La Vanilla Nature Park is a beautiful wildlife park in Mauritius that you should definitely visit on your trip. The park is home to a variety of plants and animals as well as breathtaking nature in the middle of the jungle. Highlights are the Aldabra giant tortoises and the crocodiles. Visitors to the park can hike, watch birds and visit other facilities such as the Dodo Museum or the farm. La Vanilla Nature Park Mauritius is the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature and discover the island's wildlife. What is there to discover and is it worth visiting?

One of the most important attractions in Mauritius is the La Vanille Nature Park, which is located in the very south of the island near the coast located. It is located kilometers south of the village of Rivière des Anguilles and is somewhat remote in a hot, humid river valley. You have to drive there with a rental car or book a driver to drive you there. Otherwise the park would be difficult to reach.

But it's worth it: The park, founded in 1985 by a couple - a biologist from Mauritius and her Australian husband - on the site of a former vanilla plantation, shows you what the animal world is about Mauritius makes up. The journey is worth it just for the giant tortoises. If you want to visit a wildlife park in Mauritius, look no further than La Vanille Nature Park.

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Video – Impressions from La Vanille Nature Park Mauritius

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My experiences at La Vanilla Nature Park

I took a day trip to La Vanille Nature Park. You should plan at least half a day on site to really take time for the animals and also the plants in the park. There is so much to see. The absolute highlight is definitely the Aldabra giant tortoises, which live in a huge, walk-in enclosure in the park. There is also a breeding station where the beautiful animals are available in all sizes. I spent a few hours alone with the giant tortoises.

But you haven't seen the other attractions yet. Also very fascinating is the breeding station for crocodiles and the feeding of the adult animals. If you want something a little quieter, you can visit the interactive farm or simply take a relaxed hike along the jungle path. There are also numerous enclosures in the park with birds and monkeys - including lemurs. A trip to La Vanille Nature Park is a must, especially for children. I think La Vanille is the most beautiful wildlife park in Mauritius.

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Mauritius Wildlife Park – Animals at La Vanilla Nature Park

Thousands of animals live in La Vanille Nature Park. It is certainly one of the largest Mauritius wildlife parks. The enclosures are home to a variety of different species – including Mascarene flying foxes and Rodrigues flying foxes.

The park also has Round Island geckos, iguanas, caimans, ring-tailed lemurs, wild boars, deer and a farm with chickens, donkeys, goats and other domestic animals. I have to say that I particularly liked the turtles and crocodiles.

turtles

La Vanille Natural Park is home to a variety of turtles, including the critically endangered Mauritius giant tortoise. These turtles are a popular attraction for visitors to the park. You can also take a guided tour of the turtles or watch them being fed.

In La Vanille Nature Park you will find the world's largest turtle colony with around 1000 animals kept in captivity. Among the species kept in the park are radiated tortoises from Madagascar, giant tortoises from the Seychelles and freshwater turtles.

However, the most significant population is the Aldabra giant tortoise. The park has several hundred of these fascinating reptiles. With 114 adults and 700 young animals, it is the world's largest breeding facility for Aldabra giant tortoises, which can move freely in extensive enclosures. The oldest of the Aldabra giant tortoises is a nearly 100-year-old male named “Domino” who weighs about 275 kilograms.

La Vanille Nature Park – Crocodiles

The La Vanille Natural Park is also home to a number of crocodiles. Another main attraction of the zoo are the approximately 2000 Nile crocodiles of all sizes and ages. There are several ways to see them up close. You can visit the breeding station or witness the feeding of the adult crocodiles.

Either way, you'll have a great opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures. If you want to learn more about the crocodiles in La Vanille Natural Park, be sure to take part in the educational programs offered. This is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Dodo Museum and Insectarium

The park's insectarium is guarded like a treasure. In 30 years, Jacques Siedlecki, the founder of La Vanille, has collected more than 26.000 different species of insects, beetles and butterflies. The collection contains over 3000 specimens from five different continents, making it one of the largest insect collections in the world.

The collection also contains very rare, extinct species. In the Fossil Museum there is a collection of ammonites from Madagascar, and another section is dedicated to an extinct bird from Mauritius called the Dodo.

Nature walk through the jungle

The nature walk takes you through a jungle-like area with bamboo, palm wood and various flowers from the tropical rainforest. In the park there is the restaurant “Le Crocodile Affamé” (“The Hungry Crocodile”), which serves, among other things, dishes made from crocodile meat, and a souvenir shop.

A Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive has been on display in the park since 1986, hauling sugar cane for the Savannah Sugar Estate until 1981. Until it was built in the park, it stood in the fields.

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Information about the La Vanille Natural Park Mauritius

If you are in Mauritius and fancy an animal adventure, you should definitely visit La Vanilla Nature Park. More than just a zoo, this park gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with exotic animals such as giant tortoises, crocodiles, monkeys and butterflies. You can also let yourself be enchanted in a tropical garden with over 1000 plant species or discover the fascinating world of crawling animals in the insectarium. Below is everything you need to know about La Vanilla Nature Park before you set off.

Address of La Vanille Natural Park

Address: Riviere Des Anguilles, MAURITIUS

Phone: +230 626 2503

Fax: +230 626 1442

E-mail: crocpark@intnet.mu

Website: lavanille-naturepark.com

Opening hours of the La Vanille Natural Park

La Vanille Natural Park is open all year round, except for Christmas and New Year. You can visit him daily from 9 a.m. to 17 p.m. The last guided tour starts at 15:30 PM. The park is 3,5 hectares and you should allow at least two hours to see everything.

La Vanille Natural Park entrance fees

The entrance fee to La Vanille Nature Park depends on your age and group size. For adults it costs 400 Mauritian rupees (approx. 8,50 euros), for children between 3 and 12 years old 150 Mauritian rupees (approx. 3,20 euros) and for small children under 3 years old it is free. If you come with a group of at least 10 people, you will receive a 10% discount.

You can buy your tickets online on the park's official website or directly at the ticket office. Payment is possible in cash or by credit card. The price includes access to all park attractions and a guided tour with an experienced guide.

As of March 19, 2023

La Vanilla Nature Park one of Mauritius' premier wildlife parks and attractions

My conclusion

Before the visit, I thought that La Vanille Nature Park was a state nature park. But when I stood at the cash register to pay the entrance fee, it became clear to me relatively quickly that it was a private institution. However, I have to say clearly that the entry fee is absolutely worth it. The entrance fee is justifiable just for the giant tortoises that you can spend time with up close.

In addition, running the park costs a lot of money and La Vanille Nature Park was designed with a lot of love and dedication. That's why I think La Vanille is one of the Mauritius wildlife parks and attractions you should see on the island.

Have you already been to Mauritius or even to La Vanille Nature Park? What did you experience there? Share your experiences in the comments.