Wild South: Full-Day tour incl Rhumerie St Aubin, Bois cheri Tea factory & Lunch

Mauritius packs volcanoes, sacred lakes, rainforest, tea fields, crashing surf, and rum into one long day. This private southern tour gives you a broad look at the island, from the forested crater of Trou aux Cerfs to the stormy cliffs at Gris-Gris Beach, then finishes with tea and rum tastings. It is a sightseeing day with plenty of variety.

I like the private vehicle and hotel pickup, which save you from piecing together distant sights on your own. I also like the mix of nature and local production: Bois Chéri explains Mauritian tea, while Rhumerie St Aubin shows how sugar-cane spirit becomes rum. The main caution is time. Eight stops in seven to eight hours can feel rushed, and one past booking did not cover all the promised sights.

Key points at a glance

• Trou aux Cerfs reaches about 605 meters above sea level, with a broad dormant volcanic crater surrounded by forest.
• Grand Bassin combines scenery with living Hindu worship, including a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.
• Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges provide some of the day’s strongest photo stops.
• Bois Chéri includes a factory visit, museum, plantation views, and tea tasting.
• Rhumerie St Aubin offers a guided rum-making visit and rum tasting in a colonial house.
• The $143.72 price includes private transport, guide, lunch, entrances, tea, rum, and hotel transfers, but the full route needs efficient timing.

A big south-island day in a private car

The appeal here is range. You are not spending the day at one attraction or sitting through a single factory tour. You move through the highlands, stop at a reservoir and sacred lake, look across protected forest, visit a tea estate, face the sea at Gris-Gris, and finish with rum.

That variety makes this a useful first look at southern Mauritius. You get a feel for how quickly the island changes. The central highlands are cool and green, the tea country feels agricultural, and the southern coast is rougher and more exposed than the postcard beaches.

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. from your hotel or accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. A certified guide-driver handles the route in a fully air-conditioned vehicle. Since this is a private activity, only your group joins the car, so you can ask questions and adjust the pace within the limits of a tightly packed day.

The private format matters most during the long drives between stops. You do not have to meet a large group at each hotel, and you can keep your belongings with you. Still, private does not mean leisurely here. The planned route includes eight stops, with several visits lasting only 20 to 40 minutes.

Trou aux Cerfs and Mare aux Vacoas: highland beginnings

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcanic crater about 605 meters above sea level. Its crater measures roughly 350 meters across and reaches about 100 meters deep, though you should think of this as a scenic viewpoint rather than a strenuous volcano walk.

The crater is ringed by lush forest, indigenous plants, and tall green pine trees. That setting is part of the charm. You are looking at a volcanic feature softened by vegetation, not a bare cone of rock. The stop lasts about 40 minutes, enough for photos and a short look around.

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, Mauritius’s largest reservoir, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters. It is a quieter pause among thick forest, and the attraction is simply the open water and surrounding greenery.

This stop lasts about 20 minutes. I would treat it as a breather rather than a major sight. If you prefer famous monuments and longer walks, Mare aux Vacoas may feel brief. If you like small scenic pauses between headline stops, it breaks up the drive nicely.

Grand Bassin, a sacred crater lake

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is one of the most meaningful stops on the route. The crater lake sits around 550 meters above sea level, with a temple and smaller shrines along the shore.

The giant statue of Lord Shiva is hard to miss. At 33 meters high, it is the tallest known statue in Mauritius, and its calm expression gives the site a peaceful presence. The lake and surrounding hills add to the sense that this is more than a quick photo stop.

Allow about an hour here. You can look around the temple area, take in the religious sculptures, and enjoy the highland setting. Remember that this is a sacred Hindu site, so modest clothing and respectful behavior are sensible choices. The supplied information does not state a formal dress code, but treating the temple area as a place of worship is the right approach.

Grand Bassin is especially valuable if you want your day to include Mauritius’s religious life, not only scenery and tastings. The drawback is that the stop may feel less engaging if you are seeking active walks or detailed guided interpretation. Your experience will depend in part on how much context your guide provides.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls sits at about 700 meters above sea level and is one of the best-known natural sights in Mauritius. The stop lasts roughly 35 minutes, with a wooden platform offering a fuller view from above.

The waterfall itself is attractive, but the wider view is just as important. From the viewpoint, you can look toward the southeast coast and the turquoise Indian Ocean. Bring your phone or camera, but do not spend the whole stop staring at a screen. The changing views around the falls are the reason to be here.

The next stop is Gorge Viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. The protected area covers almost 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, rainforest, plants, and animal life. You are given about 30 minutes at the viewpoint.

This is the point where the tour’s promise of local flora and fauna has the most weight. You might spot or hear wildlife, but no sightings are guaranteed. The view includes broad green stretches and a waterfall, while souvenir stalls line the path leading toward the lookout.

The short timing is again worth noting. You can take in the main viewpoint, but you will not have time for a serious national park hike. If walking through protected forest is your main goal, this tour gives you an introduction rather than a full park visit.

Bois Chéri, where Mauritius makes tea

Bois Chéri is the first stop on the Mauritian Tea Route. A guided visit covers the tea factory and plantation, followed by the tea production museum. You learn how tea is made and why it matters to Mauritius, then taste some of the estate’s newer flavored teas, green teas, and herbal teas.

The visit takes about an hour. That is enough for a useful introduction, though not a long agricultural tour. The estate also provides a panoramic view over the south of the island, and the tea tasting adds a pleasant pause after the highland viewpoints.

I like this part of the day because it explains something you can actually take home. The factory visit connects the scenery to work, farming, processing, and everyday drinks. Tea is not just a souvenir here. It is part of the island’s production story.

A stop at the tea museum also gives the visit more substance than tasting alone. You can see how tea fits into Mauritius’s past and present, while the plantation setting shows where the raw material begins. If you do not drink tea, the view and factory machinery still make this a worthwhile cultural stop, but it may not be a highlight for everyone.

Lunch with a southern coastal view

Lunch is included and consists of three courses with non-alcoholic drinks. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the meal is halal. You should advise the operator about vegetarian needs, food allergies, or illness when booking.

The supplied details place tea tasting at the Bois Chéri restaurant with a panoramic view, while the route also describes a local lunch stop after Gris-Gris. Since the exact restaurant arrangement is not fully clear, confirm the meal location and timing when you book if the setting matters to you.

Including lunch makes the price easier to assess. You are not paying only for transport and a guide. The day also covers a substantial meal, bottled water on arrival, entrance fees, tea tasting, and rum tasting. The non-alcoholic drinks are useful for anyone who wants to sample rum later but not drink alcohol throughout the day.

The practical issue is pace. A three-course lunch takes time, and the route already contains more stops than most relaxed day trips. If lunch runs long, one of the viewpoints may be shortened. That is not automatically a problem, but you should decide in advance which stops matter most to you.

Gris-Gris Beach and the rough south coast

Gris-Gris is not a calm swimming beach. Its character comes from steep sea cliffs and large waves crashing straight into the shore. Coral reefs do not protect this part of the coast, so the Indian Ocean reaches the cliffs with force.

You have about an hour here, including the coastal viewpoint. The wind, cliffs, and spray create a very different mood from the sheltered beaches often used in Mauritius brochures. It is a good place to appreciate the island’s exposed southern edge.

Take care near the cliff areas and follow your guide’s directions. The information provided does not describe a swimming session, and the powerful surf is the main attraction. Think of Gris-Gris as a lookout and coastal walk, not a beach day.

This stop is one of the reasons I would choose the southern route over a simple resort excursion. You see a less polished side of Mauritius, where the sea is dramatic and the coast feels shaped by weather.

Rhumerie St Aubin, the day’s strongest tasting stop

Rhumerie St Aubin occupies a charming colonial house with tropical surroundings. The guided visit explains how rum is produced on Mauritius and takes you behind the scenes at the distillery.

The tasting lets you compare different rum flavors made at the estate. It is the final stop and lasts about an hour, giving you time to slow down after the quick succession of scenic viewpoints.

This may be the most satisfying stop for anyone interested in food and drink. You see a local product being made, hear about the process, and taste the result in the same place. The setting also adds a sense of place that a shop tasting would lack.

One past customer found the day especially worthwhile because the time at the rhumerie helped offset a rushed schedule. That is useful advice, but it also points to the tour’s main weakness. If the day falls behind, you should ask your guide which stops can be shortened and protect the experiences you care about most.

The tour description promises the full southern route, but one low-rated account said several expected sights were missed and the day felt rushed. Another five-star account praised a guide named Paco, describing him as friendly, helpful, and able to answer questions, but that account referred to northern Mauritius, botanical gardens, and a sugar museum. Those details do not match this southern route, so I would not use that praise to predict exactly how this tour will run. Ask for the name of your assigned guide and confirm the planned stops before departure.

Is $143.72 a fair price?

At $143.72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mauritius. The value improves if you are traveling with family or friends because the vehicle and guide are private, rather than shared with a large group.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, air-conditioned private transport, a certified guide-driver, bottled water on arrival, entrances to Bois Chéri and Rhumerie St Aubin, tea and rum tastings, and a three-course halal lunch. Those inclusions remove several costs that can quickly add up on an independent day.

I would call it fair value for someone who wants one organized day covering nature, religion, agriculture, food, and drink. It is less attractive if you already have a rental car, prefer long walks, or want to spend an entire afternoon at one place.

The booking pattern, with reservations made about 28 days ahead on average, suggests you should not leave it to the last minute if this particular date matters. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund, since the experience requires good conditions.

Who should book this southern Mauritius tour?

I would choose this for a first visit when you want to see many sides of the island without handling the driving. It suits couples, families, and small private groups who value a flexible vehicle and a guide’s local explanation.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy tastings and cultural stops as much as viewpoints. The combination of tea at Bois Chéri and rum at St Aubin gives the day a distinctly Mauritian flavor.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, frequent vehicle time, or fixed schedules. Eight stops in seven to eight hours is ambitious. People who want hiking in Black River Gorges, a long visit at Grand Bassin, or an unhurried lunch may find the route too packed.

Wear non-slip shoes. You should also tell the operator about dietary needs and allergies in advance. Most people can participate, but the day includes viewpoints, outdoor paths, and several transitions between the vehicle and attractions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a wide sampler of southern Mauritius and value private transport, included lunch, and tastings. The range is its strength: volcano, reservoir, sacred lake, waterfall, rainforest viewpoint, tea, rough coast, and rum all appear in one day.

Book with realistic expectations about time. Before setting off, confirm that all eight planned stops are included and ask how the guide handles delays. If your priority is the Rhumerie St Aubin or Bois Chéri, say so clearly. For a broad first look at the south, the tour offers solid value. For slow travel, choose fewer sights and more time at each one.

FAQ

Where does the Wild South tour take place?

The tour explores southern and southwestern Mauritius, with pickup and drop-off available at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and transportation is provided in a private, fully air-conditioned vehicle.

What food is included?

A three-course lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The meal is halal, and non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Are tea and rum tastings included?

Yes. Tea tasting at Bois Chéri and rum tasting at Rhumerie St Aubin are included.

Which attractions are visited?

The planned stops are Trou aux Cerfs, Mare aux Vacoas, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges Gorge Viewpoint, Bois Chéri Tea Factory and Tea Museum, Gris-Gris Beach, and Rhumerie St Aubin.

What should I wear?

Non-slip shoes are recommended. You should also dress respectfully for the temple area at Grand Bassin.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.