Lavilleon Adventure Park | Chamarel

Information

Landmark: Lavilleon Adventure Park
City: Chamarel
Country: Mauritius
Continent: Africa

Lavilleon Adventure Park, Chamarel, Mauritius, Africa

Lavilleon Adventure Park is a 500-acre private nature reserve and adventure site located in the Chamarel highlands of southwest Mauritius. It operates as a protected area within the UN-sponsored Protected Area Network (PAN), balancing adrenaline-based activities with the conservation of primary endemic forests.

Visual Characteristics

The park is characterized by rugged mountainous topography, dense primary forests, and dramatic elevation changes. The landscape transitions from steep valley walls to panoramic plateaus. Notable structures include the "Au Bout du Monde" (At the World's End) wooden skywalk platform that extends over a sheer drop, providing views of the Le Morne Brabant peninsula and the turquoise lagoons of the West Coast. Adrenaline infrastructure, such as the high-tension steel cables of the ziplines and the wooden-slat Nepalese bridge, are integrated directly into the forest canopy and cliff faces.

Location & Access Logistics

The park is situated on the Royal Road in Chamarel, immediately adjacent to the Seven Colored Earth Geopark.

Road: Access is via the B104 (Chamarel Case Noyale Road) or through the Plaine Champagne Road. The site features a dedicated parking area suitable for cars, minivans, and scooters; however, due to steep and narrow access roads, 60-seater buses are generally restricted.

Public Transport: There is no direct bus service to the park gates. The nearest public transport hub is in the village of Baie du Cap or Case Noyale. Visitors utilizing buses must transfer to a taxi for the final mountain ascent to Chamarel.

History & Ecological Origin

The site was historically utilized as a private hunting ground before being converted into a conservation-focused adventure park. It serves as a sanctuary for over 80 species of endemic Mauritian plants and trees, including ancient Ebony trees over 300 years old. Ecologically, it acts as a critical habitat for rare endemic birdlife, such as the Pink Pigeon and the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher (Rooster of the Woods).

Key Activities & Amenities

Adrenaline: Includes a 260-meter Nepalese Bridge suspended 85 meters above the valley floor, multiple zipline courses, and a "Via Ferrata" cliff-climbing route for participants aged 15 and over.

Nature: Features a 30-minute "Endemic Forest Trail" and a more rigorous 5km "Viewpoint Hiking Trail."

Family: A dedicated "Kid’s Corner" includes a fishing pond, smaller child-safe ziplines, and a tortoise enclosure.

Horse Riding: 30-minute guided excursions through the domain's lower trails.

Amenities: A hilltop restaurant serves a limited menu with views of the valley. Basic restrooms and safety equipment stations are located at the main activity hubs.

Best Time to Visit

The park is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.

Weather: The Chamarel mountains experience high micro-climatic variability. May to October (winter) offers cooler temperatures for hiking and lower humidity.

Photography: Early morning provides the clearest views of the coast before the daily cloud buildup over the central plateau. Some high-altitude activities (ziplines/bridge) may be suspended during high winds or heavy rainfall for safety.

Facts & Legends

The park is frequently associated with the "Bleeding Tree" legend common to the region, referring to the Pterocarpus indicus whose red sap is tied to local folklore. A modern "fact" of the park is its status as one of the few private domains in Mauritius to be fully integrated into the Global Environment Facility (GEF) management plan to protect the island's remaining native biodiversity.