Mauritius Travel Guide: A bond for life and giant tortoises as witnesses

Mauritius Holiday Report: Part Two

After telling you about the many weddings in Mauritius in my article Mauritius – Where you can dance at 10 weddings at once , this part will now continue with a very animal theme.

La Vanille Nature Park in Mauritius: Home to many giant tortoises

We didn't choose " La Vanille Nature Park" by chance, because it boasts a very special attraction, or rather, a great many attractions, both big and small: in addition to many native animals, such as fruit bats, there are crocodiles and giant tortoises. Yes, giant tortoises! My heart leapt with joy! If I were ever to get married in Mauritius, giant tortoises would probably be my best man and flower girl. There are tortoises of all ages here: from newly hatched to over a hundred years old. The tortoises were originally "imported" from the Seychelles. For a few rupees, you can buy special animal feed and get very close to the creatures.

I was a bit shocked by the signs saying that you are not allowed to ride (!) the turtles! Apparently, many people lack respect for these animals. A childhood dream came true for me. I have always wished to face these wonderful creatures in person and touch their shell. I asked a zoo employee if the turtles felt something when you stroked their thick shell and her answer surprised me: "Yes, they actually like it!" Nevertheless, they are of course not cuddly toys and you should treat them with a lot of respect.

The park itself is manageable and especially recommended for families. I quickly felt transported back to my childhood. And was instantly snapped out of my daydream. Because be careful: swinging is strictly forbidden for adults in this park! A park employee didn't show a lot of humor after he warned me not to use the swings because they were only for children. Apparently, as an adult woman, you shouldn't behave too playfully and conspicuously in Mauritius. At least that was my impression. Otherwise we had a fantastic day in the jungle of the park.

The Grand Bassin: One of the largest Hindu pilgrimage sites outside of India

After our excursion to the park, we stopped at the Grand Bassin , the largest Hindu pilgrimage site outside of India. Thanks to the large Shiva statue, the site is easily recognizable from afar. The 33-meter-high figure is the tallest statue in Mauritius. At the entrance to Ganga Talao, we were in for a hairy surprise: wild monkeys were jumping and bathing right next to the temple complex. The little monkeys happily accept food from tourists. We were apparently lucky with our visit, as there weren't too many tourists around, allowing us to explore everything in peace.

Breathtaking sunsets with a spectacular color spectrum

We just enjoyed nature for the rest of our stay in Mauritius! I think there were some of the most breathtaking sunsets I've ever seen. And no sunset was like the other! Each day ended in an unpredictable spectrum of colors and shapes. I had never discovered the perfect climate for me in any country before. I didn't sweat or freeze. Especially at night I could just go outside in a thin dress without a jacket and relax and watch the stars.

Towards evening the flying foxes land in the palm trees and tenrecs like to get lost under a lounger. One night I ran away screaming because I thought I was being chased by a chubby rat. But something made me suspicious about the animal. At first it seemed to run towards me like a small dog and then I noticed that the little one was missing a rat's tail. Until we found out that it was a Tenrec. By the time we understood that, however, it was already too late and the little one was over the mountains.

Impressive play of colors on Mauritius

On the last day of our trip I didn't want to leave! I would have loved to have taken the ocean, the sunsets and the weather with me! Rarely have I felt so sad to have to leave a place as in Mauritius. Something mysterious surrounds the island. A pure, original beauty that can even be felt in the air. This island has a very special soul. So I can imagine coming back sometime.

My Mauritius travel guide

Attractions in Mauritius

Here is my small, personal selection of excursions in Mauritius. As already mentioned, Mauritius is extremely diverse and therefore offers a wide range of sights and activities.

Flic en Flac

In Flic en Flac you will find the longest stretch of beach on the island. Although the place is very touristy, you will also meet locals on walks who meet on the beach, eat together and play music. Flic en Flac symbolizes the "postcard Mauritius" with its lush panorama. The beach offers everything that belongs to paradise: fine sand, spectacular views, water sports activities and clear water. Swimming is possible on this beach, but due to a separation from the deeper waters, it is less suitable for swimming.

Le Morne Brabant

Le Morne Brabant is a 556-meter-high mountain in southwestern Mauritius . The land on which the rugged mountain stands has been privately owned for centuries. Since 2008, the mountain has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors can enjoy exciting hikes and learn more about the island's history. However, hiking and climbing on Le Morne is not without its challenges and can quickly become a strenuous activity. Those who are particularly adventurous can even climb to the summit cross. The reward is a breathtaking view over the lagoon.

La Vanilla Nature Park

This park is highly recommended for families and animal lovers, especially turtle lovers. Anyone who, like me, has always wanted to come face to face with a giant tortoise will get their money's worth here. There is also an extensive insectarium, including butterflies from all over the world. The opening times are from 08:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Mont Choisy Beach

Mont Choisy Beach is a very idyllic and rather quiet, fine sandy beach in the northwest of Mauritius, between the towns of Pointe aux Cannoniers and Mont Choisy . Despite its central location in what is probably the liveliest holiday region of the island, the beach is by no means overcrowded. Here you can enjoy relaxed swimming and snorkeling.

Ganga Talao – Grand Bassin: Hindu pilgrimage site

If you are interested in the largest pilgrimage site outside of India, you have come to the right place. There is a very special atmosphere in this place. Grand Bassin is the name of the crater lake which, according to legend, is connected to the holy river Ganges in India. It is relatively quiet here during the weekdays, but on the weekends between late February and early March, more than 400 believers make the pilgrimage to the Holy Lake and offer their offerings.

Botanical Garden in Pampelmousses

The botanical garden in Pamplemousses, also known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (the park's official name), is worth a visit any time of year, but especially in spring, you can experience an unforgettable spectacle of color. From giant water lilies and countless sausage trees to palm trees that only bloom every 30-80 years, and much more awaits you in this special botanical garden, which was originally a vegetable garden 300 years ago. The park is easily accessible via a motorway and is very well signposted. There is free parking in front of the park. Opening hours are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

underwater waterfall

What?! There is an underwater waterfall and it's actually in Mauritius? Unfortunately, I only found out about that after I've been back in Germany for a long time (why didn't anyone tell me that?) Maybe you know of satellite images that seem to show a waterfall under water. How does it work? Of course, this is an optical illusion, but it is unique in its kind in the world. Because powerful sea currents remove the sand from the coast of Mauritius and wash it into the deeper regions of the ocean, this creates the impression of an underwater waterfall. However, the explanation does not take away the magic from the surreal sight. You can marvel at this phenomenon with your own eyes on a helicopter flight.

Food in Mauritius

Wanderlust goes through the stomach! For me, a trip is therefore always a journey of the senses. In Mauritius, you can find delicious curries in all sorts of variations, along with fresh vegetables, rice, and fish. A popular snack is roti with dhal or dholl , a kind of crepe filled with yellow lentils.

Hotels: Where to stay?

Mauritius offers a diverse range of accommodation options for both small and large budgets. We stayed at the Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial Resort & Spa and couldn't have been happier. From the location and the grounds to the food, everything was perfect. The only downside was the service, which was somewhat lacking. This was particularly noticeable in the restaurant. While the staff performed their tasks accurately and precisely, they were often quite rude, unfriendly, and lacked any warmth or enthusiasm. This is the only reason for the deduction in our rating, as their behavior didn't match the rest of the hotel's overall experience.

The staff at reception, on the other hand, were extremely friendly and helpful. While strolling around, we discovered other fantastic resorts, such as the Sugar Beach Golf & Spa Resort , which we also really liked. In Flic en Flac, one accommodation truly is more beautiful than the next. Therefore, choosing isn't easy at all. Nevertheless, we were particularly impressed by the Sofitel. The hotel's tropical gardens are simply breathtaking!

hotel addresses

Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial Resort & Spa
Wolmar Coastal Rd
Flic en Flac
90517 Mauritius

Sugar Beach Golf & Spa Resort
Wolmar Coastal Rd
Flic en Flac
90517 Mauritius

Best travel time Mauritius

The ideal time to travel to Mauritius is during the so-called dry season from May to November . Rainfall is frequent during the rainy season from December to April . Tropical storms are also possible from January to March. We spent 10 days in Mauritius in April and didn't experience a single rainy day. Thanks to consistently pleasant water temperatures year-round, a beach holiday in Mauritius is possible at any time of year. It's important to note that Mauritius has a tropical climate, meaning high humidity prevails throughout the year.