Black River Gorges National Park
is hills carpetted in green
Welcome to Black River Gorges National Park
Mauritius' biggest and best national park is a wild expanse of rolling hills and thick forest covering roughly 2% of the island's surface. It's difficult to overstate the importance of this park – it's the last stand for Mauritian forests and many native species. It's also the most spectacular corner of the island, so if you make only one day trip from the coast, make it here.
Top experiences in Black River Gorges National Park
Black River Gorges National Park activities
Southwest Mauritius Tour: Chamarel Waterfall, Trou aux Cerfs
Your day starts with pickup from your hotel on the north, east, west or south side of the island. Enjoy the scenery and learn about the area’s flora, fauna and history from your guide as you drive along the west coast to the Rivière Noire District. Pass through Le Morne, La Prairie and Macondé before curving back into the mountains to the picturesque village of Chamarel.Visit Chamarel Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Mauritius that plunges more than 328 feet (100 meters) against a scenic backdrop of forests and mountains. Continue to the Seven Coloured Earth, a striking geological formation created by volcanic rocks that cooled at different temperatures. Admire the exposed hillsides glowing with red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow colors.Next, head to La Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery to sample local rum. Follow your tasting with a delicious, traditional 3-course lunch served with Chamarel coffee and water at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue up to a high plateau and reach a viewpoint over Black River Gorges National Park. Listen as your guide points out the variety of flora and fauna thriving below.In the district of Savanne, visit the secluded Grand Bassin lake, an important place of worship for Mauritian Hindus. Continue on to the Trou aux Cerfs, a huge volcanic crater formed millions of years ago. From here you’ll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the island before you head to see the Shop of Ship Model.The art of ship modeling was brought to Mauritius by various sailors who visited this island. Le Port’s eye for detail and quality has many customers visiting them from around the world. Their craftsmen are adept in the art of miniaturization and the techniques of replica work. At times it requires more than six months for a craftsman to produce a particular model. They also create half models and replicas. Your tour concludes with a drop-off at your hotel in the evening.
Trou-aux-Cerfs and La Rhumerie de Chamarel: Guided Day Trip from Curepipe
The journey starts with an introduction to the art of glass blowing in Phoenix followed by a stop for a glance into the country's seafaring past at a model ship factory (Thursday only). Contrast the views looking down onto the high plateaus on the edges of the extinct volcano of Trou-aux-Cerfs with the mysticism of the sacred Hindu lake of Grand-Bassin. Your adventure into nature continues in the Black River Gorges National Park, a marvellous reserve full of wildlife and native flora.At La Rhumerie de Chamarel be initiated into the secrets of the manufacture of agricultural rum, with a chance to taste it at the end of the guided tour. Following which enjoy a delicious lunch in the locality. With its earths of the seven colours – a spectacular geological phenomenon – and a waterfall more than 100m high Chamarel is a must-see location!Please note: You have the option of taking this tour with the shopping option or no shopping included. See pricing details for further info.
Trou-aux-Cerfs, Black River Gorges, Rhumerie de Chamarel Private from Curepipe
Contrast the views looking down onto the high plateaus on the edges of the extinct volcano of Trou-aux-Cerfs with the mysticism of the sacred Hindu lake of Grand-Bassin. Your adventure into nature continues in the Black River Gorges National Park, a marvellous reserve full of wildlife and native flora.At La Rhumerie de Chamarel be initiated into the secrets of the manufacture of agricultural rum, with a chance to taste it at the end of the guided tour. Following which enjoy a delicious lunch in the locality. With its earths of the seven colours – a spectacular geological phenomenon – and a waterfall more than 100m high Chamarel is a must-see location!
Shore Excursion: Romance of the South with Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Diamonds
The south of Mauritius is one of the most scenic and unspoilt parts of the island. Our full day Shore Excursion in Mauritius places the emphasis very much on nature, visiting the extinct volcano of Trou aux Cerfs, the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, the unique seven coloured earths of Chamarel and admiring the breath-taking view of Black River Gorges National Park – this is a full day of scenically contrasting delights.Those keen on shopping will find included in the tour a stop at Curepipe, where there are numerous duty-free shops as well as diamond cutting workshops and model ship factories. For the shopping devotee, there are also watches, local crafts, paintings and top designer garments all available at very competitive prices. Lunch is at leisure in Curepipe or Chamarel.Drive back through small remote villages along the West coast to the cruise pier making sure you are back to your cruise ship in time. Book early as this small group tour is very popular with cruise guests.
Mauritius In 3 Days: North, South and Southwest Tours with Optional Dolphin Swim
See Mauritius in three days! This set of 3 private 8-hour tours allow you to explore the island at your own pace in an air conditioned taxi or minibus with a private driver. Hotel pickup and dropoff is included all 3 days. Note: you have the flexibility to choose which tour you do on each day. Day 1: North Tour Pamplemousses Botanical Garden: See the giant waterlilies and 85 varieties of palm trees from around the world. L’Aventure du Sucre Museum: Discover the history of Mauritius, sugar, the slave trade and rums well as sample varieties of sugar and delicious local rums. Château de Labourdonnais: Discover this beautifully restored colonial mansion built in 1859 and visit their enchanting tropical garden and enjoy free rum tasting at bar. Port Louis: Visit Caudan Waterfront, Blue Penny Museum, Aapravasi Ghat (UNESCO heritage site) & more. Day 2: South Tour Bois Cheri Tea Plantation: Visit the the tea plantation, tea factory, and museum and a variety of teas. La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes: Discover a variety of flora and fauna including palm and banana trees, giant bamboos, 2,000 Nile Crocodiles and 1,000 giant tortoises as well as one of the largest insectariums in the world. Gris Gris and La Roche Qui Pleure: Witness powerful waves crashing on the cliffs at Gris Gris and visit La Roche qui pleure (which means 'The Rock that Cries'), a natural rock formation that resembles a person crying when the waves hit it. Day 3: Southwest Tour With or Without Wild Dolphin Swim Optional Wild Dolphin Swim: Start your day with the experience of a lifetime swimming with wild dolphins in their natural environment! Enjoy 2.5 hours on the open sea viewing the dolphins and swimming with them. Depending on the amount of time left, you will then go to The Aquarium, a popular snorkeling and diving site with beautiful coral and tropical fish. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano: Admire 360 degree views from the top of the volcano while taking a stroll around the crater. On clear days enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the island. Grand Bassin Sacred Lake: Discover the Hindu culture by visiting the temples around the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings. Watch for monkeys and wildlife! Black River Gorges National Park: Covering an area of 6754 hectares, the park is home to numerous endemic flora and fauna and provides visitors with beautiful hikes, with varying levels of difficulty. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth: Visit the popular colored earth site, where in addition to the geological wonders of the seven coloured dunes, you can view the Chamarel Falls, the most famous waterfall in Mauritius!