Whether your preference is for nature, animals, museums, or historic buildings, Mauritius has something for everyone. Animal lovers won’t want to miss the opportunity to walk with the lions at Casela Nature and Leisure Park, while outdoor enthusiasts will be awed by the waterfalls of the Black River National Park and the giant lilies at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens. Those who like culture will be impressed by the priceless blue and red penny stamps of the Blue Penny Museum.

Blue Penny Museum

The Blue Penny Museum was established in 2001 primarily as a stamp museum and was named after the collection’s blue and red penny stamps purchased for US $2,000,000 in 1993. The museum also has sculptures, paintings and old marine maps relating to Mauritian history. There is also an exhibition about the Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre novel Paul and Virginie, first published in 1787 and set in Mauritius. The Museum is open from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Address: Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: +230-211-9500
Website: http://www.caudan.com/en/culture_blue.aspx

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden

Named after the first President of independent Mauritius, this attraction is often referred to simply as the Pamplemousses Botanic Garden. Established in 1770, the 91 acre grounds are the oldest botanic garden in the Southern hemisphere. There are numerous species of plants with some of the more popular displays being the giant six foot wide water lilies and the medicinal herbs and spice gardens. There are also birds, tortoises, deer, and goats. The gardens are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Address: Pamplemousses, Mauritius
Phone: N/A
Website: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/ssrbg/

Black River Gorge National Park

The Black River Gorge National Park is a scenic spot with gorgeous valley views popular with hikers. Created in 1994 to protect the remaining native forests, the 16,244 acre park has over 30 miles of trails to rainforests, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, giant trees, native birds, deer, and macaques. The information station has an aviary showcasing the endangered native pink pigeon and a boardwalk over the marshes. There are cafés dotted throughout the park and four main entrances at Petrin, Chamarel, Le Mares, and Black River Gorge Visitor Center.
Address: Black River Royal Road, Lower Gorges, Mauritius
Phone: +230-258-0057
Website: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/npcs

Casela Nature and Leisure Park

One of the main attractions within the Casela Nature and Leisure Park is the Safari Adventures Lion Encounter, which offers the unique opportunity to walk among lions in a jungle environment. Guides and keepers are on hand the whole time and there is also an observation deck if you'd rather view the creatures from afar. Other animals include cheetahs, deer, fish, geese, parrots, tortoises, and zebras.
Address: Royal Road, Cascavelle, Mauritius
Phone: +230-452-2828
Website: N/A

Eureka House

Built in 1830, the wooden Maison Eureka (Eureka House) is one of the biggest and best preserved examples of Creole colonial architecture on Mauritius, which provides good insight into aristocratic living conditions during that period. Visitors can tour the house, count its 109 doors and see the marble bath and various old photographs, carvings, antique furniture, and porcelain on display. There is also a garden with waterfalls, pavilions and an old kitchen to explore.
Address: Le Maison Eureka, Moka, Muaritius
Phone: +230-433-8477
Website: http://www.maisoneureka.com/

L’Aventure du Sucre

Housed in an old sugar refinery, the L’Aventure du Sucre is a museum detailing the techniques and history of sugar production on Mauritius, which has been a very important industry through the years. The exhibits have comprehensive information on all aspects of sugar making and there is a souvenir shop at the end which offers visitors the opportunity to taste different types of sweeteners as well as locally distilled rum.
Address: Beau Plan, Pamplemousse, Grand Terre, Mauritius
Phone: +230-243-0660
Website: http://www.aventuredusucre.com/

Mauritius Aquarium

The main feature of this aquarium is the massive tank that houses fish, sharks and turtles which visitors can view from in front of and above, particularly popular at 11:00 a.m. when the sharks are fed. The aquarium has a collection of tropical and marine fish housed in small tanks and is open every day from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with reduced hours on Sundays and holidays.
Address: Coastal Road, Pointe aux Piments, Mauritius
Phone: +230-261-4561
Website: http://www.mauritiusaquarium.com/