BLACK RIVER GORGES NATIONAL PARK

With a surface area of 6,574 hectares, corresponding to 3.5% of the island's total surface area, it is the largest protected area in Mauritius. It is home to the country's last great indigenous forest, Macchabée, as well as some beautiful gorges. Numerous endemic trees occupy this vast territory, populated by indigenous and exotic birds, as well as monkeys, brown pigs, deer, mongooses... The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the most active association for the protection of Mauritian ecosystems, manages conservation areas here. In these areas, a handful of scientists and volunteers are working hard to recreate the original biotope of Mauritius. They also study the three endemic bird species they have saved from extinction: the Kestrel, the Pigeon des Mares and the Grosse Cateau verte.

To discover this unique ecosystem, there's nothing like hiking. Several trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty have been laid out, some of them splendid and not too difficult - get a map from the Pétrin or Rivière Noire information offices. Unfortunately, the signs at the crossroads are not always clear, and too few itineraries have yet been signposted, which is a pity. If you'd like to take a walk on your own, without a guide, and discover the whole reserve, the best option is to follow the path down from Pétrin along the Rivière Noire towards the sea. You then pass through the superb Macchabée primary forest, before descending into the gorges (the path is quite steep at this point). Allow around one day, with breaks for a dip in the river along the way. You'll need to be well-shod and leave your car at the end of the trail at Rivière Noire.

If you don't want to get lost in the back roads, and want to learn more about the flora and fauna endemic to this part of the island, it's best to hire the services of a professional guide. It's not free (on average Rs. 1,600 per person for half a day), but snacks and drinks are generally included, and the explanations given make the walk much richer and more intense.

From the Pétrin office, guides from the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation also organize birdwatching tours, usually starting at 7:30 a.m. and lasting 4 to 5 hours. Remember to bring binoculars.