The Wild Side of Mauritius: Hiking Ebony Forest for rare Birds & unreal Views

Sush and I have always loved exploring a place beyond its usual tourist trails. And when it came to Mauritius, we were just as excited about its flora and fauna as we were about its beaches. You already know how much we love watching birds, so spotting some new ones was definitely high on our list. That’s when we came across Ebony Forest. A hike through a conservation forest, the chance to spot rare and endemic birds (and the most vibrant geckos) and, to top it all, insane views from the vantage point. It had everything we were looking for.

And I am so glad we did this hike, because it turned out to be one of our best experiences in Mauritius. So, if you love nature and are looking for something offbeat and truly immersive, this one should definitely be on your list.

What is Ebony Forest all about?

Ebony Forest is a conservation reserve tucked inside Chamarel. It was created to protect what remains of Mauritius’ native flora and fauna. Much of the island’s original forest has disappeared over the years due to human activity and the introduction of invasive species. Along with the forest, many of the plants and wildlife (remember the Dodo bird?) that once called Mauritius home disappeared too. Read about the palm cabbage, ebony logging and hunting if you want to dig deeper. 

Today, a local NGO, with the help of some incredibly passionate people, is working to bring that wildness back. They remove invasive species, propagate endemic plants, reintroduce native birds and create suitable habitats for them to breed. You can learn much more about this work through their guided tours and official website. We definitely recommend taking a guided tour. It gives you a much deeper understanding of the forest and, in a small way, you can contribute to its conservation too. 

However, Ebony Forest is more than just conservation. The experience is as much about the landscape as it is about the wildlife. Because the trails here lead to some of the most amazing views of the sea we have seen in Mauritius.

The Guided Birdwatching Tour – What to expect 

They have different types of guided tours, but being bird lovers, we opted for their Bird Watching Tour. It’s a 4-hour tour that starts at 9 AM and covers about 5 kilometres. Once your guide is assigned, the experience begins with a quick introduction to the history of Mauritius at their small museum. From there, the trail walk begins.

The guide takes you through the forest and open aviaries, where you can spot several endemic birds. We were lucky to see quite a few, including the Mauritian Kestrel (the national bird of Mauritius), Mauritius Grey White-eye, Mauritius Olive White-eye, Mauritius Bulbul, Red Fody, Pink Pigeon and the Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher.

And it’s not just about the birds. Keep your eyes open for colourful geckos, giant tortoises wandering around, interesting native plants and even some beautiful wild mushrooms. The trail takes you across raised boardwalks and through dense mixed forest with some uphill stretches. 

But the real reward comes towards the end of the trail. You eventually reach a vantage point with a little cafe and insane views. The ocean stretches endlessly below in the bluest shades. And that’s where they serve you some juice and snacks. I guess that makes the whole experience all the more perfect. After that, it’s time to make your way back down through the forest.

Once you are back, don’t forget to try the popsicles at their souvenir store. They also have some beautiful handmade products that you can take back home and your purchase helps support their conservation efforts too.

Why we loved this tour

• Our guide, Damien, was passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about the ecosystem, and his love for his work was evident. He explained the birds, trees and conservation efforts with so much enthusiasm that it made the experience even more meaningful.
• Since this was a birdwatching trip, Damien tried his best to help us spot as many birds as possible. When we couldn’t spot the Pink Pigeon on our way up, he made sure we looked for it on our way back, patiently waiting at the aviary and scanning the trees. And there it was, a juvenile Pink Pigeon in all its glory!
• Even though we walked quite a bit, we were never rushed and always had time to stop and marvel at the beauty around us. 
• What we loved most was seeing the birds flying freely, with the entire forest to themselves, rather than being confined in the name of conservation. The birds were tagged so their movements could be tracked and they could be monitored, and we learnt that enclosures are used only in the initial stages of introducing new species.
• Another highlight was reaching the viewpoint, where we could sit back, enjoy the gorgeous views and savour some snacks and juice. Growing up in India, one of our childhood favourites was eating ripe tamarinds straight off the tree, so the tamarind juice brought back a wave of nostalgia. Do try it with the snacks! Before we headed back, Damien also took some lovely photos of everyone.
• We found it to be great value for money and a truly unique way to experience the wilder, lesser-seen side of Mauritius.

Things to know before you go

• Book directly: Book your tour directly through the Ebony Forest website. We found it more cost-effective this way. They are also very responsive and accommodating, and the cancellation process was smooth.
• Fitness level: Some stretches of the trail are steep and require a moderate level of fitness. Even though the activity is marked as “easy”, I personally felt it was closer to moderate. Having said that, there were two people in their 60s from other countries in our group who managed it just fine. So, I think it really depends on how active you are and your fitness level.
• Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are a must. Hiking shoes would be even better, especially on the steeper stretches.
• What to carry: Water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. There are just too many mosquitoes waiting to feast on you the moment you stand still for a while 😀 . Do carry binoculars if you have one.

Conclusion

Ebony Forest is proof that if humans can contribute to the destruction of nature, they can also contribute to its revival. Sometimes, all it takes is awareness and the intention to make a difference. The growing number of Ebony trees and endemic birds, some of which were once on the verge of extinction, is a testament to what these efforts can achieve.

If you want to witness this positive change and experience a different side of Mauritius, we highly recommend adding this hike to your itinerary. And if you do visit, do let us know how your experience was!