Best Time to Visit Indian Ocean Islands

If you have thought about your first time visit to Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives or other Indian Ocean islands; you probably have asked yourself - when is it the right time to go?

 The islands are year-round destinations with warm tropical climate. The busiest months in the Indian Ocean Islands are certainly December and January. However this does not necessarily make this the only suitable time for a visit. June to September is the winter season (that’s if you insist on referring to sunny days as winter) and is less busy.

So what exactly is the best time to visit?

Each period has some advantages and disadvantages. Therefore the answer depends on you and what you want to do during your holiday.

During the winter period (from July to September), the temperature is much cooler (not colder, but cooler) and it rains less. The cooler weather during this period and less humidity makes this the best time to engage in many of the inland activities offered on the islands such as hiking and quad biking.

Graph showing maximum temperatures per month

• You don’t like the rain: It’s generally dry in winter! January to April (summer) is the wet season for most Indian Ocean Islands.
• You want to save some money: Holiday packages are usually cheaper in winter as it is low season.
• You don’t like the heat and humidity: Winters are warm, but not usually hot, and generally not humid.
• You like to windsurf: July and August are the best months for windsurfing.
• You want to experience the island culture: The off seasons is the best time to avoid the tourist crowds and mingle with the locals.
• You want to have more of the beach to yourself? Winter is the low season and has fewer crowds.
•  If you love diving, the clearest waters are between December and March.
• Feel like surfing? -  You will find the best waves between June and August.
• For fishing, you are better off travelling between October & April
• You want a really hot summer, with longer days at the beach? - October to Easter is ideal for swimming in the ocean.

Climate summary our top Indian Ocean Islands

 Maldives

Maldives

With an average temperature of 31°C and an average minimum temperature of 26°C there are only small variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest December.

Mauritius

Le Méridien Ile Maurice

Like all the islands, this is a year-round destination, the water temperature can go up to 28°C and the wind blows quiet steady from the easterly direction. Summer (November to April) - 23ºC to 33ºC with the wettest months being from December to March. Winter (May to October) - 17ºC to 23ºC.

Mozambican islands

Scuba diving - Azura Quilalea Private Island

Mozambique has a tropical climate with year-round sunny skies, so whenever you choose to travel you can look forward to a bit of sunshine. The best time to travel is during the cooler months from May to October.

Reunion

The temperatures on the coast vary between 18 and 32°C. Summer, from November to April is hot and humid with temperatures averaging 30°C. At higher altitudes the temperate varies between 15 and 24°C. Winter, from May to October, is the cool season with temperatures averaging 20°C.

Seychelles

Coral Strand Hotel, Seychelles

During the north-west trade winds that visit between October and March, the sea is generally calm and the weather warm and humid. During January and February the islands receive their life-giving rains, rejuvenating the rivers and streams and teasing the vibrant foliage into rainbows of colour. May and September bring drier, cooler weather, and livelier seas – particularly on the south-eastern coasts – and winds of 10-20 knots

Zanzibar

Hideaway Of Nungwi, Zanzibar

The coolest months are June through October, when the temperature averages 26°C. This can soar to well over 30°C in the hot season from December to March. During November (the ‘short rains’) and between April and June (‘long rains’), rainfall is higher. Rain comes short, sharp showers in the morning or afternoon, followed by the return of the sunshine.

So whatever island and travel period you choose, you will always find something to do in the Indian Ocean Islands.

 By Dumi Khumalo, Thompsons Holidays

A guide to Thailand's best holiday destinations

Thailand is a truly magical kingdom with its ancient history and mystical culture, delicious food and incomparable hospitality, exotic wildlife and extraordinarily beautiful islands and beaches.

‘The land of smiles” has a great variety of destinations to select from and we will give you highlights of each area to help you choose.  

BANGKOK is considered the most cosmopolitan and compelling of Asian cities where you can’t help but be captivated by this cultural phenomenon, shopping haven and tourist treasure. Ancient temples, eclectic markets, bargain-filled shopping malls, gleaming palaces and the pulsating nightlife are all yours to discover. Acquaint yourself with life on the lively Chao Phraya River while enjoying a memorable dinner cruise.

PATTAYA is an exciting city on the Gulf of Thailand’s east coast, 145km south-east of Bangkok. Famous for its theme parks and zoos, underwater excursions, awe-inspiring temples.Visit Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach and enjoy jetskiing, parasailing, sailing, scuba diving and go-kart racing.

PHUKET is an island of unparalleled beauty and unique cultural traditions, ideal for families, honeymoon couples and adventure seekers. Dazzling beaches, incredible shopping and lively nightlife await you on Thailand’s most popular island. 

KRABI: Located along the Andaman Sea coast, Krabi is one of Southern Thailand’s most picturesque provinces with perfect beaches. The area is famous for its natural beauty, characterised by the karst limestone scenery that can be seen throughout the entire area.

Dusit Thani Hua Hin

HUA HIN: Just 200km south of Bangkok, this seaside resort city has been frequented by Bangkok’s aristocracy. Hua Hin boasts a 3km long beach, old style charm, an active fishing port and Kangwon Palace, the official royal residence. Hua Hin is a perfect destination for those who want to stay close to the action in Bangkok, but also far enough to enjoy true beach resort experience.

KANCHANABURI offers something different from the vibrant life of Bangkok and resort life on the islands. It’s a perfect destination for a laid back holiday. For historians, it has an abundance of historiacal marvels. The famous Bridge on the River Kwai is a short drive from town. Other historical sites include the Death Railway Bridge, Allied War cemetery, Thailand Burma Railway Centre Museum, WW II Museum,  Jeath War Museum and Hellfire Pass Museum complex.  Famous for its seven-tiered waterfall, Erawan National Park is another must see attraction.

KHAO LAK: Imagine world class scuba diving and snorkelling around the magical Similian and Surin Islands in the Andaman Sea. Khao Lak is the best departure point for these excursions. This quiet seaside resort in the Phang Nga province, 100km north of Phuket, offers pristine deserted beaches, exotic jungles, sea cave kayaking, and wonderful waterfalls.

KOH SAMUI is more laid back than Phuket and is perfect for a romantic getaway. Lazy days lead to sundowners and dinner whilst the buzz of the village nightlife is just minutes away. White sandy beaches and clear blue seas  sparkle in the sunlight against an idyllic background of lush green hills.

CHIANG MAI & CHIANG RAI are in a land of misty mountains with colourful hill tribes, a playground for seasoned travellers, a paradise for shoppers and a delight for adventurers.

KOH PHI PHI: The Phi Phi Islands are some of the loveliest in South East Asia and the ultimate tropical getaway in Thailand. Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley offer fine, white sandy beaches and breathtaking rock formations rising from vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life.

Enjoy the exciting variety of this ‘land of smiles’ with Thompsons Holidays.

For More Thailand packages please visit our Far East page

Read & explore more about Amazing Thailand in our brochure

WHAT TO DO IN ARGENTINA - Attractions you shouldn’t ignore

Attractions you shouldn't ignore in Argentina

While Buenos is usually at the top of the list for most travellers to Argentina, there are some attractions and experiences that are just too amazing to miss and definitely worth considering.

Buenos Aires is the biggest draw card for most travellers for many good reasons. However, you shouldn’t overlook other great attractions that the country has to offer. So we are putting a magnifying glass on them. 

1. Iguazu Falls

Consisting of 275 Falls, and stretching 2.7 km – Iguazu Falls (also known as Iguassu and Iguaçu) are a marvellous sight to see. These beautiful waterfalls of the Iguazu River are surrounded by a subtropical jungle on the border of Brazil and Argentina.

The grand Iguazu Falls are surrounded by two National Parks, one on the Brazillian side and the other in Argentina. Both National parks are subtropical rain-forests with hundreds amazing and rare species of flora and fauna.

2. Porito Moreno Glacier & Los Glaciers National Park

78 Kilometres from El Calafate, in the Los Glaciares National Park, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most amazing sights you will ever see. 

If you want to see a larger ice cap, you will have to go all the way to cold Antarctica or Greenland. The little town of El Calafate in the Patagonia Province is the hub for visiting different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the not to be missed Perito Moreno Glacier.

3. Bariloche & lake crossing

On the foothills of the Andes you will find Argentina’s oldest National Park – Nahuel Huapi National Park. Incorporating a lake of the same name (Nahuel Huapi Lake), this region boasts some of the most spectacular sights you will ever come across. A definite must do is travelling through the Seven Lakes Route including Llanquihue Lake, Todos los Santos Lake, Lake Frias and Lake Nahuel Huapi. 

You can start your route from the Chilean side in Puerto Veras or Bariloche in Argentina. Famous for its chocolates and skiing, San Carlos de Bariloche is a beautiful charming town along the shoreline of Nahuel Huapi Lake, often referred to as the Switzerland of South America.

4. Ushuaia

The capital of Tierra del Fuego is commonly regarded as the southernmost city in the world. Surrounded by the Martial mountain range in the North and the Beagle Channel in the South, you should expect to see some of the most amazing landscapes and wildlife in the world.

5. Mendoza Wine Region & The Andes Mountain range

This region plays a huge role in making Argentina the fifth largest wine producing country by volume. Located in the eastern foothills of the Andes, in the shadow of Mount Aconcagua, Mendoza is undoubtedly Argentina’s most important wine region. There is something special about having a drink of wine in the same city its grape was grown. So go for it.

Before you venture further to the other amazing parts of Argentina, we suggest you spend a few days taking in all that the City of Tango has to offer.

Step into the rhythm with a Tango show experience, Visit the famous Recoleta cemetery, Palemo museum and La Boca. We highly recommend a full day Gaucho tour for a true Argentinian ranch experience.

Last but not least, Argentina has the world's highest consumption rate of beef- They sure know how to make the perfect steak. So go for it!

By Dumi Khumalo, Thompsons Holidays - www.thompsons.co.za

Travel Tips: Before the flight

You are all packed up and ready to depart on your exciting holiday. But that does not mean that it will be plain sailing all the way.

Here are a few tips for the next stage of your journey.

Dress suitably for your destination – especially if it is a winter destination. Wear your most robust shoes as you will do a lot of walking at airports and it will save some weight in your suitcase. Wear your jacket – it gives you extra pockets and aircraft temperatures tend to be cool.

The highways are congested for most of the day so leave early. Even a small accident en route could cause delays and will put you under undue pressure – at worst you might miss your flight.

Most airlines will allow you to pre-seat yourself but it is still advisable to check in early as they have the right to change your seats. The early bird is more likely to get their chosen seats.

Weigh your luggage in advance so that there are no problems with overweight luggage.

Make a mistake and you could pay heavily for it. Check the rules in advance for the allowable size and weight of hand luggage or you could end up having to repack your bags or worse.

You might consider carrying a moon bag for your valuable documents, credit cards and money. You will be asked for your passport and boarding pass countless times before you board the flight so it is pointless dropping them into your hand luggage every time.

Security at all airports is strict so be prepared to co-operate with the staff and comply with their requests. Becoming irritable will only delay you and aggressive behaviour could land you in big trouble. It is a thankless job so I always greet the security staff with a smile and a friendly word.   

Purchase chocolates, alcohol and general gifts for overseas relatives and friends at the airport as these parcels do not form part of your luggage weight allowance. Generally the prices are reasonable and if you check in early you can shop at your leisure – just don’t miss your flight.

Make sure you know the directions to the gate for your flight and watch the boarding time on the overhead sign boards. Some gates are a 10 minute walk from the duty-free area. Airlines do not make announcements and do not call for individual passengers who are late – they simply unload your luggage and leave without you.

By boarding the flight early you are more likely to find suitable space in the overhead lockers – late-comers battle to find space near their seats and sometimes their bags are scattered around the plane wherever there is a space available.

‘Bon Voyage’

By John Ridler, Thompsons Holidays - www.thompsons.co.za

Travel Tips: Packing for your holiday

Tips: Packing for your holiday

  

Packing for a long holiday is always fun and in no time you have bulging pile of clothing suitable for every occasion and weather condition from blistering heat to arctic blizzards.

Lugging huge suitcases is cumbersome and you are likely to end up at the chiropractor on your return home.

I once stayed in a tiny B&B in Amsterdam where the staircase could more appropriately be called a ladder. It took all my energy to hoist my case up to the third floor attic (the cheapest room which in fact resembled a broom cupboard both in size and decor). On departure I considered tossing my case out the window but feared killing a passing cyclist.

Here are some of tips on sensible packing I have learned over the years which I think you will find helpful.

Check the weather at your destination and choose your wardrobe accordingly. For hot climates you should pack cool cotton and loose fitting garments. For colder climes take warm underwear and a pure wool sweater, coat and scarf. You can take off layers of clothing if you enter a heated restaurant or museum.

Make a list of all items you will need well before you start packing. You can keep adding to it and then tick off the items as you pack them. This way you will not forget socks, belts and bathing costumes.

My rule of thumb is to put aside the items I intend to pack and then returning one third back to my wardrobe. How do I know this? In the past I have returned home to find one third of my gear untouched. The next trick is to pick a suitcase you can manage – preferably with wheels that work – unlike the supermarket trolley I regularly land up with.

Stick to one main colour when packing so that most clothes and accesories can be mixed and matched as you go along. Lay out your choice of clothes on your bed and you will soon see if any item does not fit in. One colour and some white items usually work well together. My favourite combination is blue and white – it can look both casual and smart according to the location.

Pick out items that are crease resistant and take along a cake of bar soap or a container of washing powder for rinsing out socks and underwear and anything else you might want to wear again. Most hotels have in-room irons or they can be requested – usually free. The best way to dry washing quickly is to place it in a towel, roll it up and squeeze lightly to remove the bulk of the water. A hairdryer can also do the job in an emergency. This way you need pack less clothing and your suitcase will not smell of soiled clothing.  

Check the dress code of the hotel or resort where you are staying. They might require more formal wear at night - wearing jeans with torn knees could see you dining on room service and missing out on all the fun.

Always pack a hat or cap – it will protect from both the sun and the cold. Sensible shoes are also a must. Ensure that liquids are placed in zip-lock bags to prevent leakage all over your clothes.

Do not pack jewellery, cameras and valuables in your suitcase and don’t even think of taking a laptop unless you really need it – you are just inviting a theft. When in doubt wear an old inexpensive watch, take along costume jewellery and carry your camera at all times. Make sure that expensive items are insured for All Risks.

Keep it light; keep it simple and ‘Bon Voyage’

By John Ridler, Thompsons Holidays

Travel Tips: Before you travel

Here are a few tips for making sure that your holiday goes smoothly. 

Make 2 copies of your passport, visas, Forex documents and air tickets– leave 1 set in your suitcase and another with a friend back home. This saves valuable time if your documents are lost.

Take Forex in the form of a bank card. You can draw money at ATM’s and also pay for services and goods as you travel – this is safer as it saves walking around with a lot of cash. The card can be recharged from SA if you are running short of cash. Cards on sale at Standard Bank, Bidvest Bank and many others. As always, protect your pin number.

Carry important medication in your hand luggage in case your luggage goes astray. Carry copies of prescriptions for critical medication in case you take ill while away.

Always take out medical insurance. Also ensure that expensive items like cameras are covered by your travel policy or your all-risks policy at home.

Act street wise. Criminals prey on unsuspecting travellers and are masters at distracting you in unlikely places while they rifle through bags and wallets.

Always carry a clean pair of underclothes and a clean shirt/blouse to tide you over if your luggage is lost.

The ban on carrying large quantities of LAGs (Liquids, Aerosols and Gels) still applies.

You are allowed to carry small quantities (not more than 50ml) and all your LAGs must fit into a 1 Litre (20cm X 20cm) transparent, re-sealable container. Anything in excess will be destroyed so be careful not to have to wave your favourite perfume good bye before you even start your journey. For up to date information speak to your travel agent or go to the Airports Company website on www.airports.co.za 

Beware of high costs if you use your phone overseas. Phone cards can be purchased in advance. Turn off your phone and leave a message that you are away and suggest to the caller that they send you a SMS in the case of an emergency.

Speak to your cellphone provider for tips or buy an overseas SIM card before you depart.

This gives you a bundle of calls and messages for a set fee.

Travelling with  kids

Children tire easily – take a stroller. Most airlines will carry them free of charge.

Take along a few small snacks for kids – there might be long breaks between meals and stores might not be handy when kids are hungry.

Kids get bored on an aircraft – take along a book or a simple card game that will keep them amused.

Post by John Ridler, Thompsons Holidays