Chamarel with kids, from the giant tortoises to the waterfall rail

Things to do in Chamarel with kids

The sights in Chamarel that suit children best are the giant tortoises and the railed waterfall viewpoints inside the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, the illusion rooms at Curious Mauritius and, for children happy on steps, the raised walkway at Ebony Forest. For families doing Mauritius with kids, Chamarel is one of the easier inland days, because these stops lie within about 3 km of the village and the geopark stops need only short walks.

Be honest with children about the coloured earth. It is smaller than the photographs suggest, about 7,500 m² of banded ground seen from a fenced walkway, so present it as a quick look at striped earth and let the tortoises be the highlight.

Meeting the giant tortoises

The giant tortoises at the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark are Aldabra giant tortoises, a species from Aldabra in the Seychelles that typically lives more than 150 years, and the park names eight of them, including Toto, Rosette, Tchaikovsky and Swarovsky. A nursery raises young tortoises, so children can compare the babies with the adults.

The tortoises are most active in the cooler hours, so a morning visit gives the best chance of seeing them move and feed. The park’s rules forbid entering the enclosure or feeding the animals, so children watch from outside the fence.

Railed viewpoints and short paths in the geopark

The Chamarel Waterfall viewpoints are the easiest stop in the geopark for small children. The lower platform is a few steps from its car park, both platforms have sturdy railings, and the visit is family friendly. The upper platform is up a flight of stairs, and the steps between its two lookouts are uneven, so hold small hands there, especially in the wet.

Inside the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, the waterfall car park is 1.5 km from the gate and the coloured earth 3 km, a walk the geopark puts at 3 km one way and about an hour, so drive between the stops. The geopark’s paths are basalt rock and uneven; pushchairs are restricted where the ground is rough, and the walkway suits a baby carrier better. At the coloured earth, everyone must stay on the walkway around the dunes, and walking on the earth or taking samples is not allowed.

Curious Mauritius for a playful family stop

Curious Mauritius, formerly Curious Corner of Chamarel, brings together interactive illusions, playful photo sets and stories inspired by Mauritius opposite the Seven Coloured Earth entrance. Indoor rooms and covered outdoor spaces make it a useful stop between the outdoor sights.

The Discovery Pass costs Rs 650 for non-resident adults aged 13 and over and Rs 550 for children aged 3 to 12. Mauritian and resident rates are Rs 550 and Rs 450 respectively. Ask about admission for children under 3 before booking.

Curious Mauritius opens daily from 09:30 to 17:00, with last entrance at 16:15. Arrive before 16:00 to leave time to explore. The visit is self-paced; allow around two hours as a planning estimate.

Ebony Forest’s raised walkway and its steps

Ebony Forest’s Flycatcher raised walkway suits children who are happy on stairs, because it runs for about 300 m more than 4 m above the forest floor, with 113 steps up and 142 down, on a guided walk of about 30 minutes. Guided departures run hourly from 09:30 to 16:00 (as published in October 2026) after a 1.3 km access trail of 15 to 20 minutes, and the reserve, which closes at 17:00, recommends arriving before 14:30.

The Take A Hike ticket costs Rs 600 for non-resident adults, Rs 370 for children aged 5 to 17 and nothing for children up to 4 (checked on 29 October 2026), and booking online saves 10% but is not required. For younger children, the Take A Drive option involves only about 0.5 km of walking on the walkways, with departures at 09:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30.

The reserve has reintroduced four endemic bird species, and children may spot one from the walkway, but no sighting is guaranteed. The climb of about 140 m to the summit of Piton Canot, slippery when wet, is better left to older children and adults.

Can children visit the Rhumerie de Chamarel?

The Rhumerie de Chamarel charges 16 and 17 year olds Rs 400 for the guided visit against Rs 800 for the visit with tasting, asks visitors to confirm they are 18 or over, and publishes no rate for children under 16 (checked on 29 October 2026).

Adults pay Rs 800 for the visit and tasting (checked on 29 October 2026), which runs Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:30 and is closed on Sundays, and the tour takes about 30 minutes. With younger children, ask at reception before planning the day around it. L’Alchimiste, the restaurant on the estate, serves lunch Monday to Saturday from 11:30 to 15:30.

The road up, car sickness, toilets and food

The road from the west coast climbs about 300 m in roughly 4 km of hairpin bends between Case Noyale and Chamarel, so children prone to car sickness need a plan before you leave the coast. The other approaches wind too, down towards Baie du Cap and across the Plaine Champagne plateau.

Drive the bends slowly, give children a seat with a view of the road ahead, keep a window open and avoid a big meal just before the climb. The roadside Chamarel viewpoint near the top of the climb from Case Noyale is where most drivers pull in, but it has no marked spaces and cars park along the road, so keep children well away from the traffic.

Toilets are mapped near the coloured-earth car park inside the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark and beside the Alexandra Falls car park, and the Gorges viewpoint has free toilets. Inside the geopark, the Viewpoint Café is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00 (as published in October 2026), but picnics are not allowed. No ATM or fuel station is mapped in Chamarel, and the geopark takes rupees in cash or by card but no foreign cash, so withdraw money and fill up in Black River or Tamarin on the way.

There is no hospital in Chamarel. In an emergency in Mauritius, call 114 for the SAMU ambulance or 999 for the police (112 also works).

Pacing a family day in Chamarel

A family day in Chamarel works best with the geopark early, one more sight after a break and the afternoon back at the coast, because the tortoises are most active in the cooler hours and the coaches fill the car parks later in the day.