Mauritius, the only developed country in Africa with a 0.802 HDI has numerous beautiful places to visit. Some of these places are manmade, while others are natural. Whether it is for the sake of worship, honeymoon, recreational purposes, family vacation, or even a casual outing, here are the top places you should see when you visit Mauritius.
The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Mauritius
1. Black River Gorges National Park
Here is the good news about visiting Mauritius’ Black River Gorges National Park. It is the largest protected forest in Mauritius and it prides itself on about 300 flowers and plants peculiar to only Mauritius.
It also has about 9 species of birds which are only found in Mauritius.
The famous and beautiful Alexandra Waterfall of Mauritius is found in the Black River Gorges National Park. The good news is that this site is not very difficult to find since signposts are created for ease.
The park also has facilities such as an information center, picnic area, kiosk, and parking space.
In case you want to visit the site, note that it is important to save some money for the tour guide. You may want to bring along hiking shoes, sun cream, mosquito repellent, and other essentials.
2. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
Also known as the SSR Botanic Garden, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden is one place where you shouldn’t visit Mauritius without letting your eyes feast on its beauty. It is located in Pamplemousses, near Port Louis, and is very notable for having lasted over 300 years.
This site is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. When visiting, you will explore and learn about plant species.
You’ll also find about 85 different varieties of palm trees brought from around the world, a giant water lilies pond, and more.
Before you visit this tourist site, you may want to keep in mind to take your sunscreen, mosquito repellent, covered shoes, and other essentials.
Moreso, you may want to keep in mind that tour guides are not free.
3. Chamarel Seven-Colored Earth Geopark
The earth may have given you many sites to behold, but Mauritius tops its own with a unique Charamel 7-colored earth Geopark. This place of wonder has sands of different colors that harmonize into a great beauty to behold.
Interestingly, visitors can take a glance at another splash of nature, the Chamarel Waterfall along the Seven-Colored Earth.
The scenery can also lead you to Tortoise Park where you can behold giant tortoises that have an average lifespan of 150 years.
4. Chamarel Waterfall
How will visiting the highest waterfall in Mauritius make you feel? The fall is between 80 meters to 100.
It is a beauty that has become popular in Mauritius. With its beauty and many other natural things that stand there, there are different activities one can be involved in while visiting Chamarel Waterfall.
Some activities to try are swimming and hiking. Also, the environment is good for picnics.
5. La Vanille Nature Park
It’s not the usual site that only gives beauty to behold. It also leaves you with great knowledge to return home with. This park is packed and filled with endemic plants, Nile Crocodiles, tenrecs, eels, iguanas, and turtles. It is also the home of the oldest and one of the largest tortoises in the world.
The park also has an insectarium with rare species from various parts of the world.
One other interesting thing about visiting this park in Mauritius is the fact that your taste buds can have new things to try. Apart from the regular dish that may be common to many, it offers rare crocodile meat dishes.
La Vanille Nature Park has numerous activities such as an interactive farm, aquarium, children’s play area, pony rides, restaurant, Giant Aldabra Tortoise feeding, and more.
6. Blue Penny Museum
What is a visit to Mauritius without a stop at the Blue Penny Museum? This place in Port Louis showcases the history and cultural heritage of the Island country.
Another section of the museum includes stamps, long-aged statues, coins, and notes that have been used in the country.
While this may be interesting enough, other sections make a visit to the museum worthwhile. One of them is having access to the events and exhibition sections. This part of the museum gives information about hosting events at the museum.
Another section is the shop which offers numerous products, including the world’s famous Post Office Stamps.
7. Grand Bassin
Also known as Ganga Talao, this is one of the most visited places in Mauritius. It is mostly used as a sacred Hindu place and this makes it a place of prayer and meditation.
On the shoreline, there is a temple and a collection of small shrines dedicated to some Hindu gods, including Lord Shiva.
Also, the Grand Bassin which is a crater lake is rich in local monkeys which visitors get to see and play with.
Concerning location, this beautiful place is found in a secluded mountain. It is located in Savanne, a district of Mauritius which is in the South of the island.
See Also: 10 Best Places To Visit In Rwanda
8. Ile Aux Cerfs Island
The Ile Aux Cerfs is a beautiful island that has received numerous visitors over time. The place is also known as deer land in English even though no deer are currently found there.
Regardless, the place still maintains a position as one of the most beautiful places in Mauritius and Africa. It constituted around 100 hectares of land and it is known for its sandy beaches.
There are many water sports activities visitors can engage in. There are also a hotel, restaurants, and many other things to enjoy while visiting Ile Aux Cerfs Island.
The island is located in the Flaxq district of Mauritius.
9. Le Morne Beach
The Le Morne beach is beautiful and great for lovers of water, sand, and other natural phenomena. The beach is located at the door of the majestic Le Morne Brabant mountain.
The mountain is listed as a World Heritage UNESCO site.
Le Morne Beach is characterized by white sand and clear water. It is also a great place for water activities such as scuba diving, boating, and swimming.
10. Mauritius Aquarium
The Mauritius Aquarium is another highly visited place in Mauritius. There are many fish and other aquatic animals. These species are over 200 and they include clownfish, sharks, butterfly fish, sea turtles, squirrel fish, and lobsters.
In the aquarium, you can go beyond seeing marine creatures. There are animals you can touch and feed as well.
Mauritius Aquarium can be found in a small in the northwestern part of Mauritius.
