Moris
A Mauritius grey white-eye in the Pamplemousses garden
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

🌿 Nature & viewpoints · North

Pamplemousses botanical garden

The oldest botanical garden in the southern hemisphere: giant water lilies, 80 kinds of palm trees, spice trees and giant tortoises.

🚗 From the villa1 h 00 · 44.4 kmoff-peak estimate
⏱️ Time needed1.5–2.5 hnot counting the drive
🕓 Best time of day☀️ Morning
💰 PriceRs 300–600 (CHF 5–10)Entry ≈ Rs 300 for visitors; official guide ≈ Rs 300–500 per group (agree first).
🕘 Opening hoursDaily 08:30–17:30.

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses was created in the 18th century by the French governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais. Its famous pond of Victoria amazonica giant water lilies, the talipot palms that flower once in 60 years, and alleys of spice, ebony and baobab trees make it a lovely 2-hour walk.

Hire an official guide at the gate: they bring the plants to life (and show you where the tortoises and deer are).

  • Giant Victoria water lilies
  • Talipot and 80 palm species
  • Spice trees and giant tortoises
A Mauritius grey white-eye in the Pamplemousses garden
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Alley of palm trees in Pamplemousses
Photo: Benoît Prieur / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Getting there

Driving route from the villa

🚗 By car: 1 h 00 (44.4 km) off-peak. Car park opposite the main gate. Directions in Google Maps ↗

  • 🚕 Taxi from the villa: about Rs 1,800–2,400 one way per car (agree the price first; a return trip with waiting time is often negotiable).

Tips

  • 💡 Bring mosquito repellent.
  • 💡 Official guides wear a badge; agree the price before starting.

Our notes & votes