Nature Calls

The Valriche Nature Reserve

Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort offers its guests access to the Valriche nature reserve which - besides the exceptional character of its landscapes, is home to unique and protected fauna and flora.

Covering an area of 2 500 hectares Valriche rises to 400m above the sea, where a mixture of dry forest and coastal rainforest is to be found. The unique views, combining hilly landscapes, rolling plains and waterfalls (including the highest waterfall of the island, 162 meters high), deer breeding and an astonishing biodiversity of flora and fauna have enabled the development of tourism activities in harmony with nature.

Nature activities:

Mountain Biking
Quad Biking
Guided & Pedagogic Tours
Talks
Pedagogic Tours in 4X4
Treks

Species

One finds all sorts of species there, some introduced by man, medicinal, fruit trees, shrubs, and invasive species as well as indigenous Mauritian species such as black ebony, "bois pomme" (Syzygium wrightii), rosin producing conifers, "bois tambour" (Tambourissa peltata), Candle wood ...

Wildlife

As for wildlife, Valriche is home to a large colony (approximately 250) of fruit bats, which are the only mammal indigenous to the island as well as 2,000 deer, wild boars, monkeys, mongooses (weasels), "Paille-en-tail" birds (Phaeton lepturus) and a few "Cateaux Verts" which are Mauritian Parakeets (Psittacula eques echo) and are an endangered species, there being only 250 left on Mauritius).

The Valriche Concept:

To offer tours combining recreation with information
about the flora, fauna and history, all accompanied by trained guides.
To strengthen social responsibility in order to conserve this natural heritage (only 1.9% of the indigenous forest still exists on the island)
To protect and preserve the
flora and fauna with the help of recognized organizations such as the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF)