Africa’s hidden paradise Mauritius Island

PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS - MARCH 22: An exotic island of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius, is waiting to be discovered with its clear turquoise waters, white sands, lush mountains, waterfalls and tropical climate. Madagascar, Comoros, the Seychelles and the French overseas territory of the Reunion Islands are neighbors of Mauritius, which has no land border. Located 2,000 kilometers east of Africa and 890 kilometers east of Madagascar, the country consists of the islands of Rodrigues, Agalega, Cargados Carajos. The Portuguese first arrived in Mauritius in 1498 under the leadership of Vasco da Gama. The Dutch, who captured the island in 1516 after the Portuguese, used Mauritius on the Indian sea route for a long time as a supply and material supply base. In the war between the British and the French, the island of Mauritius fell into the hands of the British in 1814 with the Treaty of Paris. Later, the island declared its independence. The capital of the island, which draws attention with its sandy beaches, magnificent trees and hospitable people, is Port Louis, the second important port city after Johannesburg. Mauritius, which is home to many endemic plant species and the homeland of the extinct Dodo bird, has started to gain an important place in the tourism sector with the investments made in recent years, the increasing number of hotels and infrastructure works. “For the best season it is all year because it is tropical island. Winter is around 25-27 degrees during the winter season between June and end of the september that has been pretty good season too. Our hot season starting in October until end of April. It is a high season for us, it is a high temperature with 36-37 degrees with more humidity but it is a very great moment for tourists,” said hotelkeeper, Rico Paoletti. (Footage by Kenan Irtak-Mauritius Tourism Directorate/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)