Mauritius / Port Louis & the North / PamplemoussesPamplemousses
The SSR Botanic Garden: Giant Water Lilies and Spice Trees
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, laid out in the 18th century and among the oldest in the southern hemisphere: the pond of giant Victoria water lilies, talipot palms that flower once in their lifetime, spice trees, giant tortoises and the memorial of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the country's first prime minister. Non-residents pay MUR 300; guides at the gate charge a little more. Twenty minutes from Port Louis and half an hour from Grand Baie; L'Aventure du Sucre, the sugar museum, is nearby. Few people stay here: it is a half-day from the north coast or Port Louis.
Highlights
- Giant Victoria water lilies
- Talipot palms and spice trees
- Giant tortoises
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam's memorial
- Sugar museum nearby
Things to do
- Walk the SSR Botanic Garden with a guideMorning · 2h 30m
- L'Aventure du Sucre sugar museumAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: November – April (water lilies at their best)
Worth knowing
Cyclone Season: Watch the Class Warnings
January to March is the height of the cyclone season. Most weeks pass with heat, humidity and short downpours, but when a cyclone nears, Mauritius Meteorological Services issue warnings from Class I to IV: from Class III everyone stays indoors, buses stop, shops and sights close and flights are often cancelled for a day or two. Keep a spare day before your flight home, take travel insurance that covers weather delays, and follow your hotel's advice.
Heads up
Cyclone Season
The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. Early and late in the season a cyclone is less likely, but watch the forecast in the week before you fly.
- Thaipoosam Cavadee — The Tamil festival of Murugan: after days of fasting, devotees carry the cavadee, a wooden arch with flowers and pots of milk, to the kovils (temples), many with their cheeks and tongues pierced. Processions in Port Louis and the towns from early morning. A public holiday.
- Ganesh Chaturthi — Ganesh's festival, kept mostly by Marathi-speaking Mauritians: home and temple prayers, then processions carrying the idols to the sea or rivers for immersion the next day. A public holiday.
- Divali — The festival of lights: houses and temples lit with clay lamps and fairy lights, sweets (gateaux) shared with neighbours, and fireworks after dark. A public holiday, and one of the busiest weeks for flights from India.