{"id":3153,"date":"2026-10-07T15:44:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mj-developpement.mu\/?p=3153"},"modified":"2026-10-07T15:54:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:54:22","slug":"ferney-valley-mauritius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mj-developpement.mu\/en\/blog\/ferney-valley-mauritius\/","title":{"rendered":"Vall\u00e9e de Ferney, a nature sanctuary in south-east Mauritius"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the south-east of Mauritius<\/strong>, the Vall\u00e9e de Ferney<\/strong> protects one of the country\u2019s last endemic forests. Nestled at the foot of the Bambous mountains, between Mah\u00e9bourg and Vieux Grand Port, this nature reserve of around 200 hectares is home to unique biodiversity, including the famous Mauritius kestrel<\/strong>, saved from extinction.<\/p>\n

At MJ D\u00e9veloppement Mauritius<\/a>, we often recommend this site to visitors who want to look beyond the lagoon and understand the conservation work being carried out locally.<\/p>\n

At a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Key facts<\/th>\nIn short<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Location<\/td>\nSouth-east, Grand Port district, between Mah\u00e9bourg and Vieux Grand Port<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/td>\nAround 200 hectares of protected endemic forest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key species<\/td>\nMauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, echo parakeet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Activities<\/td>\nHiking, guided 4×4 tour, farm immersion, panoramic restaurant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Access<\/td>\nAbout 30 minutes from SSR airport<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Vall\u00e9e de Ferney, a protected natural heritage<\/h2>\n

The Vall\u00e9e de Ferney<\/strong> stretches across the south-eastern slopes of Mauritius, in the Bambous mountains, about 30 minutes from Mauritius airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Set up at the end of 2006 by the estate\u2019s owners, in partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and local authorities, the reserve is managed by La Vall\u00e9e de Ferney Conservation Trust<\/strong>. It preserves one of the last areas of Mauritian endemic forest<\/strong>, an ecosystem that has become rare after centuries of sugar cane farming and land clearing. Every trail offers a glimpse of what the island looked like before the first European settlers arrived.<\/p>\n

The valley is also home to several endemic species<\/strong> on the road to recovery, including the Mauritius kestrel, saved at the last minute in the 1970s, when only a handful of birds remained in the wild.<\/p>\n

Observant visitors may also spot the pink pigeon<\/strong> and the echo parakeet<\/strong>, both reintroduced into the valley. A nursery of endemic plants supports the reforestation of the site, a cornerstone of this conservation work.<\/p>\n

What to do at Vall\u00e9e de Ferney?<\/h2>\n

The site can be explored on foot or on a guided tour, depending on how much time you have and how immersive you want the experience to be. Here are the experiences to add to your plans, to combine with the other gems of the south-east.<\/p>\n

Hiking trails and the 4×4 tour<\/h3>\n

Several options let you discover the valley:<\/p>\n