Ihave heard from many people that it is not worth going to Mauritius. For some, a visit to the island is a time filler in a two-week holiday spent mainly in Madagascar, for those who like to relax on paradise beaches, the choice of Mauritius is passe, now you go to Reunion.
However, I wanted to see it with my own eyes and I do not regret it. I decided on a short holiday, only 7 days and in addition out of season, in August. People are few, the weather is about 26 degrees, clouds and a little sprinkled. A definite plus of this time of year was quite easy access to tourist attractions, which I visited on my own. Because the traffic on the island is left-handed, quite a lot of traffic jams and sometimes no roadsides, I did not decide to rent a car – in the off-season, renting a taxi driver was similar.
Mauritius is not big, but there is a lot to see. Definitely the island is focused on tourism and more families with children, but there are also slightly stronger attractions. Below is my list of top attractions, of course totally subjective.
1. Walk with lions ex aequo with a helicopter flight over the island
I can’t decide what I liked more. Both attractions provide a lot of excitement, although they are not cheap. In high season, booking in advance is certainly a good idea.
Helicopter flight over the island – I chose to fly over the whole island (there are several routes in the offer of the company organizing flights). I really wanted to see the underwater waterfall, which is located at the south-western end of the island, and the company’s base and airport on the north-west. So you fly across the island. You can see the Black River National Park, Rochester Falls and Chamarel from above. The helicopter flew quite low over the mountains, the views were beautiful. A similar waterfall itself looks phenomenal from above. It is impossible to see it from the level of a boat, and such trips are also organized. I would definitely recommend it on sunny days. The whole preparation and flight should close in two hours plus access to the hotel. Traffic jams must be taken into account, but local drivers know exactly when to leave to arrive on time.
Walk with lions in Casela Nature Park – an attraction only for adults, inaccessible to families with small children for safety reasons. The walk takes place in the facility, which combines a zoo, children’s playgrounds, safari and amusement park. You will find there, among others, cafes, restaurants, pens with animals, rollercoaster. Part of the park is separated and intended for lions. They can be seen from afar, and small groups of tourists who have bought a walk with a lion are let into something like a buffer zone separating the part of the park where the lions stay from the part available to park visitors. Morning hours are more popular and I chose them too. The park was empty, peaceful and quiet.
Only those lions that want to go beyond the fence are taken for a walk by the leaders, the service declares that they never force the animal to leave for the safety of guests. An irritated lion is a dangerous lion. In the process of walking, lions are fed pieces of meat every now and then. The staff is armed with fire extinguishers, I did not notice any other weapons.
Two lionesses came out to us. Huge, with a very bright rather unusual coat. The animals are approached one at a time and in turn, at the command of one of the guards. Lions can be stroked. Do not touch the mouth and ears, or the rump or tail. Lions are stroked only on the back, with a firm movement, without cuddling, patting, rubbing and scraping them on the skin.
An important thing – before walking with a lion, all things are left in lockable cabinets. You won’t take your phone, camera or even sunglasses with you. Any objects that make sounds, reflect light, or can cause the lion to see its reflection in them can provoke animals to attack. Photos are taken by one of the guards, to be ripped after the walk in a shop outside the buffer zone.
From my observation – the service takes care of safety, when the lions become bored or irritated, the walk is finished. It must be remembered, however, that these are huge and wild animals and the risk of attack exists.
2. Grand Temple Basin
A complex of Hindu temples on the sacred lake Grand Bassin located in the crater of the volcano. The holiest place on the island for Hindus. In practice, there are several temples, located pleasantly by the lake. A lot of tourists and pilgrims, even in the morning hours. The walk from the temple to the temple is not strenuous, it is worth seeing fabulously colorful temples and statues of Hindu deities, including the 33-meter statue of Shiva which is a faithful copy of the statue of Shiva from Vadodara in India.
In one of the temples, a monk gave blessings. It is appropriate to leave a donation. Temples are visited leaving shoes outside, socks will be useful. Entrance to the complex is free.
The statue of Kali affected me the most. I haven’t seen anything so dark in a long time. Perfect for nightmares!
3. L’Aventure du Sucre w Pamplemousses
Mauritius is an island of sugar cane and sugar production. In the past, it passed from hand to hand – from the Portuguese, through the Dutch, French and British, who ended the period of slavery on the island. The British began to settle the island with workers from India, hence the majority of Mauritius’ inhabitants are Hindu. I met with great courtesy and hospitality of people in Mauritius.
In Pamplemousses there is a small sugar museum. In addition to the sugar production process from sugar cane, in the museum you will also find information about the history of the island and its inhabitants. A pleasant place, the museum is well small so sightseeing does not take much time. Well and interestingly described process of sugar production from sugar cane, next to the museum obligatory shop, where you can get, in addition to the accessories needed to set the table arranged with colors for sets of sugar samples of different colors and flavors. For a gift from the island perfect.
4. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
The National Botanical Garden is worth a visit. In the off-season it was empty, in the season there are certainly many more people, but on the other hand, the plants gathered in the garden bloom. Regardless of the season, the rectangular pond with huge round leaves of water lilies is impressive. As for me, definitely a hit of the garden. A great place for a quiet walk, especially in the morning. I haven’t seen any cafes in the park, so it’s worth getting water. There are also not many benches, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. During the season, there certainly are mosquitoes – it is worth having something repellent, especially if mosquitoes are as big as the leaves of water lilies.
5. The Valley of Colors Nature Park
Chamarel and the Valley of Colors are places where you can see the geological phenomenon of Mauritius – a multicolored land. You can find up to 7 colors. These places are on the list of must-see in Mauritius.
I admit that I was a bit disappointed – maybe because there was no sun that day and the colors blended together. But probably also because La Vallée Des Couleurs Nature Park is a highly commercialized place. In addition to this geological phenomenon, there are many attractions with a thrill in the park – zip-line, quad biking or crossing the Nepalese bridge. I tried the bridge, the thrill was there. In the park you can also go trekking. There are quite long distances between attractions, so it is worth choosing a ride on an off-road vehicle (led by a park employee). Attraction more for older children, teenagers and adults. The place is neat and well organized, in the season the effect of pressure of another group waiting to take advantage of the attractions is certainly strongly felt.
6. Port Louis
The eighteenth-century capital of Mauritius, the city founded by the French, is and has the character of a port city, quite industrialized. In the city center, as if specially prepared for tourists, there is a fragment of the waterfront with shops, stalls and cafes. Pleasant, but without madness. If you want to bring a souvenir from Mauritius of local handicrafts, I suggest you look for shops where replicas of ships from different centuries are built, navigation instruments and globes, There are several such shops in the vicinity of the capital. In the city you can see the Adelaide fort, the only remaining of several forts erectedby the British after the takeover of the island, and Aapravasi Ghat – a complex of buildings inhabited by immigrants from India coming to the island. The object is inscribedon the Unesco World List.