Ebony Forest Discovery Tour

You can have breakfast with giraffes. You read that right! Casela Nature Parks now offers an exclusive morning experience alongside their tall, graceful residents.

Ebony Forest Discovery Tour includes:

Discover the Ebony Forest of Mauritius with 2 options:

Guided Walking Tour - Take a Hike option

• Visit the museum to learn about the plants and animals that once lived on the island
• Short documentary film in English (6 minutes) or French (8 minutes) about Mauritius’ wildlife
• Guided exploration of Ebony Forest, including the Flycatcher raised walkway
• Breathtaking views from Sublime Point
• Time for self-guided walks along nature trails and scenic viewpoints
• Explore the Ridgeline Trail, a natural forest path with moderate slopes, shaded sections, and panoramic views
• Optional hike to the summit of Piton Canot (542 metres above sea level)
• Contribution to Ebony Forest’s reforestation and endangered species protection programmes

Safari Jeep - Take a Drive option

• 4x4 safari jeep experience through the forest, with hop-on, hop-off stops at key points of interest
• Visit the museum to learn about the plants and animals that once lived on the island
• Short documentary film in English (6 minutes) or French (8 minutes) about Mauritius’ wildlife
• Guided exploration of Ebony Forest, including the Flycatcher raised walkway
• Breathtaking views from Sublime Point
• Time for short self-guided walks along nature trails and viewpoints
• Follow the concrete forest path, a smooth access road with scenic stops along the way, ideal for visitors seeking an easier route

Ebony Forest Discovery Tour

Inside one of Mauritius’ last native forests

Discover a quieter, greener side of Mauritius with the Ebony Forest Discovery Tour. Located on the island’s west coast, this protected forest is one of the rare places where endemic species and long-term rewilding projects coexist in a natural environment.

Start at the museum: setting the scene

Your visit begins at the Ebony Forest Museum, where you are introduced to Mauritius’ natural history - from volcanic origins to the plants and animals that once shaped the island. A short wildlife film provides useful background before heading into the forest.

Two ways to explore the forest

You can experience Ebony Forest in two different ways, depending on your pace and how active you would like your visit to be:

• Take a Hike
  
  This option is suitable for visitors who enjoy walking and exploring at ground level. You will follow natural forest paths such as the Ridgeline Trail, a gentle ridge walk that takes around 30 minutes at an easy pace, with views opening out towards Le Morne on one side and restored forest zones on the other.
  
  The walk continues towards Sublime Point, one of the main viewpoints in the reserve. For those feeling energetic, the optional hike up Piton Canot adds a short challenge - a 45-minute return walk leading to panoramic views from 542 metres above sea level.
• Take a Drive
  
  For a more relaxed visit, Take a Drive allows you to explore the forest by safari jeep along the concrete forest path. With hop-on, hop-off stops at key points of interest, this option offers a comfortable way to enjoy the scenery while still accessing guided highlights such as the Flycatcher Raised Walkway and Sublime Point.

Forest viewpoints and canopy-level walks

One of the highlights of the visit is the Flycatcher Raised Walkway - a 300-metre mid-canopy path explored with a guide, offering close views of ebony trees, orchids, and forest birdlife.

While exploring: The Flycatcher Raised Walkway is visited with a guide during one of 14 daily tours, each lasting around 30 minutes. Tours begin at 09:45 and run until 16:15. Parts of the walkway reach up to 4 metres above ground, so guests who are sensitive to heights should let the guide know in advance.

Sublime Point is a natural lookout where visitors can stop to take photos and enjoy wide views across the west coast towards Le Morne Brabant. Tropic birds, swiftlets, and fruit bats are often seen gliding along the ridgeline.

Routes

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

Good to know: Plant Nursery

Located at the Visitor Centre, the native plant nursery is the only one in Mauritius dedicated exclusively to propagating native and endemic plant species. It specialises in species from coastal to upland areas, including rare and threatened plants.

• Sunscreen
• Sun hat or cap
• Insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes (strongly recommended)

• All activities follow the same main routes through Ebony Forest – either the Ridgeline Trail or the concrete path – but each offers a different way to experience the reserve. Families with young children are advised to opt for the jeep when going up to Sublime Point.
• Access to the boutique, ecology centre and toilets is available, with wheelchair-accessible facilities.
• Maximum group size for the “Take a Drive” option: 9 persons
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Unaccompanied children will be denied access.
• The Sanctuary shall not be held responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings.
• The hikes are graded as easy, based on international standards. Simply inform your guide of the pace you’d like to follow.
• Ebony Forest Reserve is a natural site; there are inherent risks such as falling branches, steep slopes, and active forestry operations. Please remain cautious at all times.

Rules and Regulations

• Bringing illegal substances, alcohol, firearms, or any object deemed dangerous, offensive, or prohibited by law is strictly forbidden.
• Do not disturb or harass the animals or disrupt the tranquillity of Ebony Forest (e.g., by using musical instruments, audio equipment, shouting, or similar behaviour).
• It is a criminal offence to remove any animal, plant, part of the landscape, or any other structure from Ebony Forest, or to damage or deface them in any way.
• Visitors are not allowed to picnic, climb stone walls or trees, or litter on the premises.

Transport is available for an extra fee, with pick-up and drop-off from any accommodation in Mauritius.

How is the Transportation Fare calculated?

For transportation not included as part of the tour, the fare is calculated based on the set activity duration, the distance between your accommodation and the activity location (round trip).

Transport Payment

The payment for transportation is divided into two parts:

"Deposit": Payable at the time of booking, alongside your activity reservation. This deposit covers a portion of the total transportation fare.

"Amount Due to Driver": The remaining balance is payable in cash directly to the driver on the day of the activity. This final amount is calculated by subtracting the deposit from the total transportation cost.