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Mauritius🇲🇺 | best national parksDiscover the 7 Best national parks Across Mauritius

Mauritius keeps its national parks small, so you never plan around distance. The southwest uplands hold the forest and gorge country, with cheap bus access but patchy signs. The islets and reef waters offer quieter wildlife, though a boat costs more than any entry ticket. For independent travel, go early, before the island heats up and the day-trippers roll in.

By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026
Discover Top national parks
Explore the best hikes in Mauritius

Why go?Why These national park Stand Out

Mauritius suits national parks in a compact, slightly odd way. This volcanic island sits alone in the Indian Ocean, so its endemic plants and birds evolved nowhere else, and centuries of sugar cane, introduced species and settlement have left only small remnants of native forest. Protected land is a fraction of the island, so expect pockets rather than wilderness.

Travelers should know that infrastructure is good: roads are paved, buses reach most trailheads, and distances are short. But access is managed. Some areas need permits or a guide, and marine sites need a boat. Pack your own water and snacks, as services inside the parks are thin. Weekdays are calmer than Sundays, when local families fill the picnic spots.
Behind the Scenes of Selection
The list of best national parks in Mauritius is created based on landscapes, wildlife, adventure opportunities, facilities, and overall experience. If you feel a national park is missing in this list, please let us know.

When to go?When to Plan Your Trip

Best months for national parks: The best months are May to early December, when the dry, cooler season brings daytime highs of roughly 22 to 27°C and far fewer downpours. Start walks by 7 or 8 a.m., before haze and heat build.
Shoulder seasons and peaks: October to November and May to June are the sweet spot, with clear skies and lower prices. January to March is cyclone season, with temperatures of 28 to 33°C, heavy rain and slippery trails. Flights and rooms spike around December and January, sometimes 30 to 50 percent higher. The central plateau is cooler and wetter than the coast year-round, and the west is the driest side, so carry a light rain layer inland even in winter.

national park hoppingOptimizing Your Multi-Stop Itinerary

How many days to allow: A trip linking several national parks in Mauritius needs 4 to 6 days, because the island is only about 65 km long. Give each stop half a day to a full day, and more where a guide or boat is involved.
Grouping and direction: Group by region: southwest, central plateau and northeast islets. Moving from the plateau toward the southwest, then back up the coast, avoids doubling back. Drives between regions usually take 1 to 2 hours, and buses take longer through Port Louis or Curepipe. A common mistake is packing three stops into one day. Another is relying on buses for remote trailheads, where services thin out after mid-afternoon. Rent a car for a couple of days or hire a taxi for the awkward legs.

The ListMust-Visit national parks in Mauritius

1 Black River Gorges National Park

Gorge lookouts, Macchabée Trail, pink pigeon, Black River Peak

Hike through wet native forest to gorge viewpoints and the island’s highest summit, watching for endemic birds before afternoon cloud closes the views.

mauritius-national-park-black-river-gorges-national-park
© Google |

2 Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve

Lagoon islet, Aldabra tortoises, coral shore, restored ebony

Cross by boat for a guided loop of about 1.5 hours, passing giant tortoises, rare pigeons and coastal forest regrown on coral rock.

mauritius-national-park-ile-aux-aigrettes-nature-reserve
© Google |

3 Ebony Forest Reserve

Ebony replanting, pink pigeon aviary, plant nursery, 4x4 ride

Follow a guide through slopes being regrown with native ebony, visit the pigeon aviary and the seedling nursery, and ride the steep stretch by open vehicle.

4 La Vallée de Ferney

Mauritius kestrel, flying fox, invasive-clearing plots, Grand Port outlooks

Walk a guided trail past cleared plots and recovering saplings, scanning the canopy for kestrels, pink pigeons and fruit bats.

mauritius-national-park-la-vallee-de-ferney
© Google |

5 Bras d’Eau National Park

Casuarina shade, Java deer, lagoon picnic tables, flat trails

Stroll gentle needle-carpeted tracks on the northeast coast, spot deer in early clearings, then settle at a shoreline picnic spot facing the reef.

mauritius-national-park-bras-deau-national-park
© Google |

6 Domaine de l’Etoile

Open deer plains, ridge viewpoints, dry scrub, mountain biking

Cross dry rolling grassland on foot, bike or quad, with ridge climbs that open toward the southeast reef and lagoon.

7 Frederica Nature Reserve

Savanna herds, macaque troops, southwest ridges, 4x4 outings

Join an early outing through grassland and woods to watch rusa deer and noisy macaques, with long green views toward the southwestern mountains.

mauritius-national-park-frederica-nature-reserve
© Google |
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Expert viewPro Tips for Exploring the Best

How many to visit: I advise two or three national parks, not every one. Mauritius is small, but each stop needs a half day at least, and more if a boat or guide is involved. Beyond three, you pay in time and fatigue without seeing much new.
Which kind to prioritize: Forest and gorge areas give the best value for walkers, with low entry costs, shade and cooler air, though some trails are rough and poorly marked. Marine and islet sites suit snorkelers and wildlife fans, but the boat is the real cost, often US$30 to 60 (about Rs 1,400 to 2,800) shared. If money is tight, pick the forest and skip the boat. If you have one splurge, make it the boat, because that is the only way to reach some species.
Budget: Entry fees are low, usually US$0 to 10 (Rs 0 to 450) per visit. A guide for a forest day … read more 👉
How many to visit: I advise two or three national parks, not every one. Mauritius is small, but each stop needs a half day at least, and more if a boat or guide is involved. Beyond three, you pay in time and fatigue without seeing much new.
Which kind to prioritize: Forest and gorge areas give the best value for walkers, with low entry costs, shade and cooler air, though some trails are rough and poorly marked. Marine and islet sites suit snorkelers and wildlife fans, but the boat is the real cost, often US$30 to 60 (about Rs 1,400 to 2,800) shared. If money is tight, pick the forest and skip the boat. If you have one splurge, make it the boat, because that is the only way to reach some species.
Budget: Entry fees are low, usually US$0 to 10 (Rs 0 to 450) per visit. A guide for a forest day runs about US$20 to 50 (Rs 900 to 2,300) and is worth it where trails are unsigned or permits are needed. Local buses cost about US$1 to 3 per ride, and a rental car is US$30 to 45 a day. Expect US$35 to 70 a day for park-focused days, including food and transport.
Safety and etiquette: The main risks are heat, slippery trails and sudden rain, plus strong currents around reefs and islets. Carry at least 2 liters of water, wear real shoes and start early. Never feed the monkeys, which can be bold around picnic food. Keep valuables out of parked cars at trailheads. Dress modestly when passing villages and temples on the way, and stay on marked paths to protect fragile native plants, since little remains.

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMauritius Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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The digital guide (246 pages) contains:
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best Stay Options in Mauritius

Backpacking Mauritius means few true dorm hostels, but budget guesthouses, family-run pensions and self-catering studios are common, typically around Rs 1,200 to 2,500 (€25 to 50) a night for a double. Grand Baie in the north has the widest choice, the island’s liveliest bars and easy boat trips, though it’s the most built-up stretch, while Flic en Flac on the west coast pairs a long public beach and sunset views with a calmer evening scene. For quiet and a more local feel, Mahébourg sits 15 minutes from the airport near the southeast lagoon, and La Gaulette puts you close to Le Morne’s kitesurfing and hiking, but both go silent after dark and need buses or a scooter to reach much else.

If you … read more 👉
Backpacking Mauritius means few true dorm hostels, but budget guesthouses, family-run pensions and self-catering studios are common, typically around Rs 1,200 to 2,500 (€25 to 50) a night for a double. Grand Baie in the north has the widest choice, the island’s liveliest bars and easy boat trips, though it’s the most built-up stretch, while Flic en Flac on the west coast pairs a long public beach and sunset views with a calmer evening scene. For quiet and a more local feel, Mahébourg sits 15 minutes from the airport near the southeast lagoon, and La Gaulette puts you close to Le Morne’s kitesurfing and hiking, but both go silent after dark and need buses or a scooter to reach much else.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Mauritius


Best quality hotels in Mauritius

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