Bird Parks

This bird park, between Tamarin and the turn off down to Flic en Flac, is well landscaped and has good views across the Riviere du Rempart valley. As well as parrot, pheasant and rare pink pigeon, there are leopard, tiger, lemur, monkey and deer. One of the giant tortoises is 150 years old. The park is open every day from 9am to 5pm.

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Mount Climbing
Behind Casela Bird Park stands Mauritius' 'Matterhorn' the Montagne du Rempart. You can drive up to the base and park at Tamarin Pumping Station, just off the beginning of road to Magenta. The climb is steep and difficult by Mauritian standards, although it should only take three hours up and two hours down. Trois Mamelles, east of Montagne du Rempart, has three peaks to scale. The approach is better from Quatre Bornes than from Tamarin.
La Val Nature Park
The road into Le Val is at Union Park Village, about halfway on the Mahebourg Curepipe road, Cluny village, the gateway to Le Val Nature Park in the valley of the Riviere des Creole, is about 7km down the road. Many of the amazing anthurium flowers are grown at Le Val in shade houses. There are also water fields full watercress, which, complements many Creole meals, and attemps at prawn farming. Other facilities include a small aquarium and a deer park. Le Val is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.There is a bus service from Curepipe to Rose Belle, via Cluny.
Kinds of Birds
The pink pigeon was once found all over Mauritius but now its habitat is restricted to the wet upland forests of the southwest. Feral cats, monkeys and rats brought about the demise of this tame and vulnerable bird. The wild population of the pink pigeon is currently greater than 250.
Bird Watching
In late 1950's species such as Mauritius kestrel, Pink pigeon and Echo parakeet were in immediate danger of extinction, and although numbers have grown they have not yet won the war of survival. In 1974 only four Mauritius kestrels existed making it the rarest bird on earth. Today there are more than 350 birds in the wild. Thanks to an intensive program of captive breeding, although the bird is still on the endangered species list.
Tamarin
Tamarin is said to have good beaches and is well situated for most other sights. Tamarin Bay Beach is a small public beach in Tamarin with good views across the river estuary to Montagne du Rempart.
La Vanille Crocodiles Park
This small zoo and handbag factory is 2km south of the hill town of Riviere des Anguilles on the road to Britannia. Nile crocodile were imported here from Madagascar in 1985 and have been joined by giant land crab, lizard and other wildlife. It’s a pleasant spot to ramble through thick, steamy forest and enjoy the local fauna and flora. The park is open daily from 9:30 am to 5pm. Admission costs Rs60/30 for an adult/child during the week and Rs 50/25 on weekends.
Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP)

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