There is another Mauritius, far removed from the postcard-worthy beaches. In a few secluded areas, there are remnants of the forests that once covered the whole island. The natural reserve of Ebony Forest, in Chamarel, is a serene world of beauty and life.
It is not too hot and the heavy rains will only arrive in a month or two. And yet the sea is not quite at the temperature you like to wade in. In the meantime, head out to Chamarel for a little walk on the grounds of Ebony Forest. There, you will find a treasure trove of endemic plant species.
Guided by Nethy Chunwan, who is in charge of marketing and coordination, we set out in a minibus to cover some of the 50 hectares of Ebony Forest. He has a keen eye for native plant species, of which there are over 145 on the reserve. Far too many names for us to remember, but we think we spotted some bois de reinette, palm trees, vacoas plants and the rarely seen bois corail, a plant in critical danger of extinction.
Its presence alone makes the work done at Ebony Forest worthwhile. Although the forest was already in good condition when rehabilitation works started, there has been a lot of maintenance to do to keep it in pristine shape. After hopping off the minibus, we are off for a stroll on the footbridge which winds its way among the trees, half-way up the canopy. With a bit of luck, you might stumble upon a coq des bois. Or maybe you won’t. What you will certainly witness, however, are the geckos scurrying about on the vacoas plants.
At the end of the guided visit, there’s a choice to make. Will you continue on foot or take the shuttle bus to reach the highest point on the reserve? Either way, once you get there, you will be rewarded by what is arguably one of the best viewpoints the whole island has to offer!
Extending your Stay
On the grounds of Ebony Forest, you will also find a museum dedicated to the history of the island. A few minutes there is time well spent. Alternatively, you can learn about the different steps involved in the rehabilitation work done on site. You can even keep informed about the activities on offer through the usual social networks.
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