TAKE A HIKE

DISCOVER THE ENDEMIC WILDLIFE OF MAURITIUS AT CHAMAREL

If you have ever wondered where the Dodo lived or what Mauritius looked like before the arrival of humans, then visit Ebony Forest. Escape the beaches for a couple of hours and immerse yourself in the mountains and greenery of Chamarel, home to some of the most endangered species in the World.

Start or end your visit with a self-guided tour of our museum, Ebony Experience, written and illustrated by British palaeontologist, artist, and critically acclaimed co-author of Lost Land of the Dodo, Dr Julian Hume. If you are short of time, a must-see is the 6-8 minute film in English or French about the Island’s unique and fragile biodiversity, sponsored by the Mauritius Commercial Bank and produced by Mystic Mauritius. Leaving the museum, you will understand the importance of our conservation work.

Before you start your hike, take the opportunity to meet Donatello, Vanille, Ralph and Flash, our four Aldrabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) busy creating a grazing lawn. These tortoises are part of a study to see if exotic tortoises can be used to fulfil the ecological roles once performed by the extinct giant Mauritian tortoises. Prior to the arrival of humans, giant tortoises were occurred in huge herds and performed vital functions such as seed dispersal and grazing. We plan to use these gentle giants to help us control the exotic vegetation.

After the guided tour, take the steps up to the Ridgeline Trail. This gentle and tranquil 1.1 km trail through native forest offers breath-taking views of Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the crystal clear waters surrounding the island of Ile aux Benitiers.

Sublime Point. As the name suggests, is just breathtaking. One of the best views in Mauritius, if not THE BEST. Le Morne, Ile aux Benitiers, Tourelle du Tamarin, Montagne du Rempart, Corps de Garde, Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce, Pieter Both, Piton Canot and the island’s highest peak, Piton de la Riviere Noire all form part of this stunning panorama. With a unique vantage point, watch the endemic Mauritian Fruit Bat flying below, White-tailed Tropic Birds delight you with their aerial acrobatics, Mascarene swiftlets, and Mauritius Kestrel. While you relax and enjoy the view, why not purchase some local snacks and drinks, such as gateaux piments, samosas, tamarind juice, lemon grass juice at our Sublime Snack.

For those adventurous and energetic enough, a hike up Piton Canot will reward you with a 360 degree panorama of the west and south-west coasts, village of Chamarel and Black River Gorges National Park. This 400 m trail has an ascent of 140 m to the summit at 542 m above sea level. We recommend the last departure time to walk up Piton Canot is at 4pm.

The 2.4 km hike back to the Visitor Centre takes about 30 – 50 mins. Enjoy the views overlooking the valley towards Baie du Cap. If you didn’t visit the museum on your way in, now is your chance. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir in our Shop. Your visit and purchases contribute to helping save endangered species and habitats from extinction and offsetting carbon. All profits generated are reinvested back into our conservation work at Ebony Forest or one of our other conservation sites.

On your 1.3 km hike (15-20 mins) to the Flycatcher Raised Walkway, you will pass by restoration sites at different stages of management. The stones with RS depict the different “restoration sites”. Some are newly weeded, whereas others may be recently planted or more than 3 metres in height. Our NGO continues to work tirelessly to transform this invaded species-poor habitat to a lush and biodiverse forest, home for many threatened species.

Meet your guide at the start of the Flycatcher Raised Walkway and explore one of the best-preserved ebony forests in Mauritius on our unique raised walkways. On this 30 minute guided tour, you will learn about our forest restoration and bird conservation activities, feel the density of ebony wood and understand why it is one of the most valuable woods in the world. See Fruit Bats hanging in the trees or eating fruits, endemic Phelsuma geckos sunbathing, pic pic birds hopping around the canopy looking for insects and one of the rarest trees in the world, the bois corail or Coral Tree, named for its magnificent coral-shaped flowers. Breathe in the sweet scents of the fresh and cool forest air and learn why we are installing artificial nest boxes for the Mauritius Kestrel and Echo Parakeet.

Spot Mauritius Paradise Flycatchers as you pass through their territory and these inquisitive birds join you on your walk. It takes on average 30 minutes from the Flycatcher Forest to Sublime Point.

MORE THAN 151,000 ENDEMIC & NATIVE PLANTS PLANTED

25 HA. ENDEMIC FOREST WEEDED & PLANTED, AND RESTORED

ECOLOGY CENTRE CREATED

EDUCATING & INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMME

PINK PIGEON & ECHO PARAKEET BIRDS REINTRODUCED

140 ENDEMIC & NATIVE SPECIES

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM CREATED

REFUGE FOR THREATENED FLORA & FAUNA