Explore a nature reserve in south-eastern Mauritius, its endemic wildlife and hiking trails. Ferney Valley can be discovered on a guided day trip. Book your visit.
Ferney Valley is a private nature reserve covering around 200 hectares, located in south-eastern Mauritius, near Mahébourg. There is one simple reason to visit: to discover rare endemic wildlife and walk through one of the country’s last remaining native forests. The Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, echo parakeet and ebony forest come together in this living sanctuary. From guided tours and hiking trails to 4×4 safaris, here’s how to plan your day while staying at Legend Hill.
Ferney Valley protects one of the last remaining areas of native forest in Mauritius and its exceptional biodiversity. Set within a 3,100-hectare private estate in the south-east of the island, this conservation park is home to endemic plant species as well as birds found in very few places around the world. Before going into more detail, keep in mind that the reserve is best experienced slowly, at nature’s own pace.
Ferney Forest is home to precious tree species that have shaped the history of Mauritius. Here you can find ebony, blackwood and takamaka, all native trees that were exploited by Dutch settlers as early as the 17th century for their valuable dark wood. Today, this mountain range preserves a remarkable botanical treasure, with several ebony species and numerous protected native plants.
The valley’s wildlife tells a remarkable story of conservation. As the Ferney Valley website recalls, only 4 Mauritius kestrels were known to survive in 1974. The species is now counted in dozens of breeding pairs, and its strongest population lives precisely in the Bambou Mountains, around Ferney. This endemic falcon shares the skies with the pink pigeon and the echo parakeet, two species that have also been brought back from the brink of extinction. All three can also be seen in Black River Gorges National Park, at the other end of the island.
Our local guides often point out that the best time to spot the Mauritius kestrel is around midday, near the wildlife sanctuary. This is feeding time, when this iconic bird is particularly active. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera: encounters with endemic wildlife are often brief and precious.
Ferney Conservation Park offers several ways to explore the reserve, from family-friendly trails to more challenging hikes. Depending on your preferred level of physical activity and fitness, you can adapt your day accordingly. Here are the main options to know about before booking your visit:
The Mauritius kestrel has also become a true symbol of conservation on the island, highlighting the importance of these protection efforts. This is why every visit to Ferney Valley contributes, in its own way, to raising awareness of this conservation mission.
When our guests return from Ferney, they first talk about the silence and the kestrel’s gaze. That is exactly the kind of genuine emotion we love to help them experience in Mauritius.
Before setting off to explore the valley, a few practical details will help you organise your excursion with peace of mind. Our concierge team has gathered the essentials for you:
Combine a morning in the Ferney reserve with a stop at the historic site of Vieux Grand Port, the first landing site of the Dutch. This allows you to combine endemic nature and heritage in a single day. Remember to bring water, a hat and closed-toe shoes: the trails are exposed to the sun and the terrain requires sturdy footwear.
Want to extend this nature escape with some peaceful time overlooking the lagoon? After your day in Ferney Valley, return to the comfort of our Legend Hill property in Rivière Noire and stay in one of our private villas for rent in Mauritius. Book your next Mauritian escape now.
Fancy a day in the Ferney reserve?
Method: the size of the estate, opening hours and tour formats were taken from the official Ferney Valley website, the history and current numbers of the Mauritius kestrel were cross-checked with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, and the forest context was supplemented by Le Mauricien and by the Legend Hill team's own visits, verified in August 2026. Opening hours, prices and booking conditions change over time: ask our concierge team before setting off.
Avi Rumjansing entered Mauritian hospitality in 2002 as a cashier at Indian Resort. Twenty years later, after Les Pavillons, the Mövenpick and fifteen years at Aanari Hotel & Spa as Front Office then Operations Manager, he runs the front desk at Legend Hill. He holds a BSc in Management from the Open University of Mauritius, and he is the one guests ask when to set off for the tea route.
La Plantation Marguery
Black River Mauritius
Tel : +230 5509 8168
reservations@legendhill-mauritius.com