Wild South with Waterfalls & Rare Exotic Viewpoints with Lunch

Mauritius packs a surprising amount into one island, and this private southern circuit tries to show you much of it in a single long day. You move from a dormant volcano and a Hindu pilgrimage site to waterfalls, rough beaches, coastal roads, Chamarel, and several viewpoints that many shorter tours skip.

I like the sheer variety, and I like having a private car with a driver who can adjust the pace and explain the island in English or French. Lunch and admission fees are included, which makes the $143.77 price easier to judge. The tradeoff is simple: this is a very full day, with some stops lasting only five or ten minutes.

• More than 10 points of interest: Volcanoes, temples, waterfalls, beaches, gardens, viewpoints, and scenic roads fill the route.
• Private transport: Your group travels in an air-conditioned car with pickup and drop-off by a certified driver.
• Rare coastal stops: Maconde Viewpoint, Riviere des Galets, and Telfair Garden add less familiar places to the usual Mauritius circuit.
• Lunch included: You receive a three-course meal with vegetarian choices and one soda per person.
• Guides vary: Hans is often requested, but assignments are made according to availability. Menon, Jivin, Ricardo, and other drivers may lead your day.
• Weather matters: Alexandra Falls and exposed southern beaches can be affected by landslides, rough seas, or poor visibility.

A long southern loop built for variety

This tour is best understood as a survey of southern Mauritius rather than a slow visit to two or three major sights. You start around 8:30 a.m. and spend roughly six to nine hours on the road, depending on traffic, weather, and how the day develops.

That format suits you if this is your first visit and you want to get your bearings quickly. It also works well if you have limited time on the island or prefer one private outing instead of arranging several separate excursions.

The route includes more than the headline stops. Scenic roads through the central and southern parts of Mauritius are part of the day, as are views toward La Prairie, Le Morne, Bel Ombre, and the village of St. Martin. You are not simply being driven between ticketed attractions. Much of the pleasure comes from looking out the window as the island changes from upland forest and volcanic terrain to the wild south coast.

The downside is pace. At Trou aux Cerfs, you have about 15 minutes. Riviere des Galets gets about five minutes, and Gris Gris about ten. That is enough for a photo and a quick look, but not enough for a walk, swim, or quiet pause.

Trou aux Cerfs and the high central plateau

The day begins at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano near Curepipe in the La Caserne area. You can reach the top by car, so there is no demanding climb at the start of the outing.

The crater area is known for its plants, monkeys, and broad views from the central part of the island. Your stop is short, but it gives you a useful sense of Mauritius as a volcanic island. It is also a good first photo point because you can take in the setting without spending much energy.

The roads around this section are part of the appeal. The route passes scenic stretches near La Marie Reservoir, and the Oxenham Winery is located along the way. A winery stop is not listed as part of the included program, and wine tasting is extra if you ask to stop at Takamaka, so you should not count on a tasting being part of the day.

Ganga Talao brings a quieter change of mood

From the central plateau, the route continues to Ganga Talao Hall, a sacred Hindu site in the Reserve Valley. You have about 30 minutes here, making it one of the longer early stops.

This is not just another viewpoint. Ganga Talao is an important place of worship for Mauritius’s Hindu community, and the atmosphere is peaceful. You may see people practicing yoga or meditation, and the setting is suited to a calm walk and a moment of reflection.

You should treat the site respectfully. This is a religious place, not simply a photo stop. The tour description does not list an admission fee, so entry is free, and the short visit lets you see the setting without taking over the middle of your day.

Alexandra Falls depends on current conditions

Alexandra Falls lies in the southern park and is a favorite point for people who enjoy short walks and nature views. The allocated stop is about 20 minutes, with entry included.

The important practical warning is access. Landslides can close the area, so the stop is not guaranteed in every set of weather conditions. The operator checks conditions through its field team, but you should be ready for a change if the route is unsafe.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the tour so much as a fact of visiting a wet, hilly part of the island. If Alexandra Falls is open, you get a quick look at one of Mauritius’s best-known waterfalls. If it is not, the driver can adjust the plan rather than take an unsafe route.

Maconde Viewpoint gives you a rare coastal angle

Maconde Viewpoint is one of the more unusual stops on this outing. It sits on the southern part of the west coast, where the road and sea create a striking setting for photographs.

You have about 20 minutes, enough to get out, enjoy the view, and take pictures. The stop is especially useful for anyone who wants more than the standard beach-and-resort version of Mauritius. It is also one reason the private format has value: the route includes places that are not always part of larger group tours.

The road itself matters here. The southern coast is full of bends, changing sea views, and small settlements. A driver who knows the route can make the ride feel like part of the day rather than dead time between attractions.

Riviere des Galets and Gris Gris show the wild coast

Riviere des Galets is a rocky beach known for its distinctive protected rocks. It has no coral reef, and the sea can be rough and highly mobile. Swimming is unsafe, and the driver may limit the stop depending on the weather.

The planned visit lasts only about five minutes. That tells you what to expect: a roadside photo opportunity, not a beach afternoon. In poor conditions, you may stay in the vehicle while taking in the view. This is sensible, since the southern coast can be exposed and powerful.

Gris Gris Beach, near Souillac, follows with about ten minutes. It is another unusual southern beach, known for its rugged character rather than calm swimming water. You can look out over the coast, take photographs, and see the nearby local village.

These stops are valuable because they show a side of Mauritius that resort beaches do not. They are also the clearest reason to pack sensible shoes and sun protection, even though you will not be hiking for long periods.

Telfair Garden adds an odd little local stop

Telfair Garden sits behind the old Souillac police station and bus station, described as among the island’s oldest. It is not a major attraction with a long visit, but it offers something different from the waterfalls and sea views.

The garden is known for its large trees, which make a distinctive backdrop for photographs. You have about ten minutes, so expect a quick look rather than a guided garden walk.

I like this kind of stop because it breaks up the usual checklist. It gives you a glimpse of an ordinary local setting rather than another major attraction built for sightseeing. The short duration also keeps the route moving.

Bel Ombre and St. Martin turn the drive into scenery

The road through Bel Ombre includes views of local villages, five-star resorts, Heritage Golf Park, and a well-known coconut-lined stretch. You do not stop on the coconut road because of safety rules, but the driver can slow down for photos or video.

That detail matters. Some of the most attractive parts of a road tour are seen from the car, and you should not expect every pretty road to become a formal stop. The driver’s knowledge of safe pull-offs and slower sections shapes how much you get from these views.

The route also reaches the village of St. Martin and the coast near La Prairie, where you can see Le Morne. This is one of the day’s better examples of the tour’s broad reach. You get local roads, resort areas, mountain views, and the sea in one continuous section.

Chamarel combines the main attraction with lunch

Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is the largest scheduled stop, at about one hour. Admission is included, and the park also includes views of Mauritius’s highest waterfall and giant tortoises.

The colored earth formations are the main draw, but the waterfall and tortoises make the visit more varied than a single scenic overlook. You will have enough time for the core sights, though not necessarily a slow, extended visit to every corner of the park.

Lunch is a three-course meal with vegetarian choices, and one soda per person is included. Past visitors specifically appreciated the food at Chamarel, including the dessert. Bottled water is available if you request it from the driver, so ask early rather than waiting until you are thirsty.

This meal is a useful part of the package. You do not have to spend time finding a restaurant during an already crowded day, and the included food makes the price more predictable. Alcohol is not included, and wine tasting at Takamaka costs extra if you choose to add it.

What the private car changes

Private transportation is the central advantage here. Only your group takes part, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Pickup and drop-off are included through certified drivers, which removes the need to navigate unfamiliar roads or coordinate several taxis.

A private car also lets you ask questions and request small adjustments when conditions permit. The drivers are described as tourism-experienced guides, and some named guides have received particular praise for patience and a good drive. Hans is frequently requested, but he is not guaranteed. One booking had Menon instead because Hans was already assigned elsewhere.

That is worth knowing before you book. Do not choose the tour on the assumption that a particular driver will be available. The guides named in connection with the service include Hans, Menon, Jivin, and Ricardo, and the quality of the day depends partly on how well your assigned driver communicates.

English and French are spoken by at least some of the drivers. If language support matters to you, ask about it when booking rather than assuming every driver has the same level of fluency.

Is $143.77 good value?

At $143.77 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to see one attraction. It becomes more reasonable when you count the private vehicle, pickup and drop-off, driver-guide, entry fees, lunch, taxes, and the number of places covered.

You are paying for access to a large section of southern Mauritius in one day. A self-drive visit could cost less in some cases, but you would need to handle the route, parking, road conditions, timing, and admission fees yourself. You would also need to decide where to eat.

The value is strongest for a couple, family, or small group that wants a private day and does not want to plan every detail. It is less compelling if you prefer long walks, extended time at each beach, or a relaxed schedule with only two or three stops.

The tour is often booked about 11 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve before your preferred date fills. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should choose this tour?

I would choose this outing if you are visiting Mauritius for the first time and want a broad introduction to the south. It is also a good match for photographers, couples, families, and small private groups who value a car, lunch, and a long list of stops.

You should be comfortable with a full day in the vehicle. Some stops are brief, and travel time is included in the six-to-nine-hour duration. The route is not designed for serious hiking, swimming, or lingering over a single view.

Weather can shape the day. Rain or poor visibility may reduce the impact of viewpoints, and landslides can affect Alexandra Falls. Rough seas can also restrict access at Riviere des Galets. The operator may keep you in the vehicle at unsafe coastal points, which is the right call even if it means missing a photo.

Final decision: book it for breadth, not leisure

Book this tour if you want to see a wide slice of Mauritius, appreciate private transport, and prefer a full itinerary over a slow beach day. The strongest features are the unusual Maconde and Telfair stops, the wild southern coast, the included Chamarel entry, and the three-course lunch.

Skip it if you want to spend an hour at every viewpoint or dislike long road days. For the right kind of visitor, the tour offers a practical way to connect Mauritius’s sacred sites, volcanic center, waterfalls, villages, and rough coastline without managing the roads yourself.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m. The total duration is approximately six to nine hours, including travel time.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off service is included through certified drivers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a three-course meal with vegetarian options. One soda per person is included during lunch, and bottled water is available on request.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included, along with admission for the listed ticketed stops such as Trou aux Cerfs, Alexandra Falls, and Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark.

Can I request a specific driver?

You can request a driver, but availability is not guaranteed. Hans is often requested, while Menon, Jivin, Ricardo, and other drivers may be assigned depending on the date.