Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of over 150,000 native plant species, and the restoration of this ecosystem has ensured the
survival of the Rodrigues fody and Rodrigues warbler; for more information
Click here
.
A series of trails pass through the forest - although they're not especially well marked, it's
difficult to get too lost. Pick up the useful (and free)
Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
Field Guide
at the entrance to help with plant and bird identification. The MWF has plans
to run guided walks through the reserve - contact them for details.
Saint Gabriel Church
OFFLINE MAP
CHURCH
This surprisingly grand church in the middle of the island has one of the largest congrega-
tions in the Port Louis diocese. Constructed between 1936 and 1939, it was built by local
volunteers who arduously lugged stone, sand and coral from all corners of the island.
Christianity is an integral part of life on the island - hundreds upon hundreds of Rodri-
guans gather here every Sunday.
Jardin des 5 Sens
OFFLINE MAP
GARDENS
( 831 5860; Montagne Bois Noir; admission incl guided tour Rs 250; guided tours 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm &
3pm)
This pretty little botanical garden of indigenous Rodriguan plants is an interesting
way to spend an hour, not to mention a good initiative. Time your visit to coincide with
lunch at the attached Chez Jeanette (
Click here
)
.
THE RAREST PLANT ON EARTH?
In 1980, a school teacher asked his students to bring in a local plant as part of a school project. One brought in a
plant that baffled everyone. Finally the experts at the UK's Kew Gardens identified the plant as café marron
(Ramosmania rodriguesii)
, which was long thought extinct. Locals had for centuries used the plant as an aphro-
disiac and as a treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, and news of the plant's discovery leaked out. The plant
was fenced off but locals continued to find a way through. In 1986 an international operation was mounted - a
cutting of the plant was flown from Rodrigues to London where, within 24 hours, it was in Kew Gardens.
Cuttings were taken and it is from these that the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has been able to grow more in
its plant nursery. The plant is not yet out of danger - one of the plants in the Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
(
Click here
)
was stolen (a younger, yet-to-flower replacement is labelled and can be seen alongside the main
trail), as was another from their plant nursery. Even so, more than 50 have been successfully planted in the re-
serve. No other wild plants have ever been found but, for the first time in living memory, the original plant re-
cently began to grow fruit.
