Looking for a combination of a tropical island getaway for the family, but still want to enjoy some exciting game hunting experiences? Look no further than Mauritius, a sun-kissed island situated 1,240 miles off Africa’s east coast, and an adventure just waiting to be enjoyed!
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Key Takeaways
- Situated in the southern hemisphere, Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean, around 1,240 miles east of Madagascar.
- Mauritius is known for its warmth and genuine hospitality, excellent 5* accommodation with all the bells and whistles, and the friendly locals who are so proud of this diverse destination.
- The island is renowned for its spectacular tropical beaches, amazing weather, and various tourist activities, and is a definite choice for travelers seeking an unspoiled island getaway.
- Apart from the wide range of historical, cultural, and adventure activities, wild boar hunting in Mauritius is another option for those looking to enjoy some adventure activities.
- Boar hunting in Mauritius is a popular activity for visitors wanting to include some game hunting while on their island holiday, while Rusa deer are another species often targeted.
- Wild boar hunting in Mauritius takes place throughout the year, and they are targeted through various hunting methods, including driven hunts, walk-and-stalk, blinds, and bow hunting.
- Wild boar hunts are action-packed, fast-paced, and thrilling hunting adventures to be enjoyed by all hunters to the island.
Mauritius: Something for Everyone
While some may consider Mauritius purely a tropical island getaway of surf, sea, and sand, there is much more to do and enjoy than you may initially think. Not only does this picturesque paradise offer travelers a tropical island setting, complete with luxurious accommodation, swaying palm trees, turquoise blue waters, white sands, and stunning views, but it also includes a range of activities for tourists to enjoy. From whale watching and swimming with dolphins, exploring the local fauna and flora, to visiting local museums, parks, and even hunting safaris, Mauritius has something for everyone!
Think luxury, think Mauritius, it’s the perfect destination for an island escape, where nature and opulence combine for an unforgettable experience.
The Mauritian Wild Boar
The Mauritian wild boar is a subspecies because of a cross between domestic pigs that became feral and wild boars themselves.
The Dutch introduced the wild boar to the island in 1606, with only nine individuals. However, by the early 1700s, these boars had reproduced in large numbers and were causing damage to the area. The order was given to hunt these boars, not only to reduce their numbers, but also to limit the damage caused.
Nowadays, the wild boar is still found on the island, with their chosen habitats including both sugar cane fields as well as forests, making it a popular trophy for those wishing to enjoy a Mauritius hunting safari.
The wild boar is an omnivore, with its diet including insects, earthworms, leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, nuts, and berries, as well as local vegetation in Mauritius’s endemic forests. Occasionally, eggs, small animals, and carrion are also included in its diet. Its diet changes and adapts seasonally and regionally, depending on the availability of food in its habitat at any given time.
Hunting Season in Mauritius
The hunting season is dependent on the game being targeted on the Mauritius hunting safari. While the wild boar can be hunted throughout the year, other species, such as the Rusa deer, can only be hunted during specific months.
5 Good Reasons To Go Wild Boar Hunting in Mauritius
Wild boar hunting in Mauritius is an intense, adrenaline-filled safari not to be missed! Check out five good reasons to enjoy some wild boar hunting:
- Hunting in Paradise: Mauritius is an appealing island destination, offering world-class hunting adventures together with luxurious 5* accommodation and resorts, beautiful white sandy beaches, a range of tourist activities, and action adventures to suit both hunters and their families.
- Diverse and Scenic Hunting Terrain: The diverse island destination offers varied landscapes for the hunt, including open plains, dense forests, rivers, hills, mountains, and thorn savannas, ensuring challenging and mixed terrain for the game hunting safari.
- High Success Rate: Boar hunting in Mauritius has a high success rate, offering hunters the opportunity to engage in an enthralling and exciting hunt with great rewards.
- Exciting Hunts Featuring a Unique Hybrid Boar Species: The wild boar species found in Mauritius is a boar crossbreed with domestic pigs, ensuring a fast-paced, action-packed hunting adventure unlike any other wild boar found elsewhere.
- Year-Round Hunting Season: Wild boar hunts in Mauritius take place throughout the year, ensuring an action-packed safari no matter when you visit this tropical island.
Wild Boar Hunting Methods
Boar hunting in Mauritius used several methods, depending on the hunter’s preferences as well as the terrain and animal behavior:
- Walk-and-stalk: Hunters stalk the wild boars through various landscapes, with the approach requiring patience, perseverance, and skill to approach these boars undetected.
- Bow Hunting: Some hunting safaris allow bow hunting to target these wild boars.
- Driven Hunts: These are often used in the island’s plantations and forests to drive the boars from areas of dense cover. Hunters and beaters, sometimes accompanied by dogs, drive the boars out of the cover where other hunters are waiting to target them. This is an exciting, fast-paced, and energetic hunt!
- Hunting from Blinds or High Seats: These options allow the hunters to wait for the boars to come within range and are often used in areas where other hunting methods are challenging or cannot be utilized.
The Proof is in the Pudding…or this case, the Main Dish…
Did you know that wild boar is used in numerous local and traditional dishes, each with its distinct flavor and taste, tempting those taste buds like never before?
Some popular Mauritian dishes featuring wild boar include:
- Wild Boar Curry: Using local spices and vegetables, the wild boar meat is slowly cooked in a spicy, aromatic sauce, resulting in a tender, flavorsome dish paying homage to local Mauritian cuisine.
- Roasted Wild Boar: This is a highlight for many who enjoy meat dishes and features the wild boar meat slowly roasted to perfection. It is often served with a variety of side dishes, such as vegetables and potatoes, while fruit chutneys and sauces bring out the tang and flavor of this succulent offering.
- Wild Boar Salmi: This is a well-known dish served in Mauritius, where it is slow-cooked and marinated for hours. The correct combinations of marinades, herbs, and spices combine to make this tasty dish.
These dishes feature slow-cooking techniques to marinate and tenderize the boar, while the rich herbs and spices flavor the meat. The wild boar recipes often include side dishes such as fresh vegetables, rice, local sauces, and chutneys to highlight the flavors of the meat.
Traveling to Mauritius
While Mauritius may be a small island in the southern hemisphere, it is remarkably easy to access through easy international flight connections from Asia, Europe, and Africa. Having excellent flight connections with major international carriers such as Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and South African Airways allows travelers to reach the island with a minimum of fuss.
Mauritius’s national carrier, Air Mauritius, has connections from Johannesburg (South Africa), Paris (France), London (UK), and Singapore (Singapore), allowing travelers to reach their destination in comfort.
Visas
If you are a citizen of the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or the EU, along with numerous other countries, no visa is required to enter Mauritius. Individuals can stay up to 180 days for tourism and 120 days for business activities.
Visitors can complete the Mauritius All-in-One Form online or upon arrival in the country.
Tourist Activities in Mauritius
Mauritius has always been an amazing tropical island getaway for families, with its 5* resorts and accommodation, together with the wide range of tourist activities being a huge drawcard for families wanting an all-inclusive vacation. With a day or two of wild boar or Rusa deer hunting added to the itinerary, the destination is even more appealing for hunters wanting to experience a different hunting adventure in a holiday destination.
While the island is renowned for its stunning beaches and range of water sports on offer, there are many other activities to keep both young and old entertained:
- No trip to Mauritius is complete without adding some fishing to the itinerary! Speak to your Mauritian outfitter to add some deep-sea fishing to your hunting safari, with fish species such as blue and black marlin, swordfish, Wahoo, Tuna, Dorado, and Barracuda available.
- Explore the Seven Colored Earths of Chamarel: Visit this geological rock formation, featuring seven distinct rock layers, a true sight to behold.
- The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden showcases a wide range of fauna and flora, including water lilies, tortoises, and deer, and is a must-see.
- Take a trip to the Blue Penny Museum, which showcases rare stamps and artifacts.
- The Central Market in Port Louis is the perfect stop for local cuisine, souvenirs, and crafts.
- For those seeking some adventure, Mauritius has a range of parks just perfect to enjoy some time with the family: From Casela Park with its zip lines and safari rides to La Vanille Nature Park with its range of fauna and flora, you won’t be disappointed in what this island has to offer.
- Mauritius is the perfect backdrop to try your hand at some water sports, including water skiing, wakeboarding, kite surfing, or parasailing.
- Take the plunge and enjoy an exciting adventure swimming with dolphins!
- Explore Black River Gorges National Park’s trails and waterfalls with a guided tour
- Explore the local fauna and flora, with numerous nature hikes around the island, with numerous options from which to choose.
- Did you know that Mauritius is home to not one but five golf courses? Enjoy a round of golf at one of these courses that have been designed by international golfing greats, like Ernie Els and Bernard Langer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you hunt in Mauritius?
Yes, hunting in Mauritius is legal, with species like the Java Rusa deer and wild boar being targeted on hunting safaris.
Can you hunt boar in Mauritius?
Yes, wild boar is available to hunt throughout the year on this tropical island.
When were boars introduced in Mauritius?
The Dutch introduced them in 1606, with fewer than 10 animals left on the island. These boars quickly reproduced, and by the early 1700s, they were hunted not only to limit their numbers but also the destruction that they caused.
What wildlife does Mauritius have?
Mauritius is home to an abundant array of fauna and flora, including diverse marine life and more than 100 bird species, some of which are endangered.
Do I need a visa to enter Mauritius?
If you are a citizen of the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or the EU, along with numerous other countries, no visa is required.
Conclusion
Mauritius, with its powder white beaches and mesmerizing turquoise blue waters, remains one of the most unspoiled island destinations worldwide, offering visitors the best of both worlds by enjoying a wonderful 5* island holiday while simultaneously experiencing the thrill of hunting in Mauritius.
This diverse destination offers the best of island getaways, where families and friends can enjoy luxury accommodation, an array of watersports and adventure activities, together with tourist activities, exceptional cuisine…and some wild boar and deer hunting for a day or two in this picturesque paradise!
Don’t delay, book your hunting trip to Mauritius today!