Places to Visit in Mauritius
La Vanille Nature Park
Wildlife, conservation and unforgettable animal encounters in southern Mauritius.
Location
Rivière des Anguilles, South Mauritius
Recommended Time
2–4 Hours
Best For
Families, couples & wildlife lovers
Famous For
Giant tortoises & crocodiles
Experience
Wildlife, museums & conservation
Opening Hours
Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Overview
Discover La Vanille Nature Park
La Vanille Nature Park is one of Mauritius' most beloved wildlife attractions, offering visitors the chance to meet giant tortoises, observe Nile crocodiles, discover fascinating museums and learn about the island's conservation efforts.
Set within a lush tropical valley, the park combines education, nature and unforgettable animal encounters, making it one of the highlights of southern Mauritius for travellers of every age.
Home to thousands
of remarkable animals
Why Visit
Why Visit La Vanille?
Giant Aldabra Tortoises
Meet one of the world's largest captive herds of Aldabra giant tortoises and experience these gentle giants up close.
Nile Crocodiles
Discover one of the largest crocodile collections in Mauritius and witness their impressive feeding demonstrations.
Tropical Nature
Walk through shaded forest paths, tropical gardens and beautifully landscaped wildlife habitats.
Conservation
Learn how the park protects endangered species through breeding, education and long-term conservation programs.
Things to Do
Things to Do at La Vanille
Feed the Giant Tortoises
Hand-feed Aldabra tortoises in one of the park's most popular family experiences.
Crocodile Feeding Show
Watch the exciting crocodile feeding demonstrations from a safe viewing area.
Meet Baby Crocodiles
Hold a baby crocodile during a supervised photo experience.
Explore the Insectarium
Discover one of the Indian Ocean's most fascinating insect collections.
Lost Land of the Dodo
Learn the story of Mauritius' iconic extinct bird through interactive exhibits.
Fossil Museum
Travel millions of years into the past through fossils and prehistoric discoveries.
Wildlife Experiences
Get Closer to Wildlife
La Vanille offers respectful, supervised animal encounters designed to create memorable experiences while prioritising animal welfare.
Feed Giant Tortoises
A unique opportunity to feed and interact with these gentle giants.
Available Daily
Baby Crocodile Photo
A memorable hands-on experience for all ages.
Available DailyCrocodile Feeding Show
Watch the power and agility of Nile crocodiles.
Available DailyTortoise Nursery
See young tortoises and learn about conservation efforts.
Available DailyPark Highlights
Giant Tortoise Reserve
Home to one of the world's largest captive populations of Aldabra giant tortoises.
Crocodile Valley
A unique opportunity to observe hundreds of Nile crocodiles within a tropical environment.
Museums & Discovery
From fossils to the story of the dodo, the park offers much more than wildlife alone.
Prices
Entrance Prices
Non-Resident Visitors
Animal encounters and special experiences may require an additional fee. Prices can change, so please confirm the latest official rates before visiting.
Check Current PricesOpens the official park website (lavanillenaturepark.com) in a new tab
Travel Tips
Before You Go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Bring water and sunscreen
- Most pathways are suitable for families
- Allow extra time if joining animal encounters
- Morning visits are ideal for cooler weather
- Bring a camera — the tortoises make incredible photos
Getting There
Need Transport to La Vanille Nature Park?
Enjoy the journey at your own pace with private transportation arranged by MauTravel. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged from locations around Mauritius.
Continue Exploring
Explore South Mauritius
Combine your visit to La Vanille with other highlights of southern Mauritius.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It's one of Mauritius' most popular family attractions, offering close encounters with giant tortoises, crocodiles and other wildlife alongside several interesting museums.
Most visitors spend 2–4 hours exploring the park, though allowing extra time is recommended if you plan to join animal encounters or explore the museums in detail.
Yes, La Vanille is a very family-friendly attraction, with pathways, encounters and exhibits suitable for visitors of all ages.
The crocodile feeding demonstrations are included as part of a standard visit, though some hands-on encounters may require an additional fee.
Yes. Hand-feeding the giant Aldabra tortoises is one of the park's most popular experiences and is available daily.
Many of the park's attractions, including its museums and covered exhibits, are enjoyable even in wet weather, though outdoor wildlife viewing is best on a dry day.
Yes. MauTravel can arrange private transport and help you include La Vanille Nature Park as part of a South Mauritius itinerary.
Ready When You Are
Discover the Wild Side of Mauritius
Combine La Vanille Nature Park with waterfalls, coastal viewpoints and nature reserves on a personalised South Mauritius adventure.