1. Take a stroll in SSR Botanical Garden
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To observe a wide variety of tropical and indigenous plants, you must head to The Botanical Garden located in the district of Pamplemousse. 300 years ago, the Botanical Garden was opened as a private garden by the then French Governor of the island; however, later it was turned into a national botanical garden, thus becoming accessible to the public. Sprawling over endless acres of the Mauritian land, the place houses more than 650 varieties of plants. One may take almost a week's time to cover the place from end to end. You can find Baobabs, the Giant Water Lilies, the Palmier Bouteille and numerous medicinal plants and spice herbs at The Botanical Garden. You will be surprised to know that there are 85 variants of palm trees which are grown here. Collected from all over the world these are a must-see attraction in the garden. It is advisable to hire a guide at the entrance who will show you the major attractions here. Carry bottled water and some snacks in your bag as there are no cafes inside the garden.
Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: INR 670 per adult and INR 420 per child.
2. Go on a jungle adventure at La Vanille Crocodile Park
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Established in the year 1985, La Vanille Crocodile Park was named so as a tribute to the old vine where the park is located over an area of five hectares. The feeding time for the crocodiles is at 11:30 AM which is also the best time for tourists to see them enjoying their food. The park also houses some magnificent giant tortoises with whom you can play and pet them which will be a rare experience indeed. Ensuring maximum safety for the visitors, the park gives them a chance to observe the Nile crocodiles from a safe distance. A mini zoo is also in the park where you can find mammals and reptiles including skinks, giant tortoises, phelsumas (geckos), turtles, bats, deer, pigs, mongooses, monkeys, as well as goats, donkeys and fat-tailed sheep which contribute to the domestic livestock on the island. Make sure to visit the Insectarium where you will be able to find a rare collection of 23000 species of butterflies and insects which will leave you awestruck by all the diversity on the planet. The Jungle Adventure Playground is an entertainment zone for children where they can indulge in various activities.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PMPrice: INR 1100 per adult and INR 600 per child.
3. Explore the Underwater in Blue Safari Submarines
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If you and your children are excited to explore the world under the surface of the ocean, then we recommend you to go on a submarine tour. Yes, you must know that it is a real submarine which goes beneath the ocean surface and you get to observe the aquatic life more closely. You will see the moraines, colourful fishes, coral, crab, and stingray. The Blue Safari submarines will take you down to a depth of 35 meters where you will see ocean come to life. The subs also have a television screen inside which plays the images captured by the camera outside. The beautiful sights and the experience of being seated in a submarine and staying below the ocean for close to two hours are unique and unforgettable. While there are two types of submarines - one which can seat up to 10 members and another which can seat up to five members, there are also sub scooters which can hold two members. To ensure safety, the sub scooter goes up to three meters deep in the sea. The under-water bike comes with a steering wheel which helps the rider to change the direction. Before going on a sub-scooter tour, you will be given a 15-minutes training session.
Timings: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PMPrice: A tour of sub scooter starts from INR 10,000 and varies as per the customization requests from the tourist's end.
4. Watch the aquatic creatures at Mauritius Aquarium
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Do you enjoy observing bright patterned and gorgeous striped fishes and other aquatic creatures? If yes, then this is the place for you. The Mauritius aquarium is located in a serene village and is home to more than 200 species of invertebrates, sponges, fishes, corals and other aquatic beings commonly found around the island. The infrastructure of the aquarium offers a beautiful experience to the onlookers where they can walk on the ocean floor and at the same time, observe the creatures swimming in the clear water. Some of the unique animals that you can expect here are the Devil Firefish, Crown squirrelfish as well as sharks. You will also spot a plethora of colourful fishes - neon bright, fluorescent greens, purples, glowing yellows, that you did not even know was possible for any living creature to be.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PMPrice: INR 670 per adult and INR 400 per child.
5. Hear the mascots narrate the story of the Sugar Museum
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Mauritius has had a strong association with sugar for ages. A visit to the old Beau Plan sugar mill which has a strong history will give the visitor a preview of approximately 250 years of history of the region. The tour is of a duration of 90 minutes, and at the end of it, the visitor will get an excellent opportunity of tasting sugar. The old sugar factory has been transformed into a museum, and the tour commences with the factory building where you will get to know several exciting tales about sugar and its history with the island of which it was the primary product. During your visit to the factory, you will get to see the gigantic machines decorated with lights. There are also huge display screens which play movies of the decade-old sugar making in the factory. In the 1970s, this place was used to transport sugar sacks. To enable kids to understand the story of sugar, there are two mascots in the disguise of a mynah bird and a mongoose who narrates the story in a children-friendly manner. The mascots guide children on a tour where they answer their queries which are given in hidden in envelopes in secret places in the museum. For buying the exotic sugars, one can head to The Village Boutik. To enjoy a sumptuous meal with your family, you can head to the Restaurant Le Fangourin, set in a verdant environment overlooking the mountains and pool at the location.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: INR 800 per adult and INR 500 per child.
6. Enjoy a panoramic view of Bois Cheri Tea Plantation
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If you are holidaying in Mauritius, you must plan a tour of the Bois Cheri tea plantation which first came into existence in the year 1892. Sign up for the Mauritian Tea Route and the Bois Cheri plantation will be your second stop where your guide will walk you through the rich history of the plantation and its importance for the island. Kids will get to see the plantation, factory and enjoy the panoramic view of the scenic landscape of the southern part of the island. You can also stop by for the tasting ceremony to discover the aroma and taste of a wide range of teas flavoured teas, herbal teas and green teas.
Timings: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Price: INR 1150 per adult and INR 650 per child.
7. Go on an adventure spree at the park on the East Coast
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Opt a day-long package for your kids and let them go on an adventure spree. They will have an enriching experience in the most natural set-up of Mauritius where a diverse flora envelops this reserve. They will also have exciting rendezvous with creatures from the wild and fascinating birds. Among the activities that the children will be undertaking at the natural reserve are aquatic jets, bouncers and jumping castles, pony rides, pedal go-kart, car racing and much more. The kids' packages are designed for the age group of 3-12 years and last up to two hours.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: INR 1500 per child between 3-12 years of age.
8. Have a breathtaking experience on the Glass Bottom Boat
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Located on the South East coast of Mauritius, the Blue Bay marine park is the best place to observe the marine life. Close to Mahebourg, the Marine Park is spread over a whopping 353 hectares area. Be surprised by the splendid blue waters and the blue-coloured lagoon from where the place derives its name. The Glass Bottom Boat offers an exclusive opportunity to its on-boarders to see the marine life from the boat itself or go on a snorkelling adventure. The glass bottom of the boat offers mesmerizing views of the sea and its beings. Watch algae, seagrasses, mangroves, corals and many other sea creatures in the Marine Park. The experience is truly breathtaking as you spot the Sailfin tangs Surgeonfish, Damselfish, Trumpetfish, Butterflyfish, and tiny Pipefish.
Timings: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: INR 1400 per adult and INR 1250 per child. No entry fee for children below the age of 2.
9. Give your brain a workout at the Curious Corner of Chamarel
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If your child is curious by nature and always has interesting questions on his or her mind, then you must plan a visit to The Curious Corner of Chamarel. The place is in the Chamarel village, located opposite to the 7-coloured earth entrance. The Curious Corner of Chamarel is a house filled with delusional fantasies that will amuse you and your family beyond their imagination. On a curvy, hilly road, it has been designed by an expert team whose only ulterior motive was to leave their visitors awestruck. The place is spread over 5000 sq meters on the western side of the island and has a fantastic range of 40 exhibits. The moment you walk into this place, you are bound to experience a sudden shift in your normalized pattern of thinking because the illusions here will push you to think from a broader perspective. The bewildering optical illusions might even make you frustrated as you experience the thrilling phenomenon called The Curious Corner of Chamarel. Some of the popular attractions are The Ames Room where you will be standing in a cubic room with a partner wherein one of you will seem to be much smaller or bigger than your actual size; Mirror Maze where you will be surrounded by infinite mirrors which will confuse you about the infinite reflections and reality. The trick is to find your way out of the maze with astounding light effects; The Laser Music Room where you get to play your favourite tunes using laser beams. Challenge your inner musician to come out and enjoy the fun ride; and The Upside Down Room where you can defy the laws of gravity and live upside down. Did anyone else think of Stranger Things when we mentioned living upside down? The complete tour will require close to 90 minutes of your time. Try it; it's worth it.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PMPrice: INR 850 per adult and INR 500 per child between 3-12 years of age. No entry fee for children below the age of 2.
10. Ride a Pony at Domaine de L'Etoile
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Gift your child this exclusive adventure of riding a pony and have a memorable experience for his or her lifetime at the Domaine de l'etoile Kids Village. The children between the age of 3-12 years can enjoy a 30 minutes pony ride here because it is a rare opportunity for them where they can discover the joy of horse riding. With close attention given to the children's safety, the Domaine allows them to ride around the nature reserve on one of the ponies while a guide will be riding alongside them all the time to ensure maximum safety. The Pony Ride Package takes the participant on a lovely pony ride as they get to see the rich diversity in flora and fauna around the area. The ancient ebony trees are a must-see here along with cinnamon trees, vetivers, traveller's trees, orchids, banana trees being some of the other trees that the children will see in the area. The pony rides are available in three different slots throughout the day - 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The pony ride at Domaine also gives a wonderful chance to the children to observe animals closely, interact with them, pet them and feed them. The place was a private hunting range earlier until it was opened to the public in the recent years. There are also a couple of entertaining activities for kids such as a treetop adventure, aquatic jet skis, trampolines, small car circuits and much more. The onsite restaurant is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the local delicacies. So, what are you waiting for? Saddle up and get riding!
Timings: 10:00 AM to 3:30 PMPrice: INR 1600 per participant. You can opt for special kids lunch menu at a price of INR 500.
11. Have an enthralling experience at Polaris Fun Drive Adventure
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No matter how gorgeous the white sand beaches in Mauritius are, after a particular time, you might want to take a break from them and instead go on an adventure with your children. Then head out for the Polaris Fun Drive to have an exciting day in ensured maximum safety and security. Give a chance to your children to drive the magnificent beasts Polaris RZR 170 cc, or the Polaris ACE 325 cc depending on your kid's age and height. Although the activity is recommended for 10-year olds, kids of age seven years can also be allowed to drive if they are of the stated height (125 cm). There will also be a co-pilot along with the child driver who will guide the kids on how to ride safely. There is absolutely nothing to worry about this enthralling experience because the activity takes place under the strictest supervision on the exclusive circuits for kids. While the Polaris RZR 170 cc is ideal for kids of age seven years and beyond and can seat two people at a time whereas the Polaris ACE 325 cc needs a child to be of minimum 13 years with a height of 150 cm.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Price:
INR 1800 per child for eight minutes of activity.
INR 3100 per child for 16 minutes of activity.
INR 4600 per child for 24 minutes of activity.
12. Take a Tour to the Thematic World of Casela Nature Park
A visit to the Mauritius Safari and Bird Park is another great adventure that you can plan for your children to have a glimpse at some of the creatures from the wild while also enjoy exciting adventures on the rides. The park consists of four different thematic worlds - Safari Kingdom, Nature Kingdom, Mountain Kingdom and the Water Kingdom. Say hello to giraffes, camels, llamas, hippopotamus and get to know them as you spend time with them. Have a fantastic experience at the 4D Cinema at the Discovery Centre and acquaint yourself with the history of the island and natural science with gigantic 3D maps establishing the timeline. The approximate duration to visit the park will take about three hours. Make sure that you do not plan a visit on December 25 and January 1 because these are the two days when the park is not operational. For the brave hearts, do not forget to miss the Tulawaka Gold Coaster which will give you an unforgettable adrenaline rush while the Toboggan is another ride for thrill seekers. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?Price: INR 1900 per adult and INR 1250 per child between 3-12 years of age. No entry fee for children below the age of 2.
Kids Animal Adventure at Casela
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The 4500-hectare reserve is a guaranteed fun-packed opportunity for children of the age of five and above. The Kids Animal Adventure Package at Casela includes activities such as Petting Farm Animal Feeding, Lorikeet Feeding, Pony Ride, Giraffe Feeding, Paddock Camel Ride, Tortoises Feeding, Tilapia Fishing and Zip lining activity (400 m). The Paddock Camel Ride will be a five-minute long ride where you can go along a merry ride on the back of these desert animals who are gentle unless being scared with unnecessary chaos in their vicinity. The Lorikeet Feeding is a delightful activity in which children even get a chance to allow the gorgeous birds to sit on their shoulders. Another activity, Tilapia Fishing, is also an enriching experience as the children will be provided with their own set of fishing equipment to catch fish in a safe water body. If your child is seeking some adventure, then send him or her for the Zipline Activity where the five 400-m high zip lines go over a waterfall and a river. In case you haven't tried it out before, it will be enthralling for you as you get a panoramic view of the area.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PMPrice: INR 3200 per participant and INR 2400 per participant for the Zip lining activity
Now that indeed is a suggestive list of all the different activities that you can enjoy together as a family while in Mauritius. While the indoor children activities such as the Sugar Museum and Factory tour highlight the rich history of the island, the outdoor activities, such as the Glass Bottom Boat Tour offer a chance to you and your family to see the marine life closely. There is no doubt that Mauritius is the ultimate family destination where you can have fun together and click some memorable pictures to evoke nostalgia later on.