Seven Coloured Earths
Small area of rolling dunes in which the sand shows bands of red, brown, violet and green. A viewing platform and short paths allow visitors to see the colours up close.
Chamarel
Close to a forest in the Black River Gorges, this inland area has the Seven Coloured Earth dunes and a tall waterfall.
Attractive locations
Chamarel Falls
Tall waterfall dropping from a forested cliff into a gorge in the south-west. Viewing platforms near the road give clear views of the falls and the surrounding forest.
Black River Gorges National Park
Largest national park in Mauritius, with forest, river gorges and viewpoints. Marked trails lead to waterfalls and peaks, and the park protects many rare native plants and birds.
Ebony Forest Chamarel
Private nature reserve where native forest is being replanted and rare birds are protected. Walking trails and a viewpoint show how the island's original woodland looked.
Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire
The highest mountain in Mauritius, rising above the Black River Gorges area. The hike to the summit is a demanding all-day route, ideally done with a local guide in clear weather.
Airports
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport MRU
It is about 30 km in a straight line from Chamarel.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Mauritius page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan27.1 °C126 mm
- Feb27.3 °C113 mm
- Mar26.9 °C124 mm
- Apr26.1 °C79 mm
- May24.7 °C47 mm
- Jun23.2 °C32 mm
- Jul22.4 °C28 mm
- Aug22.2 °C26 mm
- Sep22.6 °C29 mm
- Oct23.5 °C31 mm
- Nov24.9 °C34 mm
- Dec26.4 °C48 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Mar.
Costs
Prices here are about 39% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
999 for police, ambulance and fire (112 also works).
local government
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA)
Helps with: Mauritius' tourism promotion authority. Contact its Port Louis head office for visitor information. Its page also lists offices at the airport and on Rodrigues.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Mauritius or planning a trip there.
Phone: +230 203 1900
Email: mtpa@intnet.mu
Address: 4-5th Floor, Victoria House, St Louis Street, Port Louis 11302, Republic of Mauritius
local government
Mauritius Police Force
Helps with: The national police force. Its website lists 999 as the emergency line and shows a Tourism Police unit, for which it gives no separate contact details.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Mauritius, including visitors, who needs the police.
Phone: 999
ngo
Mauritius Red Cross Society
Helps with: The national Red Cross society of Mauritius. Phone its head office on weekdays, 8h30 to 17h00 according to its website, for its humanitarian services and information.
Who qualifies: People in Mauritius who need its humanitarian or first aid services.
Phone: +230 670 0276
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mauritius
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Mauritius it supports the government on migration, counter-trafficking referral systems, return and reintegration, and ethical recruitment.
Who qualifies: Migrants, returnees and people at risk of trafficking. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +230 2104250
Email: iommauritius@iom.int
Address: 12th Floor, Atalian Tower, 57 Labourdonnais Street, Port Louis, Mauritius