Vallee de Ferney

The Ferney valley runs inland from the Grand Port coast into the Bambous mountains, and it holds around two hundred hectares of forest containing some of the oldest surviving native trees on the island. A highway planned through it in 2004 was diverted after public campaigning, and at the end of 2006 the estate set the valley aside as a conservation area with guided trails, a nursery for native seedlings and a Mauritius kestrel feeding station where the birds are called in at set times, which is the most reliable way to see the species. Walks range from short guided loops to longer hikes up the valley. A restaurant on the estate serves food grown on the property, and a shuttle carries visitors up from the entrance.

History

In 2004 a highway planned through the valley drew attention to its wildlife, and surveys found species new to science or thought to be extinct; after local action and petitions the road was diverted, and at the end of 2006 the 200-hectare reserve was set up as a conservation trust by the landowners with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (Wikipedia, Vallée de Ferney).

What's there

• The kestrel station - the feeding point where the birds are called in.
• Native forest - the old trees in the upper valley.
• Guided trails - loops of different lengths through the reserve.
• The plant nursery - the native seedlings raised for replanting.

When to go

May to December for drier trails. Kestrel feeding runs to a fixed daily schedule, so timing the visit to it matters. Mornings are cooler for the longer walks.

What to expect

Visits are guided and follow a set schedule rather than free access. The kestrel viewing is a managed feeding session, not a wild encounter. Entry and shuttle fees add up. Trails are muddy after rain.

Nearby

Vieux Grand Port lies on the coast below; Lion Mountain is beside it.

Key facts