Mauritius Land Rovers
Mauritius boasts no fewer than eight top golf courses which makes the island hugely appealing for keen golfers. But for non-golfers there are plenty of other land-based activities from horse riding to sip lining.
One&Only Le Saint Geran Mauritius Golf Course
The past few years has seen Mauritius blossom as a world-class golfing destination. At the 2008 IAGTO Awards, the official annual awards for the golf tourism industry, Mauritius was awarded ‘Golf Destination of the Year – Africa and Gulf Stats’. Aside from drawing in big names like the Erine Els course at Anahita, there could not be a more beautiful setting which to play 18 holes.
Las December (2009) saw the prestigious MCB Mauritius PGA Open take place at Constance Hotel’s Belle Mare Plage. Featuring 194 amateurs and 72 senior tour professionals, it puts Mauritius even more securely on the global golf map.
There are some eight top quality golf courses and many hotels offer free green fees which to non-residents would cost 100 Euros or more. The first residential golf estate, the Tamarina Golf, Spa and beach Club, opened last year.
If golf’s not your bag, there’s plenty of other land sports to keep you fit and the and the adrenalin pumping. Of course tennis is widely available across the resorts with tennis pros on site to improve your game.
Horse riding is popular and there are four or five stables on the island. One of the best is Haras du Morne near Lw Morne and just behind Les Pavillons resort which offers wonderful rides along the beach. 00230 450 5242 4253, www.harasdumorne.com
Vistors can go quad biking in the mountains, in particular in Domaine Du Chasseur. In Domaine de L’Etoile there’s archery courses, hiking, mountain biking and motorized circuits by quad or 4*4.
There’s fabulous waterfalls to swim beside and if you are really feeling brave, try some zip lining at the Saint Feliz Sugar Estate or how about a tandem skydive with Skydive Austral (230 499 5551, www.skydiveaustral.com).
Wit all those wonderful forestes and mountain peaks, Mauritius is a fabulous place for adventurous treks and climbs. There’s steady increase in the number of outdoor adventure specialist. Yanure (230 785 6177, www.trekkingilemaurice.com ) is a one-man-bank adventure operation which can help you conquer Le Morne Brabant in the south or Piton de la Riviere Noire, the highest peak on the island. He also offers family treks.
And with the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa this June and July, Mauritius will benefit as an ‘official’, albeit offshore accommodation provider.
Fast Facts
Where to play 18 holes
• Emie Els Golf Course at Anahita
• The Legend and The Links
Nine hole Courses
Maritim Hotel Mauritius Golf
• Maritim Hotel (www.maritim.com)
• One&Only Saint Geran Gary Player Golf Course (www.oneandonlyresorts.com)