Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park And Nature Reserve

Visit Mauritius’ famous Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park

The Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park which is home to various species of animals, reptiles and plants is set in a beautiful rain forested valley with natural freshwater springs, full of prawns and fish.

As part of your visit to the Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park, the park’s guides will guide you through some unforgettable walks, and you will stroll through luxuriant greenery where banana trees, palm trees and giant bamboos provide shade for the crocodiles and the giant tortoises.

During your stay in the park you can also experience a firsthand unique encounter with the giant tortoises, and get a rare chance to feed, pet and play with them.

Also thousands of Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises are found in the park and you can watch them in maximum safety.

There is also a mini zoo of Mauritian fauna where you can find most of the Mauritian mammals and reptiles including skinks, phelsumas (geckos), giant tortoises, turtles, bats, deer, mongooses, monkeys, pigs, as well as domestic livestock such as goats, fat-tailed sheep and donkeys.

A must see is the park rare collection of butterflies and other brightly-colored insects (with about 23 000 species), which is one of the most fascinating in the world.

In the park there is also a “Jungle Adventure Playground”, which is an area offering fun attractions and activities, especially designed for children.

The park guiding is included in the price of your visit.

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.

Visit the Tortoise Nursery

Have you ever dreamt of encountering these fantastic animals? Or do you want to find out what goes on behind the scenes at the park? Visit the tortoise nursery to encounter Aldabra giant tortoises and feed them. As part of the visit, you will get to feed the baby tortoises, learn about the breeding programme at La Vanille Nature Park and also have a beautiful photo souvenir with a baby tortoise to immortalize this wonderful experience.

Aldabra Tortoises

Following their global popularity, particularly in Europe, North America and East Asia, the poaching of wild tortoises led to the extinction of many species. At one point, the giant Aldabra tortoises had almost completely disappeared from Mauritius.

La Vanille Nature Park has been one of the largest associations catering to Aldabra tortoises in the world. Nearly 1,000 specimens populate the park and are part of the conservation program. The park's mission is to protect and care for these endangered species.

Comments

• Tortoise Nursery Visit: Everyday at 10h30, 11h00 and 14h00
• Duration of the visit: 30 minutes
• Maximum number of people: 12
• Children MUST be accompanied by at least 1 Adult for the Visit the Tortoise Nursery

Lunch at the Hungry Crocodile Restaurant

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

Choose your preferred selection of dishes from the menus listed below:

Menu A - Chicken Menu

• Chicken curry with coconut milk
• Rice
• Lentils and Chatini
• Banana flambé with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream

Menu B - Vegetarian menu

• Vegetables gratin
• Kofta red sauce
• Rice
• Lentils and Chatini
• Sagoo appalam

Menu C - Crocodile Menu

• Palmiste Gratin
• Crocodile skewer with barbecue sauce
• Spicy rice salad

Price for the lunch

• Menu A: 17 Euro
• Menu B: 24 Euro
• Menu C: 34 Euro

Opening Hours of the Park

• Every day: 9:30 to 17:00
• The crocodiles feeding are done everyday at 11h30.

Prices

Entrance Tickets

• Price per adult: 13 Euro
• Price per child (ages 3-12): 7 Euro
• Price per baby (ages 0-2): Free of charge

Visit the Tortoise Nursery

• Price per adult: 14 Euro
• Price per child (ages 3-12): 9 Euro