Mauritius – Visit Paradise Island

It is great that you are interested in exploring Mauritius Eco Lodges! Mauritius is not only famous for its dreamy beaches and coral reefs, but it’s also a rising star in ecotourism!  The island offers a surprisingly rich mix of biodiversity, landscapes, and culture. Mauritius is a paradise for nature lovers so if you are into ecotourism, you are in the right place!  

Mauritius Eco Lodges and resorts

Many accommodations in Mauritius are adopting eco-friendly practices—for example solar power and other alternative energy measures. They are also adopting greywater recycling, permaculture gardens and marine conservation.

Ecotourism in Mauritius

Mauritius has been investing heavily in sustainable tourism in recent years. This is reflected in:
• Promoting Eco-friendly activities: hiking in national parks, kayaking in mangroves, snorkeling in coral recovery zones, as well as bird watching in protected areas.
• Encouraging the building of Mauritius Eco lodges and sustainable resorts: many accommodations invest in alternative energy, waste reduction and local food.
• They are promoting nature conservation projects: you can visit or participate in projects such as planting native trees.
• Go on educational tourism walks: guides often emphasize the ecological value of what you see.

The government and organizations such as the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and Ecosud work to raise awareness, protect vulnerable areas, and conserve biodiversity.

Flora and fauna in Mauritius

Flora of Mauritius

The flora of Mauritius is special because the island has many endemic species – plants that are found nowhere else in the world. See endemic species below:
 • Ebony trees (the  Diospyros tessellaria): once abundant, now rare. Restoration projects are underway.
• Trochetia boutoniana (the national flower): only found on one mountainside!
• Native palms, such as the Latanier bleu.
• Unique Forest plants: such as the “Bois de Natte” and “Bois de Colophane”, only found in reserves such as the Black River Gorges or Le Vallée de Ferney.

Fauna of Mauritius

The fauna is equally fascinating – many unique species have been saved from extinction through intensive conservation:
• Mauritius kestrel: once the world’s rarest bird (only 4 left in the wild in the 1970s!), now restored thanks to projects.
• Aldabra giant tortoises: introduced as an ecological replacement for the extinct Mauritian species.
• Pink pigeon and echo parakeet: endemic birds with successful rescue programs.
• Coral reefs and tropical fish: many places around Mauritius are marine reserves (such as Blue Bay).Note: there are no native mammals except for a few bats, such as the Mauritius flying fox.

Best ecotourism destinations in Mauritius

Here are some highlights for nature lovers and conscious travelers:

Black River Gorges National Park

• This is the largest protected nature reserve on the island.
• You can go hiking along waterfalls, see rare trees, as well as birds such as the pink pigeon.
• This Park is perfect for bird watching and the use of eco guides.
• Mauritius eco lodges:

Île aux Aigrettes

• Is a small Island, and nature reserve managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.
• Noted as a conservation site for native animals and plants. You can see rare endemic flora and fauna here, such as the Mauritius fody and giant tortoises.
 • Go on guided tours with eco guides.
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has spent a lot of time and energy to rebuild Ile aux Aigrettes.  Their objective is to “Promote ecotourism, as a means to raise public awareness, generate income and employment and to contribute towards the sustainable development of Mauritius.
• Mauritius eco lodges:

Chamarel

• Visit the “Seven Coloured Earths”, sustainable rum distillery and eco-parks.
• Learn about the geology of the 7 different colored sands of the Geopark.
• The area is rich in sustainable initiatives.

Blue Bay Marine Park

• Protected marine areas with coral reefs and many tropical fish.
• It is ideal for snorkeling or sustainable diving (practices and principles that promote marine conservation).
• Choose eco-certified tour operators.
• Mauritius eco lodges:

La Vanille Nature Park (Heritage Reserve)

• Reintroduction of giant tortoises, beekeeping projects and botanical gardens.
• Supports educational initiatives.
• Mauritius eco lodges:

Rodrigues Island (optional)

• Remote Island 1.5 hours flight from Mauritius.
• Strong focus on sustainable tourism and community projects.
• True “off-the-grid” experience.
• Mauritius eco lodges:

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden

A large collection of indigenous and exotic plants can be found at the Botanic Garden. This includes the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies. To read more about the Botanic Garden you can go here:  Botanic Gardens Conservation on Wikipedia.

Suggestion for a 2-week Sustainable Itinerary in Mauritius

Week 1 – Southwest and Inland

Day 1–2: arrival and accommodation in an Mauritius eco lodge near Chamarel.
Day 3: visit Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths and Eco-Rum Distillery. See above for more information.
Day 4–5: go to  Black River Gorges – hike with an ecoguide.
Day 6: visit La Vanille Nature Park.
Day 7: relax in Bel Ombre and visit Heritage Nature Reserve.

Week 2 – Southeast and Coast of Mauritius

Day 8–9: Île aux Aigrettes tour + Blue Bay snorkeling.
Day 10: Vallée de Ferney walk + lunch with local products on your plate 
Day 11–12: (free) leisure days at one of the Mauritius eco lodges on the east coast.
Day 13–14: Local workshops or a day trip to Ile aux Cerfs by solar boat.

To see our Mauritius Eco Lodges please go here: Mauritius Lodging.
For eco-conscious travelers who want to keep their ecological footprint as small as possible, have a look at our page with more than 40 sustainable travel tips.

Ecological threats in Mauritius

Loss of biodiversity
• Mauritius is one of the countries with the highest extinction rates in the world.
• Causes: habitat destruction, invasive species, urbanization.
• Many endemic animal species, such as the dodo, are already extinct.

Pressure from tourism and construction
• Increase in hotels along the coast have led to the destruction of mangroves and coral reefs.
• Overtourism threatens marine ecosystems.

Coral bleaching and climate change
• Seawater warming is causing coral bleaching.
• Rising sea levels are threatening coastal communities.

Invasive species
• Animals such as monkeys (cynomolgus macaque, a macaque species), rats, wild boars and exotic plants are displacing endemic species.

Mauritian Government Policy on Ecotourism and Sustainability

Mauritius recognizes ecotourism as an essential component of sustainable development. Key policies:

National Ecotourism Policy (2022–2031)

Objective: Position Mauritius as a green tourism destination.
• Focus on:
* Protection of nature reserves.
* Support to local communities.
* Promotion of Mauritius eco lodges.
* Environmental education for tourists and residents.

Protected Area Network Expansion

• Protection of additional natural areas (such as Amber Island, Le Morne).
• Reintroduction programs for native species.

Blue Economy and Marine Protection Zones

Blue Economy covers all economic activities related to oceans, seas and coastal areas, with an emphasis on sustainable use and conservation of resources.
• More marine reserves around vulnerable reefs and lagoons.
• Sustainable fishing and ecotourism as alternative sources of income.

Stimulation of sustainable initiatives

• Subsidies for ecolodges, alternative energy and waste management.
• The Mauritius Green Label is a national eco-certification program established by the Mauritian Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change. It is designed to promote sustainable practices in the tourism and hospitality sector — particularly hotels, ecolodges, and resorts. As of today, several hotels and eco-resorts in Mauritius have earned the Green Label.

Examples of small-scale conservation projects in Mauritius

Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF)

• The MWF is the largest NGO to be only concerned with the conservation of the endemic endangered plants and animals of Mauritius.
• Reintroduction projects for endemic species. They do this via restoration of entire ecosystems.
• Their conservation projects include Mauritius as well as the offshore islets, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Rodriques.
• Founded in the 1970’s by Gerald Durrell, a naturalist and writer.

Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust

• Reforestation of native forest.
• Educational eco-walks and volunteering.

Lagoon Attitude Hotel – Marine Discovery Centre

• Community project focused on reef and fish conservation.
• Education for tourists on sustainable diving and snorkeling.

Eco-Sud Mauritius

• Local NGO working on mangrove, coastal and coral conservation.
• Focus on community participation and marine education and a lot more.

Ebony Forest Reserve (Chamarel) Ebony Forest Reserve (Chamarel)

• Private eco-project with reforestation, bird sanctuary and environmental education.
• Visits possible for eco-tours or volunteering.

Mauritius Eco Lodges & Travel safety

Check in advance about the safety in Mauritius and in the places you plan to visit. You can also consult your country’s official government websites. For American citizens, this is the US Dept. of State’s page on Mauritius.

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