The park was created in 1985, and its name honors the old Vanille vine cultivated in the valley where the reserve of 5 hectares is located.
Conservation of nature, and welfare of the animals are privileged in this park, where guides will take you on an unforgettable visit to the reserve. The park has an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal species. Unfortunately, many of these are being pushed to extinction as a result of forest clearing, hunting and the introduction by man of invasive species to areas of the park to which they do not belong. Many of these species can now only be saved through efforts to protect their habitat, captive breeding for later reintroduction into the wild and farming to reduce demand for wild-caught animals. La Vanille Nature Park is involved in all three of these conservation efforts.
Aldabra tortoises
There are more than 1000 captive-bred giant Aldabra tortoises in the park, in addition to 2000 Nile Crocodiles as well as a variety of other animals such as monkeys, iguanas, bats, deer, geckos, eels, wild boar and more. You can also visit the insectarium with more than 23,000 specimens. The collection has some specimens of inestimable rarity, some of which are now extinct. There’s also an aquarium and a fossil museum. New at La Vanille there is a petting farm and pony rides.
Rochester Falls is a waterfall found in the Savanne district of Mauritius. It is highly popular for its rectangular flank rocks. It tumbles from a height of about 10 m. The fall is one of the most popular tourist attractions and the widest waterfall in Mauritius. It serves as an ideal spot for a quick refreshing plunge or a quiet picnic break.
The breathtaking scenery, cascading waterfalls, pools of clear water, and luxuriant greeneries surrounding the region, makes it a wonderful site to see and a relaxing experience.
There are two access points; one at the top of the waterfall and another which leads you to the bottom. The rugged terrain can be quite challenging as you drive or walk to the waterfalls. The routes to the waterfalls are indicated with signs so it should be fairly easy to locate.
Rochester Falls
It is advisable to avoid visiting the Rochester Falls during the heavy rainy seasons (beginning of the year) since the water level and torrent can reach dangerous levels. The water becomes muddy at times and also makes the area quite muddy and slippery. Beware of the mosquito bites as well. It is advisable to bring along your mosquito repellent with you.
With its scenic location, the Rochester Falls is a great place for photo buffs to get pictures of daredevil jumpers who fling themselves off the rocks.
The 23 coloured earth is a unique geological feature in this part of the world for both Mauritians and overseas visitors, which makes this an essential destination when visiting Mauritius. The park is more than 450 acres in extent.
The Nature Reserve consists of green valleys, plateaus, hills, lakes, waterfalls and rivers. Visit to the park enables you to explore the endemic and indigenous flora and fauna.
Many adventurous activities are available such as: Quad Biking, Ziplines, Nepalese Bridge, Luge Kart, Trekking and private trips. The most important among them is the 1.5 km Zipline, the longest zipline in Mauritius. Nepalese Bridge is a 350 meters long hanging bridge. You will have to cross it by foot. Walking on the bridge is safe as it is well maintained. Zipline adventure will enable you to enjoy remarkable views of the valleys, landscapes, forest and waterfalls from high above.
You will also be able to get a closer look at the unique 23 coloured earth and to reach the viewpoint at the mountain top where you will enjoy a captivating, breath-taking panoramic view of the entire South Coast.
Waterfall
Your trip to the park begins with the visit to the park’s exhibition room which provides an outline of the different places of interest which you will get to discover through the visit.The park is opened from 9 AM to 7 PM. The visit normally takes about 3-4 hours. A cafeteria and a restaurant are located within the park area.
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden (the SSR Botanic Garden), commonly known as the Pamplemousses Botanic Garden, is a popular tourist attraction in Pamplemousses, near Port Louis, Mauritius. It is also known as Mauritius National Botanical Garden. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. It is famous for its long pond of giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica). The garden was first constructed in 1770, and it covered an area of around 91 acres. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was the first prime minister of Mauritius.
Giant Water Lilies
The garden also features 650 spices of plants, ebonies, sugar canes, Baobabs, the Palmier Bouteille, the Giant Water Lilies, dozens of medicinal plants, a large spice garden and 85 varieties of palms from Central America, Asia, Africa and the islands around the Indian Ocean.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
Of a total of 93,060 acres only 62,040 acres is the gardens and the rest is used as an experimental station.
Guides are available at the entrance of the garden, offering a full tour for as little as 1 euro/hour per person (payment for the guides is done at the entrance of the botanical garden).
Trou aux Cerfs, also known as Murr’s Volcano, is a dormant volcano with a well-defined cone and crater. The volcano has been dormant for the last 100,000 years. It is 605 m high and located in Curepipe, Mauritius. The crater has a diameter of between 300 and 350 meters and is 80 meters deep. The crater was formed less than 2 million years ago in the second phase of volcanic activity that created Mauritius.
The volcano is currently dormant but experts think that it could become active at any time within the next thousand years. Water and silt have clogged the crater, making it inaccessible. The area immediately around the crater edge has been substantially developed, with a road ringing the entire perimeter.
Trou Aux Cerfs crater
Apart from the obvious tropical allure and a clutch of tourist hotspots, the island holds many underestimated sights, perfect for the traveler who enjoys taking the road less traveled.
Trou aux Cerfs offers 360-degree panoramic views. From here, you can overlook Curepipe and the gorgeous Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Moka mountain range. It is a photographer’s paradise. Trou aux Cerfs’ crater is surrounded by lush green shrubs, bushes and pine trees.
Trou Aux Cerfs crater
Trou aux Cerfs is accessible from La Hausse de la Louvière Road, the Edgar Huges Road and from Crater Lane. Here you should find parking easily enough so that you can make your way to the site. The crater itself is only accessible via a steep embankment which can be very dangerous, especially when the path is wet, so you have to be very careful if you decide to take it.
Adventure Park and Casino de Maurice are two attractions near this place.
The Tamarind Falls or Tamarin Falls are a scenic attraction of southwest Mauritius. They are a series of seven cataracts located on the Riviere Tamarin, two kilometers northwest of the large lake Mare aux Vacoas.
Tamarind waterfalls are also called 7 cascades because it has seven steps to it.
There are seven attractions in this area.
Hiking The Tamarind Falls hike in Mauritius is one of the most popular  tourist package. The hike is not so harsh and is suitable for  everyone. You will enjoy seeing exotic vegetation and also the unknown birds. The walk will take roughly 45 minutes.
Hiking
There are certain parts of the park that are reserved, and no one is allowed to enter that area because of the animals and the safety of the visitors.
2. Sea Karting Sea Karting is another popular package which you can take for one hour or half a day. The racing starts from Black River and goes along the breathtaking coastline, and then to Le Morne Brabant from Flic-en-Flac.
Sea Karting
3. Bois Cheri Bois Cheri is the most popular tea brand in Mauritius. You can take a trip to the factory where you will see how tea leaves are processed until they become the final product that you get in the market. You will also get to taste the tea here. Your package includes a trip to the tea plantation.
Bois Cheri
4. The Chamarel Rum Factory Rhumerie de Chamarel of Mauritius produces high quality eco-friendly rum. This is the most popular brand in Mauritius. You will see the entire manufacturing process and you will get to taste a variety of rums, with alcohol varying between 40% to 50%.
Rum
5. Seven Coloured Earths The Seven Coloured Earths is a charming geological formation that displays seven colors (brown, red, violet, blue, yellow, green, and purple). The formation has not been affected by the rain or sunshine for centuries.
Seven Coloured Earths
6. Le Morne Mountain Tamarind falls have the magnificent view of Le Morne Mountain and also the west coast of Mauritius. While you walk on the Basalt rock which is made from the volcano eruption, you will see the lush vegetation and variety of birds and animals.
Le Morne Cultural Landscape is an exceptional testimony to maroonage or resistance to slavery in terms of the mountain being used as a fortress to shelter escaped slaves, and let them fight for their freedom.
Le Morne Mountain
7. The Seven Stepped Waterfalls You can enjoy bathing under the series of 7 cascades of fresh water. When you do that, you get a feeling of being massaged. The waterfall itself is an excellent view  and this is also the place where you can take memorable photographs.
Seven Stepped Waterfalls
Accommodation Near Tamarind Falls There are a number of hotels near the waterfalls. Notable of which are Hillside Haven, Lacasepoz and The River House.
You can take a guided tour through Parc Francois Leguat valley filled with hundreds of giant tortoises, tropical birds and tens of thousands of native trees. You can also explore Grande Caverne where you will view the majestic limestone formations.
Giant Tortoises Rodrigues used to have the highest density of land tortoises to have ever existed on planet earth. In about 100 years both of Rodrigues’ endemic species became extinct as they were taken away on ships or killed for meat and oil between 1730 and 1770. Almost 280,000 tortoises were destroyed.
In 2006 and 2007, Francois Leguat Ltd reintroduced two species of tortoises (Aldabra and Radiated Tortoises) that are the closest living tortoise species to the extinct Rodrigues tortoises. There is now a feel of prehistory as one strolls through the Reserve and interacts with the giant tortoises.
Recently a third species, the Ploughshare Tortoise has been introduced under an agreement with the Government of Madagascar.
The Caves
The Caves
The Reserve is located in the south western part of Rodrigues, a unique landscape of limestone features including 9 impressive caves and dolines. Grande Caverne is the only electrified “Show Cave” done to international standards with the help of an Australian cave consultant.
Native Flora
Native Flora
Rodrigues’ native flora has suffered massively since the colonization of Rodrigues. Many native plants only survived in remote and inaccessible areas such as on cliff faces.
Since the 1980s, there has been a growing effort to save what is left of Rodrigues’ native flora, led mostly by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Since 2005, Francois Leguat Ltd has established a reforestation project aiming at planting 300,000 seedlings of 40 native species in the Reserve.
Restaurant And Souvenir Shop
Restaurant And Souvenir Shop
The restaurant offers delicious cuisine, the fresh local juices and cocktails. The souvenir shop offers an array of products that will remind all the visitors of the wonderful time spent at the Reserve and Rodrigues.
The Francois Leguat Museum
The Francois Leguat Museum
The Reserve houses a museum depicting the human, faunal and geological history of Rodrigues. Hundreds of local and international school children visit the Reserve every year and the Museum is a wonderful pedagogical tool to initiate an interest and concern for the natural environment.
Ecological Action Conservation in Rodrigues
Conservation in Rodrigues
Unfortunately, the threat posed by introduced plants and animals still exists today. The reintroduction of giant tortoises strengthened the native ecosystem.
The restored native forests already present an immense contrast to the barren landscape of the majority of the island today. Francois Leguat Reserve is raising awareness of the importance of the native biodiversity and the need for such conservation initiatives, as well as providing a hugely enjoyable and educational visit in scenic surroundings for tourists and locals alike.
