Ferney

What Ferney does

Ferney is a privately-held tropical agrihood development in the southeast of Mauritius, operating as part of CIEL Group through CIEL Properties and registered entities Ferney Ltd and Ferney Eco-Hospitality Ltd. Spanning approximately 3,100 hectares of contiguous land including over 1,500 hectares of endemic woodland and 1,000+ hectares of farmland, Ferney integrates four operational businesses on a single estate: a 4-room Ferney Nature Lodge with butler service, the farm-to-table Falaise Rouge cliff-side restaurant, the 30-40 hectare Ferney Agri-Hub hosting 12-15 chemical-free agri-entrepreneur tenants, and outdoor activities (hiking, 4x4 safaris, guided conservation tours). Real estate is sold under the Mauritian Smart City Scheme via two residential developments — Montagne du Lion Farm Living (68-76 freehold plots of 1-3 acres) and The Orchards (64 ready-to-build plots on 67 arpents) — with a USD 375,000 minimum ticket that qualifies foreign buyers for a Mauritian residential permit. Underlying technology consists of bioclimatic architecture with full photovoltaic energy autonomy, rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, and ecological corridors, all framed within a carbon-neutral infrastructure plan. Ferney monetises through per-night lodge stays, restaurant and activity transactions (priced Rs 550-2,500 with separate resident and tourist tiers), recurring Agri-Hub lease income, one-time residential plot sales, and conservation grant funding (notably a Rs 13 million / USD 284,022.73 CEPF Large Grant secured in November 2023). Customers include eco-tourists, high-net-worth property investors, restaurant diners, sustainable farmers, and neighbouring village communities; the company maintains 27 employees and was awarded UNWTO Best Tourism Village status in 2021.

Name

Ferney

Legal name

Ferney Ltd

Website

https://ferney.mu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ferney is a private Mauritian tropical agrihood under CIEL Group operating a 3,100-hectare estate that combines a 4-room eco-lodge, farm-to-table restaurant, 30-40 hectare sustainable Agri-Hub, and Smart City Scheme residential plot sales, serving eco-tourists, HNW property buyers, and agri-entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Agritourism

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Lodges (Low-Impact, Nature-Integrated Lodging) (THAAAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Agritourism Eco-Lodges & Farm Nature Stays (THAAAHAL)

Keywords

• Eco-tourism hospitality
• Sustainable agriculture
• Residential real estate
• Nature conservation
• Farm-to-table dining

Headquarters

HQ city

Ebene

HQ country

Mauritius

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Eco-Tourism - Nature Lodge Accommodation: Ferney Nature Lodge offers 4 exclusive double rooms with personalised butler service, sunrise yoga, spa massages, and free guided conservation area tours for stays of 3+ nights. Revenue is generated through nightly accommodation rates.
2. Ferney Falaise Rouge Restaurant: Farm-to-table cliff-side restaurant overlooking Vieux Grand Port bay and Lion Mountain, sourcing seasonal produce from Ferney Agri-Hub and neighbouring farms. Offers Mauritian and world cuisines including locally caught fish, wild boar, and venison. Revenue from food and beverage sales.
3. Outdoor Activities and Tours: Activities include guided hiking tours (3 difficulty levels: 5km, 13km, 18km), 4x4 Safari tours (up to 9 participants, 90-minute circuits), guided nature tours, and Wildlife Dusk Safari. Priced differently for Mauritian residents vs. tourists.
4. Farm Living Residential Real Estate: Sale of freehold residential plots (1-3 acres) under the Smart City Scheme to Mauritians and foreigners. The first phase (Montagne du Lion Farm Living) offers 68-76 freehold plots on 170-189 acres. Minimum investment of USD 375,000 qualifies buyers for a Mauritian residential permit. Revenue is one-time property transaction-based.
5. Ferney Agri-Hub Tenant Leases: Agri-entrepreneurs lease agricultural plots within the 30-40 hectare Agri-Hub. Ferney provides shared services, co-working spaces, access to financial institutions, and training. Tenants must adhere to 100% chemical-free agriculture practices. Tenants supply produce to the restaurant, creating an internal circular economy.
6. Conservation and Grant Funding: Ferney receives conservation grant funding for ecosystem restoration and community resilience projects. In November 2023, a Rs 13 million (USD 284,022.73) CEPF Large Grant was secured over 3 years for climate resilience in the Nyon River watershed, including forest restoration and agroecological farm development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ferney operates a 3,100-hectare tropical agrihood in southeast Mauritius combining eco-hospitality (4-room Ferney Nature Lodge with butler service), a cliff-side farm-to-table restaurant (Ferney Falaise Rouge), guided nature activities (hiking, 4x4 safaris, conservation tours), a 30-40 hectare Ferney Agri-Hub leasing plots to sustainable agri-entrepreneurs, and freehold residential developments (Montagne du Lion Farm Living and The Orchards) under the Smart City Scheme with a USD 375,000 minimum investment qualifying for a Mauritian residential permit. All operations are integrated within Ferney Conservation Park, with carbon-neutral, bioclimatic residences powered by photovoltaic energy autonomy and rainwater harvesting.

Product overview

Ferney is a tropical agrihood (contraction of agriculture and neighborhood) development spanning 3,100 hectares in Southeast Mauritius. The integrated offering combines eco-hospitality (Ferney Nature Lodge with 4 rooms, Ferney Falaise Rouge farm-to-table restaurant), nature-based activities (hiking trails, 4×4 safaris, guided conservation tours), sustainable agriculture (Ferney Agri-Hub with ~30-40 hectares for agri-entrepreneurs), and residential real estate (Montagne du Lion Farm Living with 68-76 plots of 1-3 acres each, and The Orchards with 64 plots). The development sits within Ferney Conservation Park, one of Mauritius' last endemic forests, supported by a conservation trust established in 2007. The entire project operates under CIEL Properties as a Smart City Scheme development aiming for carbon neutrality through renewable energy, bioclimatic architecture, rainwater harvesting, and reforestation programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ferney Conservation Trust: Conservation entity established in 2007 through partnership between CIEL Group and the Mauritian government, focused on preserving endemic flora and fauna.
• Ferney Agri Farm

Products and services

• Ferney Nature Lodge

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000 endemic trees replanted since 2007
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Katapult, an international impact accelerator programme supported by Norwegian funds and several Mauritian groups, selected Ferney Agri-Hub in 2022 to host its accelerator programme investing in 7 regional and international start-ups focused on regenerative agriculture and agri-tech solutions for African markets.
• Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAREI provides training and technical monitoring for new farmers at Ferney Agri-Hub, helping them anticipate the requirements of sustainable production. FAREI is a key institutional partner alongside the Ministry of Agro-Industry.
• FORENA (Fondation Ressources et Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFORENA is the CEPF representative in Mauritius and part of a regional consortium (RIT) led by IUCN NL for the MADIO Biodiversity Hotspot. FORENA signed the CEPF grant agreement with Ferney on 15 November 2023 and provides ongoing partnership support for biodiversity protection and climate adaptation.
• Nature YetucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature Yetu is a Mahebourg-based NGO contributing expertise in conservation and restoration practices. It is a collaboration partner in Ferney's CEPF-funded project and contributes to knowledge dissemination, communication, and best practice sharing with academics, ecosystem specialists, and students.
• Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ferney Conservation Trust (established 2007 through a CIEL Group and Mauritian government partnership) works closely with MWF on conservation and reintroduction of endemic species in the Bambou mountain range and the valley.
• Le Vélo VertcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLe Vélo Vert, a specialist in agriculture and sustainable farming, provides training to the women farmers of Ferney Agri Farm in agroecology, helping them restore soil health and improve water retention for better food production.
• University of MauritiusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerney collaborated with Vincent Florens from the University of Mauritius, who contributed knowledge on pioneer species and ecosystem restoration techniques, enhancing the cost-effectiveness of conservation practices.
• C Lab & C CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerC Lab & C Care provided free health screenings and consultations at Ferney Health Day on 8 March 2025, including BMI and blood pressure checks, blood grouping, glucose tests, general consultations, and breast cancer screenings.
• Pranic Healing & Arhatic Yoga CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPranic Healing & Arhatic Yoga Centre partnered with Ferney for its Health Day event on 8 March 2025, providing guided meditation sessions and energy healing activities.
• Blood Donors AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Blood Donors Association collaborated with Ferney for its Health Day event on 8 March 2025, facilitating blood donation as a community giving initiative.
• Ferney Eco-Hospitality Ltd (FEHL)coreOthersFerney Eco-Hospitality Ltd (FEHL) is the operating entity managing Ferney's eco-tourism activities, including the Nature Lodge, activities, and Open Tracks access for events like Ferney Health Day.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Agritopia: Agritopia is a US agrihood master-planned community in Arizona combining residential homes, working farms and commercial agriculture. Comparable to Ferney's residential-agriculture integration, though smaller in scale and without Ferney's hospitality and conservation components.

Broad incumbents

• Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas: Six Senses (IHG-owned) operates a global portfolio of luxury eco-resorts and branded residences. Comparable to Ferney as a broad incumbent in the luxury eco-hospitality and residential space, though operating at much larger scale and across geographies.
• Wilderness Safaris: Wilderness Safaris operates conservation-driven luxury safari camps across Africa, with deep partnerships with governments and NGOs. Comparable to Ferney on the conservation-tourism-revenue triad, though operating in a different geography (southern/East Africa vs Indian Ocean).

Direct peers

• Soneva: Soneva is a luxury eco-resort operator in the Maldives and Thailand known for low-impact, nature-integrated luxury and ownership residences. Comparable to Ferney Nature Lodge on sustainability, exclusivity and bioclimatic design credentials.
• North Island (Seychelles): North Island is a private luxury island resort in the Seychelles combining conservation, exclusivity and ultra-luxury villa stays. Comparable to Ferney on the model of an Indian-Ocean island combining private conservation with luxury accommodation.
• Singita: Singita operates a portfolio of luxury safari lodges and conservation estates across Africa combining low-impact tourism, wildlife conservation and high-end real estate. It is the closest international analogue to Ferney's conservation-led luxury hospitality model.
• Serenbe: Serenbe is a pioneering wellness-focused agrihood community in Georgia, USA, integrating residential living, organic farming, arts and nature. Directly comparable to Ferney's agrihood concept though operating in a different climate and regulatory context.
• Constance Hotels and Resorts: Constance is a Mauritian-headquartered luxury hotel group with properties in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean, overlapping with Ferney's premium eco-hospitality and lifestyle positioning targeting international travellers.
• LUX* Resorts & Hotels: LUX* Resorts is a leading Mauritian luxury hospitality brand operating multiple resort properties across Mauritius. As a domestic peer, it competes for the same high-end tourist and residential-investment wallet but lacks Ferney's agrihood and conservation positioning.
• Heritage Resorts Mauritius: Heritage Resorts is one of the largest Mauritian hospitality groups, operating luxury hotels, golf, and a nature reserve (Heritage Nature Reserve). It is the most direct domestic peer to Ferney's integrated luxury-nature-conservation model on the same island.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ferneyreconnectwithnature

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ferney