Which is the most productive vacation island, Mauritius or Zanzibar? It is a common query at the minds of South African travellers in search of a seashore break out on a tropical Indian Ocean island. However they’re each so other. So the fast resolution to the query is: it is dependent.

It’s all down on your personal tastes, so we’ve damaged it right down to assist in making the verdict somewhat more uncomplicated.

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Getting there

Mauritius: Should you’re in Johannesburg, there are day by day direct flights to Mauritius on a number of airways together with Air Mauritius, FlySafair and SAA. Direct flights also are to be had from Cape The city on Tuesdays and Sundays. You’ll have to attach by the use of Johannesburg in case you are travelling from Durban. Direct flights are about 4 hours.

Zanzibar: There are direct flights to Zanzibar from Johannesburg with FlySafair on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You’ll have to attach by the use of Johannesburg in the event you are living in Cape The city or Durban. Direct flights are about 4 hours.

*Notice: flight schedules can range right through the yr because of seasonality.

The winner: Zanzibar by way of a small margin, as flights from Johannesburg are quite inexpensive (you’ll ranking kind of R1,000 in line with individual in the event you evaluate FlySafair). On the other hand, if it’s important to fly from Cape The city or Durban, it could determine the similar.

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The visa state of affairs

Mauritius: The island has been visa-free for South Africans since earlier than the Dodo disappeared.

Zanzibar: The islands and the Tanzanian motherland are visa-free for South Africans.

The winner: It’s a draw. Each are visa-free for 90 days.

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The vaccination state of affairs

Except for the standard regimen and advisable vaccinations, you’ll no longer want any jabs to visit Mauritius or Zanzibar.

The winner: Every other draw!

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The lodging

Mauritius has been within the tourism sport for a very long time, so boutique spa motels and unique luxurious lodges all providing an overly Western enjoy are the norm. However, despite the fact that lots of the lodging in Mauritius leans towards the upper finish, it additionally has an ideal choice of self-catering villas and bungalows for smaller budgets and a extra easygoing island enjoy.

Zanzibar lodging is a mixture of old-world Arabic decadence and trendy island luxurious. It is possible for you to to search out seashore motels, wellness retreats, 5-star lodges, humble chalets, unbiased motels, or even a floating houseboat mattress and breakfast. And despite the fact that the carrier isn’t all the time on par with Westernised luxurious lodges, the lodging gives historical past and the type of appeal you gained’t to find anyplace else.

The winner: Mauritius if you need luxurious, Zanzibar if you need persona.

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The seashores

Mauritius seashores are famously stunning and feature an ideal vacation vibe. You’ll be expecting yachts and paddleboarders floating by way of, households putting out underneath palm bushes, and other people walking alongside playing the heat of paradise. Additionally it is a well-liked honeymoon spot, so be expecting starry-eyed fanatics playing candle-lit dinners so as to add an additional contact of paradise surroundings.

Zanzibar seashores are simply as pretty, however you might be much more likely to search out white-sailed dhows perched at the shores and native fishermen bringing of their catch. Seashores are usually relatively filled with crowds and native hawkers promoting crafts and coconuts. In fact, there also are many seashores the place the sand is disturbed best by way of the tide and edge of tropical bushes in the event you’re keen to cough up a couple of additional Rands. The encircling islands, Pemba and Mafia, are even higher for a personal break out and residing out your castaway dream.

The winner: Mauritius if you need tranquillity, Zanzibar in the event you benefit from the hustle and bustle.

See: The Superb Seashores of Mauritius
After which: The place Are the Perfect Seashores in Zanzibar

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The food and drinks

Mauritius is a multicultural island that has been influenced by way of the flavours of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It is possible for you to to take a look at distinctive dishes reminiscent of palm tree hearts and chilli salt fruit, but additionally acquainted dishes reminiscent of curry and dim sum. Additionally it is well-known for its Creole delicacies and boulevard meals scene, so the eating choices are considerable. Who doesn’t need so that you could style the arena in a single vacation?

Zanzibar prides itself on its recent seafood and unique spices. Even supposing Zanzibar is for sure a paradise for seafood fanatics, the distinct Indian and African influences will fulfill spice fanatics. However there also are native dishes reminiscent of Zanzibar pizza and urojo which can be not like the rest you’ve got ever attempted earlier than, and an ideal enjoy in case you are feeling somewhat adventurous along with your dinner plans.

The winner: Mauritius in the event you’re searching for all kinds, Zanzibar in the event you’re after seafood.

Additionally learn: 9 distinctive issues to take a look at in Dodoland
And this: 12 tantalising issues to take a look at in Zanzibar

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The actions

Mauritius is tremendous organised and for sure where to be in the event you love water sports activities or are concerned with making an attempt them out for the primary time. You’re going to to find the standard windsurfing, scuba diving, paddle boating, kayaking, and snorkelling, but additionally strange additions reminiscent of glass-bottom boat rides, undersea walks, aquagym, and water polo. On land, you’ll fill your days with golfing, cycling journeys, yoga categories, and buying groceries. And Mauritius additionally has a number of bars and golf equipment in the event you revel in beverages and dancing after dinner.

Zanzibar is for sure extra involved in rustic leisure than Mauritius, regardless that you’ll to find a couple of superb actions. You’ll take excursions of the spice orchards, one thing very distinctive to this a part of the arena. Similarly so is a go back and forth to Stone The city, the traditional middle of Zanzibar which stands frozen in time. With the exception of those, there’s the standard kite browsing, scuba diving, and snorkelling.

Tip. When you have time and wish to take advantage of from your go back and forth to East Africa, pair a holiday to Zanzibar with a go back and forth to the mainland. The Serengeti and Kilimanjaro are neatly price the additional effort.

See: The Nice African Revel in: Tanzania Calling

The winner: Mauritius wins palms down for the sheer range and quantity of actions, however Zanzibar is a superb name in the event you’re simply making plans on lazing round and enjoyable.

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The youngsters

Mauritius is a smart vacation vacation spot in case you are travelling with children. Many motels in Mauritius have nice children’ amenities and be offering babysitting services and products. Maximum lodges have devoted children’ golf equipment, swimming pools, and age-appropriate actions to stay them entertained.

Zanzibar is extra appropriate in case you are travelling on my own, with buddies, or simply along with your spouse. There don’t seem to be as many family-friendly lodges, regardless that in fact, you’ll to find sure remains which can be provided to appear after children. There don’t seem to be as many actions which can be fitted to children, regardless that some kiddos could be satisfied to tag alongside on historical past excursions or play at the seashore whilst the fogeys do their water actions.

The winner: Mauritius.

Additionally learn: Pointers for Flying With Youngsters

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The fee

Mauritius draws a lot of world vacationers, so regularly the costs replicate the call for. There’s an abundance of sumptuous, all-inclusive 5* vacation applications to be had (extra so than low-budget remains and backpackers) and flight costs can ramp up, particularly in top season. Travelling to Mauritius can also be pricey, however it’s for sure imaginable to enjoy a dreamy honeymoon or tropical break out in the event you plan it proper.

Zanzibar is significantly much less evolved so discovering reasonable flights, lodging, and cost-effective Zanzibar vacation applications is way more uncomplicated. Flights can regularly be discovered for approximately R7,500 pp go back from Joburg and applications together with lodging, flights and foods for approximately R25,000 pps. On the other hand, Zanzibar is certainly not a rundown island vacation spot – it additionally has numerous unique seashore lodges and motels that can be offering an unique personal island enjoy and price you accordingly.

The winner: Zanzibar, however you could possibly to find much less sumptuous remains for a similar worth in Mauritius.

Discover a vacation bundle you’re keen on.

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The decision

The decision: Once more, it truly depends upon what you need and be expecting.

Mauritius is sugar and spice and the entirety great. There are fewer alternatives for exploring past the island, however Mauritius is where that inspires desires of attempting to find waterfalls, ingesting cocktails, and golden afternoons frolicking at the seashore. And it does for a reason why. This can be a heavenly position with an abundance of actions and world-class lodges that make it a well-liked vacation spot amongst other people in need of an easy vacation of leisure and comfort.

Zanzibar is also much less evolved and a bit of tough across the edges, however it’s liked for its tradition, attention-grabbing stories, and ornate structure. It’s extensively well-liked by other people in need of a extra rugged and unique enjoy. Zanzibar additionally will give you the choice of exploring the opposite two primary islands that make up the archipelago and the mainland. A go back and forth to Zanzibar will make for unforgettable throwback tales.

Each are superior, however for various causes. So if you’ll do each to your lifetime, even higher!

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