Vieux Grand Port to Bambous Virieux

Introducing Vieux Grand Port to Bambous Virieux

North of Mahébourg, the main road hugs the coast as it winds around the base of Lion Mountain and the Montagnes Bambous range. This area was the first settled by the Dutch early in the 17th century, and was one of the first parts of the country to lose its native ebony forest to the burgeoning sugar cane industry. Nevertheless, dense forest still cloaks the mountains. Hunting is a popular activity here, but the vast hunting estates also provide a valuable habitat for many native animal and plant species. One such estate is open to the public and nearby you can visit another where essential oils are distilled using traditional methods. Further north again, nature trails meander through an area of mangrove forest.

There are a few restaurants in the area, but the choice of places to stay is limited. With your own transport, the places described below can easily be covered on a day’s outing from Mahébourg or Blue Bay, or from Trou d’Eau Douce to the north. Travelling by bus will involve a fair bit of walking.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009