Cape penguins and Le Morne in Mauritius

Who it is for

For anyone who wants to pair Cape Town’s mountain, two oceans and history with days of lagoons and road trips on an Indian Ocean island.

Not for anyone who wants to walk around at night or rely only on public transport: at both stops almost every journey needs a car, a ride-hailing app or a hired driver.

The strategy

Cape Town comes first, with a free day to go up the mountain whenever the south-easter lets the cable car run. For Mauritius, the flight leaves Cape Town airport (CPT) and lands at the international airport (MRU), in the island’s south-east. Air Mauritius, Airlink and South African Airways fly the route direct in a little over four hours, and on some dates the connection goes through Johannesburg, so check the airline’s timetable. Before boarding, fill in the online Mauritius All in One form. On the island, split the stay between two bases, the north and the south-west near Le Morne, since they are more than an hour apart by road, and spend the last night near the airport, where the flight home leaves. Both countries drive on the left. October and November fall in the best season at both stops.

What you will see

• Table Mountain and the cable car, Cape Town. A 1,086 m plateau inside Table Mountain National Park.
• Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius. A 556 m basalt monolith at the southwest tip of the island, ringed by lagoon.

Day by day

Cape Town

1. 1
   Day 1: The mountain and the center

   1. 9Company's GardenIf there is time
   2. 4Bo-Kaap and the Auwal MasjidUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: Robben Island and the 20th-century city

   1. 8V&A Waterfront and Zeitz MOCAAWorth a visit
   2. 3District Six MuseumUp to half an hourEssential
   3. Castle of Good HopeUp to half an hourIf there is time
   4. 2Robben IslandEssential
3. 3
   Day 3: The whole peninsula, by car

   1. 6Cape of Good Hope and Cape PointWorth a visit
   2. 5KirstenboschWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek (day trip)

   
5. 5
   Day 5: Free day

Mauritius

1. 6
   Day 6: Port Louis: the port, the market and the immigrant depot

   1. 1Aapravasi GhatUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 4Intercontinental Slavery MuseumOne to two hoursWorth a visit
   3. Blue Penny MuseumUp to half an hourIf there is time
   4. Grand BaieUp to half an hourIf there is time
2. 7
   Day 7: The Pamplemousses garden and the north coast

   1. Grand BaieUp to half an hourIf there is time
3. 8
   Day 8: Plateau, Grand Bassin, Gorges and Chamarel

   1. 8Ganga TalaoUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 3Black River Gorges National ParkHalf a day or moreEssential
4. 9
   Day 9: Le Morne in the morning, lagoon in the afternoon
5. 10
   Day 10: The south coast to Mahébourg and Blue Bay

   1. 9Île aux AigrettesOne to two hoursWorth a visit
6. 11
   Day 11: Île aux Cerfs and the east coast (day trip) · if you have more time

   1. Grand BaieUp to half an hourIf there is time