The Discovery East Tour: incl Crocodile park, visit to Ile Aux Aigrettes & Lunch

Begin your 8 hours discovery East of Mauritius tour with a hotel pick-up at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet and be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding to your comfortable vehicle, then set off for your first stop which is the Ile Aux Aigrettes island.

Then, continue to Ile aux Aigrettes, a tiny coral island just off the coast of the town of Mahebourg. The island has been declared a nature conservation site & is being preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

The boat trip to Ile aux Aigrette departs from Pointe Jerome. You will discover Ile aux Aigrettes & enjoy original Mauritian nature with an expert guide alongside leading the way. You will discover plants & animals, unique to Mauritius & found nowhere else in the world. Some of them have come close to extinction like the pink pigeon, a bird that was in danger of extinction for many years. You will also visit the indigenous plant nursery.
When visiting Ile aux Aigrettes you will get to see breath-taking scenery of the South East of Mauritius and will be given a glimpse of the history of Mauritius. You will also get to see beautiful trees with strange names like Ox wood, Pipe wood, Rat wood, and Bottle palm. There is also the chance to see a rare orchid in full bloom.

Afterward, you'll head to a local restaurant to savor a 3-course lunch comprising Fresh Salads, Rice, Soups, chicken, fish & vegetables

Then, head to Mahebourg to visit the National History Museum of Mauritius, which will take you into a historical journey of the island dating back to the 18th century.

The museum collection consists of diverse objects of ethnological and historical importance, documents, prints, paintings, maps, miniature sculptures by the Mauritian artist Prosper D’Epinay and marine archaeological finds from historic shipwrecks.

In addition, you will also get to see exquisite artifacts of many other ships' wrecks. Some bones of an extinct species of Giant Tortoises & of the Dodo are displayed at the museum. These bones bear testimony to their existence until some few hundred years back. Some railway items, including a model of a double-decker coach, are also on display to remind one of the existence of a railway system in Mauritius

After some time, visit the Mahebourg waterfront to know about the Culture and History of Mauritius which is very interesting. Located in the traditional Mauritian Village, the new Mahebourg Waterfront is ideal for a relaxing walk as well as a journey back in time taking part in the local Mauritian history!

You will get the chance to see and learn more about the epic battle that was fought in this region. There is also the memorial known as Bataille de le Passe that pays homage to the fighters who lost their lives in the battle. You will get to see the panoramic view where the battle took place.

The Mahebourg Waterfront is considered to be an ideal spot for those who are fans of long walks by the sea, enjoying an unforgettable stroll in a beautiful natural setting and remarkable sea views. Do not miss the sight of the island ‘Mouchoir Rouge’ at the end of the quay, a sight that will truly amaze you!

Then head to the mahebourg local market, is a spectacular sight for those who wish to experience the lively local culture. You will find amazing products here at a great bargain.The Mahebourg market was initially focusing on silks and textiles, but today you are sure to find a large variety of World of Seashells on offer. The market offers typical market products such as vegetables, fruits for the surrounding locals but also a wide variety of local handicrafts and souvenirs of the paradise island.
One thing we surely advise you not to miss is the food. At the Mahebourg Market, you will have a large selection of food such as Briyani, Dholl Puri (lentils pancakes), Chinese Noodles or the very famous Gato Pima (fritter made with split pea). They make up for a delicious street food tasting, don’t worry we won’t tattle to your diet!

Pointe Canon is an interesting place to go to have a nice overview of the different sites surrounding Mahebourg. You will see the imposing Lion Mountain that overlooks the sugar cane fields, Mouchoir Rouge islet, facing the waterfront, and Ile aux Aigrettes further north, a small protected island located in the lagoon and which is also a nature reserve. Pointe Canon is the place where the inhabitants of the region meet during events such as regattas and the commemoration of the abolition of slavery celebrations in February. Pointe Canon was a coastal artillery location with anti-ship cannons and fortifications created to protect invasions of enemies from the sea. Today, it remains as a historical viewpoint and a place to relax with the cannons and fortifications still holding firm. You will see the panoramic view of the South East and the ocean.

On the way, we will go to visit the Frederick Hendrick Museum. The Frederik Henrik Museum is a historical site that at present bears the remnants of the first human settlement in Mauritius. Located at Old Grand Port, this place is considered a historical site bearing witness to the Dutch and French colonial settlements in Mauritius, on the coast of south east Mauritius. The very first inhabitants of Mauritius, the Dutch, settled here to colonize the island. The museum is surrounded by a luxuriant tropical garden, includes a visitors’ centre with an exhibition of artifacts found during archaeological excavations in the area since 1997 and the remains of some ruins. They consist of building materials: stones, bricks, nails; military objects like musket balls, cannonballs, flintstones, everyday life artifacts, and implements- sickle, hoe, beads, coins, clay pipes, ceramics and potteries, cooking utensils; and food remains- bones of fish, cattle, deer, pigs, dugong, tortoise, shells, etc.

Finally, you'll head to the La Vanille crocodile park where you will discover the flora & fauna endemic to Mauritius. You will get the chance to observe these animals in the reserve (according to the animal welfare act); Nile Crocodiles, tenrecs, eels, iguanas, and turtles from Madagascar and Seychelles.

You will be introduced to a collection of fossils of animals that are now extinct in Mauritius and surrounding islands such as the dodo and the elephant bird of Madagascar. You will get the opportunity to learn about insects as well since La Vanille Nature Park also has an insectarium with a rare collection of species from various locations around the world.

The Park spreads over 3.5 hectares in the south & houses many other animals that you will have a chance to see from monkeys, bats, deers, geckos & wild boars. The site is also home to 2000 Nile crocodiles where you can observe them at different stages of their growth.

Your East tour ends with return transport to your hotel.