Black River Gorges National Park

Black River Gorges National Park – The Wild Heart of Mauritius

Deep in the south-west highlands of Mauritius lies Black River Gorges National Park — the island’s largest protected wilderness area and one of the last substantial refuges for Mauritius’ endemic birdlife. Covering nearly 7,000 hectares of forested mountains, mist-filled valleys and dramatic volcanic gorges, the park preserves some of the finest surviving examples of native Mauritian forest, including remnants of the upland ebony forests that once covered much of the island.

Indigenous Tropical Forest & Endemic Wildlife

For natural history enthusiasts, Black River Gorges is arguably the finest place in Mauritius to experience the island’s endemic biodiversity in a truly wild setting. Ancient native trees, rare palms and regenerating forest cloak steep ravines and volcanic ridges, offering a glimpse into the landscapes that existed before colonial-era deforestation transformed Mauritius.

Birdlife & Conservation Success Stories

The park is especially important for bird conservation. Thanks to decades of intensive recovery work by Mauritian conservationists, several of the world’s rarest birds can now be sought along its trails and forest edges.

Early morning visitors may be rewarded with sightings of the elegant pink pigeon, the vivid green echo parakeet, Mauritius bulbul, Mauritius cuckoo-shrike and even the celebrated Mauritius kestrel — once considered the rarest bird of prey on Earth.

Gerald Durrell & Conservation Efforts

Much of this success stems from the pioneering conservation work undertaken by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and the Mauritian National Parks authorities.

Beginning in the 1970s, the late Gerald Durrell and his colleagues helped establish captive breeding and habitat restoration programmes that quite literally saved species such as the Mauritius kestrel and pink pigeon from oblivion.

Travellers interested in the human story behind Mauritius’ conservation renaissance may particularly enjoy Gerald Durrell’s wonderfully engaging book 'Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons' (pub. 1977), which recounts his expeditions to Mauritius and the early efforts to rescue many of the island’s endangered species. The book remains one of the most entertaining and accessible introductions to Mauritian wildlife conservation ever written.

Ongoing Conservation Challenges

An enormous amount of ongoing management work still takes place within and around the park. Introduced predators and herbivores — including rats, feral cats, macaque monkeys, mongooses, deer and wild pigs — remain serious threats to endemic birds and plants.

Conservation teams continue intensive control measures and habitat restoration programmes, with fenced conservation areas and predator management playing a vital role in protecting nesting birds and regenerating native forest.

Walking Trails & Hiking Routes

The park’s network of trails makes it accessible to both casual walkers and experienced hikers. More than 60 kilometres of marked routes traverse the reserve, ranging from short scenic walks to challenging full-day hikes through rainforest and mountain ridges.

Popular routes include:

• Parakeet Trail
• Macchabée Trail
• Black River Peak summit trail

Getting There & Excursions

For visitors staying at Mauritius’ coastal resorts, excursions to Black River Gorges are relatively straightforward to arrange. Most hotels can organise private transfers, guided walks or full-day nature excursions, particularly from resorts along the south-west and west coasts around Le Morne, Flic-en-Flac and Tamarin.

Self-drive visitors will also find the main viewpoints and trailheads readily accessible by road.

Birdwatching Guides

For keen birdwatchers and natural history travellers, employing a knowledgeable local guide is highly recommended. Specialist guides are often able to locate species that casual visitors might easily miss — particularly the echo parakeet, Mauritius kestrel and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, which can be elusive without experienced local knowledge.  Guides may be arranged through hotels, local ecotour operators, or via contacts associated with conservation organisations and visitor centres near the park.

The Experience

The atmosphere here is very different from Mauritius’ beaches and resorts. Mist drifts through the canopy, endemic trees cling to steep ravines, and the calls of rare birds echo across the forested slopes.

For many visitors, Black River Gorges reveals an entirely different side of Mauritius — wilder, cooler and far older than the island’s postcard-perfect coastline.

Visitor Information

Entry & Access:

• Entry to the park is free
• Main access points include Black River, Pétrin, Chamouny and Case Noyale
• Visitor and information centres are located at Black River and Pétrin

Opening Hours:

• Typical opening hours are approximately 07:00–16:00 daily
• Timings may vary slightly seasonally
• Early morning visits are strongly recommended for cooler temperatures and optimal bird activity

What to Bring:

• Sturdy footwear
• Water
• Binoculars
• Light waterproofs, particularly after rain

Why Visit Black River Gorges?

For travellers with an interest in island ecology, birdwatching and conservation, Black River Gorges National Park offers one of the Indian Ocean’s most rewarding wildlife experiences — a rare opportunity to explore the forests that helped save some of the world’s most endangered birds from extinction.