Exotic South: Journey into the Nature (Full-Day Tour incl Lunch & Ebony Forest)

Mauritius reveals its wilder side on this long southwest circuit, where Chamarel’s seven-colored earth and the ancient Ebony Forest share the bill with waterfalls, sacred temples, and high viewpoints. You cover a remarkable amount of ground in one day, with a private vehicle and guide handling the roads.

I like the private pickup and flexible format, especially when a guide such as Kevin, Hans, Manu, Salim, Irshaad, or Belinda takes time to explain local life. I also like that the price includes lunch, water, major entry fees, and the Ebony Forest jeep ride, rather than leaving you to add costs at every stop.

The catch is pace. Ten stops in seven to eight hours means plenty of time in the car, and the experience depends heavily on your assigned driver. Some guests received a thoughtful guide, while others felt they had little more than a taxi service, so confirm the language and guiding arrangements before you go.

Key points at a glance

• The Ebony Forest jeep ride is the day’s strongest nature experience, with endemic plants, tortoises, rare birds, and forest trails.
• Chamarel packs in the biggest visual rewards, including the seven-colored earth, a 100-meter waterfall, and broad views toward Le Morne.
• A private vehicle covers a large section of southern Mauritius without making you navigate unfamiliar roads or arrange several separate admissions.
• Lunch is a halal three-course meal, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices plus non-alcoholic drinks.
• Grand Bassin adds cultural depth, with a sacred volcanic lake, Hindu shrines, and a 33-meter Lord Shiva statue.
• Rain and mist can change the day, especially at mountain viewpoints and waterfalls, so keep expectations flexible.

One full day from Trou aux Cerfs to the southwest coast

The tour begins around 8:30 a.m. with pickup from your hotel or accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. From Trou d’Eau Douce, that island-wide pickup can mean an early start and a long return ride, but it also makes this a practical choice if you have only one day for the south.

You ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide-driver. Since only your group participates, you can ask questions, adjust the order of some stops, or spend more time at a place that catches your interest. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this over a large coach excursion.

The route is ambitious. You visit a dormant volcanic crater, a reservoir, a sacred lake, two major waterfalls, Black River Gorges, Chamarel, the Ebony Forest, and the south coast. I would not book this expecting a slow nature walk. I would book it as a broad introduction to the island’s interior and southwest.

Trou aux Cerfs and Mare aux Vacoas set the scene

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater about 605 meters above sea level. Its bowl measures roughly 350 meters across and about 100 meters deep, with forest around the rim and indigenous plants mixed with tall green pines.

The crater is interesting because it does not look like a barren volcanic hole. You get a forested setting and a sense of Mauritius as a volcanic island, rather than just a beach destination. The visit lasts about 40 minutes, enough for photographs and a short explanation without using up the whole morning.

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. This is a quieter stop, surrounded by thick woodland and valued more for its calm views than for a major attraction.

I like the contrast between the two opening stops. Trou aux Cerfs gives you geology and elevation; Mare aux Vacoas gives you still water and forest. Neither requires a strenuous walk, making them easy additions to a packed day. If weather brings low cloud or rain, though, the views may be modest.

Grand Bassin connects nature with Hindu faith

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, sits at about 550 meters in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is a sacred lake, not simply a scenic photo stop. Along the shore are a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.

The huge statue of Lord Shiva is hard to miss. At 33 meters high, it gives the visit a strong visual focus, but the smaller shrines and the lake are just as important. I recommend taking a quiet moment to look at the site as a place of worship, not treating it only as another viewpoint.

You have around 40 minutes here. That is enough to see the main religious features and enjoy the mountain setting, though it is not a long cultural visit. Dress and behave respectfully around the temple area, and follow any instructions given at the site.

This stop is one reason a private guide can add value. A good driver-guide can explain how the lake fits into Mauritian religious life and answer simple questions that a vehicle-only transfer cannot. The quality of that explanation varies, so it is worth asking at the start how much guiding your driver will provide.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges bring the big views

Alexandra Falls is one of Mauritius’ best-known nature sights. It lies around 700 meters above sea level, with a waterfall view and a broad outlook toward the southeast coast. A wooden platform gives you a better angle, and the stop lasts about 30 minutes.

The waterfall itself is attractive, but the wider view is the real reward. You see forested high ground falling away toward the turquoise sea. In wet weather, mist can soften the scene or block part of the coast. That is not a failure of the stop, but it does make the experience weather-dependent.

The Black River Gorges viewpoint follows. From the road, it takes only about three to five minutes to reach the lookout. From there, you look across a huge protected area of forests, steep valleys, waterfalls, and native plants and animals covering almost 17,000 acres.

You may spot monkeys around the viewpoint, and the setting gives you a useful sense of the island’s interior scale. This is a quick stop, about 30 minutes, not a full national park hike. If you want long walks and quiet birdwatching, you would need a separate day devoted to the park.

Still, the short visit works well in this itinerary. You get the main panorama without giving up the later Chamarel and Ebony Forest stops. Bring a camera, but do not expect every vista to be clear. One particularly wet outing left the mountain views hidden by mist, although the weather improved later for the forest ride.

Chamarel provides the day’s fullest cluster of sights

Chamarel is where the tour slows down for roughly two hours, though the exact balance between driving, viewpoints, and visits can vary. You pass through Chamarel village, then stop at a viewpoint overlooking the village and the southwest.

From the lookout, you can see green hills, the coast, Le Morne Brabant to the left, and La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right. Sunglasses help on bright days, and this is one of the better places to take a wide photo. The viewpoint is family-friendly, though the tour as a whole includes stairs and uneven outdoor ground.

The main Chamarel attraction is the Seven Colored Earth Geopark. The dunes show shades described as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The colors come from basaltic lava changing into clay minerals, creating a small but striking geological display among tropical vegetation.

The site is carefully arranged for viewing, so you do not wander across the colored earth. That makes it easy to visit, but it also means the experience is more of a scenic stop than an active exploration. I find it worthwhile because the colors are unusual, and because the geology gives you something to think about beyond the photograph.

Chamarel Waterfall is another major stop. At about 100 meters, it is described as the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius. Three streams feed the Saint-Denis River, which pours over a basalt cliff into a pool before continuing through a forested canyon toward Baie du Cap.

You can view the waterfall from designated overlooks. The time here is about 25 minutes, so you will see the main sight rather than take a long trail. The falls are most impressive after rain, but rain can also make paths slippery and obscure the view. Wear non-slip shoes, as the operator advises.

Lunch is included during the day. You receive a three-course halal meal with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, plus non-alcoholic beverages. Tell the operator about vegetarian needs, allergies, or illness when booking. Since the day is tightly scheduled, this included meal is useful: you avoid wasting time finding a restaurant and you know a substantial break is built into the route.

Ebony Forest is the experience’s best reason to book

The Ebony Forest Nature Reserve is the most distinctive part of the tour. Here you take a 4×4 jeep ride and learn about endemic Mauritian plants and animals, including rare birds and Aldabra tortoises.

The included forest visit lasts about one hour. Depending on timing and conditions, you may take a gentle trail, ride through the reserve, or choose a more demanding climb toward Piton Canot. The forest also offers views toward the UNESCO-listed Le Morne area.

I would make this stop a priority. The waterfalls and colored earth are attractive, but similar scenic visits can feel brief. The Ebony Forest gives you a closer look at Mauritius’ native ecology and conservation work. It is also the place where the tour feels least like a sequence of roadside lookouts.

Bring plenty of insect repellent. One guest found the forest ride to be the day’s highlight but specifically warned about bugs. Closed, non-slip shoes are sensible, and you should be ready for a little walking even though the jeep does much of the work.

Timing matters here. The forest jeep is shared at the reserve, even though your main tour is private. One poorly timed arrival meant a shortened ride, while another group missed the jeep after taking too long before departure. Stay aware of the meeting time and return promptly from nearby stops.

Maconde and Baie du Cap finish with a coastal twist

The final section takes you to Baie du Cap and the Maconde viewpoint. A narrow staircase leads to a perch above the ocean, where the coast curves between Le Morne and Baie du Cap.

The viewpoint creates the sensation of being surrounded by sea. You also see the nearby coastal village and, at times, fishermen along the shore. The stop is short, around 20 minutes, but it gives the day a useful change of mood after the inland forests and mountain sites.

The stairs are narrow, so this is not the easiest stop for anyone who struggles with steps. Afterward, the route passes Rivière des Galets, where you can see a distinctive flat stone rock along the coast. Then the vehicle returns you to your accommodation.

The ending can feel rushed if earlier stops run late. That is the tradeoff for including so much in one day. If Maconde matters greatly to you, tell the guide early and keep an eye on the schedule.

What the $147.50 price really covers

At $147.50 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see southern Mauritius. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere on the island, a private air-conditioned vehicle, a certified guide-driver, bottled water, a three-course lunch, entry to the Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall, Ebony Forest admission, and the forest jeep safari.

For a private group, that package can be fair value, especially if you want convenience and have limited time. You are paying for transport across a large part of the island, not just for entry to one attraction.

The value drops if your assigned driver provides little explanation or if promised language support is not available. Some bookings were praised for flexible, friendly guides who explained local life and adjusted the route. Other bookings described a driver who stayed in the car and offered little context. Confirm the guide language, the level of commentary, and the Ebony Forest arrangements before departure.

The experience is booked an average of 32 days ahead, so reserve early if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, which matters because mist and rain can affect the mountain views.

Who will enjoy this southern Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it to you if this is your first visit and you want a fast, broad look at the island beyond the coast. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a private vehicle to a large bus and who value having admissions and lunch handled in advance.

It is also a strong choice if Ebony Forest is high on your list. The combination of a jeep ride, native plants, tortoises, and possible rare-bird sightings gives the day more substance than a simple sightseeing loop.

I would think twice if you want a relaxed pace, long hikes, or one subject explored in depth. You spend much of the day moving between stops, and the total route can feel tiring from hotels far from the southwest. This is also not ideal if you need guaranteed language support without confirming it first.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see the heart of southern Mauritius in one ambitious day, especially Grand Bassin, Chamarel, and Ebony Forest. The strongest guides, including names such as Kevin, Hans, Manu, Salim, Irshaad, and Belinda, can turn the long drives into useful local conversation and make the private format worthwhile.

Before paying, confirm three things: your guide’s language, that the day includes the Ebony Forest jeep ride, and how much time you will have at each stop. If those details are clear, the tour offers a practical way to connect volcanic scenery, Hindu culture, native forest, waterfalls, and the wild south coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours, although pickup location, traffic, weather, and time spent at stops can affect the day.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Your main activity is private, and only your group participates. The Ebony Forest jeep ride is shared at the reserve.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a three-course halal lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

What entrance fees are included?

Admission to the Seven Colored Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and Ebony Forest Nature Reserve is included. The Ebony Forest jeep safari is also included.

Should I bring special footwear?

Yes. Wear non-slip shoes because the tour includes stairs, viewpoints, forest paths, and outdoor areas that may become slippery in wet weather.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.