South of Mauritius : Full day Private with lunch & Chamarel

Mauritius packs big scenery into a small island. This private southbound tour makes good use of that compact size, linking Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth, waterfalls, viewpoints, lakes, and cultural sites in one eight-hour outing. With an air-conditioned car, driver, entry fees, lunch, drinks, and pickup included, the day is built for easy sightseeing rather than complicated planning.

I especially like the private car, which lets you spend more time at the stops that interest you instead of following a large bus group. I also like the local touch: a three-course lunch in Chamarel, time at Ganga Talao, and guides such as Jameel, Nasir, and Kavi, who have been praised for being attentive and helpful. The main caution is that the route can include a shopping stop, and one recent booking reported being taken to a shop after clearly declining.

Key points to know before you book

• Chamarel is the anchor stop: Entry to the Seven Coloured Earth park is included, along with access to the waterfalls.
• You get a true private day: The tour uses an air-conditioned car with a private driver, not a large shared coach.
• The route covers southern Mauritius: Expect lakes, a reservoir, a dormant volcano, Ganga Talao, Black River Gorges viewpoints, Chamarel Waterfall, and an Ile aux Benitier viewpoint.
• Lunch is included: You receive a three-course meal with one drink, non-alcoholic beverages, and vegetarian choices.
• The schedule is active: Driving between major sights generally takes about 30 to 45 minutes, so the day has frequent stops.
• The route has changed: Since February 20, 2024, 52 Turn Road has been closed, and two viewpoints have been replaced.

Why the private car makes this southern route work

Mauritius is a small island, but roads, viewpoints, and mountain routes can still make a full sightseeing day tiring. This tour keeps the day moving in an air-conditioned private vehicle, with pickup and drop-off included from any point in Mauritius. You avoid the waiting, head counts, and fixed pace that come with a big coach.

That matters most on a route with many short visits. The advertised plan includes more than nine points of interest, and the main drives between them are usually around 30 to 45 minutes. You are not spending half the day staring at the back of a bus seat. Instead, the scenery keeps changing: forested slopes, open views, volcanic features, reservoirs, and mountain roads.

A private vehicle also gives the day some breathing room. Jameel was praised for taking photographs at each major stop and explaining the island, its people, and its past. Nasir adjusted the schedule for one party, adding a couple of extra stops and swapping a repeat visit to Seven Coloured Earth for the Rhumerie de Chamarel. That kind of flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this option.

The tradeoff is that the experience depends heavily on your assigned driver. The available feedback names Jameel, Nasir, and Kavi, all described positively, but you cannot assume which guide you will receive. You should also confirm the exact route before departure, especially because two viewpoints changed after the closure of 52 Turn Road.

Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall

Chamarel is the star of the day. The Seven Coloured Earth is a compact geological attraction where the soil appears in bands of different earthy tones. It is not a place for a long hike, but it is unusual enough to justify the stop, particularly when entry is already covered in the tour price.

The colors are best understood as a natural feature rather than a painted attraction. You will have time to look closely, take photographs, and move through the surrounding park. The stop works well as part of a larger southern route because it gives you a distinct visual experience after the road scenery and before lunch.

The package includes access to Chamarel Waterfall as well. Several waterfalls are promised during the day, but Chamarel’s is the named highlight. Water levels and the appearance of a waterfall can vary, so I would treat the stop as a scenic viewpoint rather than expect a swimming outing or a long walk. The supplied information does not list swimming, hiking, or time spent at the base.

The park entrance is included, which helps the value. Many island tours advertise a low starting price and then add admission charges at the main attraction. Here, that cost is part of the arrangement, along with the private ride and meal.

One practical point matters: the route does not follow every original viewpoint. The closure of 52 Turn Road led to two viewpoint replacements from February 20, 2024. If you have seen older photographs or descriptions of this tour, do not expect every roadside stop to be identical.

Ganga Talao, the sacred lake, and volcanic Mauritius

Ganga Talao gives the day a cultural and spiritual change of pace. This sacred lake is one of the important places in the southern interior, and the stop adds more than another scenic photograph. You get a sense of how religious life forms part of the island’s identity.

The tour also includes lakes, a reservoir, and a dormant volcano among its points of interest. These stops help explain the physical shape of Mauritius. You are not simply passing through pretty countryside. The route shows how volcanic forces, high ground, water, and forest have shaped the island.

The information does not promise a formal religious presentation or a set ceremony at Ganga Talao. Your guide may provide local context, as the package emphasizes explanation of Mauritian life and history, but the depth of that conversation can depend on the driver. Dress and behave respectfully at sacred places, and use the stop as a chance to observe rather than rush through for a photograph.

This part of the itinerary also shows why a private tour can be preferable to a fixed coach outing. If you want a few quiet minutes at the lake, you can ask. If you are more interested in the geology and scenery, you can keep the stop practical and continue toward the next viewpoint.

Black River Gorges viewpoints and constant road scenery

The Black River Gorges section brings the biggest sense of open space to the day. Viewpoints give you broad views across the southern interior, and the drive itself is part of the attraction. The package promises scenic routes throughout the day, with several viewpoints and waterfall stops rather than one long visit followed by a long return trip.

I like this design because it prevents the day from becoming a single-attraction tour. Chamarel may draw most of the attention, but the route between the stops supplies much of the pleasure. You will see the island change as the car moves through different elevations and settings.

Still, viewpoints can be weather-dependent. Clouds, haze, or rain may affect what you see, and no tour can guarantee a clear panorama. The itinerary change caused by 52 Turn Road makes it especially sensible to ask your driver which viewpoints are operating on your date.

The private format also helps with photographs. Jameel was specifically praised for taking photos at each hotspot, which is useful if you are traveling as a couple or family and do not want one person to miss every picture. Do not assume every driver will offer the same level of photography, but it is worth asking politely.

Ile aux Benitier viewpoint and the southern coast

The Ile aux Benitier viewpoint adds a coastal note to a day otherwise focused on the island’s interior. From the viewpoint, you can take in the offshore setting and connect the mountain route with Mauritius’s sea-facing side.

The package does not include a boat trip to Ile aux Benitier, nor does it promise beach time or water activities. That distinction matters. You are booking a sightseeing viewpoint, not a combined land-and-sea excursion. If your main aim is snorkeling, swimming, or a boat ride, this tour does not provide those services according to the supplied details.

As part of the full route, though, the viewpoint gives the day welcome variety. You move from sacred water and volcanic features to waterfalls, high viewpoints, and an offshore view. That range is the real appeal of the tour.

A three-course Chamarel lunch

Lunch is not an afterthought here. A three-course meal at a Chamarel restaurant is included, with one drink and non-alcoholic beverages. Vegetarian choices are available, and one booking praised the tasty food and range of options.

The inclusion is valuable for two reasons. First, you do not need to hunt for a restaurant during a tightly packed day. Second, a local-style meal gives you a break from the car and a chance to experience a familiar part of Mauritian daily life rather than eating only at a hotel or international chain.

The food itself received strong praise, but there is one awkward detail to note. One French customer felt uncomfortable being placed in a separate room because the meal was included in the tour, saying it made the group feel treated differently. Another customer said the food was very good and offered a useful choice of dishes. I would not treat this as a reason to reject the tour, but it is fair to ask where the included meal will be served and whether you will dine in the main restaurant area.

The package also includes snacks and bottled water. Those small extras matter on an eight-hour route with repeated stops, especially if you prefer not to buy drinks at every attraction.

The guide can shape the entire day

The most praised part of this experience is the personal service. Jameel was described as polite, attentive, warm, and well informed about Mauritius, its story, and its people. Dario particularly valued the relaxed atmosphere, comfortable air-conditioned car, punctual schedule, and practical explanations throughout the day.

Manon also described Jameel as an excellent guide who listened to the group. Nasir received praise for adapting the itinerary, while Kavi was described as kind and friendly. These details tell you what to seek from the experience: not just transport, but a driver who can explain what you are seeing and adjust the pace when possible.

The private setup means you can ask questions without speaking over a coach group. You can also request extra time at a favorite stop, though the number of scheduled attractions means some time management is still needed. This is not a lazy day with one or two visits. It is an active sightseeing circuit.

English and French guiding are available. If you care about receiving detailed explanations in one of those languages, confirm the arrangement when booking.

What the $117 price includes

At $117 per person, the tour is not simply a hired car. The price includes an eight-hour private vehicle, driver service, pickup and drop-off, Chamarel park admission, a three-course lunch, one drink, non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, bottled water, and access to the waterfalls.

The value improves as your group grows, because the private service spreads the cost across the people in the car. It also saves you from paying separately for entry to Seven Coloured Earth and arranging lunch during the route. You are paying for convenience, but also for a full day of coverage across the south.

A large coach tour may cost less per person, but you give up privacy and flexibility. One booking specifically found this experience much more pleasant than a cruise ship bus group, with a more comfortable ride and a smoother schedule. That comparison is useful if you are visiting Mauritius from a cruise or simply dislike organized groups.

The price is less compelling if you plan to rent a car, already have transport, or want only Chamarel. In that case, an eight-hour private package may be more than you need. It makes the most sense when you want many southern sights in one day without handling the driving, admissions, and lunch yourself.

Small drawbacks worth considering

The day is packed. That is a benefit if you want to see a lot, but it can feel busy if you prefer slow meals, long walks, or extended time at one location. The supplied timing suggests short drives between sights, not hours of free time at each one.

The route may also include a shop stop. One German customer said the driver took the group to a shop despite repeated refusals. This was the only clearly negative point in an otherwise very positive account, but it is important. Tell your driver at the start that you do not want shopping stops, and repeat it if necessary.

The changing viewpoint route is another consideration. Since 52 Turn Road is closed, two stops have been replaced. Ask what the current alternatives are so you know whether the day matches your expectations.

Finally, the tour description says the vehicles are sanitized and that health protocols are respected. That is useful reassurance, but the main practical comfort comes from the private, air-conditioned car and the ability to avoid a crowded coach.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to cover southern Mauritius in one day, prefer a private car, and value a guide who can explain the island as you go. It suits couples, families, cruise passengers, and small groups who want more personal service than a coach can provide.

It is also a strong match if you want the main natural and cultural sights together: Chamarel, waterfalls, Ganga Talao, volcanic features, Black River Gorges viewpoints, and a coastal outlook. The included meal and entrance fee make the day easier to budget.

I would look elsewhere if you want a slow nature walk, a dedicated beach day, or an excursion centered on boating around Ile aux Benitier. I would also be cautious if you dislike any chance of a shopping stop, though you can address that clearly before setting off.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Pickup is included, and the experience is wheelchair accessible according to the supplied details. Those practical terms make it easier to fit into a wider Mauritius itinerary.

Final verdict: a strong private day with one clear warning

This is a well-priced way to see a broad slice of southern Mauritius without spending the day on a bus or planning every admission and meal yourself. The best features are the private air-conditioned car, the steady stream of scenic stops, the included Chamarel entry, and the chance to have a local guide such as Jameel shape the day around your interests.

I would book it if your priority is variety and comfort. Before departure, confirm the current viewpoint replacements, ask about the lunch seating, and state firmly that you do not want a shopping stop. Do that, and this eight-hour outing gives you a practical, personal introduction to the island’s volcanic interior, sacred places, waterfalls, and southern views.

FAQ

How long does the South of Mauritius private tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including sightseeing, driving, lunch, and the scheduled stops.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience uses a private group format with an air-conditioned car and private driver service.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by certified drivers are included, and pickup is available from any point. You can contact the provider about additional pickup information.

Is entry to Seven Coloured Earth included?

Yes. Entry fees to the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth park are included in the package.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes. You receive a three-course lunch in Chamarel with one drink. Vegetarian options and non-alcoholic beverages are available.

Which languages are offered?

Live guiding is available in English and French.

Has the route changed because of road closures?

Yes. From February 20, 2024, 52 Turn Road has been closed, and two viewpoints have been replaced. Ask for the current route before departure.