Luxuriant Mauritius Landscape

Mauritius Landscape

Mauritius long ago understands the importance of its landscape for tourism and has done much to preserve the island’s fragile eco-system. Four hundred years after the last dodo, birdlife is now well protected, not least the pink pigeon.

Mauritius Landscape

The natural beauty of Mauritius strikes you from the minute you drive away from the airport. Lush fields, moody mountain peaks and that shimmering lagoon. Flamboyant, hibiscus and frangipani trees line the roads. Although sadly being famous as the site of the annihilation by man of the flightless dodo in the 17 the century, the island is finally witnessing the birth of an ecological consciousness, largely led by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) founded in 1984.

There are now many parks and reserves dedicated to the preservation of the island’s fragile ecosystem. On the IIe aux Aigrettes, off the south-east coast, the MFW is working to ensure that some of the world’s most chronically endangered species-such as the Mauritius kestrel, the echo parakeet and the pink pigeon, which was reduced to no more than nine individuals in 1990-do not go the same ways the do.

Mauritius Landscape

Apart from getting the chance to see some of the world’s rarest creatures including the Aldabran giant tortoise and views over the last remnants of an ebony-rich forest that once covered large coastal areas of Mauritius, visitors to the island can take satisfaction that the price of the tour helps fund important conservation work. If you’re even more dedicated, the MFW also offers the chance for volunteers to work on projects such as the Rare Plants Programme.

The 6,500 hectare Black Gorges National Park was made into a nature reserve in1994 and is fringed by coniferous trees and casuarinas. It’s home to endangered species like the echo parakeet, rare trees like the tambalacpque (dodo) tree, ebony and takamaka – and, of course, many monkeys an deer. It’s a superb place for hiking amongst endemic plants and bird life. Adventurous souls can attempt the walk to the island’s highest point, the Black Rivers Peak (828m).

Domaine de L’Etoile Nature Reserve-literally ‘the star’ of the island- is 14’800 acres of tropical, mountainous landscape, home to many indigenous animals and plants including herds of java deer, wild boar and monkeys and the island’s oldest ebony trees. Visitors can enjoy mountain and quad biking, horse riding and archery as well as panoramic views of more than half the island. Guided treks can also be arranged on Boerperd ponies.

Mauritian Wildlife Foundation Phelsuma Cepediana

Fast Facts

Top 5 green establishments

• Mauritian Wildlife Foundation ( www.mauritian-wildelife.org)
• LLe aux Aigrettes (www.lie-aux-aigrettes.com)
• The Black Gorges National Park (www.mauritius-guide.net/nature-park)
• Domaine de L’Etoile Nature Reserve (www.cieletnature.com)
• Domaine Anse  Jonchee (www.mauritiustourism.co.uk)

Tags: Mauritius Landscape