The places
– Ile aux Aigrettes –
In the fabulously-coloured lagoon of the south-east of Mauritius lies Ile-aux-Aigrettes nature reserve, an islet originally attached to the main island before the rising of sea-levels. Its isolation saved the only piece of original dry coastal forest of Mauritius and several endemic species with it. It has, since then, been enriched by other endangered endemic species from other regions & islets around Mauritius.
– The Black River Gorges national park –
Managed by the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS), a government body, the 67 Km² park hosts several endemic species of fauna and flora. It provides an excellent hiking environment owing to its sloping topography, offering breathtaking views, a variety of vegetation sets and microclimates.
The Background
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) was established in 1984, engaging in species-specific conservation programmes which its founder, Gerald Durell had initiated back in 1976 and managed to save the Pink Pigeon and the Mauritius Kestrel from extinction.
The concept
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation manages the visits and excursions in and around Ile-aux-Aigrettes and are the beneficiaries of the fares and entrance fees charged. In the Black River Gorges, it carries-out daily conservationist works and propose birdwatching tours, guided by their biologists.
The Focus
Endangered species of flora, birds and reptiles.
The excursions and activities
Among the tours proposed, we retained the following:
– Guided visit of Ile-aux-Aigrettes –
The MWF shuttle boats board at less than a kilometre from the islet. The guided visits led by eco-guides take you through the dry forest for an overview of the biodiversity of Mauritius, of which the islet is a sample, as well as an overview of the foundation’s works and achievements since they took over its management in 1985.
Tour duration: 90 – 120 minutes. Departure Times: Monday to Saturday 09.30, 10.00, 10.30, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30 – Sunday 09.30, 10.00, 10.30.
– The extended tour –
After the guided visit of the islet, the boat will glide on the crystal waters, heading towards the marine park of Trou Moutou in Blue Bay, 5 Kms down the coast, for a swim and snorkelling session.
Picnic lunch is served on a small stretch of beach on Île des deux Cocos.
Starts at 10ish – Duration: ½ day – Requires pre-booking.
– The South-east island adventure tour –
In-between the guided visit and the snorkelling session, visit the historical islets of Ile au Phare (or Ile aux Fouquets) and Ile de la Passe; both having capital historical importance as they have been the stage for one of the fiercest naval battles of colonial history, between the French and the British. To make this day complete, you will be taken to La Case du Pêcheur a rustic “table d’hôtes”, serving delicious local specialities under thatch-roof kiosks around a swimming pool and crab/fish reserve.
Full-day tour – Requires pre-booking
– Birdwatching guided tour –
Hike in Pétrin, the highest region of the Black River Gorges National Park, with a biologist from the MWF and discover the rare to endangered species of endemic birds of Mauritius and / or the Mascarene islands. The species that can be observed in this region are:
– The Pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) – Approx. 400 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) – Approx. 350 individuals in the wild (from only 4 in 1974) – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Echo Parakeet (Psittacula eques) – Approx. 400 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Mauritius Fody (Foudia rubra) – Approx. 700 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) – Approx. 300 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: critically endangered.
– The Cuckoo-shrike (Lalage typica) – 200 – 360 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: vulnerable.
– The Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone bourbonnensis) – IUCN Red List status: least concern.
– The Mauritius Bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus) – 900 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: vulnerable.
Easy 3 to 4-hour hike – Requires pre-booking.
Various
Sightseeing
Boating
Birdwatching
Exploration
The places
– Ile aux Aigrettes –
In the fabulously-coloured lagoon of the south-east of Mauritius lies Ile-aux-Aigrettes nature reserve, an islet originally attached to the main island before the rising of sea-levels. Its isolation saved the only piece of original dry coastal forest of Mauritius and several endemic species with it. It has, since then, been enriched by other endangered endemic species from other regions & islets around Mauritius.
– The Black River Gorges national park –
Managed by the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS), a government body, the 67 Km² park hosts several endemic species of fauna and flora. It provides an excellent hiking environment owing to its sloping topography, offering breathtaking views, a variety of vegetation sets and microclimates.
The Background
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) was established in 1984, engaging in species-specific conservation programmes which its founder, Gerald Durell had initiated back in 1976 and managed to save the Pink Pigeon and the Mauritius Kestrel from extinction.
The concept
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation manages the visits and excursions in and around Ile-aux-Aigrettes and are the beneficiaries of the fares and entrance fees charged. In the Black River Gorges, it carries-out daily conservationist works and propose birdwatching tours, guided by their biologists.
The Focus
Endangered species of flora, birds and reptiles.
The excursions and activities
Among the tours proposed, we retained the following:
– Guided visit of Ile-aux-Aigrettes –
The MWF shuttle boats board at less than a kilometre from the islet. The guided visits led by eco-guides take you through the dry forest for an overview of the biodiversity of Mauritius, of which the islet is a sample, as well as an overview of the foundation’s works and achievements since they took over its management in 1985.
Tour duration: 90 – 120 minutes. Departure Times: Monday to Saturday 09.30, 10.00, 10.30, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30 – Sunday 09.30, 10.00, 10.30.
– The extended tour –
After the guided visit of the islet, the boat will glide on the crystal waters, heading towards the marine park of Trou Moutou in Blue Bay, 5 Kms down the coast, for a swim and snorkelling session.
Picnic lunch is served on a small stretch of beach on Île des deux Cocos.
Starts at 10ish – Duration: ½ day – Requires pre-booking.
– The South-east island adventure tour –
In-between the guided visit and the snorkelling session, visit the historical islets of Ile au Phare (or Ile aux Fouquets) and Ile de la Passe; both having capital historical importance as they have been the stage for one of the fiercest naval battles of colonial history, between the French and the British. To make this day complete, you will be taken to La Case du Pêcheur a rustic “table d’hôtes”, serving delicious local specialities under thatch-roof kiosks around a swimming pool and crab/fish reserve.
Full-day tour – Requires pre-booking
– Birdwatching guided tour –
Hike in Pétrin, the highest region of the Black River Gorges National Park, with a biologist from the MWF and discover the rare to endangered species of endemic birds of Mauritius and / or the Mascarene islands. The species that can be observed in this region are:
– The Pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) – Approx. 400 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) – Approx. 350 individuals in the wild (from only 4 in 1974) – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Echo Parakeet (Psittacula eques) – Approx. 400 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Mauritius Fody (Foudia rubra) – Approx. 700 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: endangered.
– The Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) – Approx. 300 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: critically endangered.
– The Cuckoo-shrike (Lalage typica) – 200 – 360 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: vulnerable.
– The Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone bourbonnensis) – IUCN Red List status: least concern.
– The Mauritius Bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus) – 900 individuals in the wild – IUCN Red List status: vulnerable.
Easy 3 to 4-hour hike – Requires pre-booking.
