A perfect combination of 'Big Five' safari in the Sabi Sands and ultimate relaxation at the Oberoi in Mauritius.
What's Included:
3 nights Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, all-inclusive including game viewing; 7 nights The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius, half board. Includes flights and transfers.
13 days from £7,870pp
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On the beach - 8 days
The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius, West Coast
Palm-thatched villas, a huge infinity pool flanked by columns, statues and urns, ocean views and a decadent spa offering traditional treatments, The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius has it all. This little corner of paradise is a very special place to stay.
Combining the best of traditional art and architecture with discerning, modern design, this wonderful retreat offers pure indulgence in a gloriously scenic location. Set in vast subtropical gardens on the edge of a white-sand beach, it is a refined but unpretentious place offering highly attentive service. Spend your days floating in the turquoise lagoon, lazing on the beach or enjoying a blissful massage. There’s also a wide range of water sports — everything from sailing to diving and waterskiing — as well as the opportunity to swim with dolphins. You can dine on a private corner of a tropical beach, watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean from your own private pool, or simply sit back and soak up the views.
The spacious rooms are decorated in calm, neutral tones with four-poster beds, vaulted ceilings, and marble bathrooms with sunken baths. Villas come with walled gardens, dining gazebos and some have private pools.
After the beach - 4 days
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
Wildlife moves freely between Kruger National Park and the adjacent Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve where two rivers attract large numbers of leopard. Sightings of these graceful cats are particularly high, though it is possible to see all of the Big Five here. Morning and afternoon game drives, guided bush walks and exhilarating night drives are all available and offer a wonderful opportunity to learn about the plants, birds and smaller creatures of the bush.
Sabi Sabi’s Selati Lodge is a wonderful safari retreat offering just eight colonial-style suites. Thatched roofs, antique furnishings and outdoor showers sheltered by majestic trees are all on offer. Dinner is served on wooden decks overlooking a waterhole.
The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius, West Coast
71 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 pools
Description
Set on the northwest coast among twenty acres of tropical gardens, The Oberoi focuses on excellent service, relaxation and guest privacy.
There is a distinctly African ambience to the architecture, with palm-thatched roofs and open air buildings. The grounds are immaculate and swimming pools enjoy magical views out over the ocean.
With just 71 rooms this is a hotel where service is taken very seriously, albeit with a friendly Mauritian smile. The resort has a quiet ambience, with most people here to enjoy the beach, water and excellent facilities. There is live music every night, however, with jazz bands, saxophonists and a piano bar.
The Oberoi Mauritius is part of The Oberoi Group, which operates renowned luxury hotels in India, Asia and the Middle East.
For families
The Oberoi welcomes families and has a free children's club for 4-12 year-olds.
Families with older children may like to consider taking one of the two bedroom villas which are made up of two villas connecting via the garden. Babysitting is also available for an additional cost.
Location
The Oberoi Mauritius has a beautifully secluded location among acres of tropical gardens in the northwest of the island.
Set on a long white-sand beach with three crescent shaped bays it is in a prime location to catch the sunsets which turn the sky red and gold.
The resort area of Grand Baie is about 20 minutes away in a taxi costing about £40 return. Here you will find plenty of bars, restaurants and shops.
Our opinion
One of the island's finest hotels, this is a luxurious resort where you can relax in complete comfort and style. The service is excellent and this is a great choice for those seeking privacy and an intimate atmosphere. Dining is a highlight for many guests here as are the beautiful sunsets the resort enjoys.
Rooms
There are 71 rooms at the Oberoi, all of them offering spacious accommodation with sea views.
Each room features a four-poster bed, vaulted ceilings and a refined yet understated decor. The bathrooms have a separate shower and a sunken bath overlooking a walled garden. All rooms are air-conditioned and have butler service, television, DVD player, docking stations, minibar, tea, coffee and Nespresso machine.
Luxury pavilion
There are 48 Luxury pavilions, each 70 sq m in size.
These thatched pavilions have a spacious bedroom and sitting area and a large terrace which overlooks the gardens and the Indian Ocean — this is a wonderful spot for a private dinner.
Luxury villa with private garden
The five Luxury villas with private garden are substantially larger than the Pavilions at 275 sq m and are set within walled tropical gardens.
In addition to a spacious bedroom and living room there is an open air dining pavilion where guests can enjoy alfresco dining.
Luxury villa with private pool
The 16 Luxury villas with private pool offer all the features of the luxury villas but have the added bonus of their own swimming pool (8m x 4.5m) set within a private garden.
Royal villa
The two Royal villas are the ultimate in luxury. About twice the size of the Luxury villas, they boast uninterrupted ocean views, lush tropical gardens and a large private pool.
It is also possible to book the Royal villa in conjunction with an interconnecting Luxury villa with garden to give you even more space.
Pictures of the rooms
Activities, diving & excursions
There are two beautiful pools at The Oberoi, plenty of water sports, a gym and two floodlit tennis courts.
Complimentary water sports to enjoy include waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, Hobie Cat sailing, laser sailing, sea kayaking, glass bottom boat rides and pedalos. Diving and deep sea fishing can be arranged on request for an extra cost.
The Oberoi's 'Touching Senses' programme is aimed to allow guests the opportunity to discover the cultural and natural richness of Mauritius and is available for all guests. The activities vary but might include stargazing on the beach, sculpture lessons, cookery classes and wine tasting.
There is also a resort boutique and a library with games, books and DVDs.
There is a PADI certified dive centre at the hotel.
Food & drink
There are two restaurants at The Oberoi — The Restaurant which is open for breakfast and dinner and On the Rocks which is open for lunch and dinner.
The Restaurant is a very impressive structure and offers a beautiful dining experience with panoramic ocean views and a high, palm-thatched roof. It is possible to dine inside or outside; in the morning enjoy coffee under a blue sky and puffy clouds and in the evening enjoy your dinner under the stars with the sound of the frogs in the background. The cuisine is excellent and features European, Oriental and Creole dishes. Plenty of fresh local fruit, vegetables and spices are used.
On the Rocks has a fantastic viewpoint over the beach and ocean. There are limited tables here so booking for dinner is recommended. Lunch is a choice of salads, pasta, pizzas and sandwiches while in the evening, they serve fusion cuisine in a very relaxed atmosphere by the sea.
The Restaurant has a smart dress code in the evening and gentlemen are expected to wear long trousers and a shirt with a collar.
The Main Bar serves up an extensive selection of wines and spirits, as well as entertainment including live jazz and piano.
Spa Facilities
The extensive spa is amazing, with a setting guaranteed to enhance your experience. There is the option to have a massage outside in the tropical warmth or in the cool of indoors.
Traditional Mauritian treatments using natural local oils and fruits feature alongside conventional therapies. Recommended treatments include an Inkomfi sloughing to exfoliate skin cells, an Oberoi massage which is the resort's signature holistic massage, and Shirodhara which directs a gentle flow of warm oil onto the forehead and is believed to awaken the third eye.
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
Location: The Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The Sabi Sands has been an area of conservation and protection of big game since the inception of the original Sabie Game Reserve in 1898. An association of private landowners, the modern Sabi Sands Game Reserve shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, and is fortunate to have two perennial rivers in a relatively small area. The resulting riverine bushveld is an absolute haven for leopard: you would be unlucky not to see at least one a day. The reserve also plays host to the four other members of the ‘Big Five’: lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo, as well as cheetah and the occasional wild dog pack. As there has been no hunting in the area for generations, the animals are very comfortable in the presence of humans, and this makes for superb game sightings. Put simply, there is no better place in the world for viewing the ‘Big Five’ in their natural habitat.
Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge
Accommodation: Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge
Sabi Sabi is one of the private reserves within the Sabi Sands, and offers four luxury lodges themed as 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'. Selati Lodge has all the atmosphere and trimmings of 'Yesterday'.
The lodge's name commemorates the Selati railway line that used to run from the Transvaal to Mozambique, close to the site of the lodge. There is some impressive railway memorabilia adorning the bar walls, and each of the suites is named after stops on the former railway line.
Selati is a wonderful romantic retreat, with just eight suites, giving exclusivity and privacy. The colonial-styled rooms are spacious, with atmospheric oil lamps at night, although the modern conveniences of an en suite bathroom, electric sockets and air-conditioning are a welcome addition.
This is the perfect lodge for couples looking to escape from it all and experience some of the old colonial elegance without sacrificing luxury.
Game drives are taken in open vehicles in the company of excellent game rangers and trackers, who will impart their considerable knowledge about the fauna and flora you will see on Sabi Sabi's prime land.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg.
Day 2
Upon arrival in Johannesburg you will be met by an Audley Travel representative for the handover of your vouchers for your time in South Africa. You will then be shown to the Federal Air Terminal where you can leave any luggage before taking a short mini-bus ride to the departures lounge for your onward flight to Kruger.
You will be met at the Sabi Sand Airstrip and transferred the short distance by private vehicle to your lodge where you will stay for 3 nights on safari.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3
At leisure and on safari in this 'Big Five' game area. Two game drives per day are included in your stay here. One in the early morning and one in the late afternoon.
Day 4
At leisure and on safari. Two game drives per day are included in your stay here. One in the early morning and one in the late afternoon.
Day 5
Today you will be collected and transferred to the airstrip for your flight to Johannesburg. You'll collect any luggage left at the airport and take the short shuttle bus service to International departures. You will have a few hours in Johannesburg airport before checking in for your onward flight to Mauritius overnight.
Day 6
Upon arrival in Mauritius go through immigration & make your way through to the arrivals hall where you will meet your driver at the Summertimes desk. He'll take you north to The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius. This is a superb hotel on the northwest coast and is sheltered from the prevailing winds. The Oberoi is set in beautiful tropical gardens and is a very luxurious hotel.
Day 7
You have time to relax on the beach or beside the pool. If you would like to be active we've given you lots of suggestions. You might like to visit the island of Deux Cocos, cruise on a catamaran or even spend a day at the races! All excursions can be pre-booked or arranged on arrival in Mauritius.
Day 8
Time relaxing at the Oberoi or exploring the island — hiring a car is a great option if you wish to be independent and you can choose from exploring the beautiful coastal roads or heading inland to the mountainous interior of Mauritius.
Day 9
Time relaxing at the Oberoi. The Oberoi has a resident naturalist and he can take you out and explain about all the flora and fauna. This is fascinating and a great added extra that only the Oberoi has.
Day 10
Sailing in a catamaran is a superb way to spend a day and see the island from a different perspective.
Day 11
Time relaxing at the Oberoi. The Oberoi has a beautiful spa and you might like to take advantages of some of the treatments or indeed a spa package. The costs are very competitive and the treatments the ultimate in relaxation and pampering.
Day 12
Your final day at leisure to spend doing as much or as little as you wish.
Day 13
Early this morning you will be met by your private driver and taken back to the airport where you will check in for your flight home, landing in Gatwick this evening.
Start planning your trip with Audley
Tailoring your trip
This itinerary is designed to give you a flavour of what is possible.
We can tailor this trip to suit your specific requirements
Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation
How to book
Contact a Hidden Beach specialist
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Discuss your requirements
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Confirm your trip
Once you are satisfied with all the arrangements, we ask you to complete a booking form and pay a deposit of 15% of the total cost of your trip.
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