National Parks in Mauritius

Mauritius has three stunning national parks that showcase the island’s unique biodiversity:

Black River Gorges National Park: Established in 1994, it covers 2% of the island and features lush forests, waterfalls like Alexandra Falls and Chamarel Falls, and over 50 km of hiking trails. It’s home to 163 endemic plant species and 28 bird species.
Bras d’Eau National Park: Opened in 2011, this quieter park spans 497.2 hectares and includes historical landmarks, Mare Sarcelle wetland, and a 3.5-mile hiking trail. It’s perfect for bird-watching and exploring second-growth forests.
Islets National Park: Protects eight small islands with diverse ecosystems, including Île d’Ambre and historic sites near Grand Port Bay. Activities like kayaking and boat tours let visitors enjoy marine life and seabird habitats.

These parks are vital for conserving endangered species and offer incredible experiences for nature lovers. Plan your visit between May and November for the best weather.

Black River Gorges National Park – Best Viewpoints & Hiking Trails in Mauritius

Black River Gorges National Park

Located in the southwestern region of Mauritius, Black River Gorges National Park is the island’s largest protected forest, covering 67.54 square kilometers (26 square miles). It’s known for its volcanic terrain, lush forests, dramatic gorges, and stunning waterfalls.

Main Attractions

The park is home to two incredible waterfalls. Alexandra Falls, situated at an elevation of 700 meters, offers sweeping views of Mauritius’ southern region. Then there’s Chamarel Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall on the island, plunging nearly 100 meters.

Hiking enthusiasts will love the park’s extensive trail system, which spans over 50 kilometers (31 miles). Popular destinations include Black River Peak, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the western coastline, and the Seven Coloured Earth, a fascinating geological site with naturally vibrant soil hues. Beyond its beauty, the park is a haven for unique wildlife and plants.

Plants and Animals

The park plays a critical role in protecting Mauritius’ endangered species. It safeguards 163 of the island’s 311 endemic plant species and provides a home for 28 bird species found only in Mauritius. The dense rainforest canopy shelters rare creatures like the Mauritian flying fox. To protect native species, parts of the park are fenced, and programs are in place to remove invasive species that threaten the ecosystem.

Category	Count
Flowering Plants	300+
Endemic Flora Species	163
Endemic Bird Species	28

Visitor Guide

You can enter the park through the West Access at the Black River Visitor Centre or the East Access at the Pétrin Information Centre. The park is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on weekends from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free, though guided hikes cost about $55 per person. For the best experience, plan your visit during the dry season (April–October).

Here’s what you should bring:

Sturdy hiking shoes
Plenty of water
Mosquito repellent
Sunscreen and a hat
A basic first aid kit
A light sweater for cooler temperatures
A trash bag for waste
A small towel

To protect the park’s ecosystem, pets, fires, and smoking are not allowed. For those looking for an extended adventure, camping is permitted with prior approval from park authorities.

Bras d’Eau National Park

Park Features

Bras d’Eau National Park, established on October 25, 2011, spans 497.2 hectares (1,228.6 acres) in northeastern Mauritius. Its name comes from the arm-like shape of its water feature. Unlike the more frequented Black River Gorges National Park, this park offers a quieter retreat with a mix of replanted commercial forests and remnants of Mauritius’s original ecosystems. Visitors can explore historical landmarks, including a sugar mill and a lime kiln. One of the park’s key attractions is Mare Sarcelle, a wetland covering nearly half the park, which supports a variety of native plants and wildlife. The forest includes species like eucalyptus, blackwood, teak, casuarinas, and two rare types of Mauritian ebony.

Nature Trails and Wildlife

The main hiking route, the Coq Du Bois Loop, is a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) trail that takes about two hours to complete. It offers a shaded walk through second-growth forest and basalt terrain with minimal elevation changes. Along the way, you’ll pass an orchard with approximately 2,000 mango trees and 200 litchi trees.

The park is home to various bird species, including:

Bird Species	Status
Sparrows	Native
Mauritius Fody	Endemic
Canaries	Native
White-eyes	Native
White-tailed Tropicbird	Rare

Mare Sarcelle is excellent for bird-watching, especially in the early morning. Its mangrove swamps provide essential habitats for native wildlife.

Visit Planning

For the best experience, plan your visit during the cooler months between May and October. The park is open daily, and early morning visits are particularly peaceful.

Getting there is straightforward:

By Car: A 15-minute drive from Rivière du Rempart via the A12 road, with parking available.
Public Transport: Take a bus from Rivière du Rempart to Poste de Flacq or Belle Mare, then walk 15–20 minutes.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available from Rivière du Rempart.

Pack essentials like sturdy shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and optionally a swimsuit and towel. Joining a guided tour is a great way to learn more about the park’s biodiversity and history.

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Islets National Park

Islets National Park plays a key role in preserving Mauritius’s coastal and marine ecosystems.

Protected Islands

The park includes eight small islands scattered around Mauritius’s coastline, each with its own unique environment. The largest, Île d’Ambre, is located in northeastern Mauritius and spans 128 hectares (316 acres). It features blue latan palms, mangrove forests, and a 4-km hiking trail.

In the southeast, several islands in Grand Port Bay near Mahébourg are historically significant as the site of the 1810 Battle of Grand Port:

Island	Size (acres)	Key Features
Île aux Fouquets	6.2	Site of the Battle of Grand Port (1810)
Îlot Vacoas	3.4	Part of the historic battle site
Île aux Fous	0.7	Part of the historic battle site
Rocher des Oiseaux	0.2	Part of the historic battle site

In the north, Pigeon Rock serves as a seabird sanctuary near Île Plate. Along the eastern coast, Îlot Flamants is known for its striking white sandbank, while Île aux Oiseaux provides critical habitats for wildlife near Grand Sable.

Marine Life

Efforts to conserve the park’s waters include regular monitoring and managing non-native species to protect the area’s natural balance.

How to Visit

Île d’Ambre can be accessed by boat or kayak. To explore northern islands like Pigeon Rock, join organized boat tours with guided transfers. Kayaking is a great way to experience the wildlife. Guided tours often include expert commentary, offering deeper insights into the ecosystems.

Trip Planning Guide

Here’s a simple guide to help you plan your trip after visiting the parks.

When to Visit

Mauritius’ national parks are best enjoyed between May and November, thanks to pleasant weather for outdoor activities. For the driest conditions and mild temperatures around 77°F (25°C), plan your visit between September and November.

May–June: Expect temperatures around 81°F (27°C) with little rain.
July–August: Cooler months with averages of 75°F (24°C), but stronger winds on the east coast.
September–October: Ideal for wildlife spotting, as this is the driest stretch of the year.
December–April: High season with warmer weather but also higher prices. Cyclone season runs from January to March.

Getting There

You have two main travel options:

Car Rental: Available at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and key tourist hubs. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and a GPS device.
Organized Tours: Licensed operators offer guided park visits, including boat tours to nearby islands. Look for operators with PC registration numbers to ensure authenticity.

What to Bring

Pack wisely to make the most of your park adventure:

Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes
A wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses
A backpack with at least 2 liters of water capacity
Trail maps or a GPS device
A small first aid kit
Extra water and electrolyte drinks
A fully charged phone with local emergency contacts
A lightweight rain jacket
Cash for park fees or small purchases

For mountainous areas like Chamarel, remember it’s slightly cooler – about 4–5°F (2–3°C) lower than the coast. Always include sun protection and adjust your gear depending on the season.

Park Protection

When visiting Mauritius, it’s important to understand and support local conservation efforts. This not only enriches your experience but also helps preserve the island’s unique ecosystems.

Protection Programs

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation works on habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and managing invasive species. Similarly, Reef Conservation Mauritius focuses on marine protection through activities like coral planting and beach clean-ups. They encourage public involvement through small donations or program fees.

Green Travel Tips

Opt for accommodations with recognized eco-certifications, such as Green Globe, Travelife, or Earth Check. Supporting resorts that minimize waste and source local produce makes a difference.
Choose hybrid or electric vehicles for transportation, and participate in low-impact activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, or hiking.
Buy locally-made products, such as those labeled "Made in Moris", and visit local manufacturers to support small businesses.

"Sustainable travel is not just a trend but a necessity to preserve the beauty and integrity of destinations like Mauritius."

By adopting these practices, you contribute to the protection of Mauritius’s ecosystems.

Visitor Guidelines

Here are some tips to ensure you help protect the parks and natural areas:

Use reef-safe sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium oxide to avoid harming marine life.
Bring reusable water bottles and containers to reduce plastic waste.
Stick to marked trails to avoid damaging fragile habitats.
Respect local customs and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Visit conservation sites like La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes to support their preservation efforts.

"Travellers can help further by volunteering in environmental and social projects to help rebuild devastated communities." – Laurie Myers, Project Lead for the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council

Consider visiting during off-peak seasons. This reduces environmental strain and helps maintain steady local employment throughout the year. These small but impactful steps align with Mauritius’s conservation goals, benefiting both nature and local communities.

Summary

Mauritius’s national parks play a key role in protecting the island’s biodiversity while contributing to the local economy. For example, Black River Gorges National Park spans 2% of the island and is home to vital plant and animal species across diverse landscapes. Highlights include Black River Peak and Mare Sarcelle lake.

The Islets National Park system, covering 140 hectares across eight islets, focuses on safeguarding marine ecosystems and seabird habitats. These parks are not just about conservation – they also support tourism, which accounted for 19.5% of Mauritius’s GDP in 2019 and provided jobs for one in eight residents. Community-driven efforts, like those in Poudre d’Or village from 2009 to 2012, have shown how conservation can create new economic opportunities.

Visiting these parks responsibly helps fund preservation efforts. Entry fees range from $3 to $10 USD, directly supporting ongoing conservation work. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ranks Mauritius third globally for endangered island flora, with 60% of its plant species at risk. This makes the role of these parks in protecting the island’s natural heritage even more critical.