Black River Gorges National Park

This park was established in 1994 and proclaimed under the Mauritius Wildlife and National Parks Act 1993. It is located on state land extending to 6574 hectares. It consists of a wide range of habitat which contains some of the rarest birds in the world. The mountain nature of the park also provides a variety of interesting visitor experiences. The park is a popular destination for both Mauritians and international visitors and it is being sought away as an alternative to crowded beaches

There are multiple access points to the park amongst which is the:

• The Vacoas-Chamarel road which cuts through the park. This road contains access to the Alexandra Falls viewpoint and Black River Gorges viewpoint.

Tourist Resource and Information

The park is the primary inland natural tourist resource; the estimated number visiting the park is 220,000/year. The busiest period for Mauritian visitors is during the guava picking period (Jan-March), although it is visited all year round and mainly at weekends. Many of the international tourists visit the park as part of an organized tour, stopping at the viewpoints to take pictures.

Casela Bird Park

Set in magnificent surroundings between Bambous and Tamarine in the Riviere Noire district, the exquisite Casela Bird Park is a rich and thick collection of 140 bird species from five continents. The Park is spread over an area of 20 acres.

Admire the American SparrowHawks, Peacocks, Pheasants, Pink Pigeon (one of the rarest in the world) and more.The Casela Bird Park, is an ideal getaway for both seasoned and amateurish ornithologists or the birdwatchers located in Mauritius.

Apart from the Pink Pigeon, you may also come across kites, kingfishers, orioles, mynahs, bustards and many other kinds of birds.  The vegetation at the Park includes small "yej" trees, as well as seasonal orchids that find an ideal growth environment in the humid, cool climes of the Casela Bird Park. The ponds dotting the Park are a haven for tortoises, fish and many waterbirds that live off the fish. Don't forget to visit the many small streams and waterfalls cascading from the hilly crevices. The Casela Bird Sanctuary is also home to animals like tigers, lemurs, macaques and many kinds of lizards and geckos.

Coloured Earths of Chamarel

 

Among the oddest sites of the island are the seven-coloured dunes at Chamarel. It is believed to result from the weathering of volcanic rocks. These undulating and vividly contrasted layers of earth are a short drive away from the beautiful Chamarel waterfalls. This foaming falls originates from within the deep jungles and falls above from the mountain pleasing the eyes and souls of the tourists who visit Chamarel in Mauritius. There are also good restaurants for the tourists to enjoy the Mauritian cuisine.

Domaine du Chasseur

Le Domaine du Chasseur is situated in the south-east of the island, near Mahebourg, in the heart of abundant greenery. It covers about 1,950 acres. It is also an exciting natural hunting ground with its herds of some 1,000 deer and hundreds of wild boar. Rare kinds of trees and protected species, such as the famous windhover kestrel can be admired. A panoramic restaurant with a very good typically Mauritian menu completes the attractions of this unusual trip.

Domaine Les Pailles

Domaine Les Pailles is the nature park which stretches over 3,000 acres at the foot of the Moka mountain range. You can choose between touring the park in a Land-Rover, riding in a horse-drawn carriage or in a train. The gardens also feature a replica of an ancient sugarmill, an "alambic" - an apparatus formerly used in distilling rum, a spice garden and a natural spring.

Intro<<

There is little doubt about it: Mauritius and Rodrigues are very scenic islands with spots of great natural beauty.

Mauritius has many exquisite places of interest, like waterfalls, seasides, islands, gardens, etc. You will surely enjoy the paradise island during your stay.

La Vanille Crocodile Park

The crocodile park is located at Riviere des Anguilles and it consists of Nile crocodiles in the lush green surroundings where banana and palm trees as well as giant bambous grow, tortoise strolling freely, monkeys, wild boars, lizards and bats. It is also a glittering forest with a haven of luscious tropical flora and a variety of endemic and exotic plants which you need to discover.

Gift shop "Crocodile

"Le crocodile affamé", restaurant", the friendly tree-top restaurant overlooking the park.

Parc, restaurant et boutique open everyday.

Meet the Mauritian fruit bats

You will also come across colourful geckos, monkeys, tenrecs, deer, mangooses, bullfrogs and Japanese carps. In Japan, people believe these fish are lucky; may be they will bring you good fortune!

Lakepoint Ltd

Lakepoint Ltd was offering Artificial Ice Skating as a new leisure cum sports activity in Mauritius. The project consists of the rehabilitation of the lake on the premises of the Municipal Council of Curepipe and the creation of an artificial island on which a two storey commercial complex of luxurious standard with an Ice Rink as the main attraction

Le Souffleur

It is a wild coast with thundering breakers and jets up to 80 m high.

Le Val Nature Park

It is situated in the south-east of the island at Cluny, Le Val 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.

Mountain Areas

The island offers 3 principal mountain areas for recreation activities:

• Long Mountain and Le Pouce area adjacent to Port Louis
• Bambou Mountains centered on Domaine du Chasseur

Black River Gorges- Savanne Mountains

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden

"If Mauritius is the paradise of the southern hemisphere, then one can say that the Pamplemousses garden is the paradise of Mauritius." (Jules Leclerc)

The jewel of the crown! The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, one of the most famous botanic gardens in the tropics, is located some 10 kilometers north of Port Louis. It was first built by Pierre Poivre and covers some 60 acres of land. Here you will see waterlilies from the Amazon, tortoise from other tropical islands, stags from Indonesia, and countless species of indigenous and exotic plants, including the giant Victorial Regia water lilies, and the talipot palm, said to flower once every sixty years and then die. Come on time! The manor house Château de Mon Plaisir (1735) are remarkable. A guide is available to lead you through the park.

Pere Laval

From 1841 to 1864 missionary in Mauritius, Pere Laval’s grave in Saint Croix offers a calm relaxing pilgrim place for all religions.

One of the main sights of Port Louis is the market with the fruits and vegetables piled up artistically. Just opposite is the bazaar where you can purchase souvenirs and spices at favourable prices. Port-Louis has several historical buildings that have been left since the French and English occupations namely; the Central Post Office, the Aapravasi Ghat, the Government House and Fort Adelaide (the Citadel). Other places of interest in Port-Louis are the Natural History Museum, Caudan Waterfront, with its restaurants, shops, cinemas und bars: mainly on weekends the new meeting point for Mauritians and tourists, the Windmill Museum, Le Dauguet and Signal Mountain.

During the business hours the capital of the island is extremely crowded, loud and colourful; after closing time and on Sundays dead like a dodo (extinct bird of Mauritius). For discovering the town please take a daytime and do not come with your own car, better take the bus.

Related links :

http://www.edwebproject.org/mauritius/portlouis.htm

www.mauritiusmuseums.org ; see useful information about the Mauritius Postal Museum.

www.aapravasighat.com ; an informative web site about the history of Aapravasi Ghat.

www.mauritiusmuseums.org ; informative articles about the historical background of the Natural History Museum.

www.caudan.com ; a web site that has additional information about the facilities available at Caudan Waterfront.

Rochester Falls

The Rochester Falls can be reached by a road which crosses a sugar plantation that is open to visitors. Water cascades over spectacular lava rock formations, the water tumble from the Savanne River from a height of about 10 m, where constant erosion has fashioned the basalt rock into upright columns.

Swami Vivekananda international conference centre

Situated 10 minutes by car from Port-Louis, the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC) of 17,000 m2 with architectural concept, is the first of its kind in Mauritius and in the Indian Ocean region.  It is erected on a surface area of 53,865 m² of land in Pailles. The SVICC is equipped with high-end technology facilities – broadband wireless internet (wi-fi), video conferencing on demand and satellite transmission on demand. SVICC opened its door in January 2005.

Services provided by SVICC

The Atrium of 2,000 m2 serves as a grand entrance into the centre and is perfect for Banquets, Gala
Dinners, Cocktails and Receptions. It provides two staircases and two lifts to the first floor, a bar, a
reception, a help desk, an information centre and ticketing counters. The Main Hall of size 50m x 70m and
15,5 m high can host Conventions, Concerts, Gala Receptions, Trade shows and Exhibitions. A kitchen
of 330m², backstage facility (total area of 1,100m²), changing rooms, VIP artists dressing rooms, VIP
waiting area, Technical Manager Room, First Aid Facilities, Air Conditioning.

Contact Details

Address: Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC)
Pailles, Mauritius

Telephone No: +230 206 0500

Fax No: +230 206 0501

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tamarind Falls

Also known as Sept Cascades, these falls are among the most spectacular waterfalls and  are awkward to reach, but it's worth the effort for a beautiful, deep, cool bathe at the bottom of the series of seven falls. You can see them from the Vacoas side, if you follow the sign from Henrietta. From Curepipe or Quatre Bornes, take a bus to Henrietta, then walk to Tamarind Falls. If you're coming from Tamarin, turn right about 3Km north of Tamarin, at the round about to Magenta and Yemen. A tarred, bumpy road through cane fields leads to the Magenta and Tamarind Falls turn-off. Continue through all the 'Private Estate', 'Permit Needed' and 'Prohibited Entry' signs, down towards the power station. Leave your car or bike and walk along the river up to the falls.

Trou aux Cerfs

Possibly the main attraction of Curepipe for tourists, apart from the shopping, is the Trou aux Cerfs crater which is a dormant volcano. 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.

What to see< East

Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius. This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country’s largest open air market. The colourful market attracts a large number of people.

Waterpark Leisure Village
Take pleasure of the unforgettable moments sliding on the giant chutes, with family or friends. Relaxation and pleasure guaranteed.
Coastal road, Belle Mare.
Tel: (230) 415-2626, Fax: (230) 415-2929
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ile aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is a heaven for water sports and has the most beautiful beach in Mauritius. Do not miss the real pearl in the Mauritian landscape.

What to see< Inland

Beyond La Marie and Mare-aux-Vacoas is found one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius. It rests within the crater of an extinct volcano. Ganga Talao is an important pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva.

Eureka
An old Creole residence built in 1830, Eureka is an essential place to visit during your stay in Mauritius if you wish to immerse yourself in tropical sweetness

Tel: (230) 433 8477

What to see< North

Grand Bay

It was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay is also an area where Mauritians head for when they want to have fun at night(restaurants, bars and discos). Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth visiting.

Balaclava Ruins

A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Here you will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais.

Pereybère

The wonderful Pereybere public beach is a must to visit because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

What to see< Port Louis

Central Market

The picturesque Port-Louis central market continues to be a meeting point for Mauritians looking for a «cari» (curry) or «dithé» (tea). Here you will find all the ingredients that help to create the charm of Mauritius: local crafts, vegetables, famous «dholl purris» as well as herbal tea sellers.

China Town

Enjoy a picturesque and affordable visit to Port-Louis’ Chinatown. The sellers of boiled «chow mein» and fish balls form part of the picturesque scene in an area where you can find almost anything at an affordable price.

Caudan Waterfront

During the past years, the Caudan Waterfront has become an unavoidable route for those who wish to have a taste of the best of Mauritius. Offering more than just rows of shops and restaurants, Caudan Waterfront also enables you to discover Mauritian expertise in all fields, as you stroll around the area. Caudan waterfront consists of a food court, restaurants, hotels, shops, boutiques, a library, a museum (blue penny museum) and various leisure facilities.

See Caudan Waterfront official website below for additional information.

Domaine les Pailles

Nestling in the Pailles Valley, Domaine les Pailles takes a trip back in time through the history of Mauritius and offers a unique culinary experience. This typical Mauritian enlightens your imagination with its combination of history, culture and nature.

The Champ de Mars 

Champ de Mars derives its name from being used by the French, in the 18th century, for military manoeuvres. Champ de Mars has been the site of several political, historical and of the Mauritius Independence ceremony on 12 March 1968.Nowadays it is being used mainly for horse racing.

Le Dauguet

Le Dauguet, located  at Tranquebar, is a 1400 meters track on the slope of mount Le Pouce. Le Dauguet comprises of a variety of indigenous as well as exotic trees namely: Eucalyptus, Tamarin, Longane, Palmiste Piquant, Bois d`Ebène, Bois d`Olive and Mahogany. Here you will hear the chirping of birds, the babbling of running water and the rustling of tree leaves far from the noises of the city. During the French occupation, the governor François, built a system to gather water from the springs to provide the town of Port-Louis with clean drinking water.

What to see< South East

Dutch Ruins
At Vieux Grand Port, the oldest settlements in Mauritius, you can see the ruins of the first Dutch fortifications.

Mahebourg

Mahébourg is one of the main fishing villages on the island. Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay it was founded in 1804 by the French. You can see Mahebourg Waterfront which offers a magnificent view of the sea and a relaxation point.

Domaine du Chasseur

Nestling in the Anse Jonchée hills, the Domaine des Grand Bois has splendid hunting grounds covering an area of 900 hectares. Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the luxuriant vegetation of the hillside.One can watch a few species of endangered birds, including the kestrel. The Domaine contains four thatched-roof bungalows and a restaurant with a panoramic sea view. Take an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal of venison and seafood. Tel: (230) 634-5011, Fax: (230) 634-5261

Souillac

A small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district. A famous feature is the garden overlooking the sea and named after Dr. Charles Telfair. A popular viewpoint is found at the southern end of the village, right on the cliff top : Gris Gris.

What to see< West

The region between Port Louis and Tamarin hides two fairly nice spots that are the Albion lighthouse and "Montagne Jacquot." However, these spots are best appreciated when visited by sea.

Tamarin Bay

Tamarin Bay is renowned for its surfing conditions and was one of the most famous "sweet spots" of the hippy surfers in the late 60's and 70's.

The new sophisticated image of Mauritius have slowly killed its legend. But despite the development of the region, Tamarin village is authentic; the houses and villas are almost the same and the people are as open and friendly than they were 40 years ago. The only hotel of the village, the Tamarin Hotel is a building typical of the 70’s and has been renovated in 2003 in the exact same style.

Chamarel

A winding road leads from Case Noyale village to the coloured earths of Chamarel: a kaleidoscopic landscape of different and contrasting shades of colours. The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life.
Some «Table d’hôtes» have been recently created in the Chamarel Village where you can enjoy the taste of typical Mauritian cuisine.

Black River Gorges

The Black River Gorges is the largest public nature park of Mauritius, especially since the erection of a tarred road leading straight down the valley.

All the paths start (or end) from the parking area but the best way to visit the gorges is to be dropped at "Le Pétrin" (not far from Grand Bassin), walk down the paths till the parking area down the gorges. This would be a three hours walk made on one's own or guided by excursionists, in groups or with dedicated guides.

Casela

Situated in the Rivière Noire district, the bird park stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird species from all five continents. Other attractions include fish ponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys, deer and orchids.

Tel : (230) 452-0693/4

Yemen

Yemen Reserve is a game reserve on the island. You will be able to get close to the herds of deer, as well as admire some wonderful species of Mauritian fauna. A few rustic kiosks available in the reserve provide an awesome view of the sea where you can sip a local punch while watching the sun going down.

Le Morne Brabant

Le Morne Brabant is an isolated rocky mountain situated at the South-Western extremity of the island. The mountain itself is impressive, as it stands alone, shining in the skyline.

Salt Pans

 Tamarin is naturally the heart of salt production in Mauritius due to the abundant sunshine that it gets.