Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
vironments, from pine forest to tropical scrub, and includes the country's largest area of
native forest. Two of the most important nature reserves are Île aux Aigrettes (
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)
and Île Ronde (the latter is closed to the public), both of which are being restored to their
natural state by replacing introduced plants and animals with native species.
In 1997 marine parks were proclaimed at Blue Bay (near Mahébourg on the southeast
coast) and Balaclava (on the west coast), but the number of visitors to the area makes it
difficult to establish rigorous controls and there is a need to encourage local fishermen to
use less destructive techniques.
There is also the new and tiny national park of Bras d'Eau, closed to Poste Lafayette on
Mauritius' east coast.
IMPORTANT NATIONAL PARKS & RESERVES
BEST
TIME TO
VISIT
PARK
FEATURES
ACTIVITIES
snorkelling, diving,
glass-bottomed boat
tours
Balaclava Mar-
ine Park
lagoon, coral reef, turtle breeding grounds
all year
Black River
Gorges National
Park
forested mountains, Mauritius kestrel, echo para-
keet, pink pigeons, black ebony trees
Sep-Jan for
flowers
hiking, bird-watching
snorkelling, diving,
glass-bottomed boat
tours
Blue Bay Marine
Park
lagoon, corals, fish life
all year
Bras d'Eau Na-
tional Park
Mauritius paradise flycatchers
bird-watching
all year
Grande
Montagne
Nature Reserve
Rodrigues fody and warbler, native reforestation,
rare plants
hiking
all year
Île aux Aigrettes
Nature Reserve
coral island, ebony forests, pink pigeons, olive
white eye, Aldabra giant tortoise, Telfaïrs skink
ecotours
all year
bird-watching, snor-
kelling, swimming
Îlle aux Cocos
nesting seabirds, lagoon scenery
all year
Mauritius kestrel, white-tailed tropicbirds, native
forest
Vallée de Ferney
hiking, bird-watching
Sep-Jan
