THINGS TO DO IN MAURITIUS

Keen explorers and geology lovers will be fascinated by this natural phenomenon: the soil of this intriguing site is composed of various shades ranging from orange to purple and ochre! Chamarel is home to the Rastafarian movement in Mauritius and has a reggae influence.

Set off from Bel Ombre and sail to the west coast, one of the best spots to observe dolphins in their natural habitat; playing, resting and feeding. An early start is necessary but is all worth it once you encounter those incredible creatures.

Offering a dramatic coastal scenery permanently battered by waves, Macondé expresses the wild character and contrasts of the southern part of Mauritius. From this rocky outcrop located between Le Morne and Baie de Cap, enjoy a stunning view of this reef-free stretch of coastline. No wonder the southern coastal road between Le Morne and Bel Ombre was ranked amongst the top 10 in the world, sharing the honour with the legendary Road 66, Pacific Coast Highway and the Sani Pass!

The lagoon is of many shades of green, the rough swell breaks on the coral reef, small fishing villages spread sparsely along the coast, and each corner offers a discovery with hidden plantation estates, jagged southern cliffs, untouched beaches and rolling green hills. Gris Gris, Riambel and Saint Felix, the beaches of the south coast are completely undeveloped, with a true Robinson Crusoe feel.

Souillac is a village close to the southernmost point of Mauritius and was named after the Vicomte de Souillac, the island's governor from 1779-1787. Once a fishermen village, the Souillac region has a lot to offer: "La Roche qui pleure" (The crying rock) in Gris Gris where the constant crash of the waves give the impression the cliff is crying. Le Batelage, the old port of Souillac where sugar was once stocked which has been restored and is worth the visit. Do not miss the "Souffleur", a half formed grotto on the side of a cliff which spouts a geyser-like fountain up to to 20 m high!

Explore the passion of Mauritians for tea by following the Tea Route at the Bois Cheri tea plantation – a culinary and cultural journey into the history of tea production in Mauritius. The first large-scale Mauritian tea plantation, Bois Cheri was established at the end of the 19th century and the 250 hectares of land now produce up to 700 tonnes of tea every year.

This 14-hectare nature park offers a bewildering range of options in addition to being a zoo with big cats, rhinos and giraffes, Casela offers a giant slide, animal interactions, and a variety of heart-pumping activities like ziplines, canyoning and quad-bike 'safaris'. Ideal for children with a petting zoo, a playground, giant tortoises, fishing and mini golf.

Set among the vast hillside plantations of Chamarel, the Rhumerie is a working rum distillery that doubles as a museum showcasing the rum-making process. Time your visit carefully and carry on your exploration to the nearby restaurant "Le Chamarel", nestled high in the mountains with a splendid view if the south-west coast, from Le Morne to Black River. A culinary treat boasting savoury mauritian cuisine and excellent coffee from the region.

Said to be the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius, Ganga Talao is a deep crater lake about 550 metres above sea level. On the shoreline sits a temple and small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods, and many devotees make an annual pilgrimage here on foot during Maha Shivaratri. Devotees and tourists come to pray, meditate, play with the local monkeys, or simply to walk by the lake and enjoy the views.

LE MORNE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Visible from most of southwestern Mauritian coast, the iconic Le Morne Brabant (556m) is a stunning rocky crag which boasts some of the island's best beaches. The coastline along to Baie du Cap is one of the most beautiful in the country and blissfully free of development. Not only a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE with enormous cultural significance, Le Morne Brabant mountain is also a place of great natural beauty and immense appeal for hikers.

BEL OMBRE NATURE RESERVE

Bel Ombre Nature Reserve offers a selection of themed excursions, enabling visitors to reconnect with nature through extraordinary adventures. Enjoy some beautiful sightseeing and discover the hidden treasures of Mauritian biodiversity in this private nature reserve, spreading over 1300 hectares of hills and forests. Activities available include 4x4 safaris, quad, buggy and trekking.

WORLD OF SEASHELLS

Heritage of a passionate conchyophile, World of Seashells in Bel Ombre Mauritius houses 8,000 specimens pertaining to 1500 species and 80 families. Boasting a bewildering array of shell shapes, colors, sizes, and types, the museum is as informative as it is visually arresting, appealing to amateur and expert, collector and casual beachcomber.