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Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel: A Last Haven for Native Flora and Fauna in Mauritius
4.9
86 Ratings
Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel
Discover Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel, a last haven for native flora and fauna in Mauritius. Explore stunning views, mid-canopy walkways, and escape the hustle and bustle of the island.
Duration:
3 hours, 18 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Ebony Forest Reserve - A warm welcome awaits you at our Visitor Centre. We are located just beside the Seven Coloured Earth near Chamarel so follow the signs and join us at our luscious tropical paradise. Be sure to stop and admire the Chamarel Waterfalls. We recommend you arrive at our entrance by 15:00 at the latest to ensure you have plenty of time to enjoy your visit.
What can you expect?
• Open air safari jeep rides every 30 minutes (subject to availability)
• 30 minute guided tour along a raised (0.5m – 4m high) walkway through the Flycatcher Forest
• Breathtaking views of the south and west coast from Sublime Point
• Witness 8 million years of history in our Ebony Experience Museum
• Meet our endemic and rare threatened birds (Mauritius Flycatcher, Mauritius Black Bulbul, Pink Pigeon, Echo Parakeet, Kestrel)
• Easy hikes along our ridgeline trail with spectacular views of Le Morne UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Optional hike to Piton Canot for a 360̊ panaroma
• Hug an ebony tree that stood at the time of the dodo
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Museum
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Drinks
Additional Information
Imagine one of the last remaining places on Mauritius where majestic black ebony trees stand tall and Paradise Flycatchers and Mauritius Black Bulbul chase each other through the trees. Once home to the Dodo, Ebony Forest, remains a refuge for threatened native flora and fauna. Visitors will be treated breathtaking views from Sublime Point and unique mid-canopy walkways. With less than 2% native forest remaining in Mauritius, Ebony Forest is a jewel for nature lovers and those wishing to escape from the beaches and hustle and bustle of Mauritius.
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- Discover the history of the island, from its volcanic origins to the arrival of humans and the destruction of the forest in our Ebony Experience Museum. Then see our amazing forest restoration efforts to conserve the native fauna and flora. Its first stop is the Flycatcher Forest where you will be treated to a 30 minute guided tour along a raised walkway through one of the best preserved ebony forests remaining in Mauritius. Spot the native birds, learn about the value of ebony wood and hug some trees!
- After your tour, to get to Sublime Point you hike along the idyllic Ridgeline Trail (1.1 km) with amazing views of Ile aux Benitiers and Le Morne. The name says it all, Sublime is a view not to be missed during your visit to Mauritius. Relax and watch the bats flying, white tail tropic birds soaring and acrobatic performances of the Mascarene swiftlets. Why not enjoy some local snacks to full savour the experience.
- For those energetic visitors, we recommend a hike to the summit of Piton Canot for a spectacular view of the south-west coast and village of Chamarel.
- If hungry, you can purchase some local snacks at Sublime Point, why not grab some snacks, along with a souvenir, from our boutique which sells mostly local artisanal products. Profits generated are reinvested into our ongoing forest restoration work (weeding and planting) and reintroduction of birds. We have planted more than 148,000 native trees, but we have a lot more work to do. Be part of our forest restoration project by visiting us.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel
Take the Seven coloured earth road which leads to our visitor centre.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(86 Ratings)
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Doriag348
May 26, 2024
Magic forest - Just an amazing place with amazing people who are doing their best to preserve the ebony forest. Soo worth of visit! You can really see and feel how people made so many mistakes in the past which led to extinction of so many species on this small island. So glad to come and meet all this lovely people who are trying to save and bring back to life the forest and all its inhabitants.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seahorsenursery77
May 15, 2024
Boulders that move! - Super experience for our Ebony Forest trip. Delightful introduction to destruction of the forest and dodos with artefacts to touch. We then travelled up the mountainside by safari truck and stopped to feed any boulders (tortoises!) that needed to be moved off the truck. Flycatcher canopy walk was interesting but the real treat was Sublime view. We were an intergenerational group of 7 and were lucky to be there with no one else so totally immersed in the stunning views. Delicious lemongrass cordial - in real glasses at the little hut. Fantastic few hours and incredibly good value. Absolute highlight of Mauritius holiday.
Don’t forget sun hats, sun screen and mossie spray!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aureilhan
May 14, 2024
Very nice discovery - A very rewarding walk in parts of preserved original forest. Several routes are possible. For the more enduring, a very beautiful view of the Grand Morne area from Piton Canot.
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Cico
Apr 6, 2024
Ebony trees, jeep tour and musuem - Visited the Ebony Forest in Mauritius and started with a short museum tour, but very informative, and you will learn everything about the island. The walk through the forest was refreshing, showcasing the native ebony trees leading to the summit. For an easier ascent or in case you have less time, a guided jeep tour is available, where guides like Chris offer friendly and helpful insights. A must see for those interested in Mauritius's natural history and scenic beauty.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bolognav2024
Mar 13, 2024
Nice excursion - Very beautiful reserve which highlights the preservation of the species and vegetation of the island
Damien, our guide, knew how to communicate his love for this reserve to us
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Dylan_moonien
Feb 19, 2024
Beautiful place - This was my second visit to this magnificent place. Thank you especially Damien who was a great guide and with whom we learned a lot.
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Trail33405034592
Feb 9, 2024
Lots of interesting facts about flora & fauna, views of Le Morne & wild turtles - Great nature reserve with short, interesting hikes - a short part with a guide who told us everything about the flora, fauna and the reforestation project in a very exciting and friendly way. We had an amazing view of Le Morne and even saw wild tortoises.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fran_oisa309
Jan 3, 2024
Essential visit for the rebirth of the primary forest - The start of the visit goes through the museum and a short video which gives us a summary of the history of the island. What follows is an upward hike towards the ebony forest, the visit is worth it. We were welcomed by Avish who shared with us with passion the original fauna and flora of Mauritius and all the efforts of the association to revive the primary forest, also a site for observing turtles.
Thank you Avish for this beautiful moment, which is all the more appreciated when it is shared from the heart.
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Veronicaf490
Dec 16, 2023
Well worth a visit for the view alone - Well worth a visit. We decided to walk to the top and the view there is quite incredible. Unfortunately, my husband was affected by the high humidity which raised his sugar levels and caused a problem with his ability to walk back down without diffculty. I would like to thank Sonia for assisting me by getting a ranger to pick him up. They were all so kind and willing to take us back to our hotel but my husband was feeling well enough to drive after half an hour rest.
Thank-you all for your kindess to us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
601alishbab
Oct 27, 2023
Ebony Forest Reserve - I visited this breath-taking place last week. we started from museum enough to fill tourists with some necessary information, along with that they have souvenir shop and clean rest room. All the staff is very welcoming and friendly. Then we took Safari Ride to explore the very calm and lush green forest. I must say worthwhile visit this place.:)
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