Bras d’Eau National Park

What sets it apart

The Coq du Bois Loop is a gentle circuit, suited to all walkers whatever their ability. It passes through an orchard of some two thousand mango trees and two hundred lychee trees. The park is home to two species of Mauritian giant ebony and to ironwood, as well as very rare ferns and orchids, which its national park status protects. Birds to be seen include the sparrow, the Mauritius fody, the canary, the white-eye and the rare coq des bois, or Mascarene paradise flycatcher. Mare Sarcelle lake, within the park, is a natural refuge for migratory birds.

Highlights

• A national park since 2011, usually quieter than the Gorges
• The Coq du Bois Loop, a gentle circuit within reach of every walker
• An orchard of some two thousand mango trees and two hundred lychee trees
• Two species of Mauritian giant ebony, and ironwood
• Very rare ferns and orchids, protected by national park status
• Mare Sarcelle lake, a refuge for migratory birds
• A visitor centre, and picnic tables

Good to know

• Call the visitor centre on +230 410 0413 before coming, to find out its opening hours.
• Ask the visitor centre for the trail map: it will tell you about the Coq du Bois Loop and the park’s historic ruins.
• The Mascarene paradise flycatcher is rare: seeing it is not a given.

Getting there

The park’s visitor centre answers on +230 410 0413. There you learn what there is to know about the trails, the park’s historic ruins and its wildlife. Picnic tables are set out in the park, and Poste Lafayette beach is close by.