La Vanille Nature Park was established in 1985 with the main goal to preserve from extinction some of the animals, such as giant Aldabra tortoises, crocodiles, bats, and butterflies. This is one of the nature parks and reserves in Mauritius and a popular tourist attraction. Earlier this place was known as La Vanille Crocodile Park.
Check this ultimate travel guide to Crocodile park in Mauritius; get up-to-date information about entrance fees to La Vanille Nature park and day tours available, how to get there, things to do and see and other details first time visitors should know.
General Information
- Address: SENNEVILLE, Riviere des Anguilles, Riviere des Anguilles 60602, Mauritius
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm, daily
- Join La Vanille Nature Park, Bois Cheri and Saint Aubin day tour
- Tel: +230 626 2503
- Email: crocpark@intnet.mu
- Official website: https://www.lavanillenaturepark.com/index.php/en/home-1
- Location on the map: link.
La Vanille Nature Park Ticket Price
Entrance fee to La Vanille Nature park is – 878 Rs/ adult, 617 Rs/ child. These ticket prices are valid for non-residents. You can buy tickets to La Vanille Nature Park on the official website or at the entrance.
La Vanille Nature Park Tours
Visit to Crocodile Park in Mauritius is included as one of the destination points in many day tours. If you’re looking for such kind of experience, you might be interested in joining one of the following excursions.
You can join day tour that includes a visit to La Vanille Nature Park and wild beaches of Baie du Cap village and Maconde viewpoint. Click here to book this tour.
During the 8 hours tour you’ll have a chance to visit several places in the south of Mauritius island: Bois Cheri, Gris Gris, La Vanille Nature Park and Sugar Estate. More details and opportunity to book here.
How to get to the Crocodile park
To get to La Vanille Nature Park in Mauritius, you have several transportation options depending on where you are staying on the island. Crocodile park is located in the south of the island, not far from one of the hiking trails in Mauritius – Senneville Cliffs. If you’re going to the park from Port Louis, it will take about one hour to drive.
Taxi or Private Transfer
One of the most convenient ways to get to La Vanille Nature Park is by taxi or by renting a car with a driver. For example, if you’re traveling by a small group, you can choose full-day tour with chauffeur guide. You can reach any destination you want within the day, get more details on this option here.
Day Trip
The most convenient option is to choose tour packages that include transportation to La Vanille Nature Park along with entrance tickets, hotel pick-up and drop-off and visit to several other places. Click here to find more details and complete booking.
By Bus
Mauritius has a pretty well developed public bus network that connects different parts of the island. You can check which bus routes pass through Rivière des Anguilles village, where La Vanille Nature Park is located. If you’re going to take a bus that stops at the village itself, be ready to walk around an hour. Also, keep in mind that using public buses may take longer and require multiple transfers, but it’s a more budget-friendly option.
It’s not so difficult to find the entrance to the park, just keep the following map tag as your reference point.
Crocodile Park Map
La Vanille Nature Park Main Features
La Vanille Crocodile Park is an active participant of many conservation programs. There you can see one of the oldest Aldabra tortoises living in the park, whose age is more than 100 years and weight is above 250 kg.
You can join guided tours, visit a restaurant, and a souvenir shop to buy small gifts. It is a great place to learn about the unique ecosystem of Mauritius island.
So, if you were in doubt, is La Vanille Nature Park worth visiting, you should definitely give it a try. Except of giant tortoises and Nile crocodiles that you can see in Crocodile Park on the territory of 5 hectares there are many other things to do and see.
Interactive Farm
This is an area for children where they can interact with animals under the guidance of the park’s staff. They can feed chicken and rabbits. There is a playground right there, so it will not be a boring experience at all. Another activitity in La Vanille Nature Park for kids is pony rides.
Dodo Museum
La Vanille Nature Park activities are not only entertaining but also educational with several museums located on its territory. One of them is devoted to Dodo bird, which is a national heritage and pride of Mauritius island.
You can find different souvenirs and gifts with Dodo birds, which were extinct in the 17th century. It was a specialist Dr. Julian Hume, who tried to make a reconstruction of how this bird looked. In this museum you can also see replicas of other animals and bird species that once lived on Mauritius island.
The Insectarium
You’ll be surprised to see how many different insects live on the territory of Mauritius island. More than 30000 specimens are available for you to explore in the Insectarium, located on the territory of Crocodile Park in Mauritius.
Featured collection is the result of 30 years of work. Just try to imagine “behind the scenes”: how much effort was required to prepare each item to show them later to the public.
Fossil Museum
Another must-do thing in La Vanille Nature Park is visit to Fossil Museum. There you can see fossils, found not only on the territory of Mauritius island, but in Madagascar. Also make sure to visit the section devoted to marine mammals. There you’ll see skeletons of whales, seals and other marine creatures.
Feeding Times
If you would like to gain the maximum from your visit to La Vanille National Park don’t miss animals’ feeding time. You’re invited to participate in the following activities: to feed giant tortoises everyday, at 11.00 and 13.00. Greens for feeding can be bought at the entrance to the enclosure and cost 75 MUR.
At 11.30 it’s feeding time for crocodiles, living in the park. This experience is really unique and can’t be missed. Other experiences with crocodiles offered to tourists are feeding baby crocodiles for 350 MUR at 11 am, 1.30 pm, 3 pm, the opportunity to take a photo with a baby crocodile for 350 MUR.
For an additional price you can attend “the nursery” and feed the baby tortoises, everyday at 10.30. 11.00 and 14.00.
Another interactive opportunity for park visitors is a chance to enter lemurs’ enclosure and feed these creatures.
La Vanille Nature Park Video
FAQ
You can meet crocodiles in Mauritius in La Vanille Nature park, where they were bred for their skin. It was the first and unique place of its kind in the island.
Don’t miss an opportunity to feed the baby crocodile. Feeding times: 11.00, 13.30 and 15.00. Participation in this activity is not included in the entrance ticket and need to be paid separately.
La Vanille Crocodile park is a home to about 2000 Nile crocodiles of different ages. This is a place where you can even touch a Nile baby, learn about the life of these creatures that appeared even before the dinosaurs.
You can visit it on your own. It means that you need to think about transportation: rent a car or use taxi. If that’s not something you’re interested in, it’s better to join one of group day tours. Except of Crocodile park in Mauritius you’ll visit some fascinating beaches in the southern part of the island, as well as viewpoints. Click here to check all the details about the tour.
Those looking for more intensive tour program can enjoy a trip to rum distillery, visit sugar plantation and tea factory. You can book 8-hours day tour here.
