PLaces of Interest In Mauritius
Mauritius offers not only wonderful beaches and crystal clear turquoise lagoons, but also fascinating and exotic inland regions and town.
Black River Gorges
Black River Gorges
with its original jungle and being the largest national park in Mauritius
is a national park covering a landscape of 6,574 hectares. The national
park was created in the year 1994 as a measure to protect the remaining
forests in Mauritius. Black River Gorge national park is very famous for
its waterfalls, hiking, vistas and valley. The visitors to Black river Gorge
enjoy the wonderful hiking watching the epidemic plants and rare species
of birds which exist only in Mauritius (the Pink Pigeon, the Echo Parakeet
and the Mauritius Kestrel; all very rare species).
The national park is close to Vacoas and Mare aux Vacoas. As Black River
Gorge is located in the central highlands, the island is much cooler when
compared to other islands of Mauritius. The cold weather, beautiful valleys
and the Chinese guava trees on the road side refresh the visitors generating
a romantic feel. There is also a hilltop café in the national park
which relaxes and refreshes the visitors with quick meals along with the
view to the scenic beauty.
Chamarel Coloured Earth
Among the loveliest
sites of the island are the seven-coloured earths at Chamarel where the
earths are particularly unusual; created by volcanic rocks that cooled at
different temperatures, the earths form beautiful patterns of color in the
exposed hillsides. Geologists are still intrigued by the rolling dunes of
multi-coloured lunar-like landscape. The colours, red, brown, violet, green,
blue, purple and yellow never erode in spite of torrential downpours and
adverse climatic conditions. The phenomenon has never been explained but
it is believed the earths are composed of mineral rich volcanic ash. Sunrise
is the best time to see the Coloured Earths.
Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
The Pamplemousses
Botanical Gardens, ranked 8th among the world’s finest botanical garden,
more formally known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, is one
of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. Opened as a private garden
by the French governor of Mauritius nearly 300 years ago, the gardens served
as a major horticultural research center for the French and British during
the colonial period. Today it's home to dozens of varieties of palm trees,
as well as medicinal plants, fish ponds, and an amazing collection of Queen
Victoria water lilies.
Allow at least 2 hours to visit the gardens. Amongst the most impressive
sights is the peaceful pond concealed by the enormous floating leaves of
the Giant Amazon water lily.
Casela Bird Park
Located in a magnificent
site between Bambous and Tamarin in the Riviere Noire district, the Casela
Bird Park is home to 142 species of birds from around the world. It is a
major bio diversity hotspot and is rich in varied flora and fauna. The main
attraction remains the Mauritian Pink Pigeon, one of the rarest birds in
the world, still fighting to avoid the fate of the dodo. One of the giant
tortoises is 150 years old. The Park covers 25 acres (10 hectares) and lies
on the flanks of Rempart Mountain with views of cane clothed countryside
rolling down to the west coast. There is a restaurant and snack bar and
walks criss-crossing ponds and streams. Down a set of steps beyond the aviaries
there is a zoo of tigers, monkeys, lemurs, stag and a lake of graceful flamingos.
Domaine Les Pailles
Situated just
a 10 minutes from the South of the Capital City, Port Louis, lies Domaine
Les Pailles stretching over 3,000 acres at the foot of the Moka mountain
range. It is easily accessible from the South and the North by the motorway.
Domaine Les Pailles is a unique reconstruction of an old sugar estate, consisting
of an old Sugar Mill, reminiscent of an 18th century sugar estate, a traditional
rum distillery, sugar cane plantations, a natural reserve, a leisure and
business centre, with five restaurants, conferences and banqueting facilities,
a horse riding centre, and a casino.
Le Val Nature Park
Situated in the south-east of the island at Cluny, Le Val Nature Park is another place for nature fanatics. It offers a view of the natural aquatic life of shrimps, eels and freshwater fish. The park also hosts anthurium green-houses, watercress ponds, deer parks, as well as monkeys and various bird species.
Trou aux Cerfs
Apart from the shopping,
possibly the main attraction of Curepipe for tourists is the Trou aux Cerfs
crater. Trou aux cerfs, being a dormant volcano, has been formed millions
of years ago and was active 600,000 to 700,000 years ago. It is six hundred
and five meters above sea level. It's been extinct for a long time and the
crater floor is now heavily wooded, but the crater affords lovely views
around the island. A tarred road leads gently up to and around the rim.
There are benches for rest and reflection, and a radar station for keeping
an electronic eye on cyclone activity. From there you will have a spectacular
view of part of Mauritius Island and you can take magnificent photos.
La Vanille Crocodile Park
Step inside
The Vanilla Crocodile Park situated in Rivière Des Anguilles in the South
of Mauritius and explore a variety of indigenous plants in the reserve.
Be prepared to be thrilled with a sight of considerable number of Nile crocodiles
in their breeding ponds, in perfect safety. The park is not only about crocodiles
and tropical verdure foliage but also about variety of other animal species
like monkeys, bats, etc. The reserve also houses shops and restaurant offering
lunches and delicious quick snacks. Around 500 tortoises hover around the
park. The reserve hosts around 20, 000 different species of insects in an
insectarium. Stroll in the plush forest and admire nature's glory. This
spectacular tourist attraction in Mauritius was opened for the general public
ten years ago. An impressive number of fruit bats, mongooses, lizards, fish,
chameleons and many other species of reptiles and animals can be sighted
here.
Waterpark
The waterpark, located in Belle Mare a small village in the east side of the island consists of Black hole, Giant slides, Kids' Pool, Mushroom shower, Candy Spot, Adults' pool, Jacuzzi, Pirates' Feast Fast food, Lazy River, Food kiosk, Crazy River, Multi Slide, Mountain skull, Wave pool, Pirates' Plaza, La Malle aux Tresors Logo Shop. Be sure you can enjoy a great relaxing and enjoyable moment there.
Tamarin Falls
The Tamarind Falls or Tamarin Falls are a scenic attraction of southwest Mauritius with its beautiful cliffs. These falls are difficult to reach, but it's worth the effort for a beautiful, deep, cool bathe at the bottom of the series of seven falls. Once you reach there be sure that you will be greatly rewarded!
Black River Gorges
with its original jungle and being the largest national park in Mauritius
is a national park covering a landscape of 6,574 hectares. The national
park was created in the year 1994 as a measure to protect the remaining
forests in Mauritius. Black River Gorge national park is very famous for
its waterfalls, hiking, vistas and valley. The visitors to Black river Gorge
enjoy the wonderful hiking watching the epidemic plants and rare species
of birds which exist only in Mauritius (the Pink Pigeon, the Echo Parakeet
and the Mauritius Kestrel; all very rare species).
Among the loveliest
sites of the island are the seven-coloured earths at Chamarel where the
earths are particularly unusual; created by volcanic rocks that cooled at
different temperatures, the earths form beautiful patterns of color in the
exposed hillsides. Geologists are still intrigued by the rolling dunes of
multi-coloured lunar-like landscape. The colours, red, brown, violet, green,
blue, purple and yellow never erode in spite of torrential downpours and
adverse climatic conditions. The phenomenon has never been explained but
it is believed the earths are composed of mineral rich volcanic ash. Sunrise
is the best time to see the Coloured Earths. 
The Pamplemousses
Botanical Gardens, ranked 8th among the world’s finest botanical garden,
more formally known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, is one
of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. Opened as a private garden
by the French governor of Mauritius nearly 300 years ago, the gardens served
as a major horticultural research center for the French and British during
the colonial period. Today it's home to dozens of varieties of palm trees,
as well as medicinal plants, fish ponds, and an amazing collection of Queen
Victoria water lilies. 
Situated just
a 10 minutes from the South of the Capital City, Port Louis, lies Domaine
Les Pailles stretching over 3,000 acres at the foot of the Moka mountain
range. It is easily accessible from the South and the North by the motorway.
Apart from the shopping,
possibly the main attraction of Curepipe for tourists is the Trou aux Cerfs
crater. Trou aux cerfs, being a dormant volcano, has been formed millions
of years ago and was active 600,000 to 700,000 years ago. It is six hundred
and five meters above sea level. It's been extinct for a long time and the
crater floor is now heavily wooded, but the crater affords lovely views
around the island. A tarred road leads gently up to and around the rim.
There are benches for rest and reflection, and a radar station for keeping
an electronic eye on cyclone activity. From there you will have a spectacular
view of part of Mauritius Island and you can take magnificent photos.
Step inside
The Vanilla Crocodile Park situated in Rivière Des Anguilles in the South
of Mauritius and explore a variety of indigenous plants in the reserve.
Be prepared to be thrilled with a sight of considerable number of Nile crocodiles
in their breeding ponds, in perfect safety. The park is not only about crocodiles
and tropical verdure foliage but also about variety of other animal species
like monkeys, bats, etc. The reserve also houses shops and restaurant offering
lunches and delicious quick snacks. Around 500 tortoises hover around the
park. The reserve hosts around 20, 000 different species of insects in an
insectarium. Stroll in the plush forest and admire nature's glory. This
spectacular tourist attraction in Mauritius was opened for the general public
ten years ago. An impressive number of fruit bats, mongooses, lizards, fish,
chameleons and many other species of reptiles and animals can be sighted
here.