Mauritius Private South West Tour

Mauritius packs volcanoes, forest, waterfalls, Hindu shrines, and strange colored earth into a small corner of the island. This private south-west tour gives you a useful way to see it all without worrying about roads, parking, or keeping pace with strangers. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius.

I especially like the private format, which lets you discuss the day with your driver-guide and spend more time at the places that interest you. I also like the mix of natural and cultural stops, from the peaceful crater lake at Grand Bassin to the broad view over Black River Gorges. The main drawback is that seven hours is a tight schedule for this many stops, and lunch, entrance fees, and taxes are not included.

Key points to know

• Trou aux Cerfs begins the day with a volcanic crater: You’ll see a dormant crater surrounded by forest at about 605 meters above sea level.
• Grand Bassin adds important cultural context: The crater lake is a sacred Hindu site with temples, shrines, and a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.
• Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges bring the best forest views: Expect short stops for waterfalls, rainforest, and wide views toward the south coast.
• Chamarel is the tour’s most unusual natural stop: The Seven Coloured Earth site features layers of yellow, red, brown, violet, purple, green, and blue sand.
• The price works best for a small group: At $135.07 for up to four people, the cost is shared across your party rather than charged per passenger.
• Bring food or plan for a restaurant stop: Lunch is not included, but the driver can recommend a restaurant if you prefer not to carry your own meal.

A private route through Mauritius’s volcanic southwest

This is a full half-day outing built around the southwestern interior of Mauritius. The route starts at 9:00 a.m. with pickup anywhere on the island, then moves through upland viewpoints, forest roads, a sacred lake, waterfalls, and Chamarel.

That range is the tour’s real strength. You are not spending the day looking at similar viewpoints. Each stop gives you a different piece of Mauritius. Trou aux Cerfs explains the island’s volcanic origins. Grand Bassin shows the importance of Hindu worship here. Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges bring you into the island’s forested interior. Chamarel finishes with a rare geological sight.

The private setup matters. Your group can discuss the order and emphasis of the day with the driver-guide. The description says the route can be customized, although the exact changes will depend on timing and what is practical during the seven-hour window.

You should think of this as a scenic overview rather than a hiking expedition. The listed stops allow roughly 30 minutes to an hour each, and the tour is designed to let you see a lot from the vehicle with short walks and photo stops.

Trou aux Cerfs and the high volcanic beginning

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

What makes it appealing is the setting. The crater is surrounded by thick forest, native plant species, and tall green pine trees. It does not look like a bare, dramatic volcano. Instead, the old crater has become a green highland viewpoint.

I like starting here because it gives you a clear sense of Mauritius as a volcanic island before the route turns toward forests and waterfalls. It is also a fairly easy stop. You can look into the crater, take photographs, and listen to the driver explain its significance without committing to a long walk.

Allow about 45 minutes. The stop is free, but the weather can affect the view. Since the tour requires good weather, ask the driver early in the day how conditions may affect the higher viewpoints later on.

Mare aux Vacoas, a quiet reservoir stop

After Trou aux Cerfs, the route continues to Mare aux Vacoas, the largest reservoir on Mauritius. Its capacity is almost 26 million cubic meters, though you do not need to be interested in water infrastructure to enjoy the stop.

The reservoir sits among thick forest and offers a calm break from the island’s busier roads. It is less ornate than Grand Bassin and less dramatic than a waterfall, but that is part of its appeal. You get a few peaceful minutes, a wide view, and a chance to stretch your legs.

This stop also shows why a private vehicle is useful. The driver can make room for a short pause without forcing you to spend a long block of time at a major attraction. If your group prefers photographs and quiet scenery, you may want to give this stop a little attention. If you are more interested in religious sites or waterfalls, you may prefer to keep it brief.

Grand Bassin and the 33-meter Shiva statue

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is one of the most meaningful stops on the route. This crater lake sits at about 550 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains in southwestern Mauritius.

Along the shore, you will find a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. The most obvious landmark is the enormous statue of Lord Shiva, which rises 33 meters and is described as the tallest known statue in Mauritius.

Your driver-guide can explain why the site matters as you look around. This is not simply another viewpoint. It is a place of worship, so you should behave respectfully, keep your voice down near the shrines, and follow any local instructions about where to walk or what to photograph.

The visit lasts about an hour, making it one of the longer stops. That is appropriate. Grand Bassin has more to see than a roadside lookout, and the combination of the lake, shrines, forest, and statue gives the tour a needed cultural center.

If you have never visited a Hindu sacred site, this is a particularly useful place to have a guide. The basic sight is easy to understand, but the religious meaning benefits from explanation. The driver’s role is important here because the tour is not just a ride between photo stops.

Alexandra Falls in the Black River forest

Next comes Alexandra Falls, set in the forested area of Black River Gorges. You will look toward the falls, the cloud forest of Mount Cocotte, and the southern coast below.

The waterfall is reached through a lush forest setting, with bird sounds and thick greenery around the viewing area. The stop is planned for about 30 minutes, so expect a scenic look rather than a long forest walk.

This is one of the tour’s more atmospheric moments. The water, forest, and high viewpoint create a sharp change from the open reservoir and the religious buildings at Grand Bassin. You may find the view changes with weather and light, so the driver’s timing and local knowledge can help.

The practical point is to wear shoes that are comfortable for short walks and uneven ground. The supplied information does not describe a difficult hike, but this is still a natural setting rather than a paved city attraction.

Black River Gorges and the big south-coast view

At the Black River Gorges viewpoint, you will look across nearly 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, and forest in southwestern Mauritius. The viewing area sits high above the gorge and includes a view toward a waterfall.

This is the stop for scale. Trou aux Cerfs gives you a volcanic crater. Alexandra Falls gives you a close look at water and forest. Black River Gorges lets you see how much of the island’s interior remains covered by hills and trees.

The path to the viewpoint has souvenir stalls, and you might see monkeys in the area. Keep food and loose items secure, and do not treat the animals as pets. The visit lasts around 30 minutes, which is enough for photographs and a quick look without turning the tour into a full national park hike.

The view can be excellent, but the wording of the route makes clear that the stop is primarily a viewpoint. If you want a long walk through the park, this tour may feel too brief. If you want a convenient introduction to the park without arranging a separate hiking day, the stop fits well.

Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth

Chamarel is the final major attraction on the route and likely the most unusual. The road passes sugarcane and pineapple plantations before reaching a valley with the Seven Coloured Earth site.

From the observation area, you can see dunes in several distinct shades, including yellow, red, brown, violet, purple, green, and blue. The colors come from the natural soil and make this one of the most recognizable sights in Mauritius.

You should allow about an hour here. The site is arranged for viewing rather than wandering across the colored earth, so the main activity is taking in the patterns from the observation outpost and photographing them.

Chamarel is the one listed stop with an admission fee that is not included. The tour also excludes all fees and taxes, so ask the driver what you will need to pay before entering. This is a small but important detail when comparing the advertised price with the final cost.

I like ending here because it gives the route a clear finish. After the forest and waterfalls, the colored earth feels strange and almost painted. The surrounding drive through plantations also gives you a look at the working countryside, not just the island’s famous sights.

Why the private vehicle changes the day

The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius. That is a major convenience if you are staying outside Port Louis or do not want to arrange several separate taxi rides.

A private vehicle also saves you from handling unfamiliar roads while trying to follow a packed schedule. You can look out the window, ask questions, and stop thinking about directions. The vehicle is intended to suit your group’s size, and only your party takes part.

The driver-guide is central to the experience. The available description does not provide a guide’s name, but it does make clear that the driver greets you at pickup, explains the sites, and can help shape the route. One French-language review specifically praised the driver as a good guide who introduced the group to part of the island while listening to what they wanted.

That combination of driving and guiding can be very useful. You get practical help with the route and some local context without the formality of a large guided group. Just remember that the quality of a private tour depends heavily on the person assigned that day, and no specific guide name is provided in advance.

Food, timing, and the real cost

The stated price is $135.07 per group of up to four people. That is a reasonable structure for a couple, family, or small group because you are splitting the cost rather than paying $135.07 per person. For four people, the base price works out to about $33.77 each before extra fees, food, and the Chamarel admission charge.

Lunch is not included. You can bring your own food, or the driver can recommend a restaurant if you prefer to eat during the day. Since the route lasts about seven hours and includes several stops, make a plan before pickup rather than assuming a meal is built into the schedule.

The 9:00 a.m. start gives you a full morning and afternoon of sightseeing. The route includes enough driving between stops that you should not expect a relaxed pace at every attraction. The private format helps, but it cannot remove road time.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Because several stops depend on views, a weather check is sensible before you go.

Who should book this Mauritius tour?

I would choose this outing if you want to see the southwest in one organized day and prefer not to rent a car. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value privacy, hotel pickup, and the ability to discuss the route with a driver.

It is also a good match if you want variety. In seven hours, you get volcanic scenery, a reservoir, Hindu religious sites, a waterfall, a national park viewpoint, and unusual colored earth.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is hiking. The itinerary offers short visits and viewpoints, not a full day on park trails. I would also check the extra costs before booking if you are working with a strict budget, since lunch, Chamarel admission, fees, and taxes are outside the base price.

Should you book the private southwest tour?

Book it if you want a practical introduction to Mauritius’s southern interior without sharing a vehicle with a large group. The strongest reasons are the private pickup, air conditioning, flexible route, and the excellent range of stops. The driver-guide’s local explanations add value, especially at Grand Bassin and the natural sites.

Skip it if you want to spend most of the day at one attraction, take a long hike, or avoid paying separate entry costs. For everyone else, this is a well-packed way to cover the southwest, with the best value coming when three or four people share the price.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is offered anywhere in Mauritius. The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join?

The private tour is for your group only, with a listed maximum of four people.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is lunch included?

No. You may bring your own food, or the driver can recommend a restaurant if you wish.

Are entrance fees and taxes included?

No. All fees and taxes are not included. Admission to the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth site is specifically listed as extra.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. You can discuss the places you want to visit with the driver-guide, subject to the available time.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.