Mauritius

Mauritius, a small tropical island nation 800 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, is characterized by its coastal sugar plantations and lush green mountainous inland plateau. When discovered this uninhabited island was the only home of the Dodo bird. Still the country’s emblem, the bird became extinct in 1681 due to human predation. The growing human population became a real melting pot of cultures.  The island was first recorded by the Arabs, hosted visiting Portuguese sailors, became inhabited by the Dutch (along with some Indians, Africans & Chinese), taken over by the French, and surrendered to the British, only finally becoming independent in 1968.  Today it is a tropical island paradise for visitors and locals alike and has one of the best-run governments in Africa.