La Vanille Nature Park — Attraction in Rivière des Anguilles

BEWARE of security issues! We visited the park yesterday. At the end of, what they call, the nature walk we encountered three aggressive monkeys out in the open (the same species is also displayed in cages in the park). The monkeys tried to attack us. They run after us and tried to jump on us. We were screaming and running away. They only stopped after I threw dirt (from the pathway) at them several times.

When we reported this to security they casually explained that they have been trying to capture these monkeys for a long time, without success!!! They also warned us to be careful because the monkeys are known for biting people!! They didn't seem to be concerned though. They asked if we wanted to file a complaint. At that point we just wanted to leave that place and they said, fine, so we left.

The staff seems lethargic and uninterested.

We came here mainly to see the giant tortoises. We were surprised to see that visitors are allowed to walk around, touch, and feed them at any point during the day. We saw kids pushing them and hitting their shell. There was a guide who encouraged visitors to touch them and was amused when a visitor put a hat on one of the tortoises' heads for a photo. The guide also said that one of the tortoises bit a child yesterday, removing the child's entire nail.

And still, all around us kids were feeding the tortoises, some without direct supervision by the parents.

The intention behind this nature park might be a good one but the negligence on the side of the staff that we've witnessed...

5 stars all the way! Cannot miss when in Mauritius! We chose this over casela because of all the bad reviews there. We especially wanted to see the turtoises and La Vanille was definitely the best on the island! Entrance is 500 Rs per adult (June 2019). 30 minute guided tour was informative and free, we tipped 100 Rs. Also, the staff is super friendly in the park and from their Facebook page. They answered all my questions even at midnight! If you are into giant turtoises, you will likely enjoy them here for hours and hours. We picked up branches from the feeding and fed them for two hours. Then we realized that the turtoises absolutely LOVE the paid 25 Rs greens. They are even more excited and photogenic when you give them that! So adorable! #30 and #69 are my favorites. They are so sweet and I got to take lots of cute photos with them. We also saw some mating happen with the turtoises which was interesting. By 2:30pm most of the turtoises we're ready to go to sleep and felt less energetic. We were glad we arrived at 9am when there were very few people in the park. The park is a good size and has some interesting animals like lemur who just rides the Madagascar turtles. There's a very smelly farm animal section that's pretty skippable. There is one female deer roaming around freely who is quite friendly. Crocodile feeding was intense but I personally don't like crocodiles that much. Go for the turtoises they are...

La Vanille Nature Park is a popular tourist attraction located in the south of Mauritius. It is a nature reserve that covers over 3.5 hectares of lush green forest and is home to a variety of exotic animals and plants.

The park is known for its collection of giant tortoises, which are native to the Seychelles and Aldabra Atoll. Visitors can get up close and personal with these gentle creatures and even feed them. The park is also home to a variety of other animals, including crocodiles, monkeys, deer, and iguanas.

La Vanille Nature Park has several areas where visitors can walk and explore, including a petting farm where children can interact with farm animals such as goats, rabbits, and ducks. The park also has an insectarium, where visitors can see a wide variety of insects, including butterflies, beetles, and spiders.

For those interested in plants, the park has a botanical garden with a wide variety of exotic plants and trees, including many endemic species of Mauritius. Visitors can learn about the various uses of these plants, including their medicinal and cultural significance.

La Vanille Nature Park also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop, where visitors can buy souvenirs and local products.

Overall, La Vanille Nature Park is a great destination for families and nature enthusiasts who want to learn more about the unique flora and fauna of Mauritius in a fun and...