Paradise on earth? Pretty close. Laze all day on a dreamy beach, sip cocktails at sunset and feast on seafood. Or get active and hike into spectacular volcanic landscapes or dive with turtles in coral canyons. Whatever your interests and budget, this book will make your experience even more special. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip. In This Guide: Diving and hiking chapters for thrills above and below the waterCultural insights to enrich your experienceEcofriendly tips to help you travel green

Following in the format of Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, this guide presents all the birds of Madagascar and the other Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius and Mascarenes), a great many species of which are endemic to these islands. In field guide form, this text presents concise descriptions of each species, highlighting diagnostic features for ease of identification. Differences between sexes and plumages are discussed as well as the status of the bird, its habitat and call. Distribution maps accompany each entry. The birds are illustrated in full color and where necessary are depicted in all plumages relevant to identification (male, female and immature). In-flight illustrations present the bird from above and below, providing comprehensive coverage of the birds in the field.

Mauritius is a conundrum. A small, exotic, multiethnic island nation in the Indian Ocean, to some it is a multicultural “rainbow,” a haven of peace, love, and understanding. Others see it as ethnically divided, cultivating only “sugarcane and prejudice.” Opinions differ as to whether it is a Creole island, a Hindu-dominated Little India, or a neo-colonial outpost of the French-speaking world. Optimists see it as the biggest social and economic miracle of the post-colonial world, whereas pessimists believe it to be a social accident waiting to happen. For many visitors Mauritius appears to be a carefree tropical paradise, but its complexity will baffle any foreigner who dares to leave the comfort of the luxury beach resort. Daily life is far from idyllic for the majority of the population struggling to reconcile traditional culture and old ethno-religious antagonisms with the demands of the modern world. Mauritius is a very new nation, formed over the past three centuries. Although the South and East Asian influence is very strong, its most defining characteristic is its very multiculturalism. Its traditions reflect the diversity of the people, and Mauritian language, food and religion form an intoxicating medley. Other customs have been created locally and are shared by all, such as the lively and popular musical tradition of sega. Modernization and global economics mean many younger Mauritians now share a common culture and outlook on life, where the sense of being Mauritian outweighs ancestral ties and divisive communalism. Culture Smart! Mauritius will help you make sense of the modern and the traditional, of shared and ancestral culture, and enable you to navigate your way through the contradictions at the heart of modern Mauritius. Show the expected courtesy and respect and you will meet many extraordinary, warm-hearted, patient, and friendly people who are keen to welcome outsiders from any part of the world.

Ever since the 18th century, Mauritius has been enriched by inflows of people from Europe, Africa, India and China. The result, on the island today, is a harmonious mix of cultural and religious traditions (Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism).

This photographic guide depicts a selection of the most commonly encountered and striking bird species of Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros, and the Mascarenes - a region boasting high levels of endemism. The species accounts cover the birds' appearance, basic behaviour, preferred habitats, and geographical distribution. Each species account enjoys a full page which features a color photograph, distribution map, and text in English and French.

The Bradt guide is the most comprehensive book on the market to the Mascarene islands of Mauritius, its dependency Rodrigues and the French island of Réunion. It is the only guide to cover the full range of dining and accommodation options, from shoestring to luxury. It offers greater coverage of flora, fauna and conservation projects than other guides, as well as in-depth information on outdoor pursuits, beaches, food, culture and language. Whether visitors want to chill out amid Rodrigues’s simple charms, hike through the volcanic landscapes of Réunion, or get married in Mauritius, the information is here.

Africa's Top Wildlife Countries highlights and compares wildlife reserves and other major attractions in the continent’s best countries for game viewing – making the planning of the journey of a lifetime easy! African countries, and the wildlife reserves within them, vary greatly as to the types and quality of safari experiences they offer. This is the only guidebook that effectively assists travelers in choosing the best destinations for the kind of wildlife experience they would most enjoy by comparing travel options among all the top wildlife countries.

The handy pocket-size guide is packed with useful information, tips and recommendations, accompa­nied by color photographs, charts and maps for the first-time traveler who wants to experience the major highlights that Mauritius has to offer. The fold-out map of Mauritius is ideal for tourists and visitors.

Discover Mauritius, Reunion&SeychellesGlide alongside sea turtles through the coral canyons and giant arches of Mauritius' underwater world.Rocket through forest and sugarcane fields mountain biking the head-spinning slopes of Reunion's Le Maido.Dine beachside on Praslin's most succulent seafood by the light of flickering candles.In This Guide:Two authors, 87 romantic sunsets, 15 days of jungle hiking, one erupting volcano.Dedicated hiking and diving chapters for those who need a break from beautiful beaches.Covering everything from guesthouses and self-catering options to the ultimate superslinky hotels.Content updated daily: visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews and traveler tips.

Each of the "Frommer" guides are packed with reliable, money-saving advice that travellers will find invaluable - whether they're travelling on a shoestring or staying at the Ritz. The detailed pre-trip planning information includes transportation advice, suggested itineraries and a calendar of special events. Exact prices, not vague price ranges, let readers carefully plan their daily budgets.