Vallée de Ferney

La Vallée de Ferney is a forest and wildlife reserve situated in the Bambou mountains north of Mahébourg in Grand Port District, Mauritius. It is managed by the Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust.

The 200 hectare natural area was established at the end of 2006, as a conservation trust - with the land-owners in partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) and local authorities. It was launched as a program for conservation and restoration of the indigenous forests of the valley.

Awareness of the valley's biodiversity was raised in 2004 when a highway that was due to be constructed through the area threatened the local plants and animals with the necessary clearing of forest for the roads and tunnels. Surveys in the valley by the Environment Monitoring Committee led to the discovery of several species that were new to science, or were thought to have been extinct. It also predicted that a great many more new species would likely be discovered in the area. After local action and petitions, the highway development was successfully diverted.

Vallée de Ferney is located north of the town of Mahébourg in Grand Port District, Mauritius. Its entrance is off the B 28 road, just north of Falaise Rouge. The valley's land-form is largely composed of Tertiary volcanic series with a range of acidic and clay soils. It is wind-facing and its climate is humid throughout the year.

As one of the last nature refuges on the island, La Vallée de Ferney was opened to provide the public with an experience of the indigenous biodiversity of Mauritius. Hiking circuits run through the indigenous forests of the valley, past look-out points, and guided tours are regularly conducted.

At the reserve's entrance at the bottom of the valley, a tiny stone museum displays the history of the area, with a nearby set of gardens of edible and useful plants. Higher up in the valley, the restaurant and visitors complex has been created from an old hunting lodge. Nearby are the giant tortoises, and a nursery that makes endemic and endangered plants available for sale to local Mauritian visitors. A daily feeding of the endangered kestrels is also conducted for visitors at this point.

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