Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park And Nature Reserve

You can see Mauritius’ iconic Seven Coloured Earth without breaking your wallet! It’s included in the South West Classic Tour, now at a special price.

Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park And Nature Reserve - Inclusions

• Visit of Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Nature Park - La Vanille Crocodile Park
• Guided tours by the Park’s guides
• Observation of the crocodiles and alligators with maximum safety
• Discover baby crocodiles in their different growth stages*
• View the Giant Tortoises
• Visit the fossil museum, insectarium and other enclosures
• Access to the mini zoo and petting farm**
• Optional (for a supplement) : Lunch at the Hungry Crocodile

Free Activities (Included in your ticket)

• Big Crocodile feeding show (everyday at 11.30)
• Baby Crocodile feeding show (everyday at 11:00, 13:30 & 15:00)
• Meet Octar, the Iguana (everyday at 10.30 & 14.30)
• Feeding of Giant Tortoises show (everyday 13.00)

Optional Activities (For a supplement)

• Visit the tortoise nursery and get a chance to feed and interact with them
• Feed the Baby Crocodiles (3 pieces of chicken per feed)

Note:

*Printed picture with the baby crocodile is not included in the package and is payable onsite.

**Food and bottle at the petting farm is not included in the package and is payable onsite.

Transport is available for an additional supplement and will include pick up and drop off from any hotel / place of accommodation in Mauritius.

Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park And Nature Reserve

Home to the second largest crocodilian and one of the largest tortoises in the world, Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park And Nature Reserve (La Vanille Nature Park) invites you to discover its unique park through its animal enclosures, lush and exotic vegetation, insectarium and museum.

Established in 1985 with 100 African crocodiles from Madagascar, the park has grown significantly and pays tribute to the old vanilla vines that once grew in its 5-hectare reserve.

You can opt for the Entrance Only package to explore the park at your leisure or choose the Entrance + Lunch package for a complete experience.

Visit and Tour of the Nature Reserve

As part of your visit to the Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park, the park’s guides will lead you through some unforgettable walks - be amazed by the beautiful sceneries and the animal encounters.

Thousands of Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises are found in the park and you can watch them in maximum safety. Crocodiles are undoubtedly one of the scariest reptiles to exist and seeing them in front of you will be a moment you will never forget. Watch these predators that weigh about 750 kg laze under the sun or swim peacefully in the lake.

Should you be at the park at their feeding time, you could enjoy the feeding show, watching them jump to catch their food. The park features up to 5 enclosures for crocodiles, alligators and caimans. You will learn how to differentiate between them and get the chance to witness the breeding pond and the nursery. You will also have the chance to see the newly hatched crocs and witness them at different stages of their lives.

During your visit, you will also come across multiple animals like monkeys, fruit bats, lemurs, iguanas, mongooses, farm animals and so much more. The ponds found at the park house so many colourful koi fish. You will be amazed at how tranquil just watching them swim can make you.

You will have the opportunity to see the Giant Tortoises. These Aldabra tortoises are the last surviving giant tortoise species that once inhabited the islands of the Indian ocean. They can grow to about 1.2m and weigh on average 250kg! Nearly 1,000 specimens populate the park and are part of the conservation program. Among them is Domino, a giant tortoise over 110 years old, ranked among the five oldest tortoises in the world. The park's mission is to protect and care for these endangered species.

Everyday at 13:00, you can see the keepers feeding the giant tortoises live. You will be amazed at how the animals known to be slow movers can be fast to react to their food on the way!

Tortoise and Crocodile Nurseries

The baby tortoises and crocodiles can be watched from their respective enclosures. It is true that everything small is cute now imagine little tortoises limping as they try to walk around and baby crocodiles enjoying a bath in the cage.

For a supplement you can also have an assisted visit to the cages and feed the babies. An experience which you would enjoy having in a safe environment.

Note:

• Feed Baby Crocodiles at a supplement - 11:00, 13:30 & 15:00
• Feed Baby Tortoises in the Nursery at a supplement - 10:30 & 14:00

Free Live Shows at the Nature Reserve

Be sure to time your visit right, so that you don't miss the live feeding shows of the animals in the park. Witness the epic crocodile feeding show where these creatures will lunge in the air to get their meal or for a more relaxing vibe watch the baby crocodile feeding and feeding of the giant tortoises.

Note:

• Big Crocodile feeding show - Everyday at 11:30
• Baby Crocodile feeding show - Everyday at 11:00, 13:30 & 15:00
• Feeding of Giant Tortoises - Everyday at 13:00

Meet Octar, the Iguana

Octar is the friendly iguana of the park. He comes out to greet you at 10:30 and 14:30. He looks like he is always smiling and loves being petted. His carer would have him sitting across his shoulders where he can enjoy a nice view of all his fans or carry him in his arms like the baby he likes to feel like. So do not be scared of his dorsal spikes, Oscar likes a little rub or a gentle pat sometimes.

Visit of the Insectarium

The insectarium is home to one of the largest collections of insects with more than 28 000 species and about 30 000 specimens from 5 continents. The unique collection took Mr. Jacques Siedlecki, thirty years of patience and passion to complete. You can sometimes meet Jacques at the insectarium and he will be happy to tell you more about his story and how this whole project came along. From capturing the butterflies and other insects to preparing them from the exhibit, Jacques will tell you all you want to know about this delicate work.

The result is truly a fascinating rainbow of colours.

Visit of the Lost Land of the Dodo Museum & Fossil Museum

The Lost Land of the Dodo Museum is an exhibit about the extinct bird which can be considered as the emblem of Mauritius, the Dodo bird. This big flightless bird used to be abundant on the island centuries ago and was consumed for his flesh by previous occupations. At this museum you can find out more about this extinct species and even see how it looked.

The Fossil Museum features the "100 Million Years Under the Sea". This exhibition of international standard holds hundreds of fossils from Madagascar as well as a mural of what living ammonites would have looked like in their natural environment at prehistoric times.

Ammonites are the most well-known and most popular of fossils. In addition, the museum includes a section on marine mammals of Mauritius - including an impressive display of whale skeletons.

Chemin de La Nature & The Playground

Chemin de La Nature is an area where you can enjoy a nice walk in nature. This area of the nature reserve has been kept free of enclosures and instead has a cleared path on which you enjoy a little promenade by the rivulet. There are tables and stools, from tree barks, at random spots where you can pause and take a little rest before continuing your excitement-filled day.

There is also a Children’s playground close to the entrance where your little ones can have as much fun as they want on the slides, the swings or climbing ropes. They even have their own little nepalese bridge to cross and feel like adventurers.

Petting Farm Visit

The petting farm is a favourite of both adults and kids. Meet the ponies, ducks, rabbits, goats and so many other farm animals and interact with them. Do not be scared if the furry little friends start following you around, they just want some cuddles. There even is a hug corner where you can hug baby goats and other pets while you sit down and pet them.

Note: For a supplement, you can even be provided with pellets or milk bottles to feed the animals.

Hungry Crocodile Restaurant

Inside the park you will find the recommended Hungry Crocodile Restaurant. Built among the tree-tops, the restaurant offers you a choice of local Mauritian food and international dishes, and also several dishes made with crocodile, which are definitely worth a try – you will be pleasantly surprised. Snacks and various drinks are also available.

• Water bottle

• Mosquito Repellent

• Sunscreen

Lunch at the Hungry Crocodile Restaurant

The "Hungry Crocodile" restaurant welcomes you in its unique setting, overlooking the forested valley.

• Children MUST be accompanied by at least 1 Adult for the Visit the Tortoise Nursery

Additional activities at a supplement

• The Feeding Giant Tortoises Activity is payable at the park.
• Feeding Baby Crocodiles and Feeding Giant Tortoises can be booked directly on this package.
• Food and bottle at the petting farm & Printed picture with baby crocodile is not included in this package and is payable on site.
• All activities not included in this package are payable on site.
• Please note that lunch package also includes entrance.