Mauritius | What to do with children Our 6 ideas for activities

Mauritius offers much more than beautiful white sand beaches – it’s a natural gem with breathtaking hiking spots and a rich cultural heritage. Here are six family-approved must-do activities for an unforgettable stay!

Admire the shades of the Seven Colored Earth in Chamarel

Situated in the south-west of the island, between Rivière Noire and the Pointe du Morne, Chamarel is a typical village renowned for its Terre des Sept Couleurs, waterfall, adventure trail and rum factory.

Nestled in the heart of lush vegetation, over 8.5 hectares in size, the Terre des Sept Couleurs geopark is one of Mauritius’s top tourist attractions. The sight of these rainbow-colored dunes of bare earth is simply enchanting…

Shortly after entering the park, on the left-hand side of the road, there’s a viewpoint from which to admire the Chamarel waterfall. At 100 metres, it is the island’s highest waterfall. Fed by two rivers, the cascade rises from the top of a basalt cliff into an oval basin before flowing through a 6 km canyon to Baie-du-Cap. The two lava flows that shape the landscape bear witness to millions of years of volcanic activity in Mauritius.

A little further on, the phenomenon of the Land of Seven Colors is a rare geological curiosity, also attesting to the island’s volcanic activity several million years ago. The progressive erosion of basaltic rocks due to the hot, humid climate has left a porous, chemically altered rock on the surface: saprolite (a generally loose, clay-dominated rock). In the process, deposits of iron and aluminum oxides were left behind, giving the sand shades of red, brown, blue and purplish-blue. And because the iron and aluminum particles repel each other, the color separation remains clearly visible. Even if you mix them, they will be distinct again a few hours later.

Next to the park, you’ll find a café, a store and a turtle park where you can get up close to some giant tortoises.

Good to Know

• The Terre des Sept Couleurs park is open all year round from 8.30am to 5.30pm in summer and 5pm in winter. A visit to the park takes an average of 2 hours.
• Tickets can be purchased on site or via the park’s website.
• The ticket price includes access to the geopark, the turtle park and the two viewpoints of the Chamarel waterfall (you can’t go down to the waterfall on your own).
• Rates for non-residents: Rs 500/adult (+/- 10€) and Rs 250/child aged 5 to 12 (+/- 5€) – Free for children under 5.

➜ If you get the chance, take advantage of being in the area to take a gourmet break at Le Chamarel restaurant. Its wooden terrace on stilts overlooks the landscape, with panoramic views stretching from the Morne peninsula to the Tourelle du Tamarin. In terms of cuisine, there’s a “Table créole” offering an assortment of dishes inspired by the country’s culinary heritage.

Dare to climb Morne Brabant

Often not recommended for children, the ascent of Le Morne is a very accessible hike (up to a certain point at least), offering exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding area.

With its luxury beachfront hotels, the Morne peninsula is a popular destination for tourists. It is also popular with sailing enthusiasts, who come here to windsurf and kitesurf. In the background, Morne Brabant rises to an altitude of 555 metres.

In 1835, this sugarloaf-shaped mountain served as a refuge for maroons (runaway slaves) who preferred to throw themselves off the summit rather than be captured. They’ll never know that we’ve actually come to announce the end of slavery… As a result of this tragedy, Le Morne has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, as a symbol of the slaves’ struggle for freedom.

With its steep slopes, Le Morne is one of the most spectacular peaks in Mauritius. We’re tackling it in 2 stages. From the parking lot, 1.5km from the main road (take care on the track, which is in very poor condition), we take a path that winds up halfway up the mountain. There are several vantage points from which to observe the lagoon as it rises. Not particularly difficult, the exercise can be intense in hot weather, especially for the youngest.

Halfway along the route, a more open vantage point offers exceptional views of the turquoise waters of the lagoon and the Chamarel mountains. A sign sets the tone: from here on, climbing becomes dangerous. And indeed… More akin to hand-climbing than hiking, this part of the climb requires good physical condition, suitable footwear and favorable weather conditions. If you’re afraid of heights, don’t!

➜ At the children’s pace, the hike will have lasted around 3 hours. It’s best to start hiking early in the morning, to avoid the heat. The first part of the trail is not particularly difficult, but the heat can quickly make things difficult with younger children 🙂

Good to Know

• From Flic-en-Flac, Morne Brabant is reached by heading towards Péninsule du Morne. Leave the junction towards the hotels on your right and stay on the B9. After about 2km, a track leads off to the right, along the seafront. A parking lot at the foot of the mountain indicates the start of the hike.
• A guide is not (any longer) required for this ascent, but caution is advised, especially for the second part of the hike. If required, there are several sites where you can book the services of a guide, with or without transport.

• From the parking lot, it’s a 3.5km climb to the summit, with a 500-meter vertical drop. The first part of the hike, accessible to all, requires a good hour’s inclined walk. You can stop at an altitude of 255 metres and then take the same route back down.

Greet the turtles at La Vanille Nature Park

Created in 1985, the Parc Naturel de La Vanille (or La Vanille Nature Park) is a 3.5-hectare zoological park located in the south of the island, near Rivière-des-Anguilles. Through giant bamboo, palm and banana trees, the park takes visitors on a journey of discovery of the flora and fauna endemic to the three Mascarene islands of Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues.

The reserve is home to the world’s largest colony of captive turtles (around 1000 individuals, on whose back younger children can sit for a photo 🙂 ) and 2,000 Nile crocodiles, which can be observed at various stages of development.

Other animals present on the site include caimans, iguanas, buffalo toads, Île Ronde geckos, Rodrigue fruit bats, mongooses, deer, wild boar and more.

The park is also famous for its insectarium, which houses a collection of 23,000 species of insects and butterflies, and for its area devoted to extinct animals, such as the dodo and the Madagascar elephant bird.

Good to Know

• The Vanilla Nature Park is open daily from 8.30am to 5pm.
  A visit to the park takes an average of 2 hours.
• Tickets can be purchased on site or via the park’s website.
• Rates for non-residents: Rs 500/adult (+/- 10€) and Rs 150/child aged 3 to 12 (+/- 3€)
• For the hungry and the curious, the park’s restaurant, Crocodile Affamé, offers crocodile meat dishes.

Explore the Black River Gorges National Park

Declared as such in 1994, the Black River Gorges Nature Park is located in the mountainous southwest of the island. With over 6,500 hectares of unspoilt nature, home to numerous endemic species including giant bats, this park is the green lung of Mauritius.

With over 60 kilometers of trails of varying lengths (from 3 to 10 kilometers) and levels of difficulty, the park caters for all hikers. The most popular trails are those leading to Mauritius’s highest peak, the Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, 828 meters above sea level. Numerous promontories offer unobstructed views right down to the sea.

➜ At weekends, the park is popular for picnics and walks with family and friends. To be avoided if you want to take a leisurely stroll.

Good to Know

• The Black River Gorges Nature Park is open weekdays from 7am to 5pm, and weekends from 9am to 5pm.
• The park is accessible from above via Pétrin or from below via Trois Bras (Grande Rivière Noire).
• Several signs indicate the length and level of difficulty of each trail. Cards can also be purchased at the park entrance.
• From the Pétrin office, guides from the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation organize birdwatching tours lasting 4 to 5 hours.

Safari in Casela

Just 3 kilometers from Flic-en-Flac on the west side of the island, Parc Casela nestles at the foot of Montagne du Rempart. Created in 1979, this park combines the discovery of flora and fauna with fun activities. Spend a day at Casela and you’ll have the chance to go zip-lining, quad biking, go on a 4×4 safari and walk with the lions, all in the same place!

Casela, a must for any family holiday in Mauritius!

➜ During vacation periods, the park is a victim of its own success. It’s essential to buy tickets in advance and despite this, queues abound, both at the entrance and in front of the main activities. Better get there early!

After 30 minutes in line, we finally enter the park! While some visitors seem to head straight for the most popular attractions, we decide to follow the logical order of the route. After a stop in the aviaries and monkey kingdom, we move on to the slide, which is unfortunately closed at the moment. Hiccup of surprise when brushing up against a beautiful spider on its web… Gloups, these little beasts also exist in the wild 😱

The children think they’re too big for the mini farm and playground. A quick hello to the hippos. As there’s quite a wait at the Tulawaka Gold Coaster, we continue on to the Feline Kingdom, where it’s possible to interact with some of the felines. Walking with the lions, meeting the cheetahs, these paid activities are unfortunately reserved for the over-15s. Too bad… We just watch them from a distance, in their cages. Not quite as exceptional, but the sight of the white lions is still very impressive.

After a quick snack, we head for the safari starting point (included in the entrance fee). As soon as you enter the reserve, they’re all there: rhinos, impalas, oryx, waterbucks, zebras… The illusion is total, you really believe you’re there!

A stop in the middle of the zebras to take the time to observe them. Ostriches, not shy at all, swoop down on our big zebra bus. Beaks wide open, they grab the bars. The children are not reassured!…

After these frightening moments, we go and feed the giraffes. For a few rupees, the children receive seeds which they can feed them from a platform high enough to observe them. Very nice moment 🙂

The day is drawing to a close. All that’s left is to try the famous Tulawaka (1 ticket included in the entrance fee)! The queue hasn’t really thinned, so we’re managing the wait as best we can. This doesn’t seem to be the case for everyone. Some visitors leave the queue offering their tickets to children. Chic, that’s one more passage!

Our turn has finally come. Climb aboard on your own (or parent + toddler) on a summer version of the sled, cable-drawn to the top of the hill. From there, it’s a dizzying descent on 760 meters of track that never stops turning. Thrills and spills are guaranteed! The children are quick to start up again…

This time, it’s really the end…

Good to Know

• Parc Casela is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from May to September, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October to April. Closed on December 25 and January 1.
• It’s definitely advisable to buy your entrance tickets in advance via the park’s website.
• Rates for non-residents: Rs 1,100/adult (+/- 22€) and Rs 880/child aged 3 to 12 (+/- 18€)
  Admission includes 1 bus safari and 1 ticket for the Tulawaka. Walk with the lions is extra: Rs 3,750/adult (+/- 75€)
• For a snack, a restaurant and several fast-food options are available on site.

Spend the day in Mahébourg

In the south-east of Mauritius, on the edge of the immense Grand Port bay, Mahébourg is the country’s former capital. Founded in 1804 by French governor Charles Decaen, it owes its name to the famous Count Mahé de Labourdonnais. An important economic center under French occupation, Mahébourg is famous for its slave market and for Napoleon’s only naval victory over the British in 1810. More than any other town on the island, Mahébourg is imbued with a special charm, a testimony to the various colonizations that have taken place on the island.

Located not far from the waterfront, the Mahébourg market is one of the island’s most popular. With items ranging from clothing to fresh, locally-grown vegetables, the market offers a real immersion in traditional Mauritian culture. It’s also the ideal place to try dal puri (a split pea pancake) or pimento cakes.

At the heart of the village, at the end of a long avenue of pine and badamier trees, is the National History Museum. This building of colonial origin was built in 1772 for the Robillard family, who used it as their home. After the bloody battle of Grand Port in 1810, Jean de Robillard transformed the house into a military hospital to care for the English and French wounded. Put up for auction, the house was bought by the British government in 1947, who transformed it into a museum. Renovated in 2000, the museum is now part of Mauritius’ national heritage.

Good to Know

• The National History Museum is located on Royal Road, Mahébourg.
• The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm, Wednesday from 11am to 4pm and Sunday from 9am to 12pm.
• Admission is free.

North of Mahébourg is the Henri Rault cookie factory, the only cassava cookie factory in the world. Founded 145 years ago, it has been listed as a national heritage site in Mauritius since 2011. The entire cookie production process is open to the public, from weighing the ingredients to baking in huge ovens fuelled by burning sugarcane leaves.

Last stop at the pointe d’Esny before heading back to the west of the island… In the distance, you can admire Ile aux Aigrettes and the Preskil Island Resort.