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, perhaps combining it with Chamarel.
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
ItineraryDay 1: Private North Day Tour: Botanical Garden, Sugar Museum, Rum Tasting, Port LouisStop At: SSR Botanic Garden, PamplemoussesIn the historical village of Pamplemousses, you will visit the famous Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, where you will get to see the giant waterlilies and 85 varieties of palm trees from around the world. You will also discover the various spices and medicinal plants and learn about the various endemic and imported plants in the garden.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: L'Aventure du SucreIn Pamplemousses you will also visit L’Aventure du Sucre, the informative museum set in an old sugar factory. There, you will not only discover the history of sugar but also that of Mauritius, the slave trade and rum. You will leave with a new appreciation of the island and its people and get to sample the different varieties of sugar and delicious local rums.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Chateau De Labourdonnais, MapouDiscover the Château de Labourdonnais, a beautifully restored colonial mansion built in 1859 and visit their enchanting tropical garden. The tour includes a visit of the château, a walk through the orchard and the bird garden, a viewing of the giant tortoises, as well as a guided tour of their rum distillery on the estate, and free rum tasting at bar. Note: Bring mosquito sprays. Due to the age and value of certain objects found inside the house, flash-photography is not allowed inside the chateau as this could lead to damage.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Le Caudan Waterfront, Port LouisA tour of the North isn’t complete without a visit to Port-Louis, the capital of Mauritius. The city is a blend of the old and the new. On one side you have the hustle and bustle of the city’s historical market (bazaar), built in 1828, where you can bargain for different spices and souvenirs and sample Mauritian street food. And on the other side you have the modern Caudan Waterfront, where there visitors can shop at brand name stores and eat at various restaurants. You can leisurely visit the areas of Port-Louis that interest you such as the Jummah Mosque, Blue Penny Museum, Aapravasi Ghat (UNESCO heritage site), and the smaller streets. For great views, your driver will take you for a stop at the Citadel and you will also get to see the Champs de Mars racecourse on the way.Duration: 2 hoursPass By: Jummah Mosque, Port LouisOne of the many attractions in Port Louis you will be able to visit with this tour.Pass By: Aapravasi Ghat, Port LouisOne of the many attractions in Port Louis you will be able to visit with this tour.Pass By: Blue Penny Museum, Port LouisOne of the many attractions in Port Louis you will be able to visit with this tour.Pass By: Port Louis Race track, Port LouisOne of the many attractions in Port Louis you will be able to visit with this tour.No meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Private South Day Tour: Tea Factory, Nature Park and Wild South CoastStop At: Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Tea MuseumDiscover the tea making process at Bois Chéri, the first tea plantation in Mauritius, founded in 1892. You will visit the plantation, factory, museum and learn about the tea production process from harvest and fermentation to drying, sieving and packaging, and the history of tea in Mauritius. After the guided tour, you can sample the delicious varieties of tea on the terrace of its old chalet and admire a volcanic crater now transformed into a small lake, surrounded by lush greenery.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: La Vanille Nature Park, Riviere des AnguillesStroll through La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes and its 3.5 hectares of lush greenery. Discover its beautiful palm and banana trees, giant bamboos, its impressive animals, including 2,000 Nile Crocodiles and 1,000 giant tortoises. You will also visit their insectarium which boasts one of the best private collections in the world with 23,000 species.Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Gris Gris Beach, SouillacAdmire the rugged scenery of big, powerful waves crashing on the cliffs at Gris Gris. A few metres away, you will see La Roche qui pleure, a natural rock formation that resembles a person crying when the waves hit it.Duration: 1 hourNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Private Southwest Day Tour: 7-Coloured Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, Trou aux Cerfs with Optional Dolphin SwimStop At: Tamarin Bay, MauritiusNote: This part of the tour is optional.You will start your day with the experience of a lifetime, and one of the most popular activities in Mauritius, swimming with wild dolphins in their natural environment. Once you get on board the speedboat, the professional and qualified skippers will start by briefing you on the important aspects of this experience. You will then head to Tamarin Bay for the dolphin encounter. The skippers will accompany you in the water when it’s your turn to swim with the dolphins. You will 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 snorkelling and diving site with beautiful coral and tropical fish.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Trou aux Cerfs, MauritiusAfter swimming with wild dolphins, your driver will take you to discover the Trou aux Cerf volcano. You will be able to enjoy the 360 degree views from the top of the volcano while taking a stroll around the crater. This dormant volcano stands at around 600m above sea level, and on clear days offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the island.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Grand Bassin, Savanne DistrictDrive by the largest reservoir in Mauritius, the Mare-aux-Vacoas, on the way to Grand Bassin, a tranquil and serene crater lake considered sacred by the Hindu population. Discover the Hindu culture by visiting the temples around the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings. You will also be amazed by the tall statue of Shiva and the view from the highest temple. Be sure to watch out for the monkeys and wildlife. Note: It may not be possible to make this stop in the month of February or March as the area is also a pilgrimage site during the festival of Mahashivaratree.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Black River Gorges National Park, MauritiusNature lovers will enjoy the incredible views of the Black River Gorges, the largest national park in Mauritius. 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. During your drive through the park and Plaine des Champagnes, you will also get to stop and admire Alexandra falls and viewpoint, and if they’re in season, like the locals, you’ll want to pick a few goyaves de chine!Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Seven Colored Earths, ChamarelVisit the popular Chamarel, the coloured 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! And, make sure you stop by the giant tortoise pens before leaving the park!Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
Private Southwest Day Tour: 7-Coloured Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, Trou aux Cerfs
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Trou aux Cerfs, MauritiusEnjoy the 360 degree views from the top of the Trou aux Cerfs volcano while taking a stroll around the crater. This dormant volcano stands at around 600 m above sea level, and on clear days offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the island.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Grand Bassin, Savanne DistrictDrive by the Mare-aux-Vacoas, Mauritius’ largest reservoir, on the way to Grand Bassin, a tranquil and serene crater lake considered sacred by the Hindu population. Discover the Hindu culture by visiting the temples around the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings. You will also be amazed by the tall statue of Shiva and the view from the highest temple. Be sure to watch out for the monkeys and wildlife. Note: It may not be possible to make this stop in the month of February or March as the area is also a pilgrimage site during the festival of Mahashivaratree.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Black River Gorges National Park, MauritiusNature lovers will enjoy the incredible views of the Black River Gorges, the largest national park in Mauritius. 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. During your drive through the park and Plaine des Champagnes, you will also get to stop and admire Alexandra falls and viewpoint, and if they’re in season, like the locals, you’ll want to pick a few goyaves de chine!Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Seven Colored Earths, ChamarelVisit the popular Chamarel, the coloured 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! And, make sure you stop by the giant tortoise pens before leaving the park!Duration: 2 hoursPass By: Chamarel Waterfall, MauritiusView Chamarel Falls from the seven coloured earth site.