Endemic Bird-Watching Walk, Black River Gorges
Three to five unhurried hours in the national park with a guide who knows where the echo parakeet feeds and when the kestrel hunts. Binoculars provided.
Nine bird species exist only on Mauritius, and most of them live in the forest of the Black River Gorges National Park. This walk is built around finding them. You meet the guide at the Pétrin information centre at 06:50, when the forest is loudest, and walk the flat, well-kept trails at a birder’s pace, stopping often.
On a typical morning the group sees five or six of the nine endemics: the Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, echo parakeet, Mauritius bulbul, grey white-eye, Mauritius fody and pink pigeon, with the Mauritius kestrel and paradise flycatcher on good days. One pair of binoculars is provided for the group; bring your own if you have them. The route also takes in the viewpoints over the gorges and the distant south coast. Groups of two to twelve.
Key facts
- Distance 6 km on easy, flat trails
- Duration 3 – 5 h, depending on how much you want to stop
- Easy (grade 1/4): no scrambling
- Ages 10 to 70 as a guideline
Good to know
- Wednesdays; groups of 2 to 12
- Meet at the Pétrin information centre, Black River Gorges National Park, at 06:50
- One pair of binoculars is provided per group
- Private departures for 1 to 10 guests from Rs 10,090
- Book at least 3 days ahead; on request, we confirm your date with Yanature before your booking is confirmed
- Operated by Yanature. Public rates, VAT included.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A warm layer (the plateau is cool early)
- Your own binoculars if you have them
- Water and a snack