Spend a scenic day away from the beach crowds at this stunning expanse of rainforest on Mauritius. Trek, swim, picnic and sightsee in abundant nature.
During your visit to Mauritius, discover the vast Black River Gorges National Park. Explore picturesque hiking trails, picnic in lush, green rainforest, cool off under waterfalls and admire rare species of native birds and flowering plants.
Pack lunch and spend the day following well-marked hiking trails. Have your camera ready for breathtaking photos, as you pass through tranquil valleys and rolling hills. Dramatic waterfalls and volcanic summits await you. Follow clearly marked signs up to observation decks, where you will find panoramic views over the island’s coastline.
Start at the Black River entrance point to the park and choose from several trail routes varying in difficulty and length from 2 miles (3 kilometers) to 10 miles (16 kilometres). Most of the trails take 3 to 4 hours to complete. Staff in the visitor information office at the park’s entrance can advise you on which scenic route to take. Purchase a map or hire an affordable park guide for local knowledge on the natural history of the site.
Cool down in Black River Gorges National Park with a refreshing swim in the river that runs from Alexandra Falls. Follow the signs to Alexandra Falls and swim in the calm, crystalline waters below. As you float, admire the dramatic, cascading waterfalls from a distance. Afterward, stop at one of the park’s attractive picnic areas for a relaxing lunch near trickling streams. Listen to the soothing calls of native birds in the canopies and spot monkeys playing in the trees.
Black River Gorges National Park is an important site of conservation for the native flora and fauna of Mauritius. Throughout the day, look for endangered Mauritian pink pigeons, echo parakeets, dodo trees and black ebony trees.
Get to Black River Gorges National Park in 40 minutes by car or taxi from the nearby villages of Tamarin and Black River. Along the way, drive past fruit vendors, pineapple fields and charming seaside communities. Escape Mauritius’ intense tropical heat and crowds of tourists in the tranquil rainforest at Black River Gorges National Park.