Sustainable Travel in Mauritius
Green Mauritius
A world biodiversity hotspot known for its natural beauty and for being the home of the dodo, Mauritius is on a crusade to reduce the eco-footprint for the benefit of the island. Volcanic mountains, savannah-style plains and pockets of ancient forest with endemic plants and wildlife offer plenty of opportunity for green adventure, from birding, quad-biking and zip-lining to blue marlin fishing and nature treks.
Black River Gorges National Park is located in the ‘green’ southwest and has 6,500 hectares of natural beauty criss-crossed with walking trails which is home to native trees and rare birds. A guided tour around the tiny rocky wildlife sanctuary of Ile aux Aigrettes (protected by The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) in the southeast is a chance to see the island’s famous pink pigeon which along with the Mauritius kestrel, echo parakeet and Mauritius skink, have been pulled back from the brink of extinction with the help of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Aldabra tortoises, have also been reintroduced on Ile aux Aigrettes, can be seen in all stages of development at La Vanille Reserve Des Mascareignes- the world’s only breeding centre – as well as the endangered Mauritius Fruit Bat. Casela Nature & Leisure Park provides the chance to try out eco-friendly Segway tours as well as the longest zipline in the Indian Ocean which provides magnificent views of the forest canopy.
Sugar estates or ‘domaines’, have opened as eco-adventure parks offering nature treks, quad-biking, horse riding, mountain biking and 4×4 safaris to spot deer, monkeys and wild boar in vast swathes of countryside. Favourites are Domaine L’Etoile on the east coast where a Mauritian meal is served in a pretty thatched cottage, once the setting for French film Paul & Virginie and Frederica Nature Reserve in Domaine de Bel Ombre with a picnic at the base of a pretty waterfall and new 4×4 night safari.
The National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) is responsible for the management of the native terrestrial biodiversity and the ecosystem of Mauritius.
