La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes

The island of Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Archipelago, called Mascareignes in French. On the southern part of the island is an animal park called La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes.
Opened in 1985 near the town of Riviere des Anguilles, La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes is part nature park, part zoo, covering 3.5 hectares. Visitors can walk along trails through giant bamboo, palm and banana trees, while guides talk about the types of animals found on the three Mascarenes Islands – Mauritius, Reunion, and Rodrigues.
There are 1500 Nile crocodiles at La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes, as well as butterflies, geckos, iguanas, frogs, mongoose, and giant tortoises – including the oldest tortoise, which is 97 years old.

Practical Info

La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes is open daily from 8:30am-5pm. Tickets cost Rs. 395 for adults and Rs. 225 for children ages 3-12 Monday-Friday, and Rs. 225 for adults and Rs. 100 for children ages 3-12 Saturday-Sunday.