Top Things To Do in South Mauritius

In the shade of lime palms, meet graceful Seychelles tortoises chomping through twisted bamboo. Venture onto 3.5 hectares of land to spot Nile crocodiles, iguanas, cute tenrecs and amazing animal exhibits!

If you’re wanting a once in a lifetime opportunity and a chance to get up close to animals that you wouldn’t usually encounter, then a trip to La Vanille nature park is a must. Situated in a lush green rainforest with natural freshwater springs, makes this the perfect setting for an enjoyable family day out.

Make the most of your included guided tour as you witness a variety of wonderful creatures in their enclosures such as: monkeys, tortoises and iguanas and learn plenty of interesting facts that you can later impress everyone with back home.

If that isn’t enough fun already, watch the crocodiles and tortoises being fed at the feeding show or take a trip to the onsite fossil museum.

La Vanille Nature Park is located in Rivière Des Anguilles, in the south of Mauritius.

The Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is made up of magnificent sand dunes of seven different colours; red, blue, violet, brown, green, purple and yellow! This extraordinary phenomenon was created due to a high concentration of metals in the soil. The basaltic lava converted to clay minerals forming a stunning prodigy of nature. With its 600 million years of history, Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth has become the most famous tourist attraction in Mauritius!

Close to the charming village of Chamarel, the Terres des Sept Couleurs (as it's known in French), you can experience the Seven Coloured Earths from observation posts, which form part of a protective fence line, and we recommend that you arrive early to see the display at its best as the sun rises. 

Geologists still struggle to explain some of the strange features of the sands: despite constant exposure to the elements the dunes don’t appear to erode and if you mix the sand grains together, they will gradually separate into their original colours. And, pop into the gift shop on your way out so you can buy a test tube filled with coloured grains and watch them separate yourself.

The Bay du Cap coastal road, regularly ranked among the ten most picturesque roads in the world, runs along the south-west coast of Mauritius. If that status isn't enough to tempt you, there's the Maconde viewpoint.

Located in the charming village of Baie du Cap, the road follows a hairpin bend around the elevated viewing platform reached by a narrow wooden staircase. The view from the small rocky cliff is truly magnificent; the Indian Ocean lapping against the steep, unspoilt cliffs, a small village visible nearby and the occasional fisherman seen plying his trade from the shore.

There is no parking at Maconde Viewpoint, but cars can be left on the roadside for short periods. However, it does get busy, especially at weekends, so make sure you arrive early or, for a different perspective, visit after dark to admire a spectacularly starry sky.

Experience nature at its best as you explore this national park, which covers 2% of the island's surface area, the largest protected forest in Mauritius. Named after the black stones lining the river, the Black River Gorge offers exceptional panoramic views of mangroves and magnificent waterfalls, interspersed with 50km lush hiking trails and some of the best birdwatching in the world!

Fixed footpaths and hiking trails, partnered with cooler temperatures compared to the rest of the island, makes this the perfect place for anyone who loves walking. This National Park is home to 300 native plants and nine species of birds that are unique to Mauritius, making this any bird watchers idea of paradise. Wild boars, deer and monkeys can also be spotted roaming freely around the park.

If you're short on time, you can drive to several viewpoints for an Insta-worthy photo: don't miss the Alexandra Falls viewpoint and the Gorge viewpoint.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your walking boots and binoculars and start exploring.

If rum is your favourite tipple, take the time to visit the Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery, located in the heart of a fertile valley.

At the end of the road leading to the distillery, lined with sugar cane and tropical fruit, you'll be amazed by the impressive wood and natural stone architecture that blends perfectly with the tropical environment, giving the impression of an authentic tropical island experience.

During your guided tour, you'll have the opportunity to learn all there is to know about rum, walk around the distillery and, perhaps best of all, taste the rum yourself.

It's no wonder Mauritius ranks tenth among the world's most popular destinations when this spectacular natural wonder makes tourists' jaws drop every year. Rising to an impressive height of 556 metres (1,824 ft), this UNESCO World Heritage mountain is nestled around turquoise lagoons and densely vegetated jungle caves. Once you reach the top of the mountain, expect what looks like an 'underwater waterfall' in mesmerising hues of three shades of blue water. Nature lovers are sure to love the 3.5km trail of lush green foliage and exotic wildlife that takes them to the top!

Not only does this UNESCO World Heritage Site have huge cultural significance for Mauritians, Le Morne Brabant has a lot going for hikers too. Home to a number of endemic plant species –alas, this is the only place you can still spot the bright red Mauritian national flower, the Trochetia boutoniana. See if you can spot one on the 3-4 hour hike to the top.

Want to get away from it all? Then plan a day trip to La Vallée des Couleurs nature park. Natural beauty abounds in this 450-acre paradise of forest and wildlife. You can marvel at the fern garden, bursting with tree ferns, native Trochetia flowers and beautifully coloured orchids.

Wildlife is abundant and you may encounter turtles, monkeys, deer and, of course, native birds and the trees they inhabit. Oh, did we mention that the park is also home to the famous Land of 23 Colours, a volcanic wonder and four spectacular waterfalls?

If that's not enough to get you excited, why not indulge in some of the more adventurous activities on offer, such as quad bike tours, several zip lines, a suspension bridge 100m above the jungle and a gravity-defying go-kart sledging piste. However you choose to spend your day, you're sure to leave with memories that will last a lifetime.