Mauritius

Mauritius Attractions

Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth

The coloured earth of Chamarel is a natural phenomenon, as well as being one of the Mauritius Islands main tourist attractions, growing in popularity since the 1960's. You will be left in awe when staring at the unique and curious landscape at Chamarel, the only place on the planet where you can find a clay earth of seven colours in one place. These spectacular dunes boast red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow earth, colours that developed due to the different compositions and the colours evolved through the conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals.

Another interesting fact is that these seemingly magical colourful grains of earth will separate into layers of the same colour shades after time, even if all the shades are mixed together. The colours are seen differently depending on the brightness of the sun and the time of day, and it is advised that the best time to view the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth is early in the morning as the sun rises. During your visit, you will also have amazing viewpoints of the exceptionally beautiful Chamarel Waterfall, considered the most stunning waterfall in Mauritius.

Although the dunes of the Seven Coloured Earth are protected and you cannot walk over it, there are many different vantage points from which to admire it. You can also visit the souvenir shop and purchase small vials that contain the sand, for keepsake, and enjoy some coffee at the coffee corner within the park. The park is open all year long, from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Mauritius Botanical Garden

This amazing and beautiful botanical garden is located close to the popular Port-Louis, in the small town of Pamplemousse on the Mauritius Island. It is said that those exploring this inviting and stunning garden can easily spend up to a week here and still not see everything that this Botanical Garden comprises of.

Formerly known as Sir Seewoosagur Botanic Garden, this garden is one of the most appealing visits for tourists and guests experiencing Mauritius on a holiday, and can be enjoyed by anyone at any age. The Mauritius Botanic Garden is very big and one can easily spend hours exploring and discovering the many lush trees, indigenous species of plant and other amazing sights. Stretching endlessly over many acres of land, the Botanic Garden is populated with over 650 varieties of plants that include the famous Baobabs, the Palmier Boueille, wonderful giant water-lilies and white lotus's which are easily the main attraction and dozens of medical plants that are fascinating to learn about.

You can also enjoy the botanic gardens display of 85 different varieties of palm trees, from all over the world. As you enter at the gates, guides are available at the entrance at a relatively affordable price, offering a full tour and equipped with years of knowledge – these guides come highly recommended. The Mauritius Botanic Garden is open every day from 8:30 to 5 pm and the entrance fee is considered to be reasonable.

Black River Gorges National Park

A visit to the stunning Black River Gorges National Park of Mauritius is a truly memorable and special experience, especially for lovers of nature and those who enjoy being active and discovering a wonderful selection of rare plants, as the tall trees create shade. Made up of dense forests that are spread over 3.5% of the islands surface, the Black River Gorge Park extends over 6, 754 hectares and unveils a spectacular scenic display of some of the Mauritius Islands unique and must-see natural assets.

The Black River Gorges National Park, found in the south west part of Mauritius, is the biggest national park on the Mauritius Island and is famous for its gorgeous waterfalls, curves and hills, unparalleled panoramic views and also for being home to an array of rarely seen endemic and exotic birdlife, most especially the recently (almost) extinct Pink Pigeon which is now endemic to Mauritius.

When holiday guests conjure up images of Mauritius they are typically pictures of white sandy beaches and bright blue waters, exactly why a hike or guided tour through this indigenous forest is a treat to guests who are blown away by the unexpected sights to behold here. Discovering the wonderful and protected remaining rainforests and locally found fauna and flora provides guests with a memorable experience while also being both education and insightful, in additional to being incredibly beautiful.

Grand Bassin

The Ganga Talao is situated on the stunning Mauritius Island and is more commonly known as the Grand Bassin, a crater lake about 1800 feet above sea level that is tucked away in the secluded mountain area within the district of Savanne in the centre of Mauritius.

The Grand Bassin is surrounded by colourful Hindu temples and gods and is considered the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage site in Mauritius. A visit to this amazing and beautiful lake should certainly be on top of your list when it comes to Must-See attractions during your vacation, especially if you would like to learn more about foreign cultures and religions. Throughout the year visitors pay homage to these gods, by collecting the holy water, breaking coconuts and spilling its milk on the feet or their gods, or leaving coins and flowers. The overall mood is a charming one, of sacred peace and enlightenment.

The Grand Bassin comes with its own rich and interesting history which goes back to the late 18th Century when the Grand Bassin was first discovered by Pandit Jhummon Gigi Gossagne Nepal, a priest who lived in a village on the island called Triolet. Legend believes that the Crater Lake is connected with the holy river Ganges. The story goes that the god Shiva and his wife Parvati were flying around the world to explore the most beautiful places, so of course they stopped at Mauritius. During this journey, Shiva was carrying the river Ganges on his head to prevent the earth from flooding, but Shiva accidently spilled water of the holy river and thus came the creation of the Grand Bassin.

It is important to note that although tourists are welcome; the Grand Bassin is a sacred place and guests will need to dress modestly and behave with respect. It is also customary for guests to remove their shoes upon entering.

The Blue Bay Marine Park

Discover the breathtaking and vast underwater world of Mauritius at the amazing Blue Bay Marine Park, situated on the South East coast close to Mahebourg and definitely a must-see for any visitor or guest experiencing a vacation on the spectacular Mauritius Island.

While visiting the Marine Park you can expect to find mangroves, algae, sea grasses, corals and a number of other marine organisms, as well as an array of unique fish species that include the Damselfish, Surgeonfish, Butterfly fish, Juvenile Sailfin tangs, Pipefish and also the large Trumpet fish either by snorkelling or by enjoying the ocean-life onboard, by admiring it from the boats glass bottom. Snorkelling at the park is very enjoyable and highly recommended, as the crystal clear waters are warm and offer great visibility where you can be face to face with some of Mauritius Island's colourful fauna and flora, an experience you won't soon forget.

With more than 50 species of coral at the park, your adventure will be one of discovery and interesting sights. The park is also incredibly beautiful, featuring a tranquil turquoise lagoon, picturesque white shores and some of the bluest ocean waters on the island, which vary in shades from pale and calming to dark, bright and alluring. The park area encompasses 353 hectares.

There are two glass-floored boat trips to choose from as you plan for your exciting day trip to the Blue Bay Marine Park. The first boat trip departs from Port Jerome everyday at 10 am, and is a 2 hour long boat trip along calm ocean waters. The second is slightly quicker, at about 1:15 hours long departing from Blue Bay beach, the times of departure here are more flexible.

Casela – World of Adventures

Promising a fun-filled and unforgettable time to the entire family and to groups of friends of any age, a holiday spent in Mauritius would not be complete without a visit to Casela Park. There are a variety of attractions on offer here and the Casela Park has been welcoming tourists since 1979, everyday of the year except for Christmas Day and New Years Day.

You will find the exciting Casela Park situated on sugarcane fields on the West Coast of Mauritius Island, a location which was once a bird sanctuary, where the Rempart Mountain sets a beautiful backdrop. With a number of things-to-do here from African Safaris, tobogganing, scenic and adrenaline pumping zip lines to swimming with dolphins or enjoying a leisurely horseback ride, hours will fly by as you join in the fun. For those looking to partake in a thrilling activity, Casela Karting is the best place to get your heart racing with friends – kids can also enjoy this exciting activity! This outdoor track is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 11 pm, and you can re-energize at the cosy sports bar serving affordable meals and delightful cocktails.

The park is well maintained to always look beautiful, with the animals being well cared for and loved. As a member of the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) Casela enjoys a range of privileged exchanges with parks and zoos from around the world.

Casela offers guided tours to guests and children, to discover the Animal World form a local's unique perspective; you can also enjoy the family-friendly restaurants in Casela Park. Many of the flavours in the dishes served here are inspired by Asia and Africa and you can also expect to indulge in some amazing local dishes.