Africa

Mauritius blends Indian, French, Creole and Chinese culinary influences, and many resort spas draw on this mix, offering wellness menus that reflect the island's genuinely diverse food heritage rather than a single cuisine.

Mauritius's resort model tends to suit couples particularly well, though many properties also offer family-friendly facilities alongside more adult-focused spa areas.

Much of Mauritius is protected by an outer coral reef, creating calm, shallow lagoon waters that are notably gentler than open ocean - many resorts build treatments and activities specifically around this setting.

Mauritius tends to offer larger resorts with more on-island activity, culture and dining variety, while the Maldives leans towards smaller, more secluded private-island seclusion - the right choice depends on what you're after.

Yes - the cyclone season typically runs from January to March, and most retreats recommend visiting between May and December to avoid this period.

Given the island's significant Indian heritage, several Mauritian resort spas offer Ayurveda-inspired treatments alongside more standard spa menus, reflecting this part of the island's cultural mix.

Yes, direct flights are available from the UK, taking around 11–12 hours, though some routings include a stopover - worth checking with your advisor for the most convenient option.

Many resorts can arrange respectful visits to local markets or communities as an optional excursion - it's worth asking your retreat what's available if you'd like to see beyond the resort itself.

Mauritius sits at a broadly similar price point to the Maldives at the luxury end, though it often offers more variety in activities and dining given its larger, more developed resort infrastructure.

Mauritius's consistent warm-weather makes it a reliable choice for a beach-based wellness break across most of the year, outside the cyclone season.

A hammam involves steam, exfoliation with a rough mitt (kessa) and often black soap, followed by rinsing - a centuries-old cleansing ritual that's considerably more involved than a typical Western spa exfoliation treatment.

Marrakech offers riad-based retreats within the city's historic medina, while the Atlas Mountains provide a quieter, nature-focused alternative with hiking and dramatic scenery - both are well established for different styles of retreat.

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around an interior courtyard, often converted into a boutique retreat property. Their design - quiet, enclosed, centred on water and greenery - is itself part of the wellness experience.

The exfoliation involved can be quite vigorous, so it's worth mentioning any skin sensitivities to your retreat in advance - most venues can adjust the intensity accordingly.

Yes - several retreats offer or can arrange desert excursions, including overnight stays in the Sahara, as an add-on to a hammam or riad-based wellness stay.

Modest dress is generally expected outside resort areas, particularly for women - loose, covering clothing is advisable both for cultural respect and practicality in the heat.

Yes - at around 3.5–4 hours' flight time from the UK, Morocco offers a genuinely distinctive hammam and desert wellness experience without the long-haul commitment of somewhere like Oman or Dubai.

Moroccan cuisine, built around ingredients like tagine vegetables, couscous and fresh herbs, adapts naturally into wellness-focused menus, and many riads lean into this rather than offering Western alternatives.

Yes - Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains have a well-established riad and retreat culture that's generally comfortable for solo travellers, particularly women, provided standard travel precautions are followed.

Mozambique remains genuinely off the beaten track compared with the Maldives or Mauritius, offering a level of remoteness and untouched coral reef that's increasingly hard to find at more developed destinations.

Yes - several retreats here combine spa treatments with diving or marine conservation activities, given the exceptional condition of the surrounding reefs, making it a strong choice if diving matters to you.

Very - many sit on private islands reached by light aircraft or boat after the main international flight, meaning the journey itself is part of the experience and needs realistic time built in.

The remote resort model here tends to suit couples and small groups best, given the seclusion and logistics involved, though solo travel is possible with the right planning.

Requirements can include recommendations around malaria prevention and other precautions - it's worth checking current NHS or travel clinic guidance well ahead of booking, as recommendations can change.

Several properties are directly involved in reef conservation and research, and some retreats let guests participate in citizen science or conservation activities alongside their spa programme.

Given its remoteness and the complexity of getting there, Mozambique isn't necessarily cheaper, but it does offer a level of untouched seclusion that's increasingly rare at more established Indian Ocean destinations.

Typically a long-haul flight to the region followed by one or more onward legs - light aircraft or boat transfers - meaning total travel time can be considerably longer than the main flight alone suggests.

Yes - the hotter, wetter months from December to April are generally best avoided, with May to November offering more reliable conditions for a beach and reef-focused retreat.

Mozambican cuisine carries a distinct Portuguese influence, particularly in seafood dishes and the use of piri-piri, giving retreats here a genuinely different flavour profile from elsewhere in the region.

Yes - South Africa is one of the few destinations where a serious wildlife safari and a genuine wellness programme can be built into a single trip, often at lodges that offer both game drives and spa treatments.

A popular combination pairs a few days at a safari lodge (often near Kruger National Park) with time on the Cape coast or Cape Town for the wellness and relaxation portion of the trip.

May to September, the dry season, generally offers the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around limited water sources, while the coast remains pleasant for much of the year.

Yes - Cape Town has a well-established wellness and spa scene, set against dramatic mountain and coastal scenery, and works well either alongside or separate from a safari component.

The Cape Winelands, near Cape Town, are often combined with wellness stays, offering gentle vineyard visits alongside spa time - though this is worth balancing against any strict detox programme.

South Africa's well-established tourist regions and lodge culture are generally comfortable for solo travellers, though it's sensible to follow standard travel safety advice, particularly in cities.

Days often start with an early morning game drive, followed by spa treatments or rest during the heat of the day, then a second game drive in the late afternoon - a rhythm many lodges are specifically built around.

Direct flights are available from the UK, taking around 11–12 hours, without the significant jet lag of destinations further east given the similar time zone.

It can offer strong value relative to other safari destinations, particularly for guests who prioritise flexibility between lodge stays and coastal wellness time.

Neutral-coloured layers for game drives, alongside swimwear and lighter clothing for spa and coastal days - worth packing for both distinct parts of the trip.