Joanna James
An azure ocean, palm-fringed sandy beaches and warm balmy skies are just some of the allures awaiting you in Mauritius. But did you know there's much more; like verdant rainforests to explore, mountains to climb, waterfalls to relish and Martian-like terrains to trek.
Located to the south of the island, Le Morne Brabant is a solitary gem you will love to explore. The place is home to Le Morne Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of a single peak, harbouring a wealth of Mauritian history, as the mountain was a refuge harbouring slaves who escaped their masters. The summit of the mountain is an excellent viewpoint from where you are rewarded with expansive views of the south and west coasts of the island.
An amazing forest of native trees and wildlife, this park covers an extent of 6,574 hectares, which is 3.5% of the islands land mass and includes a variety of ecosystems. The verdant forest harbours over 300 species of plants, including one of the world's rarest bird species. This is the cherished Pink Pigeon of Mauritius, endemic to Mauritius; the species is emerging from almost being extinct. Nature lovers are awarded a number of hiking trails from which one can enjoy stunning vistas of the island's little treasures, such as waterfalls, gorges and peaks; the experience is as splendid as indulging in a luxury spa in Mauritius, which the fine resorts are famous for.
A small village found in the Savanne district, Chamarel is a popular tourist attraction. The area is well-known for a host of attractions such as the Seven Coloured Earth and the country's highest waterfall. The 'Seven Coloured Earth', is a beautiful landscape of sand dunes made up of seven colours, including, purples, reds and browns. The phenomenon was caused by volcanic rock cooling at various temperatures. The Chamarel Falls are quite stunning, falling from a height of 100 metres, the falls offer a viewing platform which one can climb to enjoy impressive views of the pool below. A scenic 1 ½ drive from The Residence Mauritius by Cenizaro, this is a great village to visit for a day trip.
At this park, the crocodile is the star, and show starter, although plenty of other exotic creatures are present to entertain you. Huge insects, giant bats, massive tortoises and cheeky monkeys make up the clan, while a leisurely walk through the lush jungle is ideal for understanding the variety of flora in Mauritius, as well as the variety of endemic and almost endangered species of the nation. Make sure to visit the Insectarium for sights of beautifully coloured butterflies, and intricate little insects.
Covering an extent of 60 acres this garden is also known as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. The place is a haven for a variety of palm trees, but not to be missed is the pool home to giant lily plants where frogs, tadpoles and fruit bats abound. There are lakes where huge fish and giant turtles swim and trees growing which were planted by famous personalities such as Nelson Mandela.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
