Ebony Forest Sublime Sundowner - Guided Tour & Open-Air Safari

The Sublime Sundowner package at Ebony Forest includes :

• Entrance to Ebony Forest Reserve
• 3-4 hours guided tour at Ebony Forest
• 30-min guided tour on the raised walkway to the spectacular Sublime Point
• 6 beers or 6 soft drinks, 2 cocktails and snacks per person
• Open-air safari through the forest at night
• Access to self-guided hiking trails
• Film in English (6 mins) or French (8 mins) about the island’s wildlife
• Visit to the Museum about the island’s natural history
• Opportunity to enjoy a safari jeep ride
• Access to the Shop, museum, ecology centre and toilets (wheelchair accessible)

Transport is available for an additional supplement which will include pick up and drop off from any hotel / place of accommodation in Mauritius.

About the Sublime Sundowner Tour including a safari Jeep Ride - Ebony Forest

As every sunset is unique, this tour is the ultimate way to experience an original and memorable sunset. Wish to bond with your other half or simply spend time with your friends, family, or loved ones? The best way to do it is to relax and let nature do its magic as the sun sets.

Before spending your evening at Sublime Point contemplating the beautiful sunset, you can enjoy a visit to one of the last remaining ebony forests in Mauritius. You'll start with a self-guided museum tour, Ebony Experience, written and illustrated by Dr. Julian Hume, British palaeontologist, artist, and co-author of the critically acclaimed Lost Land of the Dodo.

If you are short on time, the 6-8 minute film in English or French about the island's unique and fragile biodiversity will be the best way to get an insight into what Ebony Forest is all about.

To see the majestic black ebony trees, you can either walk (15-20 minutes) or cover the 1.3 km route via the open-air safari jeep; which is 10 minutes from the visitor centre to the Gobemouche Forest. Pass through forest restoration sites, where there is continuous weeding of non-native vegetation and planting of native species - making Ebony Forest a refuge for the island's threatened biodiversity.

Next, the dedicated and experienced local guides will take you on a 30-minute tour along the unique raised walkways through one of the best preserved ebony forests in Mauritius. Enjoy the feeling of being transported by the trees while admiring the fauna and flora from a different perspective.

Observe the endemic Phelsuma geckos sunbathing, pic pic birds and one of the rarest trees in the world, the Bois Corail or Coral Tree, named for its magnificent coral-shaped flowers. Soak in the sweet scent of the fresh forest air and learn why palm trees are now practically absent from most of the remaining native forests.

Next stop, Sublime Point. As its name indicates, it is simply sublime and offers one of the best views in Mauritius, if not THE best. You’ll be blessed with breathtaking views at Sublime Point of Le Morne, Ile aux Bénitiers, Tourelle du Tamarin, Montagne du Rempart, Corps de Garde, Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce, Pieter Both, Piton Canot and the highest peak on the island, Piton de la Rivière Noire.

You can ride in a jeep or take the Ridgeline trail. From the viewpoint, watch endemic Mauritian Fruit Bats fly below while white-tailed tropicbirds charm you with their acrobatics in the air. You might even spot the Mascarene Swifts and the Mauritian Kestrel!

While you relax and enjoy the view, your waiter will serve you local snacks and drinks, such as beer, wine, cocktails, tamarind juice, lemon grass juice at the Sublime Snack.

Once the sun has set and the light has dimmed, your waiter and driver will take you back to the safari jeep for the 15-minute drive back to the visitor centre. Experience the thrill of driving through the forest at night. The store will be closed, so if you want to buy a souvenir, be sure to do so in advance.

Additional Info about the Ebony Forest

Ebony Forest

While making your way through the forest, you will get to admire the native fauna of Mauritius, such as fruit bats, swiftlets and tropicbirds soaring high along the mountains’ ridgeline. The two mid-canopy walkways through the Ebony Forest will give you the surreal sensation of floating through one of the best-preserved forests on the island.

If you are a keen bird watcher, you will be able to spot the endemic birds that the Ebony Forest hosts, such as the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, Mauritian Black Bulbul and grey-white eyes.

The Sublime Point offers a breathtaking view of Le Morne Brabant and the surrounding bays where you can also see a lot of tropical birds, including the white-tailed tropicbird.

Your visit and any purchase in the onsite Shop have a hand in helping offset carbon and save endangered species from extinction. Profit generated from ecotourism activities are reinvested into the conservation of the flora and fauna, which has been ongoing since 2006.

Museum

The Ebony Forest museum is where you can witness 8 million years of the island’s history, including the history of the unique animals and plants that inhabited Mauritius. The museum provides an overview from the volcanic eruption millions of years ago, to the flora & fauna that inhabited our island including how man’s actions have ultimately destroyed the island’s unique environment.

You will also be able to see the effort made in order to restore the island’s fragile habitats and how some habitats have been rebuilt.

Facilities at The Ebony Forest

• Visitor Centre
• Boutique
• Sublime Point Snack
• Toilets
• Native Plant Nursery
• Ebony Museum

• Mosquito Repellent

• Bottle of water

• Trainers or hiking shoes

• Camera

• Activities/ Facilities which are not included in your selected option are subject to an additional cost.
• Minimum number of participants: 2 adults
• Booking confirmation is essential.
• Entrance to the Ebony Forest Reserve is included in this package.
• You can request a later jeep tour in summer (1st November – 31 March) as the sun sets later. Should you wish to do some hiking, come earlier. If you just want to watch the sunset then this is also possible.
• Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Any child not accompanied will be refused access.
• The Flycatcher raised walkway is more than 4m in height so if you suffer from vertigo, please inform the staff in advance.
• Clients are requested to descend from Sublime Point before 17:00.
• The Sanctuary shall not be responsible whatsoever, for any loss, damage and/or theft of your personal belongings.
• Ebony Forest Reserve is a natural site and hence there are risks from falling branches and steep slopes. It also undergoes active forestry activities. Please pay attention.
• You can fill up your water bottle for free from the water fountain at the onsite shop.

Rules and Regulations

• It is forbidden to bring any illegal substances, alcohol, firearms and/or generally any other object which is likely to be offensive, dangerous and/or is illegal.
• It is forbidden to disturb or harass the animals and tranquillity of Ebony i.e, by musical instruments, audio equipment, screaming, shouting etc.
• It is forbidden and a criminal offence to remove, any animal, plant, part of the landscape and/or any other structure and/or to damage or deface any of the aforesaid.
• It is forbidden for any visitors to picnic, climb stone walls or trees, or litter.
• Any food and drink purchased within Ebony Forest Reserve must be consumed within the designated zones.
• Footwear must be worn at all times. No shirtless/topless dress is allowed. Bottoms must be worn at all times.