Birdwatching & Hike at Ebony Forest

Mauritius has a Photography Museum with actual daguerreotypes, antique cameras, and relics from 19th-century photography.

The Birdwatching & Hike at Ebony Forest includes:

• 4-hour Guided Birdwatching Tour through Ebony Forest

• Access to hiking trails

• Visit of museum to learn the history of endemic plants and animals

• Film in English (6 mins) or French (8 mins) about the island’s wildlife

• Guided private visit to the bird release aviaries

• Guided tour of Flycatcher Raised Walkway

• Witness Panoramic views at Sublime Point

• Refreshments at Sublime Point: Local snacks + selection of drinks

Transport is available for an additional supplement and will include pick up and drop off from any place /place of accommodation in Mauritius.

Birdwatching & Hike at Ebony Forest

Prepare for a very special and unique birding experience among one of the most magnificent ebony forests and few places in Mauritius where six of the nine remaining endemic birds call home. Enjoy exploring Mauritius’ hidden treasures in the Ebony Forest. For some segments of the trip, you will be accompanied by a passionate guide who will impart their in-depth knowledge of the island’s ecological history.

Your birdwatching adventure starts with a brief visit to the museum. The museum explains the geology, history and flora and fauna of the island in simple readable explanations. Your expert guide will give you a summary of the natural history of Mauritius and explanation of why the island’s birds are so threatened. You will have time after your Tour to visit the museum at your leisure.

Afterwards, you will hike through the luxuriant Ebony Forest in order to reach a bird-watching aviaries. Here, you get to enjoy a private tour with passionate bird conservationists, and you will catch sight of several endemic bird species, like the Mauritius Echo Parakeet, the Pink Pigeon, the Mauritian Merle, the Mauritius Grey White-Eye and the Mauritian Flycatcher.

You will then head through the endemic forest to the Flycatcher Raised Walkway. Once there, a guide will accompany you on the mid-canopy walkway of 300m through one of the best-preserved ebony forests in Mauritius, once home to the Dodo. You will encounter some of the rarest plants in Mauritius, see ebony trees and may meet the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher and Mauritius Bulbul. The inquisitive Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher is bound to find you before you see it. Often seen in pairs, these delightful passerines will come and say hello.

After birdwatching, you will head towards the Sublime Point on foot to enjoy a refreshing drink along with authentic local snacks while admiring the breathtaking view of the west coast of Mauritius. The Sublime Point offers a stunning view of the Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crystal clear waters surrounding Ile aux Benitiers, and the surrounding mountain ranges including the island’s highest peak, Piton de la Riviere Noire.

About Endemic Birds in Mauritius

The Mauritius Grey White-eye (Zosterops Mauritianus) is the most abundant of the endemic bird species.This is the only endemic bird to have adapted itself to man-made conditions. Gregarious, it moves in bands of 6 to 20 throughout the year.

The Echo Parakeet on the other hand is one of just nine surviving bird species that are found only on Mauritius. These birds remain in pairs throughout the year and may be seen feeding each other in courtship rituals for much of that time.

The Pink Pigeon, the largest of all the pigeons and doves found on Mauritius is another highly endangered species. The pink pigeons became nearly extinct in the 1990s and are still very rare. It is the only Mascarene pigeon that has not gone extinct.

The Mauritius Paradise Flycatchers (Tersiphone desolata) are endemic songbirds, which experienced population declines in Mauritius. This inquisitive bird, threatened due to habitat loss, has found refuge at Ebony Forest. You will often see two birds together as male and female birds.

About the Ebony Forest

One of the most exciting conservation initiatives in Mauritius in the last few years, the Ebony Forest seeks to recreate a small pocket of indigenous native forest, the likes of which covered the entire island just 250 years ago.The forest covers 45 hectares with 7 km of hiking routes, two raised walkways that climb into the mid-canopy and an interpretation centre (Museum) with a small shop.

As one of the best-preserved endemic forests on the island, the Ebony Forest, in the southern region of Mauritius, is actively restoring and preserving rare and threatened fauna and flora of Mauritius. Visitors can participate and become Guardians of the Forest by planting a tree or sowing a seed.

Mauritius Wildlife Foundation has begun introducing two of Mauritius' most endangered signature species: the pink pigeon and echo parakeet. Other bird species to watch out for along the Ebony Forest's trails are the Mauritius paradise flycatcher, grey white-eye, Mauritius black bulbul, white-tailed tropicbird, Mascarene swiftlet and Mascarene swallow.

Museum

The Ebony Forest museum is where you can witness 8 million years of the island’s history, including the history of the unique animals and plants that inhabited Mauritius. The museum provides an overview from the volcanic eruption millions of years ago, to the flora & fauna that inhabited our island including how man’s actions have ultimately destroyed the island’s unique environment.

Ebony Forest Trails

Ridgeline Trail

This trail runs along the mountain top. To the west, you will see Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Île aux Benitiers, while to the east you will see the south-east coastline and the different plant restoration sites. From there, you can either walk down from Sublime Point, or up from the Flycatcher Raised Walkway. This is a relatively gentle trail and is expected to take 30 minutes at average pace.

Piton Canot

This 400m trail is a continuation of the Ridgeline Trail and is accessible from Sublime Point. If you are feeling energetic, you can hike up to the peak of Piton Canot (542 m) where you will be rewarded by a 360-degree view. The trail ascends around 140 m, and will take a return trip of around 45 minutes. The hike up Piton Canot will provide you with breathtaking panoramic views of the south-west of Mauritius.

Routes

• Visitor Centre to the Flycatcher Raised Walkway - 1.3 km
• Flycatcher Raised Walkway to the Sublime Point - 1.3 km
• Visitor Centre to Sublime Point - 2.4 km

Raised Walkways

Flycatcher Raised Walkway

A guide will accompany you on this mid-canopy walkway of 300 m through one of the best-preserved ebony forests in Mauritius. You will encounter some of the rarest plants in Mauritius, see ebony trees and may meet the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher and Mauritius Bulbul.

There are 14 guided tours per day, each 30 minutes in length. The first tour starts at 9:45 and the last one at 16:15. This walkway is at times 4m in height, so if you suffer from vertigo, please let the guide know beforehand. 

Sublime Point Raised Walkway

This short raised walkway of 90 m leads to Sublime Point where you can take in the stupendous views! Relax and admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Morne, to the south and the Moka range, with the distinctive Pieter Both mountain to the north. Fruit bats, swiftlets and tropic birds soar along the ridgeline. Clients are requested to descend from Sublime Point before 17:00.

Safari Jeeps (subject to availability and additional cost)

Safari jeeps are available at Ebony Forest; the use of safari jeep is available only on pre-booking. There are four times at 9:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30.

From the Flycatcher Raised Walkway, the next jeep will head towards the Sublime Point and back to the Visitor Centre.

Each jeep has a capacity of 9 visitors, so availability is not guaranteed. Walking through the Ebony forest is recommended for a more immersive experience.

Plant Nursery

Visit the native plant nursery, situated at the Visitor Centre, which is the only nursery in Mauritius dedicated to propagating only native and endemic species. It specialises in growing species from coastal to upland areas, including rare and threatened species.

Mauritius has one of the most threatened island floras, where almost 90% of its endemic plant species is at risk of extinction. The Nursery aids in conservation work to ensure that the island can maintain a high genetic diversity with strong and healthy plants, all whilst protecting the wildlife of the island. You will find a large variety of trees, shrubs, creepers, palms and ground cover plants here.

Facilities at The Ebony Forest

• Visitor Centre
• Boutique
• Le Takamaka restaurant
• Sublime Point Snack
• Clean and accessible toilets near key viewpoints
• Native Plant Nursery
• Ebony Museum

• Backpack

• Bottle of water

• Hiking shoes

• Sunscreen

• Hat

• Mosquito repellent

• Camera

• It is recommended to partake in this activity in the morning.
• Booking should be done 48 hours prior to visit
• Minimum number of participants: 2
• Activities/ Facilities which are not included in your selected option are subject to an additional cost.
• Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Any child not accompanied will be refused access.
• The Reserve shall not be responsible whatsoever, for any loss, damage and/or theft of your personal belongings.
• The hikes are graded as easy, based on international standards. Just let your guide know what pace you would like to go at.
• Ebony Forest Reserve is a natural site and hence there are risks from falling branches and steep slopes. It also undergoes active forestry activities. Please pay attention.

Rules and Regulations

• It is forbidden to bring any illegal substances, alcohol, firearms and/or generally any other object which is likely to be offensive, dangerous and/or is illegal.
• It is forbidden to disturb or harass the animals and tranquillity of Ebony i.e, by musical instruments, audio equipment, screaming, shouting etc.
• It is forbidden and a criminal offence to remove from Ebony, any animal, plant, part of the landscape and/or any other structure and/or to damage or deface any of the aforesaid.
• It is forbidden for any visitors to picnic, climb stone walls or trees, or litter.
• Any food and drink purchased within Ebony Forest Reserve must be consumed within the designated zones.
• Footwear must be worn at all times. No shirtless/topless dress is allowed. Bottoms must be worn at all times.