Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

The Black River Gorges National Park emphasizes 6,574 hectares of wild thick forest in the island of Mauritius. This preserved paradise is also home to over 3000 species of flowering plants and nine species of birds, featuring the famous pink pigeon. The best way to explore the park is on foot, nevertheless it is possible to drive through it and stop for spectacular views along the way.

The whole park is a tremendous network of treks crisscross the jungle. However if you jump into a hiking experience there, it is advisible to check the current state of the trails at the information centre before hiked them. On the other hand you can hire a guide, which can be done via the tourists centre. The main gathering center is at the park’s western entarance about 5 km southeast of Grande River Noire. There is also another one, the Petrin Information Centre, at the eastern side of the park. The boardwalk near the Petrin Information Centre takes you to the heart of the marshy heathland, while keeping your feet dry. At Alexandra Falls, take the trail across the creek to learn more about the dwarf upland forest. People looking for taller trees can explore Macchabee forest west of Petrin or Bel Ombre forest south of Plaine Champagne. During your trekking in the park, there is no where to buy food or drinks, even at the tourist centres. Make sure you bring plenty of waters and energy food. You will aslo need good shoes, insect repellent, binoculars for bird-watching and water-prof gear.

The Black River Gorges National Park is highly ecological place. It is very important for the endemic birds and the rarest endemic plants to be preserved. Therefore the establishment of BRGNP has been a vital move in the protection of its unique and rich ecosystem and therefore is certainly an important heritage to be preserved for future generations.

Many of the remaining species that still exist in the park are critically endangered and the fact that Mauritian flora is rated amongst the most endangered in the world, the BRGNP warrants favourably for inscription on the World Heritage List. During the years the park became one of the World’s most successful and cost-effective conservation spot with focus on saving the  Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) pink pigeon (Columba mayeri) and echo parackeet (Psittacula eques).

It is possible that your trip will take a full day to fully appreciate this spectacular piece of land, which includes a variety of striking landscapes, in addition to its flora and fauna. At the end of the day most of the tourists prefer to build a camp in the heart of the park, and spend a wonderful night out, stargazinga and chillin with the whole group. However there is another option, if some of you don’t feel them as a wild child. And this is a stay at the Les Pavillons Mauritius, a luxury hotel designed to respect the environment and surroundings of its island home and is set against the backdrop of the striking peninsular Morne Brabant. In most cases your guide is responsible for the transportation to the hotel, but it’s up to you.Spending the night under the sounds of the mother nature is a wondeful challenge.

The best time to visit the park is during the flowering season between September and January. Look for the rare tambalacoque or dodo tree, the black ebony trees and the wild guavas.