There are much more than just beautiful beaches to discover in Mauritius. Among our recommended activities for families or sports enthusiasts during your holiday is exploring Le Morne. The most famous and breathtaking mountain of Mauritius profoundly influences the history of the country. With its rugged landscape and long history of misery, the Morne Brabant peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become the symbol of resistance to slavery. The Morne Brabant mountain provides hiking enthusiasts and history buffs alike with the opportunity to discover a sumptuous cultural and geographical landscape, from the hollows of the waves to the mountaintops. Embark on both a cultural sporty outing on this mountain rich in history and oral traditions, led by a passionating anthropologist. Maya de Salle, your anthropologist guide in Mauritius Better understanding of Mauritian society. Maya de Salle is a Belgian anthropologist who has been living in Mauritius for 20 years. This enthusiast woman has studied the oral history of the descendants of slaves, the indentured labourers, the rituals of traditional medicine and even the Mauritian Tipik Sega. She also participated in the recognition of the Morne as a “Cultural Landscape” by UNESCO in 2008, which makes her the best guide to discover the history of the Morne. Maya is part of the My Moris tandem which offers exciting and anecdotal cultural tours of Mauritius.   Le Morne Brabant, the refuge and grave of maroon slaves A brief historical reminder: slavery was an integral part of the history of Mauritius until its abolition in 1835. On this south-western coast, some slaves fled the mistreatment and took refuge far from the properties in the heights. Despite its beautiful beaches and clear lagoon, the Morne mountain bears a dark and tragic story. The mountain, difficult to reach and strategically located, with its steep, forested slopes, was used as a refuge by escaped slaves, the maroons, during the 18th century and the first years of the 19th. In very precarious but relatively safe conditions, the escaped slaves gathered and settled in caves and on top of Morne Brabant. When the abolition of slavery was decreed by the English in 1835, military officers climbed the mountain to inform the slaves. The latter, misunderstanding the intentions of these men, took fright and many of them threw themselves into the void. This act of sheer determination shows the final escape of many of the slaves from servitude. With Maya your anthropologist guide, you will discover the unknown aspects of the slaves’ life on the mountain, as well as the importance of the oral tradition for these men uprooted from their native land in Africa or Madagascar.After the history, the landscape of Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius Climbing Le Morne Brabant also offers the advantage of a splendid panorama over the Black River Gorges and the lagoon of Mauritius. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate this very pleasant and relatively accessible experience, provided they have good hiking or sports shoes. Even if this guided tour with Maya is not to the top, it is more than enough to discover a breathtakingly beautiful landscape over Le Morne beaches, Ile aux Bénitiers and the centre of Mauritius. This provides a taste for the sportiest who wish to climb the Morne in the company of our recommended sports providers, including Yanature for the more experienced: the effort involved is more than rewarded by the splendid view from the top. You can also discover Morne Brabant by taking a helicopter flight to the famous underwater waterfalls.   After this captivating cultural outing, just twenty minutes from your residence, Marguery Villas, in the heart of the history of your favourite holiday destination, why not savour the pleasure of strolling on the golden sands of the public beach of Morne Brabant and enjoy a refreshing swim and snorkeling in the fishy lagoon. Our concierge service is of course at your disposal for any activity bookings, guided tours of Morne Brabant, sport climbing or helicopter flights. 

A great crystal-clear lagoon with lots of fish, a chance to meet the dolphins that live on the west coast of Mauritius, an islet where you can pretend you are Robinson. A memorable day out on a boat in clear turquoise waters.  Embark on an unforgettable and intense excursion to make the most of it and enjoy a day of discovery of ocean wildlife together with an amazing swimming experience, just a stone’s throw away from your hotel residence, Marguery Villas, Mauritius.First step: a tour of the dolphins of Mauritius by boat Who hasn’t dreamt of approaching these fabulous cetaceans or swimming with dolphins at least once in their life? In Mauritius, and more precisely on the west coast, a whole colony of spinner and bottlenose dolphins has taken up residence and can easily be observed all year round during a boat trip.  Start the day with an encounter with the underwater environment of Mauritius. You will have the chance to admire the diversity and the calmness of the environment. Encounter with the dolphins in MauritiusEarly in the morning, excitement abounds at the pier of Tamarin Bay from where the dolphin watching and swimming boats depart.  To be able to observe the spinner dolphins in their natural environment at Mauritius and to witness how they perform is a unique experience. This is an exceptional and privileged area whose rules must be respected in order to ensure the sustainability of this exceptional activity.  On board the boat, you will be briefed by your skipper (DREAM DOLPHIN Mauritius | Swim with Dolphins Mauritius – Dolphin&Sea Guide – Boats trips – Underwater & “Sea “nery – Agence D’excursions En Bateau à La Preneuse (business.site) on the different species of dolphins in Mauritius and above all on the rules to be respected for a dolphin watching that does not disturb their routine. In Mauritius, it is possible to swim with the dolphins but it is forbidden to touch them which can make them shy. Dolphins most often travel in packs and their presence is reported as soon as it is detected. All boats on this tour are equipped with masks, snorkels and fins, so you can get in the water close to the dolphins or snorkel if you wish. Dolphins are powerful and fast, so keeping up with them is often difficult, but you may be lucky enough to see them pass by your boat if you want to stay dry. On certain days, the dolphins perform a veritable acrobatic and aerial ballet, to the delight of guests: a unique opportunity to immortalize moments of great emotion.  Swimming among tropical fishHave you had your fill of dolphin watching in Tamarin? The rest of the activities are just as enjoyable. After the cetaceans, it’s time for the countless guests of the lagoons on the west coast of Mauritius.  Having just recovered from these beautiful emotions, climb back on board: the boat anchors on a preserved fishy site in the middle of the corals. Another enchantment awaits you in these transparent waters, surrounded by swarms of multicolored fish. In 3m to 4m of water, explore the sea bed to spot the lagoon’s inhabitants, with a mask and snorkel, or skin diving. You can also just float on a buoy and enjoy a refreshing swim.Second step : Afternoon relaxation on Ile aux Bénitiers After this beautiful, highly emotional and sportive morning, relax on an island and share a unique moment of conviviality! Ile aux Bénitiers Are you hungry after all these explorations? Head to this comma-shaped island, uninhabited but home to a pretty filao (spruce) forest. In a lagoon with shallow waters, the surprising and  famous  Crystal Rock made of volcanic rock emerges like a mushroom.  Your boat excursion crew is busy grilling the meat and already, the tasty aromas draw you to the hut where you will have lunch. Barefoot in the sand, enjoy a cold beer or a rhum arrangé while kids explore the islet and pretend to be Robinsons. The island is so small, you can quickly get around it. Go to the southern tip to admire the majestic profile of the Morne mountain from the sandy spit that juts out into the sea. A short nap at the foot of a filao tree or a digestive dip, and you are ready to return to the mainland.A smooth way back to the coast If your crew is hosting a music lover, you may have already had a taste of the Sega sung by a skipper or discovered the local music favoured by the crew members . The mood is always relaxed and friendly. Enjoy the exceptional view of the coast of Mauritius emerging out of the sun. This exceptional day between swimming with dolphins and Robinsonnade has kept all its promises. Filled up with sun and swimming, enjoy the gentle trade winds and the flight of the sea birds over the water. You may see the round green head of a turtle emerge from the water to gasp for air to end this wonderful day on a high note.In addition to the various species of dolphins, humpback whales can be seen during the Mauritian winter, from July to October, on boat trips or during dives supervised by the island’s clubs. Experienced divers will have the opportunity to see the resident sperm whales off the south coast with the proper diving equipment or by skin diving. Sperm whale watching is permitted but swimming is strictly forbidden for safety reasons. To enjoy your day without constraints, ask your concierge to make your reservation with one of our recommended service providers who practice ethical and respectful dolphin, humpback or sperm whale watching in Mauritius. 

This village in the south of Mauritius, close to the airport, boasts an authentic charm and a historical background dating back to the great colonial times. Very lively, open to the sea and focused on its history, Mahébourg offers many places of interest to discover in one day.Traditional handicrafts: vacoa weaving at the Utilis workshopYou will come across them in any market or shop in Mauritius. The woven vacoa is one of the country’s handicraft specialities and is available in baskets, ornamental objects, gift sets, etc. The pandanus or vacoa is a tropical plant shaped like a sun umbrella, and its leaves are the raw material. The Utilis workshop brings together women artisans who work with the plant at each stage: planting, cutting, drying and weaving. In the workshop, one discovers the meticulous and patient work to make basketry objects, that will be authentic holiday souvenirs to bring back in your luggage.The Museum of National History: The Navy comes to life!This is a place that will delight children and fascinate adults with its wealth of historical objects. At the end of a long tree-lined driveway, a colonial mansion, a former family home, has been transformed into a museum. Its beautiful rooms contain magnificent collections of objects tracing the history of Mauritius from its discovery to the present day.The museum displays several maps and drawings dating back to the Dutch colony of the island. A collection of furniture, paintings, coins and fine porcelain dating back to the Ming Dynasty is also on display. Among the most precious pieces is the bell of the Saint-Géran, the famous ship that sank according to the novel “Paul and Virginia”. There is also a display case showing the 1810 naval battle of Grand Port between the British and the French, Napoleon’s only maritime victory.In the gardens, canons, sea anchors, a railway passenger carriage and a governor’s carriage, alas in poor condition. The museum is open to all and free of charge.After this visit, walk through the streets of Mahebourg and stop at the waterfront to admire the view and find something to eat.The cassava biscuit, proudly Mauritian!For more than 140 years, the Rault family has been making delicious cassava-based biscuits, a unique product in the world that makes Mauritius proud. A visit to the biscuit factory is to immerse yourself in the traditional and timeless production of these products whose recipe has remained a secret. These manioc biscuits have a childhood memory for many Mauritians who grew up with them at tea time and they were particularly useful during cyclones when bread was lacking.Here, everything is handmade and the visit of the workshop is completed with aromatic delights that can be discovered in the shop. The manioc biscuits are now available in several flavours (vanilla, coconut, cinnamon, aniseed …). The shop offers you the opportunity to purchase these little biscuits which will remind you of Mauritius upon the end of your holidays.This day in Mahebourg will be a particularly enriching visit in terms of culture and heritage

Do you feel like discovering the magnificent landscapes of Mauritius differently? Get on an electric bike with DunienZil, our provider of off the beaten track cultural excursions and discoveries. A thrilling and exciting ride from Chamarel in the highlands to Bel-Ombre on the south-west coast.Coffee and a great view to start withThe electro bike is a bicycle fitted with both pedals and an electric engine that enables you to ride effortlessly, even on hills, as is the case on this family outing. The meeting point is at Le Chamarel restaurant, an elegant establishment located on the edge of the forest and overlooking the Black River Gorges. While tasting your local coffee, this one from Chamarel precisely, enjoy the extraordinary 180° panorama, from the deep green of the forests to the intense blue of the ocean. You are ready to start your sports and culture day.Chamarel Rhum FactoryLocated a few kilometres from the starting point, the Rhum Factory may be visited with a guide who explains each stage of the production of the best local rhum. After discovering the factory’s fragrance, visitors are invited to taste their various types, particularly pineapple grown on the premises of the factory, which are available in three different recipes.The natural curiosities of ChamarelAfter this aromatic experience, back on the electric bikes and through the coffee plantations and woods for a refreshing stop at the Chamarel waterfall. At the end of an ochre-coloured path, the waterfall bubbles up to 100 metres. In summer, don’t hesitate to have a swim.A short distance away, the famous Land of 7 colours. This geological curiosity is quite impressive and takes the form of a hill with gentle slopes where the famous variations in colour are juxtaposed. The reason for these geological colourings is the soil, which is rich in volcanic ash and minerals, and the decomposition of basalt.A final point of interest that will delight children is the giant tortoises, placid and impressive in their enclosure.Downhill to Bel-Ombre and lunch at the ChâteauIt’s time to start the descent in the middle of the cane fields and woods to reach the south-west coast. The lagoon unveils its turquoise palette, the air becomes salty, the pirogues in the distance whistle in the wind. We reach Bel-Ombre and its magnificent Château, a 19th century colonial-style manor house set in a sumptuous French garden and dotted with thousand-year-old trees. An elegant table and refined cuisine will conclude this wonderful journey of discovery.The electro bike tour is safe and well supervised thanks to a guide on a bike and a vehicle controlling the tour. It is suitable for children over 7 years old. The electro bike does not require any special effort and is appropriate for anyone in normal physical condition. Our concierge service will take care of your reservation with our service provider. 

During your stay in Mauritius, discover the island and let yourself be charmed by the mysterious names of some villages. History, anecdotes and other cultural heritages have contributed to the naming of the villages of Quatre Cocos, Curepipe and Pointe du Diable.– Poudre d’OrAccording to Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, author of the novel “Paul et Virginie”, it is the particularly golden sand that gives its name to the coastal village about fifteen minutes from Mythic Suites & Villas on the east coast. It is also opposite this village that the author sets the shipwreck of the Saint-Géran, which is honoured by a monument on the waterfront.– Trou d’Eau DouceThe name of the village comes from the confluence of a drinking water source and the sea. Trou d’Eau Douce was one of the Dutch anchorage and supply points on their way to their colonies to the East Indies.Quatre CocosThe name of the small coastal village of Quatre Cocos pays tribute to four historical figures from the beginning of the 20th century, four “Cocos” who worked for the region as well as for the country.– La Pointe du DiableBetween Anse du Petit-Sable and Anse-Bambous, Pointe-du-Diable was an important military base for the French. There is a fort and a battery of anti-vessel cannons to help protect against English invasions from the sea. Its strategic proximity to Grand-Port is a reminder of Napoleon’s sole naval victory in 1810.– Quatre-Soeurs and Deux-FrèresThe neighbouring villages of Quatre-Soeurs and Deux-Frères owe their names to the six heirs of the Chéron family. It is one of the most peaceful coasts in Mauritius. Bordered by beautiful green mountains, life flows quietly between the sea and the peaks.– MahébourgThe southern village is a tribute to the French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais, who erected the original walls in the early 1800s. The charming village is certainly one of the most strongly impacted by the island’s colonial history, featuring a unique naval museum.– Gris-GrisOn the south-east coast, this rugged landscape reminds us of Brittany and its cliffs overlooking the deep blue waters. With constant waves, sea spray and wind, the atmosphere is beautifully nostalgic, hence the name.– Le MorneTwenty minutes from Marguery Villas, this mountain, after which this coastal village is named, was the site of a tragedy. In 1835, following the abolition of slavery in Mauritius, a detachment of English policemen was sent to inform the maroon slaves of Le Morne of their free status. But they misunderstood their intention and, in panic, jumped off the cliff.– CurepipeCurepipe, an important stop along the stagecoach, was a place where travellers could smoke and clean their pipes, as the Napoleonic soldiers used to do in the garrison in the town.  Don’t hesitate to set off along this route of poetic names of villages from the east to the west coast of Mauritius to enjoy the multicultural heritage of the island.

Fancy a refreshing walk in the mountains? Head for Chamarel, a charming village overlooking the magnificent Morne lagoon. Mauritius mountain ranges hold many unexpected and authentic encounters with the locals in these quiet little villages. Join us for a fun-filled day, with walking shoes or sports shoes.Winding road and breath-taking viewsWhen leaving Marguery Villas, head for Le Morne. Once you have passed through the village of Petite Rivière-Noire, take the road that runs alongside the church and climbs steeply towards the summits of the Gorges National Park. It is already getting colder, even though the difference in altitude is not very significant. The winding road opens up into dense, bright green forests. Keep an eye out for the many monkeys that live in this unspoilt environment.After ten minutes or so, you will reach the viewpoint for your first stop: a breath-taking panorama where the emerald of the forests gives way to the turquoise of the lagoon. The island unfolds in splendid natural beauty, revealing its unique beauty from on high.Picking Chinese guavas!The good treat of this April outing is the Chinese guava season, a tradition that is an integral part of local folklore. From April to June in Plaine Champagne (about ten kilometres away), Mauritians, equipped with a bag, set off in search of these bushes bearing the precious red fruits. There are two kinds of guavas in Mauritius: the red, slightly acidic “China” guavas and the larger, yellow, slightly more acidic “China de France” guavas (don’t try to explain it). Guava trees grow on both sides of the road, so you just have to park and walk into the thick vegetation, often growing tall. The task is not always easy, everyone calls out to each other to avoid getting lost, but the result is worth it: guavas can be eaten plain, with a touch of salt and chilli or in jelly and jam. You can eat them generously during the harvest, but be careful not to let yourself get carried away.A good Mauritian mealAfter this epic harvest, you are in the mood for a good meal. You can choose between a typical lunch in one of the village’s “tables d’hôtes” or a more gastronomic break at the restaurant Le Chamarel. In both cases, you will enjoy Mauritian cuisine, but the table d’hôtes provides a more intimate and interesting experience of sharing with the villagers.Visit to the Chamarel RhumeryFeaturing a stunning stone chimney, a distillery and acres of fruit plantations, the Rhumerie de Chamarel is an interesting place to learn all about the making of quality agricultural rhum. Watch the production process with the copper stills and the cellars with their oak barrels where the rhum is aged. Parents will enjoy tasting the different kinds of rhums and bring back a 100% local gift in their luggage.Excited about this excursion? Ask your concierge to book a lunch spot and let yourself be charmed by the experience!

In the mood for a full breath of fresh air? Do not miss the opportunity to discover the last endemic primary forest of Mauritius. The Black River Gorges National Park offers a multitude of possible activities accessible to all, with its forests, trails, waterfalls, rivers and mountains, just ten minutes from your resort, Marguery Villas.Getting to know the Gorges?It all depends on what you want to do. The park opens at 7am, a favourite with the early morning walkers and joggers who enjoy the coolness of the morning and the peacefulness of the site. On weekdays, the park is not very crowded, and at weekends it is more popular with families.Some people choose to park at the entrance and then walk the 2.5km of quiet, shaded road to the grounds, following the children on their bikes or rollerblades. Want to save energy to explore the trails? Go directly to the car park.Immersion in a preserved and endemic natureManaged by the National Parks Conservation Service, the national park – with free access – covers an area of 67.54 km², a dry and damp forest and 60 kilometres of paths. Its forest covers 2.5% of the island’s surface and it is home to more than 300 endemic plant species and 9 species of birds unique to Mauritius, including the famous pink pigeon, the kestrel and the large green cape. The Piton de la Petite Rivière-Noire, the highest peak of the island, reaches 800m.On arrival, don’t hesitate to visit the visitors’ centre, which lists the animal and plant life of the area, to help you spot the species you are bound to come across in the park.Shaded walk and river branchThe first part of the walk is suitable for everyone. The tree-lined trail is rocky at times (watch out for ankles) and in the rainy season you are likely to cross a few water fords on the way. Around you, the tall trees rustle softly in the wind, a green swallow shrieks and you will probably see large bats flying over the trees in the late afternoon. Here and there, marked paths climb to the top. The kiosk is a popular picnic spot, but for more privacy, take one of the first paths past the car park and you’ll come across the cool white water. A dip in the water is a must in the summer, but during heavy rains, the water flow is rapid, so keep an eye on the children.The Gorges trekking version for experienced sports loversIf you’re a climber who isn’t afraid of the difference in altitude, then the trails are for you. Between Difil, Pétrin, Macchabées, Piton, the experience is great and the pleasures are equal to the difficulties. The important thing is to have the right shoes, water and if possible, to go in a group. There is no network in the park, so if you are solo, let the concierge know your expected return time: sometimes walkers get lost. The view from the top over the west coast and inland is absolutely fabulous and well worth the effort!A refreshing and invigorating outing to do with family or sports friends. Let our concierges organise a picnic in the Gorges for you! Read all about it here