population More commonly-spoken are Mahorian a dialect of Swahili and Malagasy

What to see in Mayotte

Northern Touristic Zone

Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out restaurants, bars and discos Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit

• Pereybere The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs

• Balaclava Ruins A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate Visitors will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais The location of the ruins now forms part of Maritim Hotel, and public access may not be possible

• The Triolet Shivala The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha

• The Labourdonnais Orchards Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible

• The Caudan Waterfront The Caudan Waterfront and it's surroundings has a great collection of local souvenir shops and other foreign brand materials such as clothes, spirits In addition to the harbor of Mauritius, you will also find the movie theater, game arcades, local restaurants

• The "Bazard" of Port-Louis Literally translated to "The market of Port Louis", here you will find a collection of various local snack and tropical fruits, they are the cheapest food you will find in the capital city Numerous shop sell crafted objects such as the "goni" basket Unfortunately you will find a lot of stalls selling pirate versions of programs, movies and games, they are extremely cheap but still are illegal and do not ensure quality Like all crowded areas be weary of your surrounding and keep your belongings close to youFood sold on the street may have health issues assigned to them, but those are for most part are rare If you have any allergies though, refrain from eating at those stalls, but isn't trying everything the island has to offer already worth the ticket

• Restaurants Don't hesitate to go to the various local restaurants around the city, although many of them announce themselves to a specific racial background, like everywhere around the world they have their own mix of traditional and local You might discover that 'fried rice' can have more than one flavor

• The SSR Botanical Garden You want to see some plants originated from Mauritius, then this is the place for you Note: The SSR botanical garden is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere The garden was first constructed by Pierre Poivre 1719 – 1786 in 1770, and covers an area of around 37 hectares

East

• Flacq Market Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country’s largest open air market The extremely colourful market attracts a large number of people

• The Waterpark Leisure Village Enjoy unforgettable moments sliding on the giant chutes, with family or friends Relaxation and pleasure guaranteed

• Ile aux Cerfs Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports and has one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape Price conscious visitors would be well advised to take ample food and drink, as the only bar and restaurant on the island targets primarily well-heeled tourists

• Beaches The eastern part of the island is known for it's long sand bank beaches and it's famous hotel such as "The Coco Beach Hotel" and the famed 5-star hotel "Le Touessrok"

South East

• Dutch Ruins At Vieux Grand Port, the oldest settlements in Mauritius, you can see the ruins of the first Dutch fortifications Excavation work is underway in a bid to uncover an important part of Mauritian history

• Ile aux Aigrettes Owing to the remarkable work accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, the island has become an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there You can also discover the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise

• Mahebourg Mahébourg is one of the main fishing villages on the island Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay it was founded in 1804 by the French Governor Charles Decaën The Monday markets are one of the biggest and best on the island and can be found right next to the main bus station

• Domaine du Chasseur, Tel: 230 634-5011, Fax: 230 634-5261 Nestling in the Anse Jonchée hills, the Domaine des Grand Bois has splendid hunting grounds covering an area of 900 hectares Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the luxuriant vegetation of the hillside One can watch a few species of endangered birds, including the kestrel The Domaine contains four thatched-roof bungalows and a restaurant with a panoramic sea view Take an opportunity to enjoy a meal of venison The view is great and well worth the visit, but the food can best be described as average The venison is very chewy There is a steep hike up the hill from the car park to the restaurant The restaurant offers a 4wd taxi service which is free if you eat one of their overpriced meals, but if you only want a cup of tea or desert they will slug you an outrageous 230 roupee per person, for the 5 minute ride

• Souillac A small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district A famous feature is the garden overlooking the sea and named after Dr Charles Telfair A popular viewpoint is found at the southern end of the village, right on the cliff top : Gris Gris

• Blue Bay Bluest water and most amazing white sand beaches you will ever see Take the trip across the island from Port Louis and see what this quiet place has to offer Very busy with the locals on weekends Try to go during the week Glass bottom boats are an excellent outing Part of Blue Bay has been designated a Marine Park, and the snorkeling trips by boat to this area, offered for sale on the main public beach, are well worth trying

West

• Martello Towers The Martello Towers, found at La Preneuse, Black River, represent the scene of the ancient rivalry between old colonial powers and the ingenuity of mankind They are a milestone in the island’s history; they symbolise the end of slavery and the beginning of Indian immigration

• Chamarel A winding road leads from Case Noyale village to the coloured earths of Chamarel: an undulating landscape of different and contrasting shades of colours The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash The neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life The site possesses a rare beauty An adventure park has also recently been opened at Chamarel Much of the sand has been souvenired by locals It is now sectioned off, but is not that impressive

• Salt Pans Owing to the exceptional high level of sunshine the district receives, Tamarin is naturally the heart of salt production in Mauritius

• Casela, Tel: 230 452-2828 Situated in the Rivière Noire district, the Casela Nature & Leisure Park stretches over 25 hectares It contains more than 140 bird species from all five continents and is home to many other animals like giant tortoises, zebras, a tiger and ostriches Activities like walking with lions, Rando Funziplines & hanging bridges, quad, buggy & Segway, a petting farm and many more promise a fun day for the whole family

• Yemen Yemen Reserve may not be the largest game reserve on the island, but there is still lots to see You will be able to get close to the herds of deer, as well as admire some splendid species of Mauritian fauna A few rustic kiosks available in the reserve provide an unobstructed view of the sea There you can sip a local punch while watching the sun going down

The Interior

• Black River Gorges This national park of 6,574 hectares 16,244 acres was created in 1994 for the protection of Mauritius’ remaining native forests Visitors can enjoy magnificent landscapes, with endemic plants and rare bird species A trail leads from the Pétrin information centre to an area of typical plant life and to a conservation area

• Eureka, Tel: 204 326-4775, Fax: 204 326-9732 Is an old Creole residence built in 1830, Eureka is an essential place to visit during your stay in Mauritius if you wish to immerse yourself in tropical sweetness Includes a tour of the colonial house with the opportunity to purchase overpriced textile products, and a tour of the gardens and a visit to the waterfalls below

• Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin Beyond La Marie and Mare-aux-Vacoas is found one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius It rests within the crater of an extinct volcano Ganga Talao is an important pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva Gigantic eels live in the lake and are fed by the pilgrims A walk to the top of the mount beside the lake is recommended for beautiful views over the area known as "Plaine Champagne"

• L’Aventure du Sucre, Tel: 243 06 60 Daily 9AM-6PM Visit an interactive and ultra modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover the fascinating history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure exposed over 5000 sq meters! Then, let yourself be tempted by their boutique with its unique gifts, souvenirs and tasting of special unrefined sugars as well as local rum Do not miss the opportunity to relish authentic Mauritian cuisine with refined flavours at their restaurant "Le Fangourin" Free access to the restaurant and the Village Boutique Beau Plan-Pamplemousses

What to do in Mayotte

• A hike almost a climb to the summit of mont Choungui will offer a spectacular panorama of the island
• Makis can be found in remote regions of the island
• Diving is mandatory Expect spectacular sights in the world's largest lagoon
• Sea turtles come to roost on the southern beaches
• In August-September, humpback whales can be found with their calves in the lagoon

Buying stuff in Mayotte

Currency is the Euro € Local stuff bananas, manioc, fish is inexpensive, imported items dairy products, manufactured products are expensive

Food and eating in Mayotte

When leaving Mauritius, don't wait until you go through passport control if you want to have a snack The coffee shop after passport control is not value for money You would be better off visiting the snack bar before check-in and taking your purchases through with you

Mauritius is a paradise for the senses, not only for the eyes with its beautiful landscape, but also for the palate Gastronomes will find a variety of flavours and aromas inherited from the different migrations through its history Culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, the best-known and appreciated cuisines in the world, have been passed on through generations

Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flat bread called chapattis or roti, called farata paratha by the local people, is eaten with curries The extensive use of spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and herbs like thyme, basil, and curry leaves are the common ingredients that provide some powerful, yet subtle, savour Dal, a variety of lentil soup, are many and varied according to which type of lentil is used; vegetables, beans, and pickles accompany the dishes Dholl puri and roti, originally an Indian delicacy have become the fish and chips of Mauritians

Biryani from Mughal origins is a dish expertly prepared by the Muslim community, with meat mixed with spiced rice and potatoes

You can buy many snacks on the streets of Mauritius including the famous gateaux piments a variant of the indian vadai ; literally, chilli cakes, and vegetable or meat samosas puffs, along with octopus curry in bread The tomato and onion based dish called Rougaille pronounced rooh-guy is a variation of the French ragoût The dish usually consists of meat or seafood corned beef and salted snoek fish rougaille are very popular with the locals and all Mauritians eat this dish often if not daily

Mauritians have a sweet tooth and make many types of 'gateaux', as they are called The cakes vary and you can find cakes very much like at home and others similar to Indian sweets like Gulab Jamun and Rasgulla among many others

Check out the queues where the street sellers are selling their type of snacks and the longest queue will probably have the tastiest food on sale and is very cheap

Drinking in Mayotte

Mauritius produces a wide range of cane rum It is very cheap and is a nice drink when mixed with cola and ice Don't forget the coconut water with a dash of lime and a splash of local rum over ice The serious amateur will try to find a bottle of five years old or older rum Worth the price difference!

If you are staying in a hotel where the drinks are wildly expensive consider collecting your tipples while you are out and about from the local village shops or supermarkets where the prices are much cheaper

The local beer Phoenix is considered to be one of the best in the world and costs around 30 rupees less than one pound sterling for a pint Usually served very cold

The local Black Eagle beer, brewed in Nouvelle France is one to watch out for as well Definite refreshment to match the sweltering summer heat

Try visiting the Medine Estate Refinery shop at Bambous 4km from Flic en Flac, on the west of the Island, for a wide variety of locally produced rums and liquors

Accommodation in Mayotte

• Bungalow Vanille Royal Road, Black River info@bungalowvanillecom http://bungalowvanillecom Detached bungalow with a pool Five minute walk to the beach Friendly staff €50/night

• Le Canonnier Royal Road - Pointe Aux Canonniers +230 209 7000 http://wwwlecanonnier-hotelcom canonnier@bchotcom +230 263 7864Set on a private peninsula, occupying an historical site with viewa over the northern islands The hotel rooms, duplexes and family apartments either border on a series of small inlets or are scattered amongst the shady trees In the heart of the gardens is an ancient banyan tree where the Wellness Centre is accessed by a flight of steps leading into the branches where the massage cabins are situated Pirate-themed kid's club in an old lighthouse

• Les Chalets en Champagne 110 route Plaine Champagne, Chamarel above Chamarel, at the border of the Black River Gorges National Park +230 483 6610 / 483 5710 varangue@intnetmu +230 483 5410 http://wwwleschaletsenchampagnecom/ Half-board for 2 guests €115Mountain chalets in a quiet garden, just on the border of the national park and under the Piton de la Rivière Noire Views of the valleys, the Morne and the sea Good restaurant nearby Varangue sur Morne

• Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa Le Morne Peninsula +230 401 4900 http://wwwdinarobin-hotelcom dinarobin@bchotcom +230 401 4901All suite five-star beach and golf resort with spa

• Labourdonnais, Waterfront, Port Louis 5 star hotel convenient for Port Louis and many restaurants around the area Popular with businessmen

• Lacazecreole Self catering house Mare la chaux, Belle Mare 230 4934065 lacazecreole@hotmailcom Euros per room http://lacazecreolee-monsitecom/

• La Maison d'Eté small beach hotel Coastal Road, Poste Lafayette +230 410 5039 info@lamaisondetecom + 230 410 5354 http://wwwlamaisondetecom/ Room for 2 persons €110A good alternative to the big hotels A few rooms Private beach along the lagoon, from where you can swim and snorkel to view the reef life Good restaurant Warm welcome by the owners

• Le Mauricia Royal Road - Grand Baie +230 209 1100 http://wwwlemauricia-hotelcom mauricia@bchotcom +230 263 7888A four star resort in the center of grand bay

• Le Meridien Ile Maurice http://perfectescapescom/Luxury_Hotel-PID1727-Pointe_Aux_Piments_-Le_Meridien_Ile_MauricehtmlBeachfront on the bay of Pointe aux Piments

• Paradis Hotel & Golf Club Le Morne Peninsula +230 401 5050 http://wwwparadis-hotelcom paradis@bchotcom +230 450 51 405-star golf resort

• The Residence The Residence Hotel Mauritius http://wwwmauritiusbesthotelscom/the-residence-hotel-mauritius 5* Hotel in the style of a plantation house; popular with honeymooners Inspired by turn-of-the-century colonial mansions

• Le Touessrok http://wwwelegantresortscouk/le-touessrok/p Luxury hotel that is a member of ''Leading Hotels of the World''

• Rialto Villa Trou Aux Biches 230 4653293 info@rialtovillacom 230 4653293 http://wwwrialtovillacom/en/indexhtm

• Royal Palm Hotel Royal Road - Grand Baie +230 209 8300 http://wwwroyalpalm-hotelcom royalpalm@bchotcom +230 263 8455A member of "The Leading Hotels of the World"

• Shandrani Resort & Spa Blue Bay +230 603 4343 shandrani@bchotcom +230 401 4901 http://wwwshandrani-hotelcomAll inclusive resort for action-packed holidays, for families, couples, and nature-lovers

• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa http://wwwperfectescapescom/Luxury_Hotel-PID1695-Flic-en-Flac_-Taj_Exotica_Resort_&_Spa_Mauritiushtml Right on Tamarin Bay

• Trou Aux Biches Resort & Spa Triolet +230 204 6565 http://wwwtrouauxbiches-hotelcom trouauxbiches@bchotcom +230 265 6611Hotel completely reconstructed and reopening on 1st of Nov 2010

• Le Victoria Pointe Aux Piments +230 204 2000 victoria@bchotcom +230 261 8224 http://wwwlevictoria-hotelcomFamily holiday resort

• Villas Oasis Grand Bay +2307270022 http://wwwvillas-oasiscom Self catering villa with private pool, kiosk and garden and 24hours security 2 mins from the beach

• Tyvabro Guesthouse 10 Rue La Marianne, Mahebourg 230 631 9674 - hassenjaunbocus@yahoocom http://wwwtyvabrocom 27 Euro per room per night Guesthouse operated by a family and has around 6 rooms of assorted configurations double, twin etc all with airconditioning The price also includes a full breakfast 2 minute's walk from the Mahebourg bus terminal

• One&Only - Le Saint Géran http://wwwoneandonlyresortscom/flashhtml 5* hotel opened in 1975 and remodeled in 1999 with balconied rooms facing the Indian Ocean 60-acre resort has a 9-hole Gary Player designed golf course, spa with pool and gym, a French restaurant, an Indian restaurant Amenities includes a KidsOnly club for 4-11 year olds and a teens club

• Chante au Vent Guesthouse Coastal Road, Pointe dEsny 5km from Mahebourg +230 631 961 http://wwwchanteauventcom/ A thatched house on the beach at Pointe d’Esny in the Southeastern part of the island Situated only a few steps from the Blue Bay Lagoon and its sandy beaches

• La Cocoteraie Mont-Choisy 230 265 5694 http://cocoteraieamltdnet/index_enghtml On the northwest coast two minutes walk from the beaches at Mont Choisy and Trou-aux-Biches

• Hotel La Residence Grand Bay, Mauritius +230 755 0747 http://wwwcassamallyholidaycom Affordable rooms starting from 20 eur/night

• Pingouinvillas 94A, Rue des Daurades in the residential tourist area in Blue-Bay, the southeast of Mauritius Island 00 230 6373051 http://wwwpingouinvillascom €200-400 It is set-up in a small tropical garden full of exotic flowers under the shade of coconut trees encircled by cool verandahs bordered by fanciful balustrades It enjoys an exceptional peace where only the chirping of birds disturbs the calmness in the morning and the area is harmonious with its tropical flora and fauna

Working in Mayotte

Voluntary service: Volontariat Civil à l'Aide Technique VCAT 2 Conditions: you must be French or from another EU-member state or a country belonging to the European Economic Area You must be over 18 and under 28 years old inclusive You must not have had your civic rights revoked by a court or have been convicted of certain offences

Cities in Mayotte