Mauritius - Things To See

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THE SALT ROUTE (LA ROUTE DU SEL) (Mont Calme, Royal Rd, Tamarin; % 483 8764; f 483 8798; e montcalme[at]intnet.mu; ( 08.30–17.00 Mon–Sat; admission adult/child Rs200/100) The salt pans at Tamarin have been producing salt for over 175 years. Today the pans yield around 1,300–1,400 tons of salt per year. Guided tours of around 15 minutes explain the process of salt production. Seawater is pumped into the pools, of which there are 1,586, and then flows through a series of pools at different temperatures. Between five and ten days later it reaches the last pool, the water evaporates and it crystallises into salt. The hardworking ladies of the salt pans collect the salt and carry it in tubs or baskets on their heads to one of nine salt stores, where it is dried. Each tub of salt weighs around 20kg and sometimes you can see women carrying two or even three tubs on their heads. If you want to see the ladies in action you will need to be there before 09.30 as they typically work in the early morning to avoid the heat. Culinary and cosmetic products made from the salt are on sale in the small shop.

MARTELLO TOWER MUSEUM (La Preneuse Rd, Grande Rivière Noire; % 583 0178; e foemau[at]intnet.mu; ( 09.30–16.30 Tue–Sat, 09.30–13.30 Sun; admission adult/child Rs70/40) In the 1830s, the British built five Martello Towers, with sturdy walls and cannon, to protect the island. They were in the process of negotiating the abolition of slavery, a proposition which faced hefty resistance from the French sugarcane planters, who relied on slave labour. The British feared a rebellion by the planters might be followed by a French invasion and so built the towers, which have come to symbolise the abolition of slavery. The tower at Rivière Noire has opened as a museum, where a short video is followed by a guided tour. On display are cannon, coins and military paraphernalia from the period.

CASELA NATURE AND LEISURE PARK (Royal Rd, Cascavelle; %/f 452 2828; f 452 0694; e caselaresa[at]medine.com; caselayemen.mu; ( May–Sep 09.00–17.00 daily; Oct–Apr 09.00–18.00 daily; admission adult/child Rs325/200) Access is off the Black River road between Tamarin and the turning to Flic en Flac. There are 1,500 birds of 150 different species, as well as tigers, monkeys, wallabies and other zoo favourites. Well-known residents include the rare pink pigeon. The park is well laid out, with shaded walks through the 85 aviaries, and there is a petting zoo area with farm animals. A safari-park-style area, with resident zebra, ostrich, deer, wild pigs and giant tortoises, can be explored in a safari bus (Rs85 for one hour), on a Segway (Rs1,100 for one hour) or on a quad bike (Rs2,160 for one hour). It is the zebra which make this worthwhile. Casela also offers ziplining (flying-fox) over the ravines surrounding the sugarcane fields (Rs880 for one hour, Rs2,420 for a full day) and canyoning (Rs2,810 for a full day). Tilapia fishing (Rs80 for 30 minutes) and minigolf (Rs75). The tigers are fed at 11.30. There is a restaurant with views of the coast (see Where to eat, page 172).

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Mauritius - Things To See

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Mauritius - Things To See