Discover Black River

Black River brings together a range of travel interests: in Riviere Noire, Black River Gorges National Park has an official entrance with a visitor centre. The wider Black River destination also encompasses the historical and geological themes of Trou Chenille and Chamarel. This allows you to plan your trip around nature, cultural history or landscapes.

National park access in Riviere Noire

Black River Gorges National Park has an official entrance with a visitor centre in Riviere Noire. The visitor centre is part of this entrance and provides a clear starting point for travellers who want to include the national park in their holiday plans. If the park is your main focus, Riviere Noire can also serve as a location reference when searching for a holiday rental. Check the current opening hours before planning a visit.

Trou Chenille: history in the wider Black River area

In the wider Black River destination, Trou Chenille is considered the birthplace of settlement in southwestern Mauritius after the abolition of slavery in 1835. The village is also regarded as the first village of Le Morne where the descendants of enslaved people lived. The history of Trou Chenille thus connects the settlement of the southwest with a specific historical place and its residents. A village reconstruction project aims to raise awareness among visitors from Mauritius and abroad of the historical and cultural significance of the former village and to inform them about it. For travellers interested in cultural history, this offers a different focus from Chamarel’s geological landscape: here, the emphasis is on early settlement and the significance of a former village.

Chamarel: volcanic sand, dunes and views

In the wider Black River region, the landscape focus is on Chamarel. Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth is a natural formation made of volcanic sand. From the main entrance, a 3 km-long trail leads to the dunes and passes two viewpoints overlooking Chamarel Waterfall. The 3 km distance is a useful detail for planning your day; the two viewpoints also offer views of the waterfall. Check the current conditions before your visit. Aldabra giant tortoises can be observed in the geopark at Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth; the animal exhibits may change.

Choose the right focus

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to prioritise your interests: would you like your stay to focus more on access to the park in Riviere Noire, the history of Trou Chenille or the landscape in Chamarel? The difference also lies in how you explore: finding your way from the official entrance, learning about the history or following a trail past dunes and viewpoints. Tailor your search to the focus that interests you most.

Discover more destinations: Petite Riviere, La Gaulette, Tamarin, Albion, Flic En Flac, La Preneuse, Le Morne, Chamarel

For the overview of the wider destination: Black River.