South of Mauritius : Full day Private with lunch & Chamarel

Mauritius packs a lot into a small island. This eight-hour private tour links Chamarel, waterfalls, a sacred lake, mountain viewpoints, and other southern sights without wasting much time on the road. I like the private car and flexible service, and I like that lunch, water, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and the Seven Colored Earth entrance fee are already covered.

The other strong point is the guide service. Jameel received especially warm praise for his island stories, photo help, patience, and friendly manner, while Nasir adjusted the day to add extra stops and replace a previously seen attraction with the Chamarel Rhumerie. One consideration: the day is busy, and one past guest disliked being taken to a shop after saying no. Clarify your wishes at the start.

For $117 per person, the price is fair if you value privacy and convenience. A private air-conditioned car, driver, pickup, entry fee, and three-course lunch cost more than a basic shared outing, but you avoid a large coach and can spend your time where you want.

Five useful things to know before booking

• The route covers more than nine southern sights: Chamarel’s Seven Colored Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, Ganga Talao, Black River Gorges viewpoints, lakes, a reservoir, and the Ile aux Benitier viewpoint are among the named stops.

• Short drives keep the day active: The operator says most journeys between the main attractions take about 30 to 45 minutes, so you get frequent changes of view rather than long stretches in the car.

• Your guide can shape the day: The tour is private, and previous guides have added stops or rearranged visits when asked.

• Lunch is included at a Chamarel restaurant: You receive a three-course meal, one drink, snacks, bottled water, and non-alcoholic beverages. Vegetarian choices are available.

• Check the current route before you go: The 52 Turn Road closure changed two viewpoints, which have been replaced. The published route may therefore differ from older photographs or descriptions.

Why a private southern Mauritius tour makes sense

Southern Mauritius is ideal for a day of linked sights. The island is small, but the attractions are spread across upland roads, forest viewpoints, religious sites, and the Chamarel area. A private vehicle lets you move through this mix without the fixed rhythm of a large bus.

That matters most at viewpoints. You may want five minutes for a quick look, or longer for photographs and a proper pause. In a private car, you do not need to wait for a full group to return from every stop. You can also ask your driver questions as the scenery changes.

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at any point in Mauritius, with an air-conditioned car and a certified driver. The exact starting time depends on availability, so you should check it when booking. The stated duration is eight hours, enough for a full day but not enough to linger at every sight for an unlimited amount of time.

I would choose this format over a large coach if you care about comfort, personal attention, and a less rigid schedule. It also suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather share one car than split up or follow a crowd.

Ganga Talao, Mauritius’s sacred lake

Ganga Talao, also called Grand Bassin, is one of the most meaningful stops on this route. It is a sacred lake associated with Hindu worship, and the visit gives the day more depth than a simple drive through scenic country.

The tour description identifies it as a sacred lake but does not promise a formal religious tour. Your guide can provide context in English or French, and the private setup gives you a chance to ask questions at your own pace. Please treat the site respectfully, since it is a place of worship rather than only a photo stop.

This is also one of the reasons the tour works well with a local driver. The scenery is attractive, but the sense of place depends on understanding why the site matters to Mauritian life. Jameel was praised for explaining the island, its past, and its people, which is the kind of commentary that can turn a short stop into a useful part of the day.

Black River Gorges viewpoints and changing roads

The Black River Gorges area brings wide views and forested mountain scenery. The tour includes a Black River Gorges viewpoint, along with several other scenic stops. You can expect the route to keep changing, from open overlooks to roads bordered by thick vegetation and highland views.

The 52 Turn Road closure is an important practical detail. Since February 20, 2024, two viewpoints have been replaced because that road is closed. Do not assume that an older online image or a previous itinerary shows exactly what you will see. The replacement stops should still provide scenic views, but they may not match the original route.

This is not a flaw in the tour itself. Roads and access points change, and the operator has adjusted the plan. Still, if a particular viewpoint is the reason you booked, ask for the current route before departure. A private tour makes that conversation easier.

Chamarel Waterfall and the Seven Colored Earth

Chamarel is the main event. The tour includes entry to the Seven Colored Earth park, plus access to waterfalls and a visit to Chamarel Waterfall. These are the stops most closely tied to the classic southern Mauritius sightseeing route.

The Seven Colored Earth is a compact natural attraction with unusual bands of colored earth. The park entrance is included, so you do not need to budget separately for that ticket. The tour description calls it the 7 coloured earth, while the attraction is commonly known as the Seven Colored Earth, so look for both names when checking directions.

Chamarel Waterfall adds a second type of scenery. Instead of colored ground, you get a powerful water feature and a viewpoint suited to photographs. The information provided does not specify a hike, swimming access, or how close you can get to the falls, so expect a sightseeing stop rather than a promised long walk or water activity.

Your time here may depend on the rest of the day. Since this is a private group, you can tell your driver if Chamarel is your top priority. One guide, Nasir, adjusted the schedule to include the Chamarel Rhumerie when the main colored-earth site had already been seen on an earlier holiday. That is a useful example of how the private format can prevent the day from feeling repetitive.

Lakes, reservoirs, and the dormant volcano

The route includes lakes, a reservoir, and a dormant volcano among its points of interest. These stops help show that southern Mauritius is not only about one waterfall or one famous park. You get a broader view of the island’s natural setting and its volcanic origins.

The supplied details do not name every lake, reservoir, or volcano stop, so I would not book this expecting a fixed, fully itemized list of every minor viewpoint. The named highlights are clear, but the exact order and smaller stops may change with road conditions, timing, and your interests.

That flexibility is useful. If you enjoy scenery more than ticking off attractions, your driver can help balance the day. If you prefer a strict checklist, ask for the current stop-by-stop plan before setting out. The operator says the outing includes more than seven places of interest and more than nine points overall, but not every one is individually identified.

Lunch in Chamarel, with practical expectations

A three-course lunch at a Chamarel restaurant is part of the package. One drink is included, along with non-alcoholic beverages, and vegetarian options are available. Food reviews were consistently positive, with praise for the taste and the number of choices.

This is a real advantage over a tour that leaves you searching for food halfway through a busy sightseeing day. You can sit down, eat, and return to the route without paying for a separate restaurant meal. It also gives you a chance to sample a typical Mauritian meal, though the supplied information does not list the exact menu.

There is one small point to clarify. One French-speaking guest enjoyed the food and choice but did not like being seated in a separate room because the meal was included in the tour. That does not appear to have ruined the day, but it is worth asking where your group will dine and how the included meal is handled.

If you have dietary needs beyond vegetarian food, contact the operator ahead of time. Vegetarian choices are specifically confirmed, while other requirements are not.

Guides, language, and the feel of the day

The experience is offered in English and French. The vehicle comes with a private driver, and the company describes its drivers as certified. Pickup and drop-off are included at any point, which removes one of the usual headaches of an island tour.

The strongest personal praise went to the guides. Jameel was described as warm, attentive, polite, and generous with information about Mauritius, its people, and its past. He also took photographs at each major stop, a small service that can be very useful when you are traveling as a couple or family and want everyone in the picture.

Nasir also received credit for making the day personal. He fitted in extra locations and rearranged the Chamarel portion when an attraction had already been visited. Kavi was described as kind, and another guest simply highlighted the pleasant service and beautiful places.

The important point is not to expect the exact same guide every time. Ask for the guide’s name and discuss your priorities at pickup. If you want more explanation, say so. If you want longer photo stops or fewer commercial visits, say that clearly too.

What the $117 price really buys you

At $117 per person, this tour sits in the value-focused private day-trip range. The price includes the car, driver, entry to the Seven Colored Earth, a three-course lunch, one drink, snacks, bottled water, other non-alcoholic drinks during lunch, and eight hours of touring.

The private vehicle is the key value. A cheaper shared tour may cover similar sights, but you would likely have less control over the pace and less room for personal requests. One guest specifically preferred this format to a cruise-ship bus group because the car was comfortable and the day felt more personal.

The price becomes less attractive if you mainly want a quick transfer to Chamarel or if you dislike a tightly packed schedule. You are paying for a full southern circuit, not a single attraction. To get good value, make use of the guide, ask questions, and tell the driver which stops matter most to you.

For two people, the total cost is $234 before any optional spending. For a family or larger private group, check how the per-person rate applies at the time of booking. The supplied details give the individual price but not a full group scale.

The drawbacks you should plan around

This is a busy day. More than nine stops in eight hours means you will make frequent visits rather than spend half a day at one waterfall or park. I like that rhythm for a first look at southern Mauritius, but it may feel rushed if you prefer slow walks and long meals.

The route can change. The 52 Turn Road closure already caused two viewpoint substitutions, and other changes may be made to keep the day moving. Ask about current road access if you have a must-see location.

Commercial stops are another point to manage. One guest said the driver took the group to a shop despite repeated refusals. This is the clearest negative point in the available feedback. State at the start that you do not want shopping stops, and repeat it if the plan changes.

Finally, the meal arrangement may not suit everyone. The food itself received good comments, but one person disliked being placed in a separate room for an included lunch. Ask about the restaurant setup if that matters to you.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see many southern highlights in one day without joining a large group. It is particularly suitable for first-time visitors, couples, families, cruise passengers seeking a more personal day, and anyone who values hotel pickup and a fixed package price.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy asking questions. The guides have been praised for local stories and a friendly manner, and the private car gives you room for conversation.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet nature walk, a slow lunch, or a very exact route with no substitutions. The itinerary is packed, and the road closure means the current viewpoint list may differ from older descriptions. I would also be direct about avoiding shopping stops.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm that the vehicle and each individual stop meet your needs.

FAQ

How long is the South of Mauritius private tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including pickup, sightseeing, lunch, and drop-off.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned car, private driver service, pickup and drop-off, entry to the Seven Colored Earth, a three-course lunch with one drink, vegetarian options, snacks, bottled water, non-alcoholic beverages during lunch, and access to waterfalls.

Which major sights are included?

Named highlights include the Seven Colored Earth, Ganga Talao sacred lake, a Black River Gorges viewpoint, Chamarel Waterfall, and the Ile aux Benitier viewpoint. The route also includes lakes, a reservoir, a dormant volcano, and other points of interest.

Is this a private group tour?

Yes. The experience is operated as a private group tour in a private car.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is hotel or accommodation pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the operator states that guests can be picked up from any point in Mauritius.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available, and the included meal is a three-course lunch with one drink.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking terms.