François Leguat Giant Tortoise Reserve is located in Anse Quitor in the Southern coast of Rodrigues island. It is a nature reserve of 20 hectares rich in flora and fauna and spectacular caves. The reserve with the introduction of endemic plants, shrubs and trees, along with protected animal species looks what it was 300 years ago.
The reserve first opened in August 2007as a part of the project La Vanille Reserve in Mauritius. It is named after the 18th century settler François Leguat, who recorded much of the island’s natural flora and fauna before it went extinct.
The reserve is only a few hundred meters from the Rodrigues airport and is right beside Anse Quitor Nature Reserve.
François Leguat Caves
There is a 2km-long walkway through the reserve, surrounded by emerging forest and some very rare plants, along with the luxuriant greenery. On your walk you will come across the giant tortoises which were once present in large numbers. The reserve is now home to over 3000 tortoises and 300,000 plants. The tortoises are well protected and are under careful surveillance now. The tortoises played a crucial role in the health of the island’s indigenous vegetation and ecosystems. Their movements and grazing rejuvenated the vegetation. They also caused the dispersal and germination of the seeds of many plants.
François Leguat Museum
There is also the 500 meters long “Grande Caverne” where your guide will point out the weirdly-shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is well-equipped with lights, handrails, and walkways.
There is also a museum, several education centres,information areas,restaurant, and souvenir shop onsite. The reserve offers guided tours every day at 9.30 a.m, 10.30 a.m, 1.30 p.m, and 2.30 pm.
If you want to get a close view of the natural surroundings of this volcanic island, then you can set off to the gorgeous eastern beaches of the island, notably Anse Ali, Pointe Cotton, Fumier,Saint Francois and Trou d’Argent, which is in fact best done by walking.
Trou-dArgent
Trou d’Argent has recently been ranked among the 30 best preserved beaches in the world. This sandy beach is not accessible through four wheeler so be ready for long walks if you really want to enjoy the peaceful environment that this place has to offer. You can get there with moderate effort by walking along the coastline and preserved narrow creek-like coves. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and offers a calm, relaxing environment. It encloses three coves. The best time to visit this place is between February to April or September to December.
Pointe Coton beach
Pointe Coton beach is famous for its rock formations of coral origin. Along the beach there are shady casuarina groves which serve not only as a spectacular background, but also as reliable protection from strong winds. The beach got its name from the beach where it is located. The popular hiking trail starts from here. The hikers leave from the bus stop for a hike of at least 2 hours along a 6-kilometre trail. The resort 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 swimming, parasailing, banana boating and water skiing.
Saint Francois
Saint Francois beach is a scenic viewpoint in Rodrigues. It is situated near Solange et Robert, and close to Solange & Robert guest house. The beach is lined with casuarina trees. Auberge St Francois and Tekoma Boutik Hotel are two of the hotels near St Francois beach.
If you want to have a panoramic 360° view over the island, then you go to Mont Limon. This is the highest point of the island at 1,300 ft above sea level, and is situated at the heart of the island. It is easy to access because it is close to Port Mathurin. Sometimes the top of the mountain will be covered with fog and it may be chilly due to the altitude.
Due to the hilly landscape of Rodrigues, it literally takes less than 5 minutes to reach the summit. There’s no parking lot but you can leave your car on the other side of the road. The path is well-marked and easy to follow thanks to the orange and purple markings.
Green forest in Mont Limon
Beside magnificent views of the island, you also get to see the gorgeous geological relief, agricultural terraces, and the azure blue ocean.The temperature there is slightly elevated, and due to this, there is plenty of lush green vegetation.
Most people only visit the main viewpoint but once you get to the summit, take the path on your right and you’ll find other scenic lookout points.
Port Mathurin is the capital as well as the regional administrative centre of Rodrigues and it offers all the necessary facilities such as the banks, ATMs, travel agencies, well equipped library with free wifi access, the market, craft shops, casino, restaurants and supermarkets, along with other developments,which are not likely to be found in other parts of the island.
If you want to buy fruits and vegetables, it’s best to go early as almost everything will be gone by 10 a.m. The tourist/craft market, on the other hand, stays open until 1-2 p.m. This is the most visited part of the market where you can buy all sorts of local products including dried octopus and fish, pickles, chili sauce, tourtes (a Rodriguan pie filled with papaya, pineapple, and coconut), rattan baskets, handbags, etc.
Port Mathurin Market
There is also a magnificent mosque and a church that add to the highlights of the capital. Going further, you will find the local handicraft shops selling articles such as hats, baskets, jewellery boxes, that have been skillfully woven in raffia or in screw pine leaves.
There is a big parking lot behind the market and you will have no problem if you arrive there by cr,
Craft Aid, a small enterprise that employs handicapped people, has a workshop in the capital. The workshop makes a multitude of jewelleries from the shell of coconuts and the workers are also specialised in bee keeping. The Craft Aid had won an Excellence Award in 2000 during an international contest, along with the honey of Rodrigues which had acquired much fame.
The most popular night club is situated at Port Mathurin, just near the bus station. There are usually some theme nights such as for Halloween, Christmas, and new year where the DJs will make you dance till dawn.
Bazar Port Mathurin
Central Market in Port Mathurin The market plays an important role in the lives of people living in the city. The market becomes active from the early morning at 5 AM. Vendors from all over the island flock to the market by packed buses. The market is open daily. But on Saturdays, the ship from Mauritius brings vegetables, fruits and seafood. There will be more crowds on Saturdays. There will also be many local women selling artisanal products such as handicraft bags, accessories, hats, mat, including food stuffs such as the pickles, coffee, and salted seafood.
Grand Bassin (also known as Ganga Talao) is a crater lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 550 m (1,800 ft) above sea level. It is the largest natural lake in Mauritius.The lake is thought to be around 18 meters deep and is teeming with a healthy population of fish and eels, perhaps because of the leftover offerings they receive from Hindu pilgrims. However, it is strictly forbidden to fish here due to the sacred nature of the lake.
Ganga Talao Lake
Many people visit the site to pray, meditate, play with the local monkeys, or simply to walk by the lake and enjoy the gorgeous surrounding views.
In 2007 a huge statue of the Hindu god Shiva was unveiled and remains the tallest statue in Mauritius at about 33 metres high.
Grand Bassin is surrounded by candy-coloured statues of deities and Hindu temples. During Maha Shivaratri, which takes place at the end of February or beginning of March each year, half a million Hindus make a pilgrimage to the lake, the most holy place on the island. If you travel to Mauritius during this time, don’t miss this spectacular festival, which is one of the biggest Hindu celebrations outside of India. It’s a good idea to go with a guide who can give you a bit of background about all the deities depicted on the statues. Try to be respectful in the temples by wearing modest clothing and removing your shoes before going inside and do not disturb the devotees who are praying there.
Mauritius Grand Bassin Indian Temple
To fully grasp this festival’s significance, it is important to know the harsh history of the indentured Indian labourers in Mauritius.The Hindus in the island are the descendants of half a million indentured laborers, subjects of the British Empire brought to Mauritius in the nineteenth century with the fake promise of a better life. Disease was rife aboard the vessels crossing the Indian Ocean, with cholera, smallpox, malaria and yellow fever. Those who made it to the mainland worked as labourers in the sugarcane fields through tough conditions. It was not slavery, but it was far from what we call a normal healthy working environment.
From the top of Grand Bassin you get spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Rodrigues is a 108 sq km (42 sq mi) autonomous outer island of the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Rodrigues is of volcanic origin and is surrounded by coral reefs with some tiny uninhabited islands off its coast.
Its inhabitants are Mauritian citizens. It gained autonomous status on 10 December 2002, and it is governed by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. The capital of the island is Port Mathurin. The island forms part of the larger territory of the Republic of Mauritius with the President as head of state and the Chief Commissioner as head of government.
In 2002, when it became an autonomous region of Mauritius, the island was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Vicariate Apostolic of Rodrigues. Despite gaining autonomous status Rodrigues is financially dependent upon its sister island.
Rodrigues Island
Despite its small size, Rodrigues has so much to offer to the visitors. The language of Rodrigues is French based creole pidgin. The French language is mostly used by the local media. English is usually used in official documents and at the Regional Assembly. There are also some oriental languages such as Hindi and Bhojpuri spoken by the very few.
ADSL and WI-Fi Internet are accessible. There are also a number of free WI-Fi Spots, provided by the government.There are two mobile phone networks which serve the island, with access to international roaming.
Public buses run to the remotest corners of the island. There are also car, scooter, and motorcycle rental services available in the city. Taxi cabs are available and a number of them are stationed in the surroundings of the hotels.
The population of Rodrigues is estimated to be 41, 669 of inhabitants, with the vast majority being Creoles. You can also find Chinese traders and some Indian civil servants coming from Mauritius. The main religion is Roman Catholicism with small minorities of other religions like Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists.
Rodrigues Island Boats
Here, women play an active part in the economy. You can find them in the fields, at the market and even at the sea.
Most of the economic activities of Rodrigues are fishing, stock breeding and cultivation, especially of onions, garlic and chili. The inhabitants’ income is derived from the export of cattle, sea products and food crops, but it is largely in deficit when compared to the costs of the imported products.
Chez Ronald Guest House and La Belle Rodriguaise at Graviers provide accommodation in Rodrigues island.
This is an islet which is also known for its sandy necklace beach encircling its shores, is located at 4 km to the west of Rodrigues. It is one and a half kilometre long and 250 metres wide.
Ile aux Cocos was declared a nature reserve in 1986. Therefore the authorities control the number of people visiting at a time. This means that you won’t have to fight with hundreds of tourists for a strip of sand.
You are only allowed a maximum of 4 hours on the island so as to not disturb the birds’ natural habitat.
Tours usually depart from Pointe du Diable and the boat trip lasts for about 1 hour. Depending on the tour company, a visit to Ile aux Cocos will cost between US$ 23.75 and 37.50 and includes the boat trip, lunch, and guided visit of the island.
Ile Aux Cocos
Ile Aux Cocos is also a bird sanctuary. The birds come and stay on the island during the summer, and at this time, up to 4500 birds can be seen on the island. The islet can be accessed by pirogue only with an authorization delivered by Discovery Rodrigues Company Limited. Authorised operators have access to the island for the day. It is forbidden to light fires on the island and only partial access is allowed to ensure the tranquility of the birds and their nestlings.
The islet is home to several species of seabirds including the lesser noddy, noddy, sooty tern, and fairy tern.
Two guards permanently stay on the island to keep an eye over the island. Thanks to these controls, the island remains a reproduction site for the species.
The neighbouring island, île aux Sables, which provides shelter to thousands of birds, is completely shut off to the public. In addition, fishing in the islets’ surroundings is not authorized so as to preserve the food resources of the birds that are fond of squids and small fishes.
Ile Aux Cocos
Scuba Diving programme for beginners in the marine park (2-5 meters). Qualified and licensed divers can perform exploration dives in the marine park (depth 5-10 meters). Depending on sea conditions experienced divers can perform scuba diving at Trou Mootoo, outside the lagoon.
Snorkelling and glass bottom boats will take you to the ship wreck outside the Blue Bay zone which is approximately about 10-15 minute boat ride. The one hour trip includes swimming and snorkelling.
A speed boat trip can be arranged to 1 or 2 hours depending on guest requirements. The trip will include visits to the famous islands of Iles aux Phares, île de la Passe and île aux Aigrettes. The first two islands for sightseeing and pictures and to watch îles aux Aigrettes from the boat itself. Boat capacity: 20 Pax (Minimum 4 pax per trip).
