South of Mauritius : Full day Private with lunch & Chamarel

Mauritius packs a lot into one small island. This private south-of-Mauritius tour makes good use of that compact geography, linking Chamarel, Ganga Talao, waterfalls, viewpoints, lakes, a reservoir, and other stops in one eight-hour day. You ride in an air-conditioned car with a private driver, so you are not tied to a large bus group or a fixed pace.

I like the private transport, which lets you spend more time at places you enjoy and less time waiting for strangers. I also like that the price includes the three-course lunch and Chamarel entry fee, making the $117 per person cost easier to judge. The main caution is that the day is busy, and two viewpoints have been replaced because 52turn Road is closed. One recent experience also included an unwanted shop stop, so I would confirm the route and shopping policy before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• A full southern circuit in eight hours: You visit more than nine points of interest, with most drives between stops lasting roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
• Chamarel is the main ticketed attraction: Entry to the Seven Coloured Earth is included, along with access to the Chamarel waterfall area.
• Private service changes the feel of the day: You have an air-conditioned car and driver rather than a large coach group.
• Lunch is part of the package: A three-course meal, one drink, non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and vegetarian choices are included.
• The scenery keeps changing: Expect waterfalls, mountain roads, viewpoints, lakes, a reservoir, and the sacred lake at Ganga Talao.
• Ask about the current route: Since February 20, 2024, 52turn Road has been closed and two viewpoints have been replaced.

Why a private car works well in southern Mauritius

Southern Mauritius is ideal for a private day tour because the sights are spread out but not painfully far apart. The advertised driving time between major stops is usually 30 to 45 minutes. That gives you enough time to move from one setting to another without losing half the day on the road.

I like the way this format mixes transport with guiding. You are not simply being dropped at Chamarel and left to find your way around. The driver is there to explain the island, its people, and its past, while also handling the route. Jameel received especially strong praise for being attentive, sharing local information, and taking photos at the stops. Nasir also adjusted the plan for one group, adding a couple of extra stops and rearranging Chamarel with the Rhumerie de Chamarel.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private tour. If you have already seen the Seven Coloured Earth, you can ask whether more time can be spent elsewhere. If a viewpoint appeals to you, you may be able to linger instead of being hurried back onto a coach.

The trade-off is that a private day can still feel full. More than nine points of interest in eight hours means regular stops, short visits, and a fair amount of getting in and out of the car. I would choose this experience for coverage and convenience, not for a slow day at one or two places.

Ganga Talao and the sacred highland setting

Ganga Talao, also called the sacred lake, is one of the tour’s more meaningful stops. It is not just another photo point. The lake is an important religious site for Mauritius, and its presence gives the day some cultural depth alongside the natural scenery.

You can expect a quieter, more reflective pause here than at a waterfall or viewpoint. The tour description identifies Ganga Talao as one of the important southern sights, but it does not specify how long you stay. If this stop matters to you, ask the driver at pickup how much time is planned.

The route also includes a dormant volcano, lakes, and a reservoir. These locations help you see a different side of Mauritius from the beach resorts. The south is not only about sand and sea. The interior brings open views, high ground, water, forested areas, and winding roads.

Because this is a private group, you can ask for explanations rather than simply following a guide flag. English and French guiding are available. The quality of your day will depend partly on the driver assigned, but the strongest feedback centers on Jameel, Nasir, and Kavi, all praised for friendliness and helpful service.

Chamarel Waterfall and the Seven Coloured Earth

Chamarel is the centerpiece of the day. The package includes entry to the Seven Coloured Earth, one of the best-known attractions in southern Mauritius, as well as access to the waterfall area.

The Seven Coloured Earth is valued for its unusual bands of soil in different tones. It is a short, focused attraction rather than a huge park, which makes it a sensible inclusion in a day with many stops. You get the attraction without paying an extra entrance fee on arrival, and the driver can help you fit it into the wider schedule.

Chamarel Waterfall provides a different kind of stop. Instead of looking down at colored earth, you are looking across or toward falling water and the surrounding scenery. The tour promises several waterfalls, so Chamarel is part of a larger nature-focused day rather than an isolated visit.

A practical note matters here: two viewpoints have been changed because 52turn Road is closed as of February 20, 2024. The replacement stops may still be attractive, but you should not book expecting every older online photo or map to match the current route. Ask which viewpoints are being used on your date.

The Seven Coloured Earth entry is especially useful for the price calculation. A private car, driver, fuel, and a full day of sightseeing can already make a private tour worthwhile for a small group. Once lunch and the park ticket are added, the package is easier to compare with hiring a car, arranging separate transport, and paying for meals and entry yourself.

Black River Gorges viewpoints and changing scenery

The Black River Gorges viewpoint adds some of the day’s bigger views. The tour promises scenic routes and several viewpoints, with the Black River Gorges area named as a major stop.

You should expect wide views rather than a tightly managed attraction. This is the kind of place where a private driver helps because you can take photos, look around, and move on when you are ready. If the weather is clear, the viewpoint can provide a strong contrast to the enclosed spaces and close-up waterfall stops.

The route is designed around instant discoveries, with something changing outside the window every half hour or so. You may pass from a lake to a reservoir, then from a highland road to a waterfall or village setting. That constant change is the day’s main pleasure.

It also means the experience is not a single polished park visit. Some stops may be brief, and the exact order can change with road conditions, timing, or your driver’s judgment. I see that as a fair trade for a private day, but I would tell the driver early if you care most about views, religious sites, waterfalls, or photography.

The Ile aux Benitier viewpoint and southern photo stops

The Ile aux Benitier viewpoint is another named stop. The tour does not include a boat trip to the island, so you should understand this as a scenic viewing point rather than an island excursion.

That distinction matters. The day is built around land-based sightseeing in the south, with a private car moving between viewpoints and natural attractions. If you want time on the water or a separate island visit, this package does not promise it.

The photo opportunities are one reason the tour has earned such positive marks. Jameel was specifically praised for taking photos at each hotspot, a small service that can make a difference when you are traveling as a couple or family and want everyone in the picture.

The driver may also point out smaller places of interest along the way. Nasir’s willingness to add a couple of extra stops shows what the private format can offer, though you should treat this as possible flexibility rather than a guarantee. The core route comes first.

A three-course Chamarel lunch

Lunch is included as a three-course meal with one drink, and non-alcoholic beverages are covered. Vegetarian options are available, and the food received consistent praise for taste and choice.

This is a practical strength. You do not need to spend time finding a restaurant during a tightly timed sightseeing day, and you can budget more accurately before booking. For $117 per person, an included meal makes the cost more competitive than a private transport arrangement where lunch and park entry are extra.

The feedback is not entirely uniform. One person felt that the included-meal arrangement placed the group in a separate room, which made them feel treated differently from other diners. The food itself was described as very good, but the dining setup was less welcome.

That is worth knowing before you go. A meal included in a tour can be convenient, but it may not offer the same choice of restaurant or seating as arranging lunch independently. If the dining atmosphere matters to you, ask where the meal will be served and whether the seating is shared with other diners.

The value of $117 per person

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see southern Mauritius. It is also not a simple sightseeing transfer. You are paying for an eight-hour private experience with an air-conditioned car, a driver, pickup and drop-off, a three-course lunch, one drink, snacks, bottled water, non-alcoholic beverages, access to waterfalls, and entry to the Seven Coloured Earth.

The value improves as your private group gets larger, since the transport and driver cost are spread across fewer people per car. A couple pays more per person than a family or small group would for the same vehicle, but the privacy and flexible pace may still justify it.

I would compare it with three alternatives:

• A large bus tour may cost less, but you will follow its schedule and spend more time waiting for the group.
• Hiring a car gives you control, but you must handle navigation, parking, road decisions, lunch, and entry fees.
• Booking separate taxis or transfers can become awkward when several inland sights are involved.

The strongest value here is convenience. You get a planned southern route without having to assemble the day yourself. The private setting also avoids the coach atmosphere that one person specifically found less appealing.

What the service feels like on the day

Pickup and drop-off are included from any point, and certified drivers handle the transport. The car is air-conditioned, an important comfort in a full day of sightseeing around Mauritius.

The best feedback focuses on politeness, care, and timing. Jameel was praised for creating a relaxed day, explaining the island and its people, and taking photos. Nasir was described as willing to personalize the route. Kavi was also remembered as friendly.

The tour is offered in English or French. It is a private group experience, so you are not sharing the car with a large number of other people. Wheelchair accessibility is also stated as available, though I would still contact the provider in advance to discuss the exact vehicle and the stops you want to visit.

The company says vehicles are sanitized and COVID-19 protocols are followed. That may matter to you if you prefer a controlled private setting rather than a crowded coach.

One point needs firm handling: a recent group was taken to a shop at the end despite saying no several times. This is the only clear complaint in an otherwise very positive set of feedback, but it is still important. Tell your driver at the start that you do not want shopping stops, and confirm that the day will follow the sightseeing plan.

Who should book this south Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors who want to see the inland south without renting a car. It also suits couples, families, and small groups who value privacy and do not want to match the pace of a bus tour.

You will probably like it if you want:

• Several scenic stops in one day
• A private air-conditioned vehicle
• English or French assistance
• A planned lunch with vegetarian choices
• Included entry to the Seven Coloured Earth
• Local explanations and help with photos
• The ability to request a little flexibility

I would be more cautious if you want a slow, unstructured day, long walks, or extended time at each attraction. The promise of more than nine points of interest is attractive, but it also signals a busy schedule.

I would also ask about the revised viewpoints and shopping before booking. The closed 52turn Road has changed part of the route, and the shop complaint shows why clear communication matters.

FAQ

How long does the South of Mauritius tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including pickup, sightseeing, transport, and lunch.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The experience uses a private group and includes an air-conditioned car with a private driver.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch with one drink is included. Vegetarian options are available, and non-alcoholic beverages are part of the package.

Is entry to the Seven Coloured Earth included?

Yes. The entry fee to the Seven Coloured Earth at Chamarel is included in the price.

Which languages are available?

The tour offers live guiding in English and French.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by certified drivers are included, and pickup is available from any point. You can contact the provider for additional information.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want to cover southern Mauritius efficiently and prefer a private car to a large coach. The combination of Chamarel, Ganga Talao, waterfalls, viewpoints, inland water, lunch, and included entry gives you a lot in one day.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private service, the helpful drivers, the comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and the simple all-inclusive price. Before you confirm, ask which two viewpoints replace the closed 52turn Road and make your no-shopping preference clear.

For a small group that wants a broad taste of the south without managing every detail, $117 per person is a fair convenience price. If you want to linger at one attraction or choose your own restaurant, arrange a more flexible private day instead.