Black River Gorges National Park
In the south of the island you'll find Black
River Gorges, which is the largest nature
reserve in Mauritius, and a superb spot for
hiking. It's a spectacularly wild expanse of
thick forest. Walking trails of various
lengths take visitors through dense forest
and lush landscapes, home to numerous rare
bird species. Look for the rare
tambalacoque (dodo tree), the black
ebony trees and the wild guavas.
Bird-watchers should keep an eye out for the
Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, echo
parakeet and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike.
Eureka Mansion
An elegant Créole residence originally owned
by British and French aristocrats in the
19th century, the Eureka Mansion provides an
intriguing glimpse into colonial life.
Constructed largely of wood and surrounded
by a long verandah, the house is filled with
antiques of the period. The extensive
grounds consist of a curious mix of natural
Mauritian plant life, including mango trees
and palms, a waterfall and an English-style
garden.
Grand Bassin
lake
Nestling in an extinct volcanic crater,
Grand Bassin lake is considered sacred by
Mauritian Hindus, who make a pilgrimage to
it every year for the Maha Shivaratri
festival (usually in February/March). At any
time of year, though, the emerald-hued lake
is a tranquil spot.
Ile aux Cerfs
Ringed by pristine white sand, the tiny Ile
aux Cerfs off the east coast of Mauritius is
a favourite destination for water sports
enthusiasts. The clear water teems with
brightly-coloured tropical fish and has
beautifully preserved reefs. The interior of
the island contains dense forest and an
impressive waterfall, popular with walkers.
Lion Mountain
Overlooking Vieux Grand Port is Lion Mountain with its sphinx-like
profile. The mountain offers a splendid
half-day hike with stunning views over the
coast. It's a very challenging but rewarding
walk that climbs up the lion's 'back' to
finish at an impressive viewpoint on its
'head'.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
These attractive gardens are one of the most
popular tourist attractions in Mauritius
with as centrepiece a pond of giant water
lilies. Young leaves emerge as wrinkled
balls and unfold into the classic tea-tray
shape up to 2m across in a matter of hours.
There's also an astonishing collection of
palms of all shapes and sizes. The gardens
were started in 1735 by Governor Mahé de La
Bourdonnais as a vegetable garden for his
Mon Plaisir Château.
Tamarin Falls
Transport bus: from Curepipe to Henrietta,
then a 2km walk Keyword waterfall Tamarin is
awkward to reach, but it's worth the effort
for a beautiful, deep, cool bathe at the
bottom of a series of seven spectacular
waterfalls. They are only accessible via a
challenging trail that begins near the
Tamarin Falls reservoir, but you will have
to explore to find it. It's best to take a
local guide from Henrietta.
