One day in southwest Mauritius can change how you see the island. This full-day private outing strings together volcanic craters, reservoirs, sacred sights, postcard waterfalls, and the Ebony Forest with a 4×4 jeep safari, all while a guide helps you connect the dots between nature and local culture.

I especially liked the way the day covers a lot of ground without feeling rushed, and how the private guide approach can turn “stop and take a photo” into real context. On days with guides like Kevin, Salim, Hans, Manu, Irshaad, or Belinda, the drive becomes part of the show, with stories and local knowledge that fit what you’re actually seeing through the window.

One thing to keep in mind: it is a long day (around 7 to 8 hours), and timing matters for the Ebony Forest jeep. If rain and mist roll in, viewpoints can get hazy, and you may climb some stairs at the viewpoints, so plan for your energy.

Key things I’d plan around

• Ebony Forest jeep time matters: the best part is the forest ride and your guide keeps things moving.
• A real religion stop at Grand Bassin: it is a sacred lake with a big Lord Shiva statue and shrines.
• Chamarel is more than one photo spot: you hit colored earth and waterfall back to back.
• Waterfall and gorge viewpoints break up the driving: short walks, big views, good photo windows.
• Lunch is part of the value: 3-course lunch with halal options and non-alcoholic drinks.

Southwest Mauritius in one tight circuit

If you’re basing yourself on the beach, it’s easy to think Mauritius is all shoreline. This route proves otherwise. You get inland elevation, forest reserve time, volcanic features, and multiple viewpoints that look out over the southwest coast.

The day starts with a hotel pickup and continues with a private guide in an air-conditioned vehicle. Start time is 8:30 am, so you get to the first major stop while the light is still friendly for photos.

At about $147.50 per person, you’re paying for a package that bundles transport, a guide, lunch, and key paid entries. If you like the idea of seeing a lot in one go, this is the kind of day that can save you from booking several separate taxis and tickets.

Trou aux Cerfs crater: where the day gets its nature theme

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcanic crater with real “Mauritius” energy. It sits about 605 meters above sea level and has roughly a 350 meter diameter and around 100 meters of depth.

What I like here is that it’s not just a hole in the ground. The crater area is ringed by a forested zone with indigenous plants, and giant green pine trees that make the spot feel cooler and more shaded than the coast.

The visit is about 40 minutes with admission included. It’s a good early stop because it sets expectations: you’re going to keep seeing volcanic leftovers and high points through the day, not just pretty views.

Mare aux Vacoas and the quieter reservoir break

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, the largest reservoir on the island, with a capacity close to 26 million cubic meters. It’s not the flashiest stop on the route, but that’s exactly why it works.

You get roughly 30 minutes to pause in a forested setting. It’s a chance to step away from the “big attraction” rhythm, grab a few photos, and reset before the more iconic spiritual and waterfall locations.

This part is free of admission, so you’re not losing value if you just treat it as a calm stop.

Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao): sacred lake and the Shiva statue

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, sits around 550 meters above sea level and sits in the crater of an extinct volcano. The lake itself looks serene, but what makes it memorable is how much local religious life fills the area.

You’ll see a temple along the shoreline and small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. The headline is the 33 meter high Lord Shiva statue, described as smiling and peaceful, so it doesn’t feel like a cold, distant monument.

I like this stop because it’s one of the few places on the island where the setting and the meaning are tightly connected. It also helps the whole day feel less like a photo sprint and more like a guided understanding.

Plan around 40 minutes here, and the admission ticket is included.

Alexandra Falls and the road-to-the-south viewpoint rhythm

Then the day leans into the postcard stuff. Alexandra Falls is one of the most emblematic nature sites in Mauritius, and it sits about 700 meters above sea level.

It’s famous for its beauty and for the chance to admire the turquoise coast view. You can also climb up to a wooden platform for a fuller look, which is great if the light is clear and you want that “frame the ocean” shot.

Expect about 30 minutes, admission included. If weather is misty, don’t panic, but do adjust your expectations. Views can get softened by rain, and that’s when a flexible guide and a good attitude matter.

Midway toward the next region you’ll stop at a viewpoint for the Black River Gorges National Park. The route is designed for short walks from the road, about 3 to 5 minutes, and the payoff is a panoramic vista over the gorge below. There’s also a waterfall visible off to the right if conditions allow.

This is an efficient stop. It’s quick enough to keep energy up, but it gives your eyes a big elevation change.

Chamarel viewpoint, Seven Coloured Earth, and the lesson in geology

Chamarel is one of those areas where the scenery is unusual enough that it feels like you’re entering a different Mauritius. You drive through the Chamarel village and then head to a viewpoint that shows the village laid out below, with the southwest coast colors and coast landmarks visible in the distance.

From here, you can spot Le Morne Brabant to the left and La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right, and the whole point is to give you orientation. Sunglasses help, and a camera definitely earns its keep.

This viewing stretch takes about 2 hours total at Chamarel, with admission listed as free for this specific stop.

After the viewpoint, you hit the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark. This is the “how is that real?” stop. The colors develop from basaltic lava turning into clay minerals, leaving sand dunes that show roughly seven colors like red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow.

I love the fact that the area is surrounded by lush green vegetation while the ground itself looks almost lunar. The site is about 40 minutes, and admission is included.

Practical tip: if you go at a time when the wind is active, it can get dusty near the dunes. A quick wipe of lenses helps, and going slow lets you find the best color patches without rushing.

Chamarel Waterfall: tall, powerful, and easy to respect

Chamarel Waterfall is described as Mauritius’ tallest single-drop waterfall, around 100 meters high. It is fed by three streams that flow into the Saint-Denis River system, creating a strong rush.

You’ll see it amid dense vegetation. There’s also a longer-story feel here, because the waterfall drains through a canyon and reaches the sea at Baie du Cap, so your view at this point ties back to the coastline you’ll see later.

Expect about 25 minutes, admission included. This is enough time to get a good look, take photos from accessible points, and still keep the day on track for the forest.

One note from the way the day is structured: this stop comes before the Ebony Forest, so don’t over-plan extra hikes. Save your legs for the nature reserve portion.

Ebony Forest Reserve: the 4×4 jeep safari highlight

This is the part people remember, and it makes sense why. Ebony Forest Reserve is known for endemic flora and fauna, and the visit includes a Discovery Tour by jeep through the reserve.

You might even spot rare birds such as the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, and you may also see Aldrabra tortoises mentioned as part of what visitors could encounter. The reserve itself is older and important in a way that feels tangible when you’re actually in the forest, not just looking at it from a road.

You’ll spend about 1 hour here. Admission is included, and the jeep safari is included too.

A few practical realities that you should plan for:

• The jeep experience may be shared, so being ready on time matters.
• Weather can change the feel of the forest walk or drive, so bring your best “rain gear plus attitude” set up.
• Use plenty of bug spray. One review highlight specifically called out that you’ll be grateful you did.

The guide portion can include either a gentle trail or a more adventurous climb to the summit of Piton Canot, depending on what’s available and what you feel like doing that day. Since the option to climb is mentioned, wear non slippery shoes and don’t treat this like a flat, casual stroll.

If the forest ride is your priority, tell your guide early in the day. Good guides can adjust the flow so you get the best time in the trees without losing time elsewhere.

Baie du Cap and the Maconde viewpoint staircase

After the forest, you transition back toward the coast. Baie du Cap is the next stop, with the Maconde viewpoint offering panoramic ocean views.

The idea here is that you feel like you’re looking out from a high point directly into the sea, with the ocean stretching in a wide, uninterrupted way between Le Morne and Baie du Cap. You access the viewpoint by climbing narrow stairs.

Plan around 20 minutes here, with admission free. This final viewpoint works well because it gives you a last big scene after the forest and waterfalls.

From there, the drive passes by Rivière des Galets, including a flat stone rock that is described as unique in Mauritius. You’re not looking at a museum exhibit, but you are getting those quick “only in this country” snapshots as the day wraps.

The tour ends with return transport to your hotel.

Price and logistics: what you really get for $147.50

Let’s talk value, because the number can look high until you break down what’s included.

In this price, you get:

• Pickup and drop-off in Mauritius
• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
• A fully qualified certified private guide or driver
• Bottled water upon arrival
• 3-course lunch with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and halal noted
• Non-alcoholic drinks during lunch
• Jeep safari in the Ebony Forest Reserve
• Entrance for Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall
• Entrance for Ebony Forest Nature Reserve

If you tried to cobble this together with separate tickets and multiple taxi rides, you would probably spend more time organizing than enjoying. The strongest value is the guided routing: you’re seeing a “southwest story” in one day.

That said, you’re choosing a full-day format. One person called it “too expensive for what you receive,” and another complaint centered on missing parts of the route and confusion about inclusions like the Jeep timing. Those are the risks with any bundled tour.

My practical takeaway: if you want the forest jeep and the Chamarel combo, this package is attractive. If you only care about one or two stops, consider a smaller, more targeted outing.

Who this south loop suits best

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a big overview of southwest Mauritius in one day
• Like nature stops paired with culture and sacred sites
• Want a guide who can explain what you’re seeing during the drive and at the viewpoints
• Are comfortable with a full schedule and some stairs

It may be less ideal if you:

• Don’t enjoy long drives and quick transitions between stops
• Are sensitive to rain and mist, since some viewpoints may be less dramatic on wet days
• Expect the forest portion to feel like a slow, leisurely walk, since timing and jeep movement are part of the experience

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes checklists, bring your camera and your patience. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes stories, you’ll probably love the guide experience, especially when the guide adds context about daily life in Mauritius alongside the sights.

Should you book Exotic South: Journey into the Nature?

I would book this if your priority is a well-organized day in the south that includes the Ebony Forest and the iconic Chamarel nature highlights. The forest jeep is repeatedly described as the top moment, and lunch being included with halal and vegetarian options makes it easier to commit without constantly budgeting for meals.

Before you go, do two things: pack bug spray and wear non slippery shoes, because the day can include walking and stairs. Then go with the right mindset for weather, since mist and rain can soften viewpoints.

If you want a single, concentrated day that gives you volcanic craters, sacred lake culture, waterfalls, colored earth geology, and real forest time, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

What meals are included?

Lunch is a 3-course meal, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and halal food is noted. Non-alcoholic beverages are included during lunch.

Does the tour include the Ebony Forest jeep safari?

Yes. The Ebony Forest Nature Reserve visit includes a jeep safari.

Which paid attractions are included?

Entrance is included for Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall, and entrance is included for the Ebony Forest Nature Reserve.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.