Wild South with Waterfalls & Rare Exotic Viewpoints with Lunch

Mauritius packs volcanoes, sacred lakes, steep coastlines, waterfalls, and colorful earth into a surprisingly small island. This private tour gives you a long, full day of it, with more than 10 stops and a driver-guide who handles the roads while you watch the scenery. Lunch and major entry fees are included, which makes the $143.77 price easier to judge.

I like the rare southern viewpoints, especially Maconde and Riviere des Galets, and I like the simple value: private transport, a three-course meal, soda, and tickets are covered. The trade-off is clear: this is a fast-moving day. You may spend only 5 to 20 minutes at several stops, and the full route can run 6 to 9 hours.

Key points to know before booking

• More than 10 sights in one day: The route covers central Mauritius and the wild south, including Trou aux Cerfs, Ganga Talao, Alexandra Falls, Maconde, Gris Gris, and Chamarel.
• A private car and driver-guide: Only your group takes part, with pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Lunch and entry fees are included: You receive a three-course meal with vegetarian options, a soda at lunch, and admission to the included sites.
• Maconde is the special viewpoint: This lesser-seen stop gives you striking coastal views and good photo opportunities.
• Swimming is not part of the southern coast stops: Riviere des Galets has strong waves and no coral reef, so the stop is mainly for photos.
• The pace is brisk: Weather, landslides, road conditions, and safety may change the route or shorten a stop.

A big day across Mauritius, not a relaxed outing

This tour is built for people who want to see a lot in one shot. Starting around 8:30 a.m. from Grand Baie, you head south in a private vehicle, with travel time included in the 6 to 9 hour duration. That means the clock covers driving as well as sightseeing.

I would choose this if you have limited time on Mauritius, want a broad first look at the island, or prefer having one driver arrange the route. You will not need to piece together buses, taxis, park tickets, and a lunch stop. The driver also handles the winding roads and changing conditions.

The format has limits. You are not getting long walks, slow meals, or an hour at every attraction. This is a highlights tour with a strong road-trip element. Ask yourself whether you would rather see many places briefly or spend most of a day at two or three sites.

Trou aux Cerfs and the high central roads

The first main stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano in Curepipe’s La Caserne area. You reach the top by car, so there is no demanding climb. From the elevated viewpoint, you can look across the central part of Mauritius while seeing vegetation and, sometimes, monkeys around the area.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not for a long walk around the crater. The setting gives the day useful context: Mauritius was shaped by volcanic activity, and this former volcano sits near the island’s center.

Afterward, the drive follows scenic roads near La Marie Reservoir. There is no formal stop listed here, but the road itself is part of the experience. You may also pass the Oxenham Winery. Do not count on a wine tasting being included. Alcohol and wine tasting are extra, and a stop at Takamaka is only possible if you request it and the route allows.

Ganga Talao, a quiet and sacred lake

Ganga Talao is one of the day’s most meaningful stops. Located in the Reserve Valley, this sacred place is important to Mauritius’s Hindu community. The setting is peaceful, and the site is used by people who come for prayer, yoga, and meditation.

You have about 30 minutes here, longer than at most of the coastal photo stops. That gives you enough time to take in the religious atmosphere rather than simply step out, snap a picture, and leave. Keep your manner respectful, since this is an active sacred place, not just a scenic viewpoint.

There is no admission fee. Your driver-guide may explain the setting and customs, but the exact amount of guiding can vary by driver. Hans is specifically requested by some customers, but he is not guaranteed because his schedule fills quickly. Menon, Jivin, Ricardo, and other drivers have also been used on this route, and language ability can include English and French.

Alexandra Falls and the weather question

Alexandra Falls lies in the southern park area and is linked with short walks and trekking. The waterfall is a natural highlight, but access is not guaranteed on every day. Landslides can affect the area, and the local team may restrict access when conditions are unsafe.

The planned stop is about 20 minutes. That is enough for a viewpoint visit, though not a full hiking session. If you want a serious trek, this itinerary may feel too brief. If you mainly want to see the falls and continue through the south, the short visit fits the day’s design.

Weather matters here. Cloud, rain, or poor road conditions can change what you see. The tour provider says the route is checked in the field, but no full-day island outing can control weather or landslide closures. Pack light rain protection and shoes that handle wet ground, even though most of the day is spent near the vehicle.

Maconde gives the day its rare viewpoint

Maconde Viewpoint is one of the strongest reasons to pick this tour instead of a standard southern circuit. It is described as an uncommon stop on online tour routes, set along the southern part of the west coast. The appeal is simple: dramatic sea views, a road carved through coastal terrain, and a place made for photographs.

You get about 20 minutes. That is short, but it is long enough to get out, look around, and take pictures if conditions are good. This is not a swimming beach or a long coastal walk. It is a viewpoint stop, and its value comes from seeing a less predictable side of Mauritius.

For photographers, this may be the day’s best stop. For anyone who dislikes quick roadside visits, it may feel rushed. Your driver’s judgment also matters, since road safety and traffic can affect how long you remain outside the vehicle.

Riviere des Galets and Gris Gris show the rough coast

Riviere des Galets is a rocky beach on the middle south coast. It is known for its protected Roche Galets, the rounded stones that give the place its character. There is no coral reef here, and the sea can be strong, rough, and unpredictable.

The scheduled stop is only about five minutes. Treat it as a photo pause, not a beach break. Swimming is unsafe, and the driver may keep you in the car if weather or surf conditions are poor. That may sound disappointing, but it is the right call for this exposed coast.

Gris Gris Beach follows with about 10 minutes. Near Souillac, this is another distinctive southern shoreline with a more local village setting nearby. Again, you are seeing the coast rather than settling in for a swim or sunbathing. The short stop works well as part of a broad route, but it will not satisfy you if your idea of a beach visit means several hours by the water.

Telfair Garden adds a local, unusual pause

Telfair Garden sits behind the old police station and bus station in Souillac. It is not one of the island’s headline attractions, which is part of its appeal. The area is known for its large trees and simple photo opportunities.

You get about 10 minutes here. It is a small stop, but it breaks up the viewpoints and waterfalls with something more tied to the local town. You will not need a ticket for a major attraction, though admission is listed as included.

This is the kind of place that separates a route built around famous names from one that also makes room for overlooked corners. Still, keep your expectations in check. It is a brief garden visit, not a large botanical park.

Scenic roads through Bel Ombre and Saint Martin

Some of the best parts of this day happen between the official stops. The road near Saint Martin passes local villages, five-star resorts, Heritage Golf Park, and open southern views. In Bel Ombre, you may see the coconut road from the vehicle.

No stop is allowed at the coconut road because of safety concerns, but the driver can slow down for photographs or video when practical. This is a useful reminder that the tour is partly about seeing Mauritius from the car. You are not just transferring between attractions. The changing roads, villages, forested sections, and coast give the day its rhythm.

There are also scenic roads through the central part of the island. Since travel time is included in the tour length, these sections help explain why the schedule is long. They also mean you should not compare this outing directly with a short attraction visit that lasts only a few hours.

Lunch at Chamarel and the Seven Coloured Earth

Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is the largest scheduled attraction on the route. You have about one hour here, and admission is included. The park is known for its unusual multicolored earth, the highest waterfall in Mauritius, and giant tortoises.

This is also where lunch is served. The package includes a three-course meal with vegetarian choices and one soda per person. That is a practical benefit, since you do not need to search for a restaurant during a packed day. Previous meals have been singled out for good value, and the dessert has earned a specific thank-you, but menus can change.

One hour is enough for a useful visit, though not an unhurried one. You will need to divide your time among the colored earth, waterfall, tortoises, and meal. If Chamarel is your main reason for visiting the southwest, you may want a separate, slower outing. On this tour, it is the centerpiece of a much longer circuit.

La Prairie and views toward Le Morne

The final scenic section includes a fishing village and La Prairie Beach, where you can see Le Morne. The mountain is one of the most recognizable sights in southern Mauritius, and the beach offers a different view from the rougher coast around Gris Gris and Riviere des Galets.

The route here is described as an uncommon southern find, reached by scenic roads with an experienced driver. Details about the exact stop length are not specified, so treat this part as a flexible viewing section rather than a guaranteed long beach visit.

That flexibility can help on a busy day. If weather or traffic has slowed the route, the driver can adjust the timing. It also means you should not expect every point on the road to become a formal stop.

What the $143.77 price really covers

At $143.77 per person, the price makes the most sense when you use the included services. You get a private vehicle, pickup and drop-off, a driver-guide, park fees, all listed taxes, lunch, and a soda. Bottled water is available if you request it from the driver.

A private day with this much driving could cost more if you arranged each piece separately. The value is strongest for a small group that wants convenience and a fixed route. You are paying for transport and organization as much as for admission tickets.

The price is less compelling if you want to linger at each attraction. You may prefer a shorter private tour focused on Chamarel, the falls, or the coast. This package is designed for range, not depth.

Who should book this southern Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to cover a lot of ground, have only one open day, or do not want to drive unfamiliar roads. It also suits people who value a private vehicle and a meal included in the price.

It is a good match for families or mixed-age groups because the main viewpoints are reached by car and the walking demands are limited. Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transportation, though pickup is offered and is the more useful option for this long route.

You should think twice if you want a slow nature walk, beach time, or a detailed cultural visit. The schedule moves quickly, and some stops last only five or 10 minutes. Also, if you have a particular driver in mind, request that person early, but understand that names such as Hans cannot be promised.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing the wild south, central highlands, sacred Ganga Talao, Chamarel, and several unusual viewpoints in one private day. The included lunch, tickets, and transport make the price reasonable, especially when split among a small group.

Skip it if you would rather explore one region slowly or spend hours at the beach. The best way to approach this outing is as a scenic island sampler: long, varied, practical, and occasionally rushed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time, which gives you some room to adjust plans if the forecast looks poor.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 9 hours, including driving time between stops.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided by certified drivers.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a three-course meal with vegetarian options. One soda per person is included during lunch.

Are attraction tickets included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included, along with admission for the listed paid attractions.

Can I swim at Riviere des Galets?

No. Swimming is not recommended because the beach has no coral reef and the sea can be rough and dangerous. The stop may be restricted to photographs from or near the vehicle.

Can I request a specific driver?

You can request a driver, but availability is not guaranteed. Hans is often booked, so requests should be made early.