La Vanille Nature Park in Mauritius: everything about visiting, prices, and what to see

Ready to feel like you are in "Jurassic Park"? If you are planning a trip to the south of Mauritius, it is hard to miss La Vanille Nature Park. This is not just a zoo, but a unique reserve with giant bamboos, tortoises and crocodiles.

Hotels in Mauritius - booking great-value offers on Wiotto.

La Vanille Nature Park

History of La Vanille park

La Vanille park was founded in 1985 by Owen Griffiths, a naturalist whose dream was to create a unique centre in Mauritius for preserving and breeding rare reptile species. At first it was a small farm for crocodiles brought from Madagascar, but over several decades the project grew into a spacious reserve covering 3.5 hectares.

As soon as you step inside, civilisation disappears. You are surrounded by the air of the tropical forest, the sound of streams and the singing of exotic birds. The paths wind between giant bamboos, banana trees and ferns, creating the feeling that you are an explorer in a lost world.

La Vanille Nature Park

Where La Vanille is located

The park is located in a picturesque valley in the south of the island, in the area of Rivière des Anguilles. This is one of the most authentic and less touristy regions of Mauritius.

How to get there

From the airport, the drive takes about 30-40 minutes. From the capital Port Louis or the northern resorts (Grand Baie) - about 1.5 hours by car, depending on traffic. Use a taxi or a rental car. The roads in the south are very beautiful, but winding.

Depositphotos

La Vanille - the kingdom of Nile crocodiles

The park is home to about 1,500-1,700 Nile crocodiles. You will be able to see them at all stages of life: from tiny babies to individuals up to 4 metres long.

Guests are offered the chance to hold a young crocodile that is about six months old. Its mouth is secured with a special ring, so it is not dangerous, but you will be able to feel how surprisingly delicate and soft its belly is.

By the way, did you know that a crocodile's sex depends on the incubation temperature? If the nest is at 26-30 degrees - females hatch, if 30-33 - males.

Crocodile Feeding Show

An event you should not miss! Every day at 11:30 and 14:30 the rangers hold an exciting show. You will see how lazy crocodiles instantly turn into active predators when meat appears above the enclosure. The schedule may change.

Depositphotos

Aldabra tortoises at La Vanille park

This is the kindest and most popular part of the park. La Vanille has one of the largest captive populations of giant Aldabra tortoises. Unlike other zoos, here you enter a huge enclosure where hundreds of giants live in natural conditions. You can walk among them, take photos, scratch their necks - the tortoises love it and even stretch up to their full height with pleasure! Portions of carrot leaves are sold for 90 MUR so you can feed the tortoises.

Depositphotos

Museums of La Vanille park

On the territory you can visit several interesting collections that are worth your time.

Insectarium

This is the life’s work of Jacques Siedlecki, who spent 30 years gathering this collection. Today it features a large number of specimens from all five continents. It is one of the largest private insect collections in the world. Butterflies in every colour of the rainbow, giant beetles the size of a palm, stick insects impossible to distinguish from branches, and many other representatives.

Fossil Museum

A place for amateur palaeontologists. The museum holds hundreds of unique fossils from Madagascar, including giant ammonites. A separate part is devoted to marine mammals and the history of Mauritius.

"In the footsteps of the Dodo" exhibition

The Dodo bird - the symbol of Mauritius - became extinct as a result of human activity in the 17th century. The park museum has an exhibition devoted to this flightless bird. You will see a Dodo skeleton and learn about the results of large-scale research that helped restore the history of its movement across the island.

La Vanille Nature Park

Petting zoo

If children are tired of reptiles, you can head to the Interactive Farm. This is a cosy area where cute ponies, donkeys, rabbits, goats and pigs, peacocks and ducks live. Many of the animals can be petted and fed. The park also has a great playground in the shade of the trees and the chance to go for a pony ride.

La Vanille Nature Park

Le Crocodile Affamé restaurant

The local restaurant "Le Crocodile Affamé" is a legend. They serve crocodile meat dishes here. The most popular is the crocodile burger. The taste is similar to a combination of chicken and fish. If you are not ready for exotics, the menu has classic Mauritian dishes.

Ticket prices at La Vanille

Adult ticket 900-1000 MUR, child ticket (3-12 years) - 450-500 MUR, children under 3 years old free of charge. Tour operators offer package tours (transfer + entry + lunch), which is more better value if you are coming from far away. Prices may change. Photos with crocodiles are for an extra fee.

La Vanille Nature Park

When to go to La Vanille park

La Vanille park opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30). The park is closed only on 25 December and 1 January.

Practical tips before visiting the park

Plan your visit so that you are in the park by 11:30. You will see the crocodile feeding. Visiting the park usually takes about 2-3 hours.
Wear comfortable closed shoes for walking on the paths.
Take sunscreen and mosquito repellent. In the tropical forest by the river there are many insects.

La Vanille Nature Park

Where to stay near La Vanille

The southern part of Mauritius is one of the greenest and most authentic parts of the island. There is no dense development here like in the north, so the hotels here have a secluded atmosphere and Mauritian charm. If you plan to visit La Vanille park and want to stay nearby, it is worth considering the areas of Bel Ombre, Chemin Grenier or the town of Mahebourg.

Heritage estate

Distance to La Vanille - about 30 minutes by car. The Bel Ombre area is a large estate covering 2,500 hectares, where three luxury hotels are located at once.

Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort with the atmosphere of tropical Africa.
Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort - colonial 19th-century style.
Heritage The Villas - golf resort privacy, spacious villas with pools.

All three resorts share a common leisure infrastructure. C Beach Club - the main beach club of the estate with restaurants, bars and water water activities. Two championship golf courses, the private Frédérica nature reserve, as well as the exclusive Le Château de Bel Ombre - a restaurant in a restored 19th-century castle.

Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort

Constance Le Chaland Iko Mauritius

Distance to La Vanille: about 35-40 minutes by car.This is one of the newest and most beautiful hotels in the south of the island. It is located on Le Chaland beach, within a few minutes' walk of Blue Bay Marine Park.

The hotel is built in a modern style with natural stone, wood and glass. Spacious rooms with panoramic windows and private villas with pools and direct access to the sea.

Infrastructure and leisure:

Luxurious infinity pool overlooking the lagoon.
Wellness programmes and sunrise yoga right on the shore.
Diving centre with access to the reefs of Blue Bay Marine Park.
Full range of water activities: kayaks, SUP boards, snorkelling.

Book a room at Constance Le Chaland Iko Mauritius.

Constance Le Chaland Iko Mauritius

Shanti Maurice - A Nira Resort

Distance to La Vanille - about 15 minutes by car. The luxurious boutique hotel Shanti Maurice occupies a huge territory, offering exceptional relaxation in a secluded atmosphere.

Infrastructure and leisure: