Natural places in Mauritius: from underwater waterfall to ancient forests

Mauritius - A real emerald island where treasures are hidden at every step for nature lovers and adventurers. Bright marine parks with a rich ecosystem, dense rainforests with rare birds and incredible mountain scenery - there is everything to feel like a real explorer.

Depositphotos

Mount Le Morne Brabant (Le Morne Brabant)

It is not just a mountain, but a real symbol of Mauritius - its soul and history. Basalt cliff height of 556 meters, which seems to grow from the turquoise lagoon of the Indian Ocean. It is from the top of Le Morne that the best view of the famous optical illusion “Underwater Falls” opens. In fact, it is not a waterfall, but powerful underwater currents that carry sand and silt from the plateau into the ocean basin, creating the effect of a giant waterfall under water. The spectacle is hypnotic!

The mountain is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A must-visit for anyone who wants to see the island from a bird's eye view and touch its difficult past. Runaway slaves were sheltered here, and at the foot there is a touching memorial “Slave Path”. The route is about 3.5 km long (one way, takes an average of 3-4 hours.

Advice: Start climbing at 6-7am to avoid the scorching daytime sun.

How to get there: from Port Louis about 1 hour by car. Head south on the main road, then on the B9 coastal road towards the Le Morne Peninsula. There's parking at the foot of the mountain. You will find the trail here by the signs.

Depositphotos

Seven Coloured Earths (Seven Coloured Earths)

Imagine a small clearing in the jungle, where instead of grass dunes of sand, shimmering in seven different shades: from red and brown to green, purple, blue and yellow. The most amazing thing is that these multicolored layers never mix. Even if you take a handful of sand and shake it up, it will eventually bundle back into the flowers! There is no such phenomenon anywhere else in the world!

The secret lies in the weathering of volcanic basalt rocks. The different content of iron and aluminum oxides at different lava cooling temperatures gave the soil these unique colors.

Visit the sands on a sunny day! In cloudy weather, the magic of flowers is lost. To avoid crowds, come to the opening (8:30 a.m.).

Depositphotos

Chamarel Waterfall (Chamarel Waterfall)

It is the highest single-stage waterfall in Mauritius, about 100 meters. The river Saint-Denis breaks off a ledge into the crater of an extinct volcano. The spectacle is incredibly powerful, especially during the rainy season. Two observation decks lead to the waterfall: one on the upper level, where a panoramic view opens, and the second at the foot, where you can go down the trail and even swim in a cool pool.

There is also a park with giant Aldabra turtles and the only coffee plantation in Mauritius with a cafe where you can taste and buy local coffee.

• Wherever: village of Chamarel.
• Working hours: daily, from 8:30 to 17:00.
• Cost: one for all park facilities, costs about 250 rupees ($6.5).

Depositphotos

Rochester Falls (Rochester Falls)

Not the highest, but perhaps the most picturesque and wide waterfall in Mauritius. The main feature is the amazing rectangular basalt columns, through which water flows in a wide stream from a height of about 10 meters. These thousand-year-old rocks resemble giant steps. The place is so cinematic that it was often used for Bollywood films. At the bottom, the waterfall forms a deep pool where you can swim.

How to get there: Not far from the village of Suyak. The road to the waterfall follows a bumpy path through sugar cane plantations. The easiest way is by SUV. From the parking space walk about 5 minutes.

Depositphotos

The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

A calm and shady green kingdom, a journey into the world of plants. The official name is Sir Sivusagur Ramgoolam Garden. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, founded in the 18th century by a French governor. On a vast territory of more than 37 hectares, an incredible collection of plants from all over the world is collected.

The most interesting part is the pond with giant water lilies Victoria Amazonica: this is the hallmark of the garden. The huge saucer leaves of these lilies can withstand the weight of a baby!

The garden has more than 85 species of palm trees from all over the world, including the unique Talipot palm, which blooms only once in a lifetime, aged 30-80 years, and then dies.

And the most fragrant is the spice garden. This is a corner where you can see how nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and other spices grow. Also, many will be delighted with the pen with giant turtles and deer.

The garden is very large so as not to get lost, you can take a map at the entrance or hire a guide. The services of a guide are inexpensive, and he will show you the most interesting plants and tell a lot of fascinating stories.

• Working hours: daily, from 8:30 to 17:30.
• Cost: 200 rupees ($5) for foreigners.
• How to get there: North of the island, 15 minutes drive from the capital Port Louis.

Depositphotos

Volcano Trou aux Cerfs (Trou aux Cerfs)

It is a perfectly preserved crater of a dormant volcano 605 meters high. It last erupted hundreds of thousands of years ago, and since then its bottom has been overgrown with dense forest and turned into a small lake.

Around the edge of the crater laid asphalt road length of about 2 km. This is a favorite place for locals for morning and evening jogging. It is equipped with an observation deck, which offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the whole city of Curepipe, the central plateau and the mountain ranges of Moca and Black River.

• Visitation: free, access is open around the clock.
• How to get there: the volcano is located right in the city of Curepipe, several streets lead to it.

Depositphotos

South Coast Rocks

The southern coast of Mauritius is not protected by a coral reef, so here the ocean shows all its strength. La Roche-ki-Plair is a cliff that, when viewed from the side, resembles a human profile. When powerful waves roar against him, splashes flow down the rock, creating the complete illusion that a stone face is crying. Nearby is Le Suffler - a grotto or tunnel in the rock. During the surf, waves burst into it and with great force burst upwards, forming a fountain up to 20 meters high with a deafening roar.

How to get there: This is a wild southern coast, near Gri Grie Beach. By car you need to drive to the village of Suyak, follow the signs to the beach Gris Gris, and from there already leads the trail and the road to these rocks. The road is blurred in the rain.

Depositphotos

Blue Bay Marine Park (Blue Bay Marine Park)

One of the few places in Mauritius where a magnificent and, importantly, lively coral garden starts just a few meters from the public beach. The park received the status of a protected area in 1997. The waters here are incredibly calm and transparent. They grow more than 50 species of coral, including the famous giant millennial coral brain with a diameter of about 5-7 meters, which is considered one of the largest in the Indian Ocean. And most importantly, there are more than 70 species of fish. People come here for diving, snorkeling or excursion on a boat with a glass bottom.

How to get there: located near the airport.

Depositphotos

The Black River Gorges National Park

It is the largest protected area on the island (over 67 sq km) and the last refuge for endemic forests and rare animal species. The park is permeated by a network of more than 60 km of hiking trails that lead through dense forests, past roaring waterfalls. Be sure to visit the observation decks available by car: Gorges Viewpoint and Alexandra Falls Viewpoint. It is here that the highest point of the island is the Black River (828 m), climbing this mountain is a popular, albeit difficult route. The park is home to the rarest birds in the world: pink pigeon, Mauritian kestrel and Mauritian necklace parrot.

How to get there: From Flick En Flack (25 minutes) and Tamarina (15 minutes), from Le Morne the road takes 35-40 minutes.

Depositphotos

Ebony Forest (Ebony Forest Reserve)

This reserve is not just a beautiful forest, but an important scientific and ecological project to restore the ebony forest that once covered the entire island. It is now only 1% of the territory. Here it is very interesting - you can literally walk at the height of the canopy of ancient trees on 300-meter suspension bridges. On foot or by jeep, you can climb to the Sublime Point observation deck - with the best panoramic views of the southwest coast and Mount Le Morne. A small museum tells the tragic story of deforestation and the extinction of many species, including the dodo bird.

• Visitation: The last jeep shuttle to Sublime Point departs around 16:00, schedule a visit with time.
• How to get there: Ebony Forest Reserve is located in Chamarel.

Depositphotos

La Vanille Nature Park (La Vanille Nature Park)

This is Jurassic Park in miniature, home to hundreds of giant Aldabra turtles that walk freely across a vast area, and you can walk right among them! There is also a crocodile farm in the park. Every day at 11:30 there is an exciting feeding show. It also houses one of the world’s largest private collections of butterflies and insects.

• Visitation: Arrive by 11:30 to get to the feeding of crocodiles - this is the most vivid sight. And leave at least 2-3 hours for the park, it is large and interesting.
• How to get there: La Vanille Nature Park is located in southern Mauritius, closest to Bel-Ombre and Le Morne.

Depositphotos

Casela Nature Parks (Casela Nature Parks)

The largest and most popular park on the island, a real "piece of Africa". You can spend the whole day here and not have time to get around everything. Go on a safari! On a special bus or jeep you can drive through a huge reserve, where zebras, ostriches, antelopes and even white rhinoceroses walk freely. A huge choice for lovers of adrenaline: the longest in Mauritius ziplines, canyoning at waterfalls, trips on quad bikes on the savanna, slides in Tulawaka Coaster. Also, walks with lions and cheetahs.

Visit: Casela is a full-day event. Examine the map and schedule of activities on website Book the most popular entertainment, especially “walking with lions” online, as the number of seats is strictly limited.

How to get there: Casela Nature Parks is located on the west coast near Flick en Flack.

Casela Nature Parks