La Vanille Nature Park
La Vanille Nature Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
La Vanille Nature Park is an idyllic and stunning park of lush tropical vegetation covering 3.5 hectares. Enjoy the unforgettable experience of walking amongst the largest group of captive-bred giant Aldabra tortoises in the world. We have more than 1000 tortoises in the park, in addition to 2000 Nile Crocodiles as well as a variety of other animals such as monkeys, iguanas, bats, deer, geckos, eels, wild boar and more... You can also visit our Insectarium with more than 23,000 specimens, an aquarium and fossil museum. New at La Vanille: A petting farm, pony rides. Our guides and animators will fill your visit with intense memories.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Tiff_Dec_WWitham, United Kingdom79 contributionsNice 2-3 hour tripWe had planned to come here and drove ourselves. The tortoises were incredible and we hadn't seen any like it before, you can buy leaves for them to eat which was an amazing experience but they have alot of veg scattered anyway so could just pick that up!! My husband was most excited about seeing the crocodiles, they were huge and we had never seen one before in real life so was both mesmerized. A really lovely little animal park that we would recommend visiting with or without children.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 October 2023
- Kata0229Szentendre, Hungary156 contributionsNiceIf you are visiting othet places in the southern area, may be worth visiting. But not in itself. For us it was recommended by a local person, so we had high expectations. The park is beauriful but very small. We spent less than an hour.Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 2 November 2023
- kevraquetFareham, United Kingdom79 contributionsGreat nature parkWent here with open mind but thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of other animals to see ,and enjoyed feeding the baby crocs. Never seen so many tortoises in my life ,hundreds from massive to tiny babies.restaurant well priced , easy to get around.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 November 2023
- Kevin SPontypridd, United Kingdom7,058 contributionsPleasant but expensive€20 is expensive for what is there but it was a nice break from the beaches. Zoo like for the main features, the crocodile enclosure, lemurs, monkeys and iguanas. Small but very nice woodland walk which won’t take long but is quite picturesque. The highlight is the tortoise enclosure. This is quite a large open area where you can walk among the giant tortoises, and they are big and there are lots of them. That was a nice experience.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 November 2023
- MariskadeGraafEindhoven, The Netherlands136 contributionsTortoise feeding is great!To begin with: I booked for November 11, when the park just recovered from heavy rainfall days earlier. I could therefore not visit on November 11, but the park was so kind to offer to transfer my tickets to November 13, when the weather was quiet and the park had recovered from the flooding. I really loved the feeding of the tortoises. There a lot of them, you can find your own little corner to feed the tortoise you want and the animals do not seem to be under any stress. I fed three tortoises at the same time. For about 2 euros you can buy a strain of the branches they love to eat. Definitely worth it! We also tried to find the beauty in the rest of the park, but some of the crocodiles and reptiles seemed to be in small bassins or cages. The indoor exhibitions with butterflies and moths and fossils were quite good though.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 November 2023
- James CCoventry, United Kingdom5 contributionsGreat park, unless you are a deerAmazing, especially by middle income country standards. Animals appear well looked after except the deer which are in a small cramped enclosure with no grass and nowhere to escape the mosquitos. Very good value. Best part was the giant tortoises, we spent two hours just feeding and interacting with them. Was the best part of our holiday by a mile.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 December 2023
- Peter PBratislava, Slovakia11 contributionsSecond visit, not dissappointedSecond time here. Very nice visit with kids. Everything clean, lot of crocodiles,collection of insects and butterflies is impressive. The crocodile feeding "theater" is a bit "humiliating" from my POV. Good restaurant.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 13 January 2024
- Lily RLondon, United Kingdom152 contributionsGreat funAmazing park. The entrance price has becomed a bit steep for non resident (around 900rs), but the staff is nice and the turtles seem well treated that it's worth it. Plan for a half day visit, try to see the small croc feeding at 11 am then the big crocs at 11.30am, then the turtles at 1pm. They are also bats, lemurs and monkeys. We've been 3 times alreadyVisited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 March 2024
- Regis M11 contributionsNice little nature ParkNice & simple little nature park with a lot of crocodile, tortoises (that you can feed) and a fabulous restaurant. Very clean toilets. Ideal for younger children. Done in 2 to 3 hours max including lunch Loved itVisited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 12 April 2024
- rilasataUnited Kingdom304 contributionsTortoises … EverywhereVisited as part of an excursion to the central south of Mauritius. The nature park more than exceeded our expectations. Yes it is small. And known as the crocodile park. But the real gem is the giant tortoise area. Hundreds of giant tortoises. From newborns in the nursery to the 115 year old veteran. The enclosure is open to walk into and be surrounded by these amazing “moving rocks”, and you can buy leaves for a small fee to hand feed them. Also impressive but perhaps sadder is the huge collection of captured and catalogued insects. All varieties and sizes. There is feeding of the crocodiles to watch. And also flying foxes, alligators and a few other animals. Well worth a visit.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 May 2024
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4.5
2,420 reviews
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222
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Paul L
68 contributions
Dec 2019
You are not allowed to take photos of some animals as you have to pay them for it, that wasn't a good start for us as we had only just walked in. we arrived at the opening and there was a lot of rubbish in bushes and on floors. Very sad to see that staff advise and push you to get your children to sit on the tortoises, allot of parents didn't see an issue with this but we did, we said no as we didn't want to hurt them and they guide said they like it, i do not think this is the case. Monkeys were in a very small enclosure and didn't seem happy and what was really sad was they advertise deers and we saw 1 sat down 25 meters away in a cage smaller than what i have seen for 1 bird. The 1 highlight was watching crocodiles being fed which was an experience that we will remember forever.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good day,
We thank you for your comment.
The problem which occurred with the picture (probably baby crocodile) could be a misinterpretation as, you have the 2 choices to make this picture: with your own camera or the photo staff service.
This is a paying activity as it is part of our photo service.
The rubbish you describe at the entrance is probably from the inundation we experienced with the last cyclone. The cleaning of the park was our priority but we have now cleaned the vicinity as well.
Regarding the cages of monkeys or deer, we believe that they are in line with our highest concerns for the welfare of our animals. At La Vanille, the cages are made for each species specific requirement and as per relevant international norms.
Now to deal with your concern about children sitting on tortoises, we would like to share that if you see our 260kg big male Domino climb on the back of a 60 kg female and try to copulate, you will understand that tortoises can support very significant weight on their backs (carapace) with no problem. Such is the physical impact of males mounting females that most of the females’ carapaces are worn smooth. From our long involvement with many species of animals we know breeding success is linked to a whole range of welfare/health and nutritional parameters. The success story of our breeding program here at La Vanille and at our tortoise related conservation project in Rodrigues and Madagascar suggests clearly that the animals are under no stress.
Written 13 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rilasata
United Kingdom304 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Visited as part of an excursion to the central south of Mauritius. The nature park more than exceeded our expectations. Yes it is small. And known as the crocodile park. But the real gem is the giant tortoise area. Hundreds of giant tortoises. From newborns in the nursery to the 115 year old veteran. The enclosure is open to walk into and be surrounded by these amazing “moving rocks”, and you can buy leaves for a small fee to hand feed them. Also impressive but perhaps sadder is the huge collection of captured and catalogued insects. All varieties and sizes.
There is feeding of the crocodiles to watch. And also flying foxes, alligators and a few other animals. Well worth a visit.
There is feeding of the crocodiles to watch. And also flying foxes, alligators and a few other animals. Well worth a visit.
Written 24 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MariskadeGraaf
Eindhoven, The Netherlands136 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
To begin with: I booked for November 11, when the park just recovered from heavy rainfall days earlier. I could therefore not visit on November 11, but the park was so kind to offer to transfer my tickets to November 13, when the weather was quiet and the park had recovered from the flooding.
I really loved the feeding of the tortoises. There a lot of them, you can find your own little corner to feed the tortoise you want and the animals do not seem to be under any stress. I fed three tortoises at the same time. For about 2 euros you can buy a strain of the branches they love to eat. Definitely worth it!
We also tried to find the beauty in the rest of the park, but some of the crocodiles and reptiles seemed to be in small bassins or cages. The indoor exhibitions with butterflies and moths and fossils were quite good though.
I really loved the feeding of the tortoises. There a lot of them, you can find your own little corner to feed the tortoise you want and the animals do not seem to be under any stress. I fed three tortoises at the same time. For about 2 euros you can buy a strain of the branches they love to eat. Definitely worth it!
We also tried to find the beauty in the rest of the park, but some of the crocodiles and reptiles seemed to be in small bassins or cages. The indoor exhibitions with butterflies and moths and fossils were quite good though.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lily R
London, UK152 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Amazing park. The entrance price has becomed a bit steep for non resident (around 900rs), but the staff is nice and the turtles seem well treated that it's worth it. Plan for a half day visit, try to see the small croc feeding at 11 am then the big crocs at 11.30am, then the turtles at 1pm. They are also bats, lemurs and monkeys. We've been 3 times already
Written 26 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T K
Harbin, China311 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Beautiful place! Come early, at 11 o'clock they feed small crocodiles, at 11:30 large ones. They also used to feed lemurs. It was raining heavily and unfortunately we couldn't see.
The entire schedule of the day can be found out right at the entrance; an employee there actually caught us and told us everything. Which was very nice)
We also took pictures with a small crocodile! 200 rupees for a photo on your phone. A great opportunity to touch a crocodile.
The turtle zone is absolutely garbage! We've seen it before in other parks, but it was a sad sight, but here it's just a magical place.
We took food for them; 75 rupees for three branches was not a pity. We took them until the guy at the entrance ran out of them 😀 by the way, thanks to this guy for the short story and answers to our questions, it was interesting!
There are simply countless of them! Choose any feed and pet! All turtles are clean and well cared for. We saw both the oldest and the youngest!
There are also lemurs and monkeys in cages. It’s a shame you can’t touch it😀 and feed it.
We ate crocodile meat in the restaurant.
Despite the rain, we were delighted with the park! We would come again if we lived close!
The entire schedule of the day can be found out right at the entrance; an employee there actually caught us and told us everything. Which was very nice)
We also took pictures with a small crocodile! 200 rupees for a photo on your phone. A great opportunity to touch a crocodile.
The turtle zone is absolutely garbage! We've seen it before in other parks, but it was a sad sight, but here it's just a magical place.
We took food for them; 75 rupees for three branches was not a pity. We took them until the guy at the entrance ran out of them 😀 by the way, thanks to this guy for the short story and answers to our questions, it was interesting!
There are simply countless of them! Choose any feed and pet! All turtles are clean and well cared for. We saw both the oldest and the youngest!
There are also lemurs and monkeys in cages. It’s a shame you can’t touch it😀 and feed it.
We ate crocodile meat in the restaurant.
Despite the rain, we were delighted with the park! We would come again if we lived close!
Written 29 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deimante
Milton Keynes, UK43 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Traveled all the way from bele mare district, it was worth the travel.
Seeing turtles was great experience, you can feed and touch them.
Also you can see other animals there, have dinner in restaurant ant try croco meat.
Price of ticket for 2 ppl is around £30 which is quite cheap comparing with other countries for this kind of experience and adventure.
Seeing turtles was great experience, you can feed and touch them.
Also you can see other animals there, have dinner in restaurant ant try croco meat.
Price of ticket for 2 ppl is around £30 which is quite cheap comparing with other countries for this kind of experience and adventure.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Princes of travel
Paris, France6,975 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Vanilla Nature Park, as its name does not indicate, is a small zoo where you can find giant Seychelles tortoises (which can be fed for an additional fee), crocodiles, primates, bats. giants, a mini farm, a museum part with fossils and a museum part with insects.
There are food outlets here and there, a snack section where the prices are a little high. But what is most exorbitant is the price of entry for non-Mauritians (975 MUR!!). Who knows why such a difference in price, especially for a park where there is not much to see or do. The enclosures are not the most extraordinary and large parts were closed for work.
This park will not remain engraved in our memories but if you are in the area and the price does not scare you, it is a quiet place where you can enjoy a little freshness. Place where we go especially for the giant turtles. Nice staff nonetheless. Free parking on site.
There are food outlets here and there, a snack section where the prices are a little high. But what is most exorbitant is the price of entry for non-Mauritians (975 MUR!!). Who knows why such a difference in price, especially for a park where there is not much to see or do. The enclosures are not the most extraordinary and large parts were closed for work.
This park will not remain engraved in our memories but if you are in the area and the price does not scare you, it is a quiet place where you can enjoy a little freshness. Place where we go especially for the giant turtles. Nice staff nonetheless. Free parking on site.
Written 6 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
llllccccc
Vancouver, Canada4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Small zoo type of park, but great animal feeding options make it worth it! There are about 20 species on display, almost all native to the area which is nice. But the standout is the ability to feed the animals yourself. Feeding the giant tortoises by hand is so much fun and not an experience available in many other countries. At only 500 rupees admission, this is a good way to spend a half day in Mauritius is you like animals.
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello llllccccc,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a precious review on our park, we really appreciate it.
We hope to see you soon for some more good adventures :)
Written 8 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stéphane Soleil
Paris, France265 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
If we only think about the fun side for children, I would give 5 stars: feeding of adult crocodiles (free), feeding of turtles (50 rupees but can become free if you find branches given by the breeders), feeding of babies crocodiles (200 rupees), these are quite rare moments in the life of city children who absolutely loved it. I also add: the photo with an iguana (free), photo with a baby crocodile (275 rupees) and other animals to see like in a zoo. It was all very interesting. Explanations are given on the history of the dodo and other molluscs related to the nautilus.
The most incredible thing in my opinion is the insectarium: we had a guide who gave a lot of information about the collection, not to mention the fact that the owner of the collection works there (but we didn't meet her). Years of work were necessary to build this collection.
What I liked less: everything is done to extract rupees in addition to the entrance ticket. It’s on no one forcing us to pay for extras but we feel like a cash cow. and we shouldn't think too much about what happens to crocodiles born in captivity... we can easily imagine that there is neither enough space nor means for all of them to become adults!
The most incredible thing in my opinion is the insectarium: we had a guide who gave a lot of information about the collection, not to mention the fact that the owner of the collection works there (but we didn't meet her). Years of work were necessary to build this collection.
What I liked less: everything is done to extract rupees in addition to the entrance ticket. It’s on no one forcing us to pay for extras but we feel like a cash cow. and we shouldn't think too much about what happens to crocodiles born in captivity... we can easily imagine that there is neither enough space nor means for all of them to become adults!
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZiadHosany
Quatre Bornes144 contributions
July 2022 • Family
Staff is frustrated, not well trained. Bad Manners, no customer service EXCEPT a few (the Lady at the Reception, the Lady in insectarium and Deepak in restaurant).
Some of the staff need to have proper TRAINING in how to talk to guests and customers!
Compared to staff in Casela, they are not interested in welcoming, greeting people when u meet them.
Restaurant food is just like street food!! No presentation, fake and tasteless food. They use very low quality ingredients and their cooking is of very low standard!!!
But The Place is amazing, beautiful, although some sections are not well maintained, a bit neglected.
I dont know who manages this place, but i have seen that someone is replying to negative comments here.
Lo!!! Please no need to answer my comment. Correct your staff first and show them how to be a human being FIRST and how to talk to people!!!
Thanks!
Some of the staff need to have proper TRAINING in how to talk to guests and customers!
Compared to staff in Casela, they are not interested in welcoming, greeting people when u meet them.
Restaurant food is just like street food!! No presentation, fake and tasteless food. They use very low quality ingredients and their cooking is of very low standard!!!
But The Place is amazing, beautiful, although some sections are not well maintained, a bit neglected.
I dont know who manages this place, but i have seen that someone is replying to negative comments here.
Lo!!! Please no need to answer my comment. Correct your staff first and show them how to be a human being FIRST and how to talk to people!!!
Thanks!
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mr.Ziad
We thank you for your comments.
Despite the fact that you did not wish to receive any reply from Management, this is our policy to do so as a courtesy gesture but also to show how seriously we take all the comments posted, good or bad.
We regret that your time at the park was clouded by our staff unprofessionalism and poor restaurant food.
Rest assured that we will do the necessary to give our staff the training they lack, while also emphasizing on the handling of client insisting of changing the conditions of their “Mari Deal” or any other package.
As much as there will always be sea urchins in the sea ;) there will unfortunately always be some staff’s attitude to correct and it is only through comments like yours that we can take corrective actions.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused and look forward to welcoming you once more at our park in the future.
Kind Regards,
La Vanille Team
Written 1 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Are the crocodiles from this park served at the restaurant here and are they bred to eat here ?
Written 14 May 2022
Estelle R
Le Rove, France
Bonjour, le parc est il praticable avec une poussette ?
Written 14 January 2022
Sapete gentilmente dirmi quanto costa il biglietto di ingresso?
Written 21 June 2019
Hi, do you have marine iguanas in your aquarium? Thanks!
Written 12 May 2019
Hi.. I did not see marine iguanas only land ones.
Written 14 May 2019
Bonjour
Est-il possible de se rendre au parc en bus ? Merci
Written 17 November 2018
bonjour je peu juste vous dire que l'ont peu prendre le bus pour descendre vers le parc la vanille . Part contre faire attention couleur des bus changement en cours car il existe plusieurs couleur de bus ce qui correspond a un endroit de l'ile ou j'ai séjourné nord ouest de l'ile bus rouge je sais qu'il y a des blanc ,jaune, bleu je vous mentirait pour les directions je l'est entendu mes je l'avoue j'ai oublier moi je m'arranger avec les taxi qu'il faisait un forfait journée pour que sa soit rentable prévoir un circuit dans les alentours comme sa vous visitez vous avez votre taxi qui vous attends pour vous emmener a votre prochain site de visite tout sa pour la journée' ont peu discuter des prix bonne visite cordialement
Written 19 November 2018
Hi
How much is it likely to cost to travel to the park from the cruise terminal and would the Park call us a taxi to return there?
... and how long does the journey take?
Thanks.
Written 27 October 2018
The best/easiest way is to order a taxi for a half or a full day.
It is not that expensive. You can tell the driver to go where ever you want and they will allways wait for you on your different stops.
I do how ever recommend to rent a car during your stay. You will save money and time! :)
Written 28 October 2018
Please can you inform me of the entrance fee for La Vanille Nature Park?
Written 20 September 2018
Hello it's Rs 490 for an adult and Rs 250 for a child 3 to 12 years
Written 1 October 2018
Bonjour, disposez-vous d'espace fumeur dans le parc et surtout au restaurant ?
Written 3 September 2018
Bonjour,
Malheureusement, c'est interdit de fumer dans le parc par contre à l'entrée du parc oui
Written 17 September 2018
How feasible will it be to cover la vanilla nature reserve and Casela world of Adventure in 1 day?? Half a day at la vanilla and half a day at Casela? Also could you please let me know the timings of both the places??
Written 9 June 2018
La Vanille crocodile park can be seen in half a day but I don't think a half day would be sufficient for Casela Bird Park. Carla has too many activities and experiences for such a short duration. Even in a full day you may miss some things. Both locations open at 08:30 and close at 17:00
Written 9 June 2018
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