Experiencing Mauritius

Mauritius is known for its gorgeous white sandy beach settings and warm sub-tropical climate set on the shoreline of the Indian Ocean. Among its attractions are Troux aux Biches, Belle Mare Plage, Flic en Flac, UNESCO’s Le Morne Cultural Landscape and Ile aux Cerfs – yes, it was formerly a French colony. Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, boasts a plethora of colonial monuments from the French to British colonisation.

Travellers may also follow the Hindu pilgrimage route towards Grand Bassin (also known as Ganga Talao), a natural crater lake where the second largest statue of Lord Shiva in the world is located at the entrance. Follow this article to found out more about Mauritius.

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L’Aventure du Sucre

L’Aventure du Sucre is a museum sharing the history of how sugarcane became the most important industry in Mauritius.

This museum is a restored sugar factory that was once an important producer of sugar, located within Beau Plan Sugar Estate. The reason behind the opening of this museum is to share the history of how sugarcane became the most important industry in Mauritius. The museum also exhibits in detail the methodology of how sugar is extracted from sugarcane and how the production technology evolves through time. The Museum is located close to the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens.

Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m daily (including public holiday)
Entrance fee: Adults: MUR 380, children (6 to 13): MUR 190 and students (13 to 26): MUR 190 (student ID required)

Chateau de Labourdonnais

This garden museum is a restored farmhouse founded 200 years ago, during the French colonial period. The farmhouse is owned by a French family who stayed here for more than 150 years and endured through the era of not just the French but also the British. Though most of the items exhibited in this house tell the history of the Bourgault and Wiehe family for three generations, they also narrate the story of Mauritius from the family’s perspective, since the colonial times up until several years ago when the house was restored back to its former glory.

Today the structure of the house has been improved and renewed with modern and stronger materials. The garden surrounding the house is also perfectly landscaped that many couples today choose Chateau de Labourdonnais for their wedding ceremony.

A restaurant called Table du Chateau was built within the house area to provide a place for visitors to savour a great meal a la French. It is also the place for visitors to try the home-made rum made of fruits grown within the museum area.

Opening hours: Opens daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Tip: If travellers intend to take the tour, take note that it lasts up to 45 minutes.
Admission fee: MUR 375 per adults, MUR 200 per kids, MUR 225 per students (student ID required), MUR 325 for seniors

Dolphin Watch Black River

Dolphins at their habitat in Tamarin Bay, near River Black.

It’s a great experience to swim side by side with dolphins at their habitat in Tamarin Bay. High chances to spot these cute animals if you swim early morning or late evening. Of course, to be able to see them, it is best for travellers to engage with an operator like JPH Charters Ltd, whose staff will advise travellers on how to spot the dolphins and what safety requirements that travellers need to follow before swimming with them. However, travellers need to understand that there are times when dolphins cannot be spotted at all, but there is no refund as the money is still needed to cover the costs for boat and operations.

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Chamarel Village

With the lowest population in Mauritius, Chamarel Village is located in the Black River District, close to the Black River Gorges National Park, south-west of Mauritius.

The surreal panoramic view of The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth.

The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth is located on a land that has seven different colours of earth’s crust due to geological shifting. The surreal panoramic view of this land has been drawing travellers from around the world since the 1960s. The soil of this land becomes colourful due to the decomposition of volcanic rock that changes itself into clay through hydrolysis. Iron and aluminium elements inside the soil also played a role in making the sand colourful.

The view of stunning Chamarel Falls from the visitor area

The road to the Seven Coloured Earth passes by the Chamarel Falls, the highest waterfalls in Mauritius.Worth the hike as there are two vantage points to see the view of spectacular natural waterfalls. It’s a very picturesque spot as it reflects the abundance of rainfall in small bouts. However, once you are done taking photos, just move on since there is nothing else to do there.

Tip: Bring an umbrella or wear a hat as it is hot here, and wear sunblock to protect yourself from direct sunlight.

The trick museum of Curious Corner of Chamarel.

Curious Corner of Chamarel is also located nearby. This trick museum is all about taking the visitors to explore the grey areas of life, where things are not what they seem. Travellers are bound to have fun in this museum. It is recommended that travellers spend at least two hours here.

La Rhumerie de Chamarel, one of the rare sugarcane distilleries that still exists today.

Before leaving Chamarel, we recommend that travellers visit La Rhumerie de Chamarel, one of the rare sugar cane distilleries that still exists today, located in a gorgeous setting and surrounded by mountains and farms. Unlike the sugar museum, La Rhumerie de Chamarel shows travellers how the distillation process is done in producing the world famous Chamarel Rum. The place also has an acclaimed restaurant called L’Alchimiste that offers delicious and mouth-watering cuisines using produce sourced from the estate itself. Rum lovers would really appreciate being here because they can taste the famous White Rum and Old Rum of the Chamarel, as well as learn the secret of how the distillery maintains its high quality.

Casela World of Adventures

Recommended for:  Adrenaline junkies and active individuals.

Set in a perfect natural location surrounded by mountainous terrain, Casela World of Adventures offers various types of extreme activities. There are zip-lines, canyoning, Nepalese Bridge, Canyon Swing and Via Ferrata for travellers to experience.

Ed is feeding a wild peacock, one of the many that roams freely in Casela World of Adventures.

The most popular attraction here is the Safari Adventure, where travellers can have a close encounter with wild African animals such as zebras, rhinos, and impalas. There are even special add-on packages such as Walk with the Lions, up-close with the Big Cats, Interaction with Cheetah and Interaction with Pygmy Hippos.

Though there is no natural safari in Mauritius, the park attempts to create the safari-like environment for travellers to enjoy by touring on a Safari bus. Families with small children are bound to be excited when they get to interact with friendly animals at the petting farm.

Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission fee: MUR 740 per adults, MUR 475 per kids