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Famous for its beaches, lagoons and perfect weather, Mauritius has become a top holiday destination for travellers trying to live the island life without breaking the bank.
What a lot of people neglect is the fact that the island has an equally impressive mountainous interior due to its volcanic history, and places like the Black River Gorges National Park are great for exploring rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and seeing wildlife.
We’ve got a great list of things to do in Mauritius to make the most of your time on the magnificent island.
1. Black River Gorges National Park
Picture: Preston Guild
Black River Gorges National Park is in the hilly southwestern part of Mauritius. It was proclaimed in 1994, and is managed by the National Parks and Conservation Service. The park offers many hiking trails which cater to all levels of experience, with breathtaking views of the island. With endemic animals such as the flying fox, you are bound to be enthralled by the experience of walking through this majestic rainforest. There are amazing picnic spots located throughout too.
2. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
Picture: Olga C
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, commonly known as the Pamplemousses Botanic Garden, is a popular tourist attraction in Pamplemousses near Port Louis, Mauritius, and is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Famous for its long pond of giant water lilies, the garden was first constructed by Pierre Poivre in 1770, and it covers an area of around 37 hectares.
3. Le Caudan Waterfront
Picture: Cindy Miller Hopkins
Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis is a beehive of activities with shops and various entertainment options. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy to get you into holiday mode. It also features some fast-food franchises for when you’re homesick, although my Steers burger did taste different to the South African offering.
4. Chamarel Seven Colours of Earth
Picture: Erkundediewelt
The Seven Colours of Earth are a geological formation and prominent tourist attraction found in the Chamarel plain of the Rivière Noire District in southwestern Mauritius. It is a relatively small area of sand dunes with sand in seven distinct colours which look striking amongst the mountainous backdrop. These different colours were caused by volcanic ash that evolved through the conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals. You can mix the different coloured sand together but they always separate into their unique layers again!
5. Fort Adelaide
Picture: Václav V
This is a hilltop fort built by the British to defend Port Louis from the French. The fort never saw active service and the fact that it is still standing is a testament to the high standard of construction from over two hundred years ago. Today, it is a fine example and gives an insight into what was regarded at the time as being the ultimate fortification. You can climb the stone steps to reach the battlements from which there are wonderful panoramic views over Port Louis.
6. Grand Bassin
Picture: Lorenzo91405
Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao is a crater lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. The first group of pilgrims who went to Ganga Talao were from the village of Triolet in 1898. It is considered the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius. The Shiv Mandir is located on the bank of the lake and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are temples dedicated to other gods and during Shivaratri, around half a million Hindus in Mauritius go on a pilgrimage to the lake.
7. Chinatown
Picture: Melanie van Zyl
Chinatown is located in Port Louis. The area is not very large, but incredibly interesting. You can see the huge Chinatown logo from a distance and also feel the ancient traditional way of life as you walk through the streets. This is the oldest Chinatown in Africa, and showcases the history of the Chinese people in Mauritius. This is a must-see for history and culture enthusiasts.
8. Central Market
Picture: Melanie van Zyl
This bustling, lively open-air market offers a variety of goods for sale including fruit, herbs, spices and potions, with spectacular street food on offer. Always keep short-change because everything is negotiable and having less money always comes in handy. The central market is also a perfect place to get souvenirs and Mauritanian goods.
9. Adrenaline Sensation Speedboat Cruise
Picture: Olerato Ramafsi
On this full-day boat cruise and beach crawl, you’ll swap dry land for some of the island’s most beautiful waterside locations. Highlights include a tour through Blue Bay Marine Park in a glass-bottomed boat, a snorkelling excursion in tropical fish-filled waters, a visit to a remote shipwreck, and a tasty lunch with drinks at Ile aux Cerfs. I suggest you don’t overindulge with the complementary rum and beer because the boat ride does get a bit bumpy for those with motion sickness. We even got to do a detour on our excursion and ended up on an island which was formerly used as a prison.
10. Flacq Food Market
Picture: Flickr Commons/Steve Douglas
This is a bustling fruit and vegetable-covered market for locals, with noisy bartering, smells of cabbage and potatoes and occasional whiffs of salted, dried fish. Here you can stock up on ready-made mazavaroo on the outskirts of the market to take home for chilli-loving friends. Find it in the centre of Flacq, a town close to Belle Mare on the east coast.
For more ideas about what this island nation offers, check out more things to do in Mauritius!
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