There are golf courses you play, and then there are courses you feel. Avalon Golf Estate belongs firmly in the latter category — a rare inland sanctuary where the game unfolds against one of the most dramatic natural backdrops in the Indian Ocean.

Set high on the volcanic slopes near Grand Bassin, at around 400 metres above sea level, Avalon occupies a commanding position in Mauritius’ central highlands. Tea plantations ripple across the surrounding hillsides, mist drifts through ravines in the early morning, and — remarkably — the Indian Ocean remains visible from every one of the 18 holes. It is both grounding and exhilarating, a reminder that this is a place shaped by time, terrain and intent.

Designed by acclaimed South African architect Peter Matkovich, Avalon is often described as a player’s course — generous from the tee yet consistently engaging from start to finish. Wide landing areas invite confident swings, but elevation changes, streams, ravines and ever-shifting winds demand strategy, not brute force. It is golf that rewards thoughtfulness.

Matkovich himself captures the spirit succinctly:
“Avalon is more than just golf — it’s an experience for all of your senses, with incredible surroundings, beautifully manicured gardens and some of the most spectacular elevation changes found anywhere on the island.”

The routing is masterful. Par threes and par fives face different directions to account for the southeast trade winds, ensuring variety across the round. Among the standouts are the short par-four 4th, tumbling downhill with a ravine guarding the left, and the equally tempting 7th — holes that linger in memory long after the scorecard is signed. The 13th, deceptively modest at around 380 yards, delivers a sublime approach into an elevated, well-bunkered green that drops sharply toward a meandering stream below. Club selection here is not optional; it’s essential.

Beyond the design, Avalon’s sense of place is unmistakable. The course occupies nearly half of a 544-acre estate bordering the Black River Gorges National Park, where indigenous flora, forested ravines and flowing water remain integral to the landscape. Fairways rise and fall naturally with the land, creating a rhythm that feels organic rather than imposed. It has been aptly described as a golfing Garden of Eden.

That quality has not gone unnoticed. According to the latest rankings from Top 100 Golf Courses, Avalon is now ranked #2 in Mauritius, firmly cementing its status among the island’s elite — and confirming what discerning players have long suspected.

Yet Avalon is not solely about championship golf. The experience extends well beyond the final green. Thoughtfully spaced tee times preserve a sense of calm and exclusivity. The clubhouse, restaurant and lifestyle amenities encourage players and non-golfers alike to linger — to turn a round into a day, and a day into a ritual. Sustainability is woven into operations, earning Avalon GEO Certified® status and reinforcing its long-term stewardship of the land it occupies.

Perhaps this is what truly distinguishes Avalon: balance. It is challenging without being punishing, refined without being formal, dramatic without feeling contrived. A place where serious golfers find substance, and where the setting alone justifies the journey.

If you have played Avalon, you already understand. If you haven’t, the message is simple: this is Mauritius golf, elevated — literally and figuratively.

For further information or to arrange a visit, email Ben Hiddlestone, General Manager, Avalon Golf Estate.

Photos credited to Jacob Sjöman