World Earth Day: An Environmentally Friendly Holiday Guide to Mauritius with Heritage Resorts

Heritage Resorts was the first hotel in Mauritius to offer carbon neutral stays from October 2021. Gracing the unspoilt south coast of Mauritius in Bel Ombre, at the five-star Heritage Le Telfair (part of Small Luxury Hotel’s Considerate Collection) and Heritage Awali, eco-mindful guests are invited to take a meaningful and guilt-free island castaway while revelling in the epitome of Mauritian hospitality.

The initiative is a first for the hotel sector on the island and is part of a wider sustainability programme named Now for Tomorrow.

In line with World Earth Day on the 22^nd April 2023, Heritage Resorts has put together a collection of sustainable holiday activities that will enable visitors to discover its abundance of wildlife and culture, but also contribute to conservation efforts through the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, the NGO Reef Conservation, and a myriad ofsocial and wildlife causes to protect the local biodiversity.

·       New nature-focused wellness experiences

A new inspiring series of wellness experiences which combines the rejuvenating effects of nature has recently been introduced for nature lovers. This encompasses a guided forest bathing experience through the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, an iconic hike up the UNESCO-certified Le Morne Brabant mountain, to other nature experiences including a dive in a natural pool and a waterfall massage.

In a bid to restore the indigenous forest and flora that have been destroyed due to over-farming in the last few centuries, the team have replanted more than 30 species including mangroves, Ficus species and various palms. With this returns endemic birds and animals in which a success story is theMauritius Kestrel – in 1974 there were just 4 left, now thanks to conservation efforts there are 350 on the island.

Visitors can learn more about the impressive restoration work from the locally trained Mauritius Wildlife Foundation rangers by taking a nature excursion either on open top 4×4 jeeps or on foot that will immerse you in a truly unique environment with a distinctly Jurassic feel.

·       Snorkel guilt-free with Heritage Resorts

For discerning divers, Heritage Resorts has embarked on a vast conservation project in a bid to preserve the pristine marine environment. Together with scientists from the University of Mauritius and NGO Reef Conservation, their objective has been to protect the marine life and biodiversity of the lagoon. 20 additional species of fish have been found since the implementation of artificial reefs and coral fragments.

·       Kids Reef Conservation with The Yellow Submarine

At the family-friendly all-inclusive Heritage Awali, a fun and educational facility, “The Yellow Submarine” at the Timomo Kids Club has been created with NGO Reef Conservation to welcome their youngest guests to a playful setting, offering them a multitude of creative and sensory experiences to help them develop an understanding of the ocean’s eco-system and learn the importance of marine conservation. Kids enter the yellow submarine through a slide!

·       Local-led street food tour around Port Louis

With Mauritius voted among theworld’s best cities for street food, a local-led food tour with Taste Buddies takes guests on a venture into the historical Port Louis to explore the capital’s best culinary delicacies. While guiding guests to ‘in the know’ eateries around the busy capital, the knowledgeable guides will recount old tales and fun facts about the island’s history along the tour.

·       Dine green with Heritage Resorts

The hotel has cultivated a range of sustainable food practices which benefits the surrounding community at the same time, with all ingredients including fruits and vegetables, seafood, poultry and meat obtained from Mauritian farmers, local suppliers, or from regional partners in the Indian Ocean to reduce carbon emissions. In view of developing a farm-to-fork model, vegetable gardens have been implemented on our lands to contribute the needs of the hotels.

Besides that, to spotlight the diversity of rich local agricultural offerings in the region and promote local chef talent, Heritage Resorts launched the premier Sustainable Culinary Week on the island last year, with the mission to raise awareness and action for the sustainable production and consumption of food.

Returning this July (7^th – 17^th), under the patronage of a French Michelin-starred chef, guests can savour carefully devised lunch and dinner menus that highlight ethically sourced produce, partake in cooking master classes, and enjoy a sumptuous gala dinner in an enchanting colonial-style mansion house, Château de Bel Ombre.

Nestled within 2,500 hectares of preserved parkland, flanked by lush verdant nature and glistening lagoons, Heritage Resorts is steeped in protecting the island’s cultural and environmental heritage and has made big strides to provide greener holidays while keeping safe the spirit of tropical island living.

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Heritage Le Telfair – This five-star plantation style all-suites hotel provides luxury accommodation for couples and families, whilst delivering a high level of personal service. A “Small Luxury Hotel of the World,” the hotel is also popular with golfers, who get complimentary access to the Heritage Golf Course, and those seeking wellness experiences. Rates start from £221 /night, for 2 adults and 2 children up to 11 years old sharing a Deluxe Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Heritage Awali – This five-star all-inclusive hotel is a relaxed and family-friendly hotel with 3 pools to enjoy (including an adult only pool). Guests also have access to Heritage Golf Club and its championship 18-hole golf course. Rates start from £276 /night for 2 adults and children sharing a Deluxe Garden View Room on an all-inclusive basis.