Mauritius - Nature

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Like many reputable holiday companies we are ABTA registered, our ABTA membership number is 65310.

We also use ATOL protected tour operators. However if you wish to use a tour operator who is not ATOL protected then we will take our supplier failure insurance on your behalf.

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NATURE RESERVES

Ile aux Aigrettes (Excursions arranged directly with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, via tour operators or your hotel; % 631 2396 or e reservation[at]mauritian-wildlife.org (reservations); mauritian-wildlife.org; admission adult/child Rs800/400) This coral islet is a nature reserve managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF). Conservationists are working to restore it to its original state, by clearing exotic species of plants and replacing them with native ones. Endangered endemic birds and reptiles have been re-introduced to the island which is a safe haven for them away from introduced species such as rats, cats and monkeys which predate their young. Visitors have a good chance of spotting rare pink pigeons, olive white-eyes, Mauritius fodies, Guenther’s geckos and Telfair’s skinks as well as discovering fascinating plants, giant Aldabra tortoises roaming free in the wild and cannons left by the British after World War II,

The tour starts with a short boat trip to the island, leaving from Pointe Jérome, about 500m south of Le Preskil Hotel at Blue Bay. One of the MWF rangers will take you on a guided tour of the island and talk you through the flora, fauna and history. Being a coral island, it is very hot and do remember to take a hat, water and mosquito repellent with you. There is a small exhibition on the extinct fauna of the Mascarenes, to highlight what has been lost already from the islands and the importance of the MWF conservation work.

Tours start at 09.30, 10.00, 10.30 and 13.30, 14.00 and 14.30 (mornings only on Sundays) and last about two hours. It is money well spent as not only is the tour a fascinating insight into what the coastal forests of Mauritius would have looked like around 400 years ago, but part of the tour fee goes directly towards the continuation of MWF’s work. There is also a small shop on the island, where the money you spend benefits MWF’s conservation projects.

Vallée de Ferney Forest & Wildlife Reserve (Ferney; % 253 1050; e cieletnature[at]drbc-group.com; cieletnature.com; ( 09.00–16.00 daily; hiking (3km) adult/child non-guided Rs345/207, guided Rs575/345; 4x4 (1 hr) adult/child Rs1095/655, with lunch Rs1,525/915) A 200ha reserve with conservation at the heart of everything it does. It is an initiative of the government and a not-for-profit organisation, so by visiting you are doing your bit to contribute to the conservation efforts. Under the expert guidance of conservation manager, Pricila Iranah, the team is working to restore native forest and eradicate invasive species, such as traveller’s palm and goyavier. The visitor’s centre has informative exhibits on the flora and fauna of the area.

Visitors can hike around the reserve with or without a guide; guided tours (on reservation) depart at 10.00 and 14.00. 4x4 tours are on reservation. Keen-eyed visitors have a chance of seeing tropic birds, olive-white eyes, Mauritius fodies, Mauritius kestrels and pink pigeons. A former hunting lodge has been converted into a rustic restaurant serving Creole cuisine and specialising in game. Bring sturdy shoes and mosquito repellent.

Frédérica Nature Reserve (Bel Ombre; % 623 5615; f 623 5616; e frederica[at]domainedebelombre.mu; domainedebelombre.mu) A nature reserve (and deer farm) of 1,300ha bordering the Black River Gorges National Park, and which offers fantastic scenery and the opportunity to see deer, fruit bats, monkeys and native plants. If you are particularly lucky you may see a Mauritius kestrel or echo parakeet. Visitors can explore the area via guided hiking, quad biking and 4x4 tours; commentary on the flora and fauna is provided. Bookings can be made through most tour operators, preferably two–three days in advance. Long trousers are recommended for quad biking. The following minimum age requirements apply: 18 years for a double quad bike, 16 years for a single quad bike, 12 years for a quad-bike passenger.

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Mauritius - Nature

Southern Mauritius

Mauritius - Nature