Full-Day South Tour of Mauritius, ALL INCLUSIVE Day Trip, Private SUV Car, Guide

The most appealing part of this day is its variety. In one long outing, you move from a volcanic crater and colonial house to tea fields, giant tortoises, crocodiles, a rum distillery, and a hilltop lunch. Southern Mauritius gives you much more than a beach day.

I like the private SUV, since your group can spend more time where your interests lie instead of following a large coach. I also like that the price includes the main entry tickets, bottled water, and lunch at Bois Cheri. The tradeoff is a full schedule, with several stops lasting only 25 to 35 minutes.

Key points to know

• Trou aux Cerfs gives you a quick view over Curepipe from a dormant volcano crater.
• Bois Cheri combines tea production, a tea tasting, plantation views, and included lunch.
• La Vanille Nature Park adds giant tortoises, crocodiles, birds, deer, and an insectarium.
• Domaine des Aubineaux and Saint Aubin add colonial architecture and local industry.
• A private SUV makes this a good choice for families or small groups wanting a tailored day.
• The $282.73 price is easiest to justify when you value privacy and included admissions.

Why this southern Mauritius day works

This tour is built for someone who wants a broad introduction to the island’s southern half without arranging several separate outings. You see natural sights, local production, shopping, animals, food, and old estates in a single day.

The route begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts about six to nine hours. That range matters. Driving time, traffic, weather, and the pace of your group will affect how long the day takes. You should keep your evening reasonably open rather than booking a tight dinner or flight connection.

Your transport is a private, clean, air-conditioned SUV. That is a real advantage in Mauritius, especially on a warm day with several hours on the road. Bottled water is included, and only your group takes part. The private format also gives you a chance to ask questions and request a little more time at a stop, though the number of sites means the schedule still has limits.

A service message identifies Avi Gopaul and Jaya, so you can ask when booking who will lead your particular outing. The high rating of 4.8 from six published ratings reflects a strong response to the overall experience, especially the amount covered in one day and the food and sightseeing mix.

Trou aux Cerfs starts the day above Curepipe

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater above Curepipe. A short walk around the rim takes about 35 minutes, enough for photographs and a look into the broad crater.

The crater is described as about 300 meters wide and 85 meters deep. It helps explain how volcanic activity shaped Mauritius millions of years ago. From here, you can look across Curepipe and see why the site is such a familiar local viewpoint.

This is not a long hike. It is a gentle opening stop, useful for getting your bearings before the day becomes busier. Bring a phone or camera, since the high position gives you one of the better early views on the route.

The main limitation is time. Thirty-five minutes will not allow for a slow walk or extended sightseeing. If mist or poor weather affects the view, the stop may be less rewarding, and the whole activity depends on suitable weather.

Ship models and shopping in Curepipe

Voiliers de l’Ocean offers a very different kind of stop. Local artisans make scale models of ships, galleons, and other boats connected with the island’s trading past. You can watch the models being crafted and browse finished pieces.

These models are attractive souvenirs, but many are too large or delicate to carry home easily. The shop can arrange shipping, which makes a purchase more practical. You should ask about delivery costs and timing before committing, since those details are not included in the tour price.

The visit lasts about 25 minutes. That is enough to see the work and decide if the shop interests you, but not enough for a long browsing session.

You then spend about 30 minutes in Curepipe. The town offers small boutiques selling garments, cashmere pashminas, jewelry, and souvenirs. Duty-free shopping is available, so bring your passport if you plan to buy.

The short stop favors focused shopping rather than a full town visit. You will not have hours to compare every shop. I would use this time to look for one or two local purchases, then rely on your guide to point out the most suitable places.

Domaine des Aubineaux brings the past indoors

Domaine des Aubineaux is a colonial house built in 1872 from teak and other local wood, including timber taken from dismantled ships. The house contains antiques, furniture, and paintings dating to the 18th century.

It was among the first homes on Mauritius to have electricity. The Guimbeau family, originally from France, lived here for eight generations. Those details give the building more meaning than a quick photo stop. You can connect the architecture with the island’s plantation era, European settlement, and maritime trade.

Your visit lasts about 25 minutes and admission is included. That makes it an easy addition to the day, though the time is brief. If old houses and furnishings interest you, you may wish for a longer visit. If you prefer scenery and animals, the stop may feel more modest than what comes later.

Tea country and lunch at Bois Cheri

The route then heads south from the central plateau toward Bois Cheri. This part of the drive lets you watch the scenery change as the road descends toward the tea-growing area.

At the Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Tea Museum, you learn how tea leaves move from the plant to the finished drink. The tour description notes that the leaves are hand-picked and processed at the factory. For many visitors, this is one of the most useful stops because it connects the crop, the machinery, and the cup you drink at lunch.

The factory visit lasts about 45 minutes. A tea sommelier prepares a cup for you, and you can take in the views over the tea fields from the restaurant area. The setting is one of the strongest visual stops of the day.

Lunch at Le Bois Cheri Restaurant is included and lasts about an hour. The meal is described as traditional, and the tea is part of the experience. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want one.

This is where the all-inclusive pricing has practical value. You do not need to find a restaurant during a tightly scheduled day, and lunch is placed directly after the tea visit. You can eat while enjoying the plantation views rather than losing time to another transfer.

La Vanille offers the biggest wildlife contrast

La Vanille Nature Park changes the tone again. The park is in a tropical forest setting and includes birds, deer, giant tortoises, Nile crocodiles, and iguana lizards. There is also an insectarium with 25,000 species and a museum about the extinct dodo, the flightless bird associated with Mauritius.

The variety makes this a useful stop for families and anyone who wants more than scenery. Giant tortoises and crocodiles provide the main visual draw, while the insectarium and dodo museum add a learning angle.

The scheduled visit is only 30 minutes. That is the clearest weakness in the day. La Vanille has enough to occupy much longer, so you will need to keep moving. If wildlife is your top interest, confirm with your guide how the available time will be handled.

The tour does not say that animal encounters are hands-on or that special feeding activities are included. You should expect a short visit to the park’s main sights rather than a full animal program.

A bridge view over Savanne

Senneville Agricultural Ltd is a ten-minute photo stop at one of the higher bridges in the area. The bridge was used for transporting sugar cane by train from plantations in the Savanne region.

From the bridge, you can photograph a lake, rainforest, the southern coast, and the ocean beyond. This is a quick pause rather than a formal attraction, but it breaks up the drive and gives you a broad outdoor view.

Ten minutes is enough for photographs if the conditions are good. It is not enough for a walk or extended exploration. Keep your camera ready and listen for the departure time.

Saint Aubin adds rum and another old estate

The final major stop is Rhumerie de Saint Aubin, a factory and distillery producing rum since 1819. The visit includes a look at the production site, a taste of the famous rum, and time to stroll through the garden of the colonial house.

The distillery produces white cane rum from fresh sugar cane. The tour description notes a silver medal at the London Spirit Competition in 2018. That gives you useful context, but the tasting is still a matter of personal taste.

There is an important pricing detail here. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour, even though the distillery visit and rum factory admission are included. If the tasting involves a charge for drinks beyond the included entry, ask your guide or the distillery staff before ordering.

The stop lasts about 35 minutes. It is long enough to see the grounds and learn about the rum operation, but you should not expect a leisurely afternoon at the estate.

What the $282.73 price really covers

At $282.73 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing day. The value comes from combining private transport, a guide, several entrance tickets, water, and lunch.

Included admissions cover Domaine des Aubineaux, Bois Cheri Tea Factory, La Vanille Nature Park, and Saint Aubin Rum Factory. Trou aux Cerfs, Curepipe, and the bridge viewpoint do not carry a listed admission charge. You also avoid the work of arranging transport between widely spread sites.

The price makes more sense for a small group that wants privacy. If several people share the SUV, the cost buys convenience and a tailored setting. For one person, or for someone mainly interested in one attraction, it may feel expensive.

You should also account for what is not included. Alcoholic beverages are excluded, and the available information does not list personal shopping, shipping of ship models, or extra purchases. Group discounts may be available, so check the final rate for your party before booking.

Who should book this private SUV tour

I would recommend this day to you if you want a strong first look at southern Mauritius and prefer variety over a slow, single-site visit. It suits families, couples, and small groups who value private transport and want the guide close by.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a mix of:

• Volcanic scenery
• Local shopping
• Colonial buildings
• Tea production
• Plantation views
• Wildlife
• Rum making
• Included food

You may want another option if you dislike busy schedules or want to spend several hours at one attraction. The stops are carefully packed, and La Vanille in particular could deserve more time than the schedule allows.

Wear comfortable shoes for short walks and bring your passport for duty-free shopping. A camera is useful at Trou aux Cerfs, Bois Cheri, and the bridge viewpoint. Since weather affects the experience, leave some flexibility in your plans.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your goal is to see many sides of Mauritius in one day without dealing with local transport. The strongest parts are the private SUV, included lunch, tea country, and the mix of old estates, wildlife, and rum production.

Skip it if you want a quiet day with long visits. This is a greatest-hits route for the south, not a slow exploration. At the right pace, though, it gives you a useful sense of how volcanic geology, sugar cane, tea, colonial settlement, and island wildlife fit together.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. Pickup is offered.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six to nine hours.

Is the transportation private?

Yes. The tour uses a private, clean, air-conditioned SUV, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Bois Cheri Restaurant is included.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water is included. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Which entrance fees are included?

Admission is included for Domaine des Aubineaux, Bois Cheri Tea Factory, La Vanille Nature Park, and Saint Aubin Rum Factory.

Do I need my passport?

Bring your passport if you plan to use the duty-free shopping available in Curepipe.

Can I shop for souvenirs?

Yes. Curepipe has boutiques selling garments, cashmere pashminas, jewelry, and souvenirs. Voiliers de l’Ocean sells handmade ship models and can arrange shipping for large purchases.

Is this tour suitable for most people?

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, though the experience itself uses private SUV transport.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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 start time are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a new date or full refund.