Grande Montagne Nature Reserve

Published on : 2023 - Mar - 04

In category : About Mauritius | Attractions | Mauritius Destination Guide | What to do | What to see
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Mauritius Blog @Mauritius101.com.

Features information that is relevant to travellers who are thinking about and actively planning a visit to Mauritus.

Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
Grande Montagne Nature Reserve

This nature reserve, one of the last remaining stands of forest on , crowns the island's summit. It is located in the high , in the central eastern part of Rodrigues.

has planted more than 200,000 native plant species across more than 25 hectares. Around 84% of the 25.5 ha fenced area at Grande Montagne has been restored to date and the aim of MWF is to complete the initial restoration of this reserve within the next few years. Over 156,516 plants have been planted in the reserve by MWF. So far 40 rare Rodriguan plant species are successfully conserved on Grande Montagne.

Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
Grande Montagne Nature Reserve

The population of the has been increased to reach 8,000 individuals, whilst 4,000 Rodrigues Warbler have been added as a part of the habitat restoration on Grande Montagne.

The restoration of this ecosystem has ensured the survival of the Rodrigues fody and the Rodrigues warbler bird species, as well as the Rodrigues . The reserve is also the only remaining habitat of the endemic Rodrigues Aloe.

The reserve is included in the Rodrigues Environmental Education Programme where students visit and are taught about the reserve and its importance.

The MWF runs free guided tours weekdays and Saturdays. You can get the useful (and free) Grande Montagne Nature Reserve Field Guide from the information centre at the entrance to help you with plant and bird identification.

Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
Grande Montagne Nature Reserve

Tours are conducted at 9.30 a.m and 1.15 p.m from Monday to Friday and at 9.30 a.m on Saturday. The tour lasts for about two hours.
 
At about ¾ of the trail there is a view point where you'll get one of the best panoramic views of the southeast coast. At the education center you can view a display of the and giant tortoise skeletons.

One section also serves as a little tortoise park where you'll get to see five tortoises roaming about freely.

Tags: Adventure, Attraction, fruit bat, Grand Montagne mountains, Mauritius, Rodrigues Fody, Rodrigues Warbler, Solitaire bird, The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Tourist Destination, What to see
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Anse Mourouk

Anse Mourouk

2024 - Sep - 7 | , , , ,

Anse Mourouk

Anse Mourouk is another white sandy beach in Mourouk village in Rodrigues. The ocean is mostly shallow and the sea bottom is flat making it one of the best kitesurfing spots on the island. This is also where the Rodrigues International Kite Surf Festival is held annually. This Kite Festival is an event created and organized by the Rodrigues Kitesurf Association with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the sponsors.

Kite Surf Festival
Kite Surf Festival

Balanced by a constant wind almost all year round, the kitesurf spot, Anse Mourouk’ is ideally located on a shallow turquoise lagoon for the practice of this sliding sport in complete safety in exceptional sailing conditions.

During this competition, Rodrigues will be vibrating to the rhythm of its kitesurf festival. Many experienced kitesurfing enthusiasts as well as experienced amateurs from the islands of the region and other parts of the world will perform for five days challenging each other in impressive aerial figures out of the waves.

There are many kitesurfing schools on the island which shows the popularity of kitesurfing in the region.

Kite Surf Festival
Kite Surf Festival

Tags: Adventure, Anse Mourouk, Attraction, International Kite Surf Festival, Mauritius, Rodrigues Kitesurf Association, Sea Walk, Tourist Destination, Underwater, What to see
Pointe Cotton Beach

Pointe Cotton Beach

2024 - Aug - 24 | , , , ,

Pointe Cotton Beach

Pointe Cotton Beach is a popular beach in Rodrigues with sharp corals in the water. It will be good to wear water shoes for a more enjoyable swim. The beach, which is almost always deserted, is among the most beautiful beaches in the island.

The shallow lagoon that encircles the island is bordered by a protecting coral reef; 18 small islets lie within it. While Mont Limon and Mont Lubin, two volcanic peaks, stand guard over the island.

You can also take a walk along the right side of the beach to explore the large coral outcrop. The landscape there is completely different with strong wind and huge waves crashing against the cliffs. Rock formations of coral origin and shady casuarina groves surrounding the beach serve not only as a spectacular background, but also as reliable protection from strong winds.

Cotton Dive Centre
Cotton Dive Centre

The area of the island where the beach is located is replete with resorts and restaurants for every taste and budget.

The coastal shallow water guarantees a safe family vacation with the kids. Active leisure enthusiasts can go swimming, parasailing, banana boating and water skiing. A pristine turquoise lagoon with coral reefs is for scuba diving fans.

About an hour’s walk from Pointe Coton on the East Coast takes you to the cove of Trou d’Argent, a charming little sandy beach sheltered by two magnificent cliffs.

Cotton Bay Resort
Cotton Bay Resort

Cotton Bay Hotel is the nearest hotel. It is only 200 meters from the beach. It is a three star hotel. Tekoma Boutik Hotel Rodrigues is a 4-star hotel which is 1.3 kiliometres from the beach.

Tags: Adventure, Attraction, banana boating, Cotton Bay Hotel, Mauritius, parasailing, Pointe Cotton Beach, Rodrigues, scuba diving, Sea Walk, swimming, Tekoma Boutik Hotel, Tourist Destination, Trou d'Argent, Underwater, water skiing, What to see
Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes

2024 - Aug - 10 | , , ,

Trou aux Cerfs

Île aux Aigrettes is a tiny coral island (27 hectares) just off the coast of the town of Mahebourg. It is the largest islet in the Grand Port bay, 850 meters off the south-east coast of Mauritius and roughly a kilometer from the coastal town of Mahebourg.

ocal species of ebony
Local species of ebony

The island has been declared a nature conservation site and today is being preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. It is also a popular visitor attraction – both for tourists and for Mauritians.

Gastonia mauritiana
Gastonia mauritiana

This island is considered an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species.

A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise can be seen here. Eighteen Mauritian plant species which grow on the island are classified as endangered or very rare.

Pink Pigeon
Pink Pigeon

One of the local species of ebony, Diospyros egrettarum (named after the island) is found here.

Aldabra giant tortoise
Aldabra giant tortoise

Gastonia mauritiana (“Bois boeuf”) forming part of the forest canopy here.

A non-indigenous Aldabra giant tortoise was brought to Île aux Aigrettes to take over the ecological role of the extinct Mauritian tortoises.

Tags: Adventure, Attraction, Mauritius, Tourist Destination, What to see
Mauritius Underwater Sea Walk

Mauritius Underwater Sea Walk

2024 - Jul - 27 | , , , ,

Underwater Sea Walk

The Underwater Sea Walk is one of the most unique attractions that one must experience when visiting Mauritius. It is a good experience for all the non divers.

The underwater walk is a safe and fascinating walk on the ocean bed (about 3-4m depth), where you can witness firsthand the marine life of Mauritius, the beautiful fauna, corals, and a wide variety of fish, all in their natural habitat. The Walk does not require any knowledge of swimming or diving and you are not even required to remove your glasses.

Underwater Sea Walk
Underwater Sea Walk

A helmet with a transparent visor is placed on your head. This equipment weighs 45 kg. You should be strong enough to carry this weight on your shoulders. A special apparatus allows normal breathing under the water. This trip is not recommended for pregnant women. Life Guards assist in taking you underwater and accompany you throughout the walk to guarantee your maximum safety. Total time of the excursion is approx. one hour (walk itself takes about 12-15 minutes).

The operating hours of the sea walk are between 9:00 and 14:30. You should have your own swimming costume and a towel.

Tags: Adventure, Attraction, Mauritius, Sea Walk, Tourist Destination, Underwater, What to see
Port Louis

Port Louis

2024 - Jul - 13 | , , ,

Caudan Waterfront

Port Louis is the capital city and main port of Mauritius. It is also the largest city in Mauritius. Port Louis was constructed in the year 1735 by the noted French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais.
The Port is named in honour of King Louis XV.

Port Louis Moka Range
Port Louis Moka Range

Port Louis is surrounded by a mountain range, called the Port Louis Moka Range. Mauritius Capital Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings through the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide or La Citadelle, built by the British in 1835.

Port Louis Central Market
Port Louis Central Market

The main tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis Bazaar, Police Barracks, the Mauritian Chinatown and the old Port Louis theatre.

There are three museums: the Blue Penny Museum, the Mauritius Natural History Museum and the Mauritius Stamp Museum.

Mauritian Chinatown
Mauritian Chinatown

The economy of the city is dominated by its financial centre, port facilities, tourism and the manufacturing sector which include textiles, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Port Louis has the biggest port facility in the Indian Ocean region and one of Africa’s major financial centres.

Tags: Adventure, Attraction, Mauritius, Restaurants, Tourist Destination, What to eat, What to see
Grand Bassin

Grand Bassin

2024 - Jun - 29 | , , , ,

Grand Bassin

Grand Bassin, known also as Ganga Talao is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 600 meters above sea level.

The Hindus of Mauritius consider the Grand Bassin as a Holy lake and that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India.

Mangal Mahadev
Mangal Mahadev

The Hindu community performs a pilgrimage there every year on the Maha Sivaratri (“Siva’s Great Night”), on this day they honor the Lord Siva. Beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman and Lakshmi. Also, overlooking the lake is the statue of Mangal Mahadev (Shiva statue) which is 33 meters, making it the highest statue in Mauritius.

Hanuman
Hanuman

The Grand Bassin Mauritius map gives you clear directions to the sacred lake and the tourist spots nearby that you can visit.
Also, don’t forget to take off your shoes while entering the Lake complex and the temples.

Tags: Adventure, Attraction, Mauritius, Restaurants, Tourist Destination, What to eat, What to see
Mauritius Complete Tea Route Tour

Mauritius Complete Tea Route Tour

2024 - Jun - 15 | , , , ,

Tea plantation

On this guided tour you will discover the making of teas, rum, vanilla, essential oils, and you will also stroll down the exotic gardens of the Bois Cheri tea plantation.

Domaine des Aubineaux
Domaine des Aubineaux

You will visit the Domaine des Aubineaux and its gardens. It is a colonial house built in 1872, which has been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Mauritian Tea. In the gardens around Domaine des Aubineaux you will visit Camphor tree garden with a diversity of exotic plants as well as trees of the endemic forest, and enjoy the beautiful sight of the tea plantation.

After that you will visit Bois Chéri which is the second stop in this tour. The Bois Chéri is the first and biggest tea producer in Mauritius, operating since 1892. You will also get to see the tea production museum.

This tour will take 5 to 7 hours and includes the following:

A guide to walk you through the Domaine des Aubineaux;
Visit of a colonial mansion-museum built in 1872;
Photo exhibition of the 19th and 20th Century;
Stroll across the garden ;
Visit of La Maison des Essences;
Tour across the gardens of the Domaine des Aubineaux;
A guided tour of the Bois Cheri tea factory;
Visit to the tea museum;
Visit to the tea plantation;
A tea tasting session at the chalet (tea & biscuits);
A guided tour of the Saint Aubin house;
Visit of the “Rum” House and Tasting;
Guided tour of the Sugar Factory and Le Moulin du Domaine de Saint Aubin;
Visit of the Vanilla House;
Visit of the Anthurium (flowers) la greenhouses;
Visit of the tropical garden and spice garden at Domaine de Saint Aubin.

You will end your tour with a special 5 course typical Mauritian lunch at the highly recommended restaurant of “Le Saint Aubin”.

Le Domaine de Saint Aubin
Le Domaine de Saint Aubin
Tags: Adventure, Attraction, Mauritius, Restaurants, Tourist Destination, What to eat, What to see
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