The safest African country is a tropical island with white sands, year-round sun, TUI packages and 60p meals
THE safest country to visit in Africa has been revealed – and its a tropical island paradise.
Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches, year-round warm weather and safe-to-swim waters.
And the African island has been named the safest place to visit in Africa by Altezza Travel.
The south-east African country also ranked top within Africa in the 2025 Global Peace Index.
It was followed by Botswana and Namibia coming in second and third respectively.
The island is considered a very safe place to visit due to its low crime rate.
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And whilst it’s popular with Brits for winter sun, Mauritius boasts sunny temperatures year-round – averaging a daily maximum temp of 27.6C.
Their summer season (November – April) is hottest, where temperatures average at around 30C.
And even in the colder months, it’s rare to see temperatures dip below 17C.
The sea temperature is warm too, and can even reach 27C during summer months – 10C warmer than that of the UK.
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When it comes to paradisical beaches, you’re spoilt for choice in Mauritius.
Flic en Flac is an enormous stretch of white sand facing a glittering lagoon, whilst Le Morne beach is backed by the luscious greenery and its iconic mountain.
There’s also lesser-known gems like Pointe aux Biches, where the locals go to find a slice of quiet sand between rocky coves.
Whilst Mauritius is paradise for spending days relaxing on the beach, there’s also plenty more to see and do.
The island is very popular with divers, snorkelers and adventurers who love to explore its dramatic landscapes.
The Blue Bay Marine Park is a magical spot to go snorkelling, with clear shallow waters and an abundance of colourful fish.
Mauritius has excellent coral reefs, if you fancy trying out some scuba diving.
Some of the best spots for divers are Coin de Mire in the North and Belle Mare in the East.
And if you want to explore the island by foot, the Black River Gorges National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails and breath-taking waterfalls to explore.
Here you may also see wildlife like macaque monkeys, parakeets, and the painfully-cute Mauritian flying fox.
Typically, tourists visit the north of the island for a nice mixture of stunning beaches and towns with shops and restaurants, like Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches.
The South is where you’ll find more wild landscapes, the national parks and historic sites.
But don’t just stick to the outskirts for beach resorts and sea swimming – head inland and you’ll find waterfalls, volcanic craters and beautiful mountain ranges.
The capital and largest city in Mauritius is Port Louis.
Port Louis is known for its bustling central market, where vendors sell bright fresh fruits and typical Mauritian cuisine.
The island is popular for its all inclusive resorts, but if you’re looking to sample some Mauritian food out and about, the street food here is delicious – and very cheap.
A spiced Creole curry can cost you as little as 40 Mauritian Rupees – which is approximately 66p.
Here you can also visit Le Caudan Waterfront, where a colourful umbrella canopy shades the streets.
There’s some beautiful buildings to admire too, like the grand St. Louis Cathedral and the bright white Jummah Masjid mosque.
TUI offers package holidays across Mauritius, ranging from adults-only romantic hotels to golfing resorts.
One of their cheapest options in Mauritius is a week-long stay at the Aanari Hotel and Spa with breakfast for £1,157 pp.
Similarly, deals on loveholidays can have you staying by the lagoon of Trou aux Biches for £849 pp.
For direct flights, British Airways offers direct round-trip flights from London to Port Louis for £876.
Mauritius offers year-round sun, but the best season is from May through to September, when humidity is low.