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

Mauritius has a wild side worth seeing. This full-day tour packs the island’s southwest into one long, rewarding outing, with crater lakes, waterfalls, forest viewpoints, Chamarel’s colored earth, and the Ebony Forest all on the same route. I like the private vehicle and the chance to travel with guides such as Kevin, Hans, Manu, Salim, or Belinda, who have been praised for friendly service and local insight. I also like that lunch, entrance fees, and the Ebony Forest jeep ride are included. The drawback is the pace: ten stops in roughly eight hours can feel rushed, and the quality of guiding appears to depend heavily on the individual driver.

You will see a remarkable amount of Mauritius for $147.50 per person, especially if your time on the island is short. But this is not a quiet nature walk from start to finish. Much of the day involves driving between sights, and some travelers have received more of a taxi service than a guided tour. Confirm the language support, exact route, and Ebony Forest timing before you go.

The important details at a glance

• A southwest sampler in one day: The route links Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Chamarel, Ebony Forest, and Maconde viewpoint.
• The Ebony Forest is the star attraction: You ride in a 4×4 Jeep, walk through an old ebony woodland, and may see rare birds or Aldabra tortoises.
• Lunch and major admission fees are included: You receive a three-course halal meal with non-alcoholic drinks, plus entry to Chamarel and Ebony Forest.
• Private transport does not mean every activity is private: Your vehicle and guide are for your group, but the Ebony Forest Jeep is shared and follows set departure times.
• Weather matters: Rain and mist can hide the island’s best views, especially around Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, and Chamarel.
• Good shoes and insect repellent help: Wear non-slip footwear, bring bug spray, and prepare for stairs and short walks.

Why this tour covers so much of Mauritius

The appeal here is simple: you can spend a week on Mauritius and still miss half of these inland sights. This outing gives you a fast but useful introduction to the southwest, an area of volcanic craters, high forest, waterfalls, sacred sites, and open ocean views.

Your day begins with hotel pickup at about 8:30 a.m. anywhere on the island. That broad pickup area is convenient, but it also means the length of your day depends on where you are staying. A pickup from Trou d’Eau Douce is not the same as a pickup from the far northwest.

The vehicle is fully air-conditioned, and bottled water is provided on arrival. Since you will be in the car between many stops, comfort matters. The private format also gives your group some flexibility. One highly positive experience involved guide Hans adjusting the day around the group’s interests, while guide Irshaad was praised for changing the order of stops without making the group feel hurried.

That flexibility is a real benefit. Still, do not assume every driver will offer the same level of commentary. The strongest experiences came with drivers who acted as both host and guide. The weakest involved a driver who stayed in the vehicle and simply directed the group to look around alone.

Trou aux Cerfs and Mare aux Vacoas: starting above the island

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

You will see a green crater surrounded by forest, including indigenous plants and large pine trees. This is a good opening stop because it introduces the volcanic foundation of Mauritius without requiring a long walk. The visit lasts about 40 minutes, giving you time for photographs and a look around.

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. It is not as dramatic as a waterfall or colored earth, but the forest setting gives you a calm break from the main tourist sights.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. I would treat it as a scenic pause rather than a major attraction. If you are eager to reach Chamarel or Ebony Forest, this may feel like one of the less essential stops. On a private outing, you can ask whether the timing can be shortened if your group prefers more time later in the day.

Grand Bassin: a sacred crater lake

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 Hindu temples and shrines around its shore.

The enormous statue of Lord Shiva is the first thing likely to catch your eye. At 33 meters high, it is an unmistakable landmark, but the lake itself is the quieter pleasure. The setting is peaceful, and the temple complex gives the day cultural depth beyond pretty viewpoints.

Use respectful behavior here. This is a sacred place, not simply a photo stop. Your guide can add value by explaining the religious importance and local customs, so this is one point where a real guide makes a clear difference.

The planned visit is about 40 minutes. That is enough for the main shoreline and statue, though not for a slow, extended visit. Ask before photographing people during worship, and dress in a way suitable for a religious site.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls sits at about 700 meters and is one of the island’s best-known natural sights. From the viewing area, you can look toward the waterfall and across the south-eastern coast, with turquoise water visible in the distance when the weather cooperates.

A wooden platform provides a broader view. The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, which works well for photographs and a short walk. Rain can change the experience dramatically. Several outings encountered mist and poor visibility, while a later burst of sun made the Ebony Forest portion much more enjoyable.

The Black River Gorges viewpoint follows. A short walk of roughly three to five minutes from the road leads to a high overlook above the gorge. The view includes forested slopes, valleys, and a waterfall off to one side.

This is a useful place to understand the scale of Mauritius beyond its beaches. The national park covers about 17,000 acres and protects forests, hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native wildlife. The walk is brief, but the viewpoint can involve uneven ground, so non-slip shoes are sensible.

Some outings also saw monkeys in the park. That possibility adds interest, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Keep your food secure and do not feed animals.

Chamarel village and the southwest view

The tour then passes through Chamarel village before stopping at a viewpoint above it. From here, you can see the village, green hills, and the southwest coast. Le Morne Brabant appears to the left, while La Tourelle du Tamarin is visible to the right.

This section receives a generous two-hour allocation, though that time also includes the nearby Chamarel attractions. It is one of the more relaxed parts of the day, especially if your guide allows you to enjoy the views at your own pace.

Bring sunglasses and a camera, but keep your expectations tied to the weather. Clouds, rain, and mist can flatten the view. The island’s high points often create their own weather, so a gray morning does not necessarily mean the whole day will be lost. One outing had poor views early on but better conditions during the Ebony Forest visit.

Chamarel is also a useful stop for seeing a village setting rather than only purpose-built attractions. The route moves quickly, but you get a sense that Mauritius is more than resorts and coastal roads.

Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall

Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth is the most unusual geological sight of the day. The site contains bands of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow earth, formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals.

The dunes are compact and easy to view, making this a family-friendly stop. You cannot walk freely across the colored earth, but the viewing area gives you a clear look at the different tones. The colors are most noticeable in dry, bright conditions. Wet weather can make the display less vivid.

The visit lasts about 40 minutes. That is generally enough for the main viewing area and photographs. Do not expect a huge park or a long hike. The value comes from seeing a rare natural formation that looks almost artificial.

Chamarel Waterfall is about 100 meters high and is described as Mauritius’ tallest single-drop waterfall. Three streams feed the Saint-Denis River, which cuts through forest and gorges before reaching the coast near Baie du Cap.

You may view the waterfall from the upper lookout or from a lower viewpoint, depending on the conditions and available time. The stop lasts about 25 minutes, so this is another place where you should be ready to move when your driver calls. The waterfall is powerful and photogenic, but the short visit may frustrate anyone hoping for a longer walk.

Entrance to both the Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall is included. That helps the price make more sense, since you are not paying admission again at each gate.

Ebony Forest: the best part of the day

For many people, Ebony Forest is the reason to choose this tour instead of a standard sightseeing drive. The reserve protects endemic plants and offers a closer look at Mauritius before much of its native woodland was lost.

The visit includes a 4×4 Jeep ride through the reserve, with a forest guide joining the outing. You may also take a gentle walk or choose a more demanding climb toward the summit of Piton Canot. The precise balance of Jeep time and walking can depend on the day’s schedule and the reserve’s operating times.

The forest may offer sightings of rare birds, including the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, as well as Aldabra tortoises. Seeing wildlife is not guaranteed, but the reserve gives you a better chance than a roadside stop. The guided walk is especially worthwhile because plant and bird details are easy to miss on your own.

Pack plenty of insect repellent. One visitor described the forest as the highlight but specifically warned about bugs. Wear closed, non-slip shoes and bring water, even though bottled water is supplied at the start.

Pay attention to timing. The Jeep ride is shared, and departures run at fixed times. One serious complaint came from a group that arrived between scheduled rides and received only a shortened visit. Another issue involved a group missing the Jeep because they were not ready to leave when the shared vehicle departed. Your private car does not give you control over the reserve’s Jeep timetable.

This is also the portion most affected by poor organization. Confirm the Jeep arrangement with your driver when you are picked up. Make sure everyone in your group understands when you must return to the vehicle.

Maconde viewpoint and the road back

The final scenic stop is Maconde viewpoint near Baie du Cap. A narrow set of stairs leads to a position above the coast, where the road seems to cling to the edge of the island and the ocean spreads out below.

The view between Le Morne and Baie du Cap is the attraction. You can also look toward the coastal village and sometimes see fishermen below. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, so wear shoes that give you a firm grip on the stairs.

The route may pass through Riviere des Galets, where a distinctive flat stone formation provides one last local detail before the return drive. This is not a major stop, but it adds variety to a day that otherwise alternates between formal attractions and viewpoints.

By this point, you may be tired. The itinerary is ambitious, and the return to your hotel can feel long, especially if you were collected from the northern or eastern side of Mauritius.

Lunch, transport, and what the price buys

The $147.50 price includes a three-course lunch, vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, halal food, and non-alcoholic drinks. Food allergies or illness should be reported when booking. The meal is described positively, but the exact restaurant and menu are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular dining style.

The strongest value comes from combining private transport, a full day of driving, a personal driver or guide, several admission fees, lunch, and the Ebony Forest Jeep ride. Hiring separate transport and paying for each major entry could approach the same cost, especially for a small group.

The value drops if your driver provides little explanation or if the route changes. Some experiences included stops at shops or missed planned locations such as Rochester Falls and Gris Gris Beach. Those places are not part of the detailed route described here, but the conflicting reports show why you should confirm the day’s stops before setting off.

The tour is rated 3.8 out of 5 from 45 reviews, which suggests a worthwhile experience with some uneven delivery. The most praised elements are the Ebony Forest, the scenery, the included lunch, and friendly drivers such as Kevin, Salim, Manu, Hans, Irshaad, and Belinda.

Language deserves special attention. At least one booking expected Spanish written explanations and received neither useful Spanish material nor much English guidance. Another expected German information that was not available. If commentary in a particular language matters to you, get clear confirmation before paying.

Who should book this southwest tour?

I would recommend it if you have limited time and want a broad look at inland Mauritius. It suits people who enjoy scenic stops, short walks, cultural sites, waterfalls, and a little wildlife without arranging several separate excursions.

It also works well for families and private groups that value hotel pickup and an air-conditioned car. The flexible format can be useful when you want to adjust the order of stops or spend more time at a place that interests you.

I would think twice if you prefer slow travel. Ten stops, long road sections, stairs, changing weather, and a set Jeep schedule create a busy day. It may also disappoint you if you expect a naturalist guide at every stop rather than a driver who mainly handles transport.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund, which matters because mist can block several of the best views.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the southwest’s major sights in one day and the Ebony Forest Jeep experience is high on your list. The included lunch, entries, private vehicle, and hotel transport make the price reasonable when the guide is engaged and the schedule runs properly.

Before booking, ask three direct questions: Which language will the guide use? Is the exact Ebony Forest Jeep ride included and timed? Which stops will be visited that day? If you receive clear answers and accept a brisk schedule, this is a strong introduction to the heart of Mauritius. If you want long walks, detailed interpretation, or complete control over timing, arrange a smaller custom excursion instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., followed by return transport to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is this a private tour?

Your transportation and main tour are private, meaning only your group participates. The Ebony Forest Jeep ride is shared and follows the reserve’s scheduled departures.

Is lunch included?

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

Are entrance fees included?

Admission to the Seven Coloured Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and Ebony Forest Nature Reserve is included. The Ebony Forest Jeep Safari is also included.

What should I wear?

Wear non-slip shoes. The day includes stairs, short walks, viewpoints, and a forest visit. Bug spray is strongly recommended for Ebony Forest.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. You should also advise the operator about food allergies or illness when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.