The magnificent Pamplemousses botanical garden is located in the north of Mauritius in an area called Pamplemousses and it spreads across an enormous portion of land (60 acres) of pure nature. It is an easy route and you can easily get there either by bus or car. It is named after the founder of the nation, Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam but it is Pierre Poivre who founded the garden. The latter made a collection of plants from different parts of Mauritius as well as from other countries to grow in what eventually became the famous botanical garden.
It will take you a few hours to visit because the park is very large, but everywhere you look you can enjoy the bevy of palms, flowers, ponds and shrubs. You can even have a picnic there, so why not bring along some food so you can enjoy the cool and relaxing atmosphere of the garden. There are many benches that have been placed especially for your comfort and picnic areas. People often go there simply for a morning stroll and bring along their dogs. It is a very quiet place, and if you need some time away from the usual noise, Pamplemousses Garden is the perfect place to visit.
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is a historical place, and is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. What is really attractive about Pamplemousses Garden is the water Lily pond. The water lilies are originally from the Amazon, the largest water lily in the world known as Victoria Amazonica has a very short life span, a few days only. You can also visit the sugar mill, a replica of what it looked like in the 19th century, where sugar cane was crushed, and the juice collected to make arrack. There are also a few monuments around the garden with names of people who have in some way or the other contributed to the history of Mauritius. Not only are these monuments a good way to learn more about the country but they are also a good choice for taking pictures.
You can even see tortoises there, the tortoise pen is found near the car park. These are originally from Seychelles, and the male tortoise has a life span of more than a 100 years! Not only that, but you can even see stags, located near the tortoise pen itself. You may also be able to spot phelsuma lizards if you have an observer eyes as they tend to blend in really well with the surrounding. They come in different colours – some have blue tails while other species have orange and green spots or black/white strips on their body.
Pamplemousses botanical garden is a really attractive place and if you do come on holiday to Mauritius, this is a place to see! Pamplemousses garden is opened as from 8.30 am till 5.30 pm throughout the whole week; there is now a 25 Mauritian rupees entrance fee which is equivalent to 50p and you can also hire a guide to take you around the park for 50 Mauritian rupees.
