One of 7 colourful cascades along the Tamarin river, Black River National Park

Veronique offered me to stay at her little apartment in ‘Beau Bassin’, fairly close to the capital Saint Luis. The north western corner of the island is well developed, most Mauritians live in this area. Busy, busy, busy, a little overwhelming. Not the idyllic island lifestyle I hoped to experience. Luckily, there are still corners on this island which are wild and undeveloped. The Tamarin river springs to life in the Black River National Park and cascades it’s way to the west coast. And there is a hiking track, high on my to do list.

Overlooking the 7 cascades and Tamarin River valley, Black River National Park

I took the bus to a small village named ‘Henrietta’, nestled on the eastern edge of ‘Black River National Park ‘. Once descended to the valley of this gorge, a hiking track leads up creek( it’s not a river just yet) via 7 cascades, up to the main cascades, ‘Tamarin Falls’.

Colourful reflections in lush rainforest, Black River National Park

Looking on my small map, it looked quite straight forward. The reality was, that following this trail wasn’t easy. Here and there the odd yellow ribbon were tied on branches, but even they disappeared once I gotten to the bottom of the canyon. It is a lush subtropical rainforest which meant some very  muddy sections. Following the creek upstream, I lost  track of the trail a few times. It appeared, I had to climb up the slippery slope underneath and beside the cascades.

First rock climb challenge along the Tamarin river, Black River National Park

This really turned in to an unexpected adventure. In proper rock climbing fashion, I had to move carefully, shifting my body weight over slippery rocks to the top of the cascades, to be repeated numerous times.

Cascading downstream, Black River National Park

Each cascade had is own beauty. All were surrounded by plenty off green plants, some reflecting the sun.

Simply spectacular sunny reflections through lush vegetation, Black River National Park

When the cascades were to steep to climb, I cut thru thick forest over the hill and rejoined the creek after, only to repeat it all again. It was a lot of fun and the scenery was spectacular on this sunny day.

Some thick bush to cut through, Black River National Park

 Just when I thought I was almost at the Tamarin Falls, I had to track all the way up to the rim again. This turned in to another slippery slope, I had to hang on branches and tree trunks to prevent slipping down again.

Catching my breath on a slippery slope, Black River National Park

On top the rim, the track descend back down after a few hundred meters. Tough going, but an exciting and challenging adventure.

At last, Tamarin Falls from a distance, Black River National Park

I reached Tamarin Falls late afternoon and took the time to relax in front of this spectacular waterfall.

Tamarin Falls close up, Black River National Park

Best thing was, that I could appreciate this adventure by myself. The sounds off the rushing creek, birds flying along the canopy above me, the views after climbing up those cascades, all in all, a funtastic adventure. The bus ride home appeared as another adventure.  I was waiting for a good hour on the bus stop before eventually one of the parked buses made its departure. I got home after dark and shared my adventure with Veronique over dinner. She had spent the day in school, teaching English.