Savanne District

Savanne occupies Mauritius' southwestern corner where dramatic coastline, minimal development, and preservation of the 'wild south' character distinguish it from urbanized northern districts. The Rochester Falls and the coastal cliffs near Gris Gris—where waves crash without reef protection—attract visitors seeking landscapes distinct from the manicured beaches dominating tourism imagery. Bel Ombre, once a sugar estate, transformed into integrated resort development that attempts to combine hospitality with heritage: chateau, rum distillery, nature reserve, and golf course creating a destination within the district. The Bel Ombre Nature Reserve contributes to the conservation corridor extending from Black River Gorges toward the south coast, protecting habitat fragments that might otherwise disappear to development. Population density remains lower than northern districts, reflecting continued agricultural use and less intensive tourism development. La Vanille Nature Park houses Aldabra giant tortoises and Nile crocodiles, adding wildlife attraction to a district otherwise defined by landscape rather than fauna. The wild coast between Riambel and Souillac offers surfing conditions impossible on calm northern shores, creating niche tourism opportunities for visitors seeking Atlantic-style waves in the Indian Ocean. By 2026, Savanne represents the choice facing Mauritius' less developed districts: maintaining the unspoiled character that differentiates them or pursuing the intensive development that transformed northern coastlines and plateau towns.