Black River Gorges National Park – A Protected Paradise

Instituted on June 15 1994, Black River Gorges National Park is a wonder to behold, an expansive land that is the largest protected forest in Mauritius and thus home to many unique and exotic species of animals and plants. It’s an incredibly gorgeous region, a place where you can bear witness to the grand beauty of untouched nature.

As the name suggests, the park is comprised of humongous gorges that bear a resemblance to the famous Grand Canyon in the USA. However, unlike the Grand Canyon, the gorges of the National Park are packed with lush greenery, giving them a much more refreshing feel. 

The park is home to numerous endangered species of birds such as the pink pigeon, Mauritius kestrel, echo parakeet, Mauritius fody and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike. It’s the perfect spot for bird lovers though visiting it might also instil in you a newfound love of birds as well. 

While birds might be the big attraction when it comes to the animals of the park, there are other intriguing animals to spot as well, such as wild pigs and the Rusa deer, both of which are just some of the many distinctive creatures that can be easily found within this gorgeous landscape. 

If birds aren’t really an interest of your’s then maybe you’re more of a green person? Well then, in that case, Black River Gorges National Park has within it over 700 species of plants for your viewing pleasure. Whether you come for the animals or plants, any admire of nature’s beauty will receive an unbelievable experience, one that is sure to stick with you for a long time to come. 

Black River Gorges National Park is also a fantastic destination for all your hiking needs. There’s a variety of great trails to trek in your exploration of this beautiful park, no matter what your skill level may be. Starting off, we have, arguably, the easiest and most popular of the lot, the Macchabée trail. Those of you with little to no hiking experience should definitely give this one a shot. 

Moving on, there’s the Grosse Cateau Verte trail which connects Plaine Champagne to the Gorges and is 8km in length. It’s a fairly steep and strenuous trek but one where the rewarding view is every bit as equal to the challenge. This one is for the experienced hiker so make sure you stick to the easier paths if you don’t fit the bill. 

Getting back to a more beginner-friendly trail, the Savanne Sud trail is a straightforward 6km hike that will offer you exquisite panoramic views of the coast. And, like a pendulum’s swing, a recommendation for hiking veterans, is the short but highly challenging, Cascade Des Galets.

All in all, Black River Gorges National Park is a sight to behold no matter where you look. No trip to Mauritius would be complete with a visit to this park and we highly recommend you to do so.