Living in Mauritius is to experience a natural paradise, not only through the significant outdoor attractions like the mountains, nature reserves and the warm Indian Ocean but also through the fauna and flora that make it so unique. One of the main takeaways from a visit to this island, and often an incentive to stay, is the birdlife.

Birdsong provides a constant soundtrack to daily life, from the first call of the busy Weaver Bird. Common birds like the Grey White Eye, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Zebra Dove, and House Sparrow are ever-present. The seabirds are more elusive.

The white-tailed tropic bird (Phaethon lepturus), indigenous to Mauritius but part of a global population estimated at fewer than 400,000 mature individuals according to a 2019 report, is one of the most memorable. That’s because of its white colour and distinctive black markings on the inner wing and around the eyes, slender shape and tail streamers – long central tail feathers that double its total length to 71-80 cm.

West coast wonders

The white-tailed tropic bird is known to fly along the coast and can occasionally be seen in the Black River area or near Ile aux Benitiers, a small island off Mauritius’ west coast, near the village of Le Morne.

Nature’s influence is evident everywhere – in the use of building materials, interior design and décor, style of structures and landscaping. It’s an endless creative resource for architects and developers, the results of which can be seen at luxury residences like La Pirogue Residences which takes shape within the indigenous vegetation with great care taken to preserve the existing biodiversity. Three trees are planted for every single tree affected by the construction.

This project is a joint venture that involves leading property developers 2Futures, Ciel Properties and Sunlife. Developed with sustainability in mind, the upscale apartments are designed to maximise airflow and promote cross-ventilation, reducing the reliance on air conditioning. Solar lighting is installed in the common areas, a water desalination plant is on site, rainwater tanks capture rainfall for reuse and grey water is recycled to water the tropical gardens.

Conservation and regeneration

Sunlife is one of the largest and most reputable hospitality groups in Mauritius. Since the foundations of the first hotel were laid in the 70s, the group vowed to grow in harmony with, and not at the expense of, the world around them, to extend their positive impact far beyond the extremities of their resorts, and to conserve natural resources.

Moreover, conservation and regeneration form part of CIEL Properties’ ESG Commitment. The company is a member of the CIEL Group, and looks after its land and real estate assets, which include 3,200 hectares of land in Ferney in the southeast region and 100 hectares of nature reserve. They plan to plant 100,000 endemic trees and complete 1,000ha of reforestation in Mauritius by 2030.

Among others, the members of the JV embrace the protection of ecosystem biodiversity, minimising pollution, reducing waste and the consumption of resources, and raising environmental awareness among their associates, suppliers, guests and communities.

Privileged access to iconic resorts

Homeowners at La Pirogue Residences are drawn to the authentic fishing village character of the development, reinforced by architecture that draws inspiration from the pirogue fishing boat. It is not far from Flic en Flac, Black River Gorges, Chamarel ranges, and Le Morne, popular destinations for walking, hiking, or cycling. Tamarin is a well-known surfing spot nearby, while Le Morne offers incredible kitesurfing conditions in high winds and perfect paddleboarding experiences on translucent water when the wind drops.

Owning a luxury residence at this development comes with plenty of creature comforts, enhanced by privileged access to Sunlife resorts, Sugar Beach and La Pirogue, and all their sports, dining, relaxation and entertainment facilities. They also benefit from 60 room nights at the resorts through participation in the rental pool.

A major tourist attraction 

Part of the fun of living on a small island like Mauritius is the proximity to people and places in other regions easily reached by road or boat. Birders will notice that many of the small islands off the coast of Mauritius are named after birds. Ile aux Aigrettes is one of them where visitors can enjoy guided educational tours. “The fact that these islands were all named after seabirds demonstrates how important – or how common – they were at one time,” says Vikash Tatayah of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. The conservation group, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has been steadily restoring native plants, vegetation and habitats for land birds over the past few decades and is now focusing on luring seabird populations back to the island.

“Seabirds… help fertilize the land by bringing important marine nutrients. Their presence helps plants and insect populations to grow, thereby helping the whole food chain,” explains Tatayah. “A high density of seabirds on islands are also important to coral reefs, which they fertilize, and they contribute to the health of fisheries. Birds are also a major tourist attraction.”

Coin de Mire, a small, uninhabited island north of Mauritius near Cap Malheureux, is another crucial breeding site for various seabirds, including the red-tailed tropic bird. White-tailed tropic birds are less frequent, but it is possible to spot them flying near the island or resting on its cliffs.

Contact us to find out more about living at La Pirogue Residences, one of the best residential developments between mountains and sea.