Places to Visit

Botanical Gardens

The famous Pamplemousses Gardens, ranking among the finest botanical gardens in the world, was started in 1735 by Mahé de Labourdonnais, with Mont Plaisir Castle once his residence. The 60-acre garden boasts 500 different species of plants, of which 80 are palms. Of particular interest are the giant water-lilies (Victoria Regia), a spice garden and the Talipot Palms, said to flower once every 60 years after which they die. There is also a lovely botanical garden to visit in Curepipe and one in Beau Bassin, the Balfour Garden, which keeps giant tortoises.

Casela Bird Park

This beautiful garden and bird sanctuary of some 25 acres is situated in the west part of the island. Various species of birds and other species are housed in aviaries. (The Mauritian pink pigeon, one of the rarest birds in the world, can be seen there). Casela also houses other animals such as tigers, monkeys, lemurs, deer and giant tortoises. Its natural setting, spacious layout and luxuriant vegetation help to make it a popular spot.

Chamarel Coloured Earths

In the district of Black river are coloured dunes of volcanic ash which are displayed in an orderly pattern - a fascinating phenomenon well worth a visit.

Domaine du Chasseur

At Anse Jonchée, in the south-east, high in the hills overlooking Vieux Grand-Port Bay, lies the private land of the Domaine du Chasseur. It consists of 2000 acres of tropical forest inhabited by hundreds of Javanese stags, wild boars, monkeys and thousands of birds, among which is the Kestrel. This enchanting place offers chalets and restaurant facilities and is a must for hunters and nature lovers.

[web: http://www.mauritius-island.com/domaine]

Le Val Nature Park

Situated approximately 20 minutes from Union Park in the Plaines Wilhems, Le Val is a nature reserve where giant prawns are bred in ponds and varieties of anthuriums are grown for export.

[web: http://www.webltd.com/val] 

Domaine Ylang-Ylang

[web: http://www.xlynx.com/ylang]

Domaine Les Pailles

A unique site where Mauritius can be observed as it used to be. Discover the traditional way of making sugar from freshly crushed sugar cane and see rum being distilled from sugar cane syrup. The train, a horse-driven carriage and colonial architecture blend in to complete the picture. Nature lovers can appreciate the natural water spring and the Mauritian flora as well as stags, wild boars, birds and monkeys in the nature reserve, on horse back or in Land Rovers. For equestrian sports fan, the stables of Domaine les Pailles have what it takes to impress. Synonymous with the selection of the finest restaurants specialising in Chinese, French, Italian, Indian and Creole cuisine, Domaine les Pailles is indeed also a complete taste of Mauritian features.

Eureka

The magnificent colonial estate house with more than 100 doors and windows, contains antique furniture of different periods. It is situated in a five-acre estate, which includes an andreanum garden and a restaurant serving local dishes.

Museums

The Naval Museum, located in a French colonial mansion in Mahébourg, south-east of the island, contains various objects found in the numerous wreckages surrounding the island. This house also has a historical value as it was there that in 1810 the English and French naval commanders Willoughby and Duperré were given medical aid after being wounded in the Battle of Vieux Grand-Port. A handicraft village, built in Creole style, operates with local craftsmen at work and offering a wide range of handicrafts.

La Nef, a 'coral' house where the famous Mauritian poet Robert Edward Hart spent his last years, is situated in Souillac, on the cliffs near Telfair Garden. It is now a historical museum where some of his belongings are displayed.

Plaine Champagne and Black River Gorges

From Plaine Champagne, the highest part of the Central Plateau (740 m), there is a superb view of the Black River Gorges and the sea lining the horizon. The forest-clad slopes of the gorges and the Macchabée Forest nearby contain interesting specimens of indigenous timber, namely Bois de Natte, Colophane, Ebony, Takamaka or Tambalacoque, as well as fine plants peculiar to the island such as the Trochetia, the national flower of Mauritius. The gorges are also the home of threatened bird species, like the pink pigeon and the Mauritian kestrel.

Trou aux Cerfs

In Curepipe there is an extinct crater, 85 m deep and more than 200 m wide. From there one can enjoy a panoramic view of the western part of the island (it is possible to go down the crater).

Waterfalls

 The two principal waterfalls are the Rochester Falls near Souillac in the south, which are formed by strange columns of lava, and Chamarel  Falls with its fairy-like atmosphere in the south-west next to the Coloured Earths.