Exotic South: Journey into the Nature (Full-Day Tour incl Lunch & Ebony Forest)

Mauritius is often sold as beach-only, but this day focuses on the island’s inland personality. I love how the route strings together major sights without turning the whole day into a blur, and the Ebony Forest stop is the kind of nature time that feels real, not staged. My favorite part is the mix: volcanic craters, sacred lake views, waterfall viewpoints, then a 4×4 jeep run in the forest. The one drawback to plan for is the pace and footing—there are viewpoints and some stairs, and weather can also blur the views with rain or mist.

This is also a tour you can actually lean on for practical logistics. You get pickup and drop-off, a private guide/driver, and a 3-course lunch (veg and non-veg, with halal available). Still, because the itinerary hits multiple stops, you’ll want to be ready to move and to manage expectations on language and guiding style if your preferences are very specific.

Key things that make this tour work

• Private guide and round-trip pickup: you start from your hotel and your day is organized end to end.
• Ebony Forest jeep time: you’re not just walking around signs; you ride, look for birds, and explore the endemic forest.
• Chamarel in one package: village viewpoints plus the Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall.
• Big sacred stop at Grand Bassin: Hindu shrines and the towering Shiva statue.
• Several true viewpoint breaks: Alexandra Falls panorama, Black River Gorges outlook, and ocean views near Baie du Cap.
• Lunch is part of the deal: it keeps the day from becoming a snack scavenger hunt.

Trou aux Cerfs crater: the first taste of volcanic Mauritius

You start with pickup around 8:30am and head toward Trou aux Cerfs, a famous dormant volcanic crater. What makes this first stop nice is that it sets the theme for the day: Mauritius didn’t grow by accident—it’s a volcanic island with dramatic shapes, and Trou aux Cerfs shows that fast.

The crater sits about 605 meters above sea level, roughly 350 meters wide, and around 100 meters deep. You don’t just see a hole in the ground. The crater rim is surrounded by forest with indigenous plants and even giant green pine trees, so you get a mix of geology and living nature right away. If you like photos, this is one of those stops where the view isn’t the only story—the vegetation and the crater shape give you angles.

Practical note: it’s a good warm-up stop, but it’s not a long hike. This tour is built to keep moving, which is great if you want an overview. It’s less ideal if you’re the type who wants long, quiet time in one place.

Mare aux Vacoas and Grand Bassin: reservoir calm, then Shiva-scale sacredness

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir by capacity. It’s not a theme-park stop, and that’s a plus. You’re driving through thick forests, then landing at a viewpoint where the reservoir offers a quiet break from the road.

This works well mid-morning because it lets your brain reset. You get a few minutes to breathe, look, and take photos without the crowd energy you might find at more famous locations. Expect it to feel more local and mellow than flashy.

Then the tour turns sacred at Grand Bassin—also known as Ganga Talao. This lake sits in the crater of an extinct volcano and is revered as a holy site. On the shoreline, you’ll see a temple area and many small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods.

And yes, the Shiva statue is the moment you’ll remember: it’s 33 meters high. Even if you’re not big on religious sites, it’s hard to miss the scale and the sense of place. It also adds something different to the day: nature plus belief, not just scenery.

Timing check: this part is usually short enough to fit the itinerary, but long enough to walk around and take in the view from inside the atmosphere of the site.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges: the postcard breaks (with a weather caveat)

From Grand Bassin, you head to Alexandra Falls, one of Mauritius’s most iconic waterfall scenes. The big reason it earns its reputation is the viewpoint: you can admire the South-East coast looking toward the turquoise water, and there’s even a wooden platform option if you want a wider panorama.

After that, the day pivots to the Black River Gorges National Park area. You’ll stop at a viewpoint that’s only a short walk from the road, but it sits high enough to make the gorge look dramatic. There’s also a waterfall off to one side, and the rainforest feel is unmistakable.

Now for the realistic part: weather. One of the most common ways a day like this gets affected is rain or mist. On bad visibility days, your photos may look softer and the “wow” factor can shrink. Still, the rainforest mood can be beautiful in a different way—you just need to be ready for less clarity.

My tip: bring a light rain layer even if the forecast looks fine. You can enjoy the day in drizzle; you just don’t want to be soaked and cold by hour five.

Chamarel village, Seven Coloured Earth, and Chamarel Waterfall: a full nature-color hit

Chamarel is where the south turns into that rare mix of geology and culture. You drive through Chamarel village first, and the point is to feel how this part of Mauritius differs from other areas. Then you get to the viewpoint where you look down over the village and out toward the coast.

From there, it’s straight into one of the island’s most famous oddities: Seven Coloured Earth Geopark. The colors come from changes over time—basaltic lava breaking down into clay minerals—and the result looks like a surreal, lunar-like patch of sand dunes in seven distinct colors (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow). It’s one of those “how is this real?” stops, and you’ll understand why people keep photographing it.

Right after that, you visit Chamarel Waterfall, known for being the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius at about 100 meters. The water comes from multiple streams and pours into an oval pool before continuing into a tropical forest canyon.

A couple things to know before you go:

• Footing matters. There can be stairs and uneven ground around viewpoints and waterfall access. One review-style lesson that’s worth taking seriously is that the stairs can feel more intense than expected.
• Go easy on fast walking here. This is a high-visual-stops stretch, and you’ll want time to enjoy rather than just collect stamps.

If you’re the type who loves variety in one region—village, viewpoints, color dunes, then water—you’ll probably rate Chamarel as the day’s strongest cluster.

Ebony Forest Reserve 4×4 jeep safari: the highlight you should plan around

The star of the itinerary is the Ebony Forest Nature Reserve, and it’s also the part that most strongly justifies paying for a guided tour instead of only doing DIY.

You spend about 1 hour in the reserve, with a 4×4 jeep safari plus a guided discovery portion. The point is to see endemic plants and look for local wildlife. There’s a real chance to spot rare birds, including the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher. People also mention Aldabra tortoises as part of what you may encounter during the visit.

What I like about how this is structured is that you get two angles:

• From the jeep, so you can cover ground and focus your eyes.
• On foot or via guided segments, so you can actually understand the forest instead of just passing through trees.

What to bring is simple and practical. I’d treat this like a forest walk day, not a museum stop. If you’re prone to getting bitten, add bug spray before you leave. A lot. One common note from earlier experiences is that you’ll want plenty.

Also, the jeep segment may feel a bit “schedule-driven.” One thing I’d watch for is that the safari can operate in a shared format, meaning you shouldn’t plan to linger indefinitely before the group moves. If you’re someone who always wants to stop and chat with every plant label, just pace yourself.

For adventurous hikers: there’s mention of the option of a climb toward Piton Canot. If that’s in your interests, bring the right energy. If not, you can still enjoy the reserve without turning it into a workout.

Baie du Cap and the ocean-from-above finish

After the forest, the tour shifts to coast views. You head toward Baie du Cap and visit Maconde View Point—a spot that you access with narrow stairs. The reward is a wide ocean look between Le Morne and Baie du Cap, plus a view of the coastal village and occasional fishermen.

This is the perfect “cool down” stop. You’ve done crater, temple, waterfalls, color earth, forest. Now you’re back to the sea. It also gives your brain something different to process after hours of inland focus.

There’s also a quick photo stop around Rivière des Galets, noted for a distinctive flat stone rock. Don’t expect a long beach break here; this is a short stop to capture a quirky Mauritius detail and keep the itinerary on track.

Then you wrap up with the return trip to your hotel.

Price and logistics: does $147.50 feel fair for a full south day?

At $147.50 per person, the value comes down to what’s included and how much time you save.

Here’s what you’re getting for your money:

• Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius
• A private air-conditioned vehicle for the day
• A certified private guide/driver (with flexibility in how the day flows)
• 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic beverages (halal available, veg option available)
• Entrance included for key paid stops like Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall
• Ebony Forest Nature Reserve entrance plus the jeep safari

If you tried to stitch this together on your own, you’d spend time coordinating rides, paying separate entrance fees, and driving between far-flung south corners. This tour’s price reflects that you’re paying for time, routing, and one main person handling navigation and explanations.

The fair warning: some people feel the day is more taxi-to-spot than talk-to-spot. That’s not about the locations—it’s about the amount of time spent moving versus listening. If you’re very detail-hungry and want deeper explanations at each stop, pay attention when booking to language expectations. Some experiences reported mismatches in language needs, so confirm what you want clearly in advance.

Also, you’ll be doing a lot in one day. If your idea of a vacation is long unhurried hours in one place, this might feel like a sprint. If your idea is a smart overview of south Mauritius, this fits.

When this tour is a great match (and when to skip it)

Book this if you want:

• A one-day south overview with major natural sights stacked together
• To experience Ebony Forest with guided wildlife spotting instead of only driving near it
• A day that includes lunch and several paid attractions
• The convenience of pickup and return, so you don’t fight directions between viewpoints

Consider skipping (or choosing a slower plan) if:

• You dislike stairs or rough footing. Viewpoints can involve steps, and the waterfall area may require careful walking.
• You’re chasing a super relaxed pace. This is efficient by design.
• You’re expecting a specific language delivery style. If language matters a lot, confirm it up front.

My verdict: should you book Exotic South: Journey into the Nature?

I’d book it if your goal is to see a big slice of southern Mauritius without renting a car or building a DIY itinerary. The standout reason is the Ebony Forest experience, especially the combination of jeep riding and guided discovery. The rest of the day supports that highlight with real scenery: crater views at Trou aux Cerfs, sacred Grand Bassin, classic Alexandra Falls panoramas, and the geology-fun of Chamarel’s seven-colored sands.

If you’re sensitive to weather, pack rain gear and keep your expectations flexible. And if you care deeply about language or you want lots of discussion at every stop, confirm your preferences before you go.

Overall, it’s a solid value when you want variety, convenience, and one memorable nature anchor in the middle of the island’s south.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30am.

How long is the tour?

Plan for 7 to 8 hours.

Does it include lunch?

Yes. You get a 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic beverages. There’s a veg option and halal is available.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. They offer pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation anywhere in Mauritius.

Do I ride in a 4×4 in the Ebony Forest?

Yes. There’s a jeep safari through the Ebony Forest Nature Reserve.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance is included for Seven Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall, and you also have Ebony Forest Nature Reserve entrance.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear non-slippery shoes. For the Ebony Forest, I strongly suggest bringing bug spray, since it’s a forest environment.

Is weather a factor?

Yes. The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.