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

The best part of this full-day tour is the sheer variety packed into one outing. You move from a dormant volcanic crater and a sacred Hindu lake to waterfalls, mountain viewpoints, seven-colored earth, coastal cliffs, and an ancient ebony forest. Ebony Forest is the star for many people, especially when the forest jeep ride and short walk are handled well.

I like the private vehicle and hotel pickup, since southwest Mauritius is spread out and driving between these sights can be tiring. I also like the included three-course halal lunch, bottled water, and entry fees, which make the $147.50 price easier to judge. The main drawback is the pace: ten stops in roughly eight hours leaves little room for lingering, and the quality of the day depends heavily on your driver’s guiding skills and timing.

Key points at a glance

• Ebony Forest includes a 4×4 jeep ride, forest access, and the chance to see rare plants, birds, and Aldabra tortoises.
• Grand Bassin adds cultural depth, with a sacred crater lake, temples, shrines, and a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.
• Chamarel supplies the big visual moments, including the Seven Colored Earth and the island’s tallest single-drop waterfall.
• Private transport covers a wide stretch of Mauritius, from Trou aux Cerfs in the highlands to Maconde on the southern coast.
• Lunch, drinks, entrances, and hotel transport are included, but gratuities are not.
• Weather matters, since rain and mist can obscure the viewpoints and mountain waterfalls.

Why this tour covers so much of Mauritius

This is not a slow nature walk or a single attraction visit. It is a broad survey of southwest Mauritius, designed for someone who wants to see the main inland and coastal sights in one day.

You begin at about 8:30 a.m. with pickup from any hotel or accommodation on the island. That flexibility is useful, but it also means your total day can stretch depending on where you are staying. The drive from the east or north toward the southwest takes time, so the private car matters more than it might on a compact city tour.

The vehicle is fully air-conditioned, and the activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That gives you some room to ask for extra information or adjust the order of stops. One guest, guided by Hans, had parts of the day modified to suit personal interests. That sort of flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this format over a large coach outing.

Still, keep your expectations clear. The itinerary is built around transportation from one sight to the next, with some stops lasting only 20 to 40 minutes. You will see a lot, but you will not have hours at each place.

Trou aux Cerfs and Mare aux Vacoas: the highland opening

The first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater in Curepipe. It sits about 605 meters above sea level, measures roughly 350 meters across, and reaches around 100 meters deep.

The crater is surrounded by forest, indigenous plants, and tall green pine trees. It is a quick way to understand the volcanic foundation of Mauritius before the tour turns to forests and waterfalls. You get about 40 minutes here, including admission.

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters. This is a quieter stop, more about the view and a few calm minutes among thick forest than about a major attraction.

I would treat both stops as orientation points rather than the main reasons to book. They add variety, but the weather can affect the views, and the reservoir may feel modest beside the dramatic sights later in the day.

Grand Bassin brings Mauritius’s Hindu faith into view

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

The huge statue of Lord Shiva is hard to miss. At 33 meters high, it gives the site a memorable focal point, but the smaller shrines and quiet lake are just as important. Your guide can help explain the religious setting and the role of the site in Mauritius.

You have about 40 minutes here. Dress and behave respectfully around the temple area, and keep in mind that this is a religious place as well as a sightseeing stop. The value of having a private guide is especially clear here. A driver who simply points to the lake will leave much of the meaning behind the visit unexplained.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls sits around 700 meters above sea level and is one of the island’s best-known waterfall viewpoints. The viewing area gives you a chance to look across the southern part of Mauritius toward the coast, with a wooden platform available for a fuller view.

The waterfall itself is attractive, but the wider setting is the real reward. You see forested hills, a drop into the gorge, and, on a clear day, a broad coastal panorama. The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

The next viewpoint lies in Black River Gorges National Park. A short three to five-minute walk from the road brings you to a panorama over deep valleys and forest. The park covers almost 17,000 acres and contains waterfalls, rolling hills, and native plant and animal life.

This is one of the easiest scenic stops, but the altitude brings changing conditions. Rain and mist can hide the distant view. Several people have had mixed weather during this section, though umbrellas and a flexible driver helped keep the day moving.

Chamarel gives you the tour’s biggest photo stops

The Chamarel section takes about two hours, making it the longest part of the itinerary. You pass through Chamarel village and stop at a viewpoint overlooking the village, green hills, and the southwest coast.

From the viewpoint, Le Morne Brabant appears to the left and La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right. Bring sunglasses and a camera, but do not count on a clear view every day. Mist is common in the high country, and one of the main limitations of this tour is that several signature views depend on weather.

The Seven Colored Earth Geopark is the most unusual sight in this section. The small dunes show shades described as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals, creating a strange, smooth, almost lunar display among tropical plants.

You view the area from designated paths rather than wandering across the earth. It is a short stop of about 40 minutes, enough to see the colors and take photographs. The site is visually striking, but it is not a large hiking area. Think of it as a geological viewpoint, not a full nature reserve.

Chamarel Waterfall follows. At about 100 meters, it is described as the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius. Three streams feed the Saint-Denis River, which crashes over a basalt cliff into a pool before continuing through a forest-lined canyon.

You can see the waterfall from the upper viewpoint, and the surrounding vegetation helps frame the drop. With only 25 minutes here, you will not have time for an extended walk. That is fine for a first visit, but someone seeking a long hike should plan a separate outing.

Ebony Forest is the reason to protect your afternoon

The Ebony Forest Nature Reserve is the most active and rewarding part of the day for many people. You take a 4×4 jeep into an ancient ebony forest, then explore the reserve with a forest guide through a gentle walk or a more demanding route toward Piton Canot.

The reserve protects endemic plants and animals found in Mauritius. You might see Aldabra tortoises and rare birds, including the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher. The experience is not just a ride through trees. The forest walk adds useful context about native species and conservation.

The scheduled visit lasts about an hour. That is enough for an introduction, but not enough for every possible trail. The option to climb toward the summit is aimed at people who want more activity, while the gentler path works better if you have already spent the day climbing stairs and walking viewpoints.

Bring plenty of insect repellent. One visitor called bug spray essential, and that is sensible advice for a forest visit. Wear non-slip shoes, too. You should also pay close attention to the timing here. The jeep ride may be shared with other people and operates at set times. Arriving late can mean a shortened visit or missing the ride, even if the reserve itself is included in your package.

This is also where the guide arrangement matters most. The private tour guide or driver gets you to the reserve, but a reserve guide may accompany the jeep and explain the forest. Confirm the timing and inclusions with your driver early in the day so there is no confusion at the gate.

Maconde Viewpoint closes the day with a coastal turn

After the inland sights, the tour returns toward the coast and stops at Maconde Viewpoint near Baie du Cap. A narrow staircase leads to the lookout, where the road and rocky coast seem to project into the ocean.

The view takes in the shoreline between Le Morne and Baie du Cap, along with the nearby coastal village and, occasionally, fishermen below. You spend about 20 minutes here, so it is a quick final stop rather than a long coastal walk.

The route may also pass Rivière des Galets, where you can see a distinctive flat stone formation. Then the vehicle returns you to your accommodation.

This final change from mountain forest to open sea helps explain why the tour feels so full. You get a cross-section of the island rather than a single type of scenery.

Lunch and the real value of the $147.50 price

At $147.50 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mauritius. The price becomes more reasonable if you value private transport, a personal guide, admission fees, a forest jeep ride, and lunch in one package.

Included meals are a three-course lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, halal food, and non-alcoholic drinks. Tell the operator about vegetarian needs, food allergies, or illness when booking. Bottled water is provided on arrival.

The strongest value comes from the distance covered. Hiring transport separately for Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Chamarel, Black River Gorges, Ebony Forest, and the south coast can become expensive and complicated. You also avoid planning the order of stops yourself.

The weaker value appears if your guide provides little explanation and mainly acts as a driver. Some people have had excellent days with guides such as Kevin, Manu, Irshaad, Salim, Hans, or Belinda, while other experiences included limited commentary, missing written language materials, or confusion about the planned route. The private format is only worth the premium when the service matches the promise.

The published route also needs careful confirmation. One experience missed parts of a different southern itinerary, including Rochester Falls and Gris Gris Beach. Those locations are not part of the route described here, but the incident shows why you should check the exact stops before departure and confirm any special language request.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The tour runs about seven to eight hours, beginning around 8:30 a.m. With ten stops, you should expect a busy day and plenty of time in the vehicle.

Rain and mist can reduce the appeal of Trou aux Cerfs, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, and the Chamarel viewpoints. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

Wear non-slip shoes. You will encounter stairs, short walks, viewpoints, and uneven ground, especially around Maconde and Ebony Forest. Sunglasses help at Chamarel, while insect repellent is important in the forest. Carrying a light rain layer is also sensible because the highlands can change quickly, though the tour provides bottled water and the vehicle is air-conditioned.

Most people can participate, but the itinerary is not entirely passive. If stairs or walking are difficult for you, ask the operator how much time you can spend at the easier viewpoints and whether the Piton Canot option is suitable.

Who will enjoy this private southwest tour?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Mauritius and want one day that combines nature, culture, geology, and coastal scenery. It is especially useful for first-time visitors staying far from the southwest, since hotel pickup and a private vehicle remove much of the transport headache.

It also suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer their own car to a large bus. You can ask questions, adjust the order when possible, and spend more time at the places that matter most to you.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, slow-paced day, a serious hike, or a deep visit to each site. The itinerary is ambitious, and some stops are brief. I would also ask direct questions before booking if you need a Spanish or German guide. Language support was not consistent in every experience, and written materials were not always available.

Book only after confirming three things: the exact route, the Ebony Forest jeep schedule, and the language ability of your assigned guide. Those checks protect the parts of the day that make the price worthwhile.

Should you book the Exotic South tour?

I think this is a good one-day overview of southwest Mauritius, with Ebony Forest, Grand Bassin, Chamarel, and the waterfalls providing the strongest moments. The private vehicle, lunch, entrances, and hotel pickup add practical value, especially if you are trying to see a lot without renting a car.

I would not call it a guaranteed polished experience. The overall score of 3.8 from 45 ratings reflects a real split: excellent guides can make the day personal and informative, while a driver who gives little commentary can make it feel like an expensive taxi service.

Book it if you want breadth, convenience, and a chance to see the island beyond its beaches. Skip it in favor of a smaller, slower specialist outing if your priority is long forest walks, detailed interpretation, or complete control over the day.

FAQ

How long does the Exotic South tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours and begins at about 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What transportation is provided?

You travel in a fully air-conditioned private vehicle with a certified guide and driver.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The food is halal, and non-alcoholic drinks are provided.

Is the Ebony Forest jeep ride included?

Yes. Entrance to Ebony Forest Nature Reserve and the jeep safari are included.

What other admissions are covered?

Entrance to Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall is included, along with Ebony Forest admission.

What should I wear?

Wear non-slip shoes. Sunglasses are useful at Chamarel, and insect repellent is recommended for Ebony Forest.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available, but you should advise the operator when booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund.