Ile aux Aigrettes is only accessible by boat, arriving at a small jetty on the west of the island

This is where the importance of Ile aux Aigrettes comes in. Exploring the island is like travelling back in time to see what Mauritius would have looked like before the arrival of man, over 400 years ago. While small, around 27 hectares and located 800 metres off the south-east coast of Mauritius, it is a stronghold for the endemic species of the area. It wasn't always this way though. Deforestation and the introduction of invasive species almost wiped out the native fauna and flora. Only in 1965 was it declared a nature reserve and, with the amazing efforts of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) since the mid-1980s, the island became a sanctuary for the reintroduction of rare species.

The MWF was established in 1984. It is the only non-governmental organisation exclusively concerned with the conservation of Mauritius' endemic wildlife. Trips to the island go towards its protection and donations can be made via their website - www.mauritian-wildlife.org