Wild South: Full-Day tour incl Rhumerie St Aubin, Bois cheri Tea factory & Lunch

This is interesting because you’re not just sightseeing in southern Mauritius, you’re also seeing how two local favorites get made, tea and rum, with tastings built in. The route strings together big views, sacred spots, and nature breaks in a way that feels planned, not random. I like that it’s a private tour, so the timing and focus can match your pace around stops like Trou aux Cerfs.

I also like the human-sized meal part of the day. There’s a 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks included, plus tastings at both the tea factory and the distillery. It’s one of those schedules where you’re not starving between scenic pull-offs.

One possible drawback to keep in mind: this is a 7 to 8 hour day with multiple stops, so you won’t have all-day linger time at every viewpoint. If you want to spend extra minutes at one place, it helps to gently ask your guide to protect that time.

Key highlights

• Private, hotel-to-hotel pickup plus bottled water and a fully air-conditioned vehicle
• 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks, with vegetarian and halal options available
• Trou aux Cerfs crater details, plus forest views around the dormant volcano
• Grand Bassin sacred lake and the 33-meter Lord Shiva statue
• Tea and rum tastings included, at Bois Chéri and Rhumerie St Aubin
• Gris-Gris sea cliffs viewpoint for wave crashes and big coastal wind

The Route, Timing, and What You Really Get for $143.72

Wild South is built as a full-day sweep of southern Mauritius. It starts at 8:30am and runs about 7 to 8 hours, with round-trip transfers from your hotel anywhere in Mauritius. You’ll ride in a private, fully air-conditioned vehicle, and you’ll get a certified guide and driver team.

The value piece is that the ticketed cultural and food stops are not tacked on. Entry is included for Rhumerie St Aubin, and you get entry to the Bois Chéri tea factory and tea museum. You also have scheduled tastings: tea at Le Bois Chéri restaurant and rum at Rhumerie St Aubin. On top of that, there’s a proper 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks.

At $143.72 per person, this isn’t cheap enough to treat like a casual add-on, but it can be good value if you’re the kind of traveler who likes structure. You’re paying for access, guided explanation, and transportation, not just for a driver who drops you at a gift shop.

A final heads-up: there’s at least one caution in the feedback you provided about the day feeling rushed or not fully matching the expected flow. That doesn’t mean the tour is bad, it means you should confirm the order and timing when you meet your guide that morning, especially if you care deeply about a specific tasting or viewpoint.

Trou aux Cerfs: A Dormant Volcano Crater With Real Forest Around It

The day begins with Trou aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s classic nature stops. This dormant volcanic crater sits about 605 meters above sea level. The crater is roughly 350 meters across and around 100 meters deep, which helps you understand why the views feel dramatic even though you’re not doing a long trek.

What makes this stop more interesting than it sounds on paper is the setting. Instead of a bare, rocky bowl, the crater is surrounded by a stretch of lush forest with indigenous plants and even giant green pine trees. It gives you a change of texture right away, from open views to shaded greenery.

Expect this to be a photo-friendly stop, about 40 minutes with admission included. Bring your non-slippery shoes, take your time at the lookout edges, and pause to look for local birds and plants. The guide will likely point out flora and fauna you’d miss on your own.

Mare aux Vacoas Reservoir: A Quiet Pause Between the Big Hits

Next comes Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters. It’s also a popular stop for travelers going through the south, but it feels different from the other attractions because it’s calmer and more about the view than the drama.

You get about 20 minutes, and admission is listed as free. In plain terms, this is your breathing space. The trees and the water help break up the day so you’re not going from one intense viewpoint to the next without any mental reset.

If you want to keep the day comfortable, this is the stop where you should stretch, refill your water (you’ll have bottled water from the tour), and decide whether you want to move slower later at Grand Bassin or Gris-Gris.

Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao): Temple Crowds, and Then the 33-Meter Shiva

After that, you head to Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao. This crater lake sits about 550 meters above sea level, and its shoreline is lined with a temple area and small shrines devoted to Lord Shiva and other gods.

The main visual reason people come is the statue of Lord Shiva, described as 33 meters high and the tallest one known in Mauritius. Even if you’re not a museum person, you’ll feel the scale here. It’s one of those moments where the place does the work for you.

You’ll have about 1 hour, with admission included. This is also a good place to slow down and act respectfully. Dress and behavior matter more here than at a typical overlook.

If you’re traveling with teens or friends who want photos, you can still do that, just do it without blocking walkways or lingering where people need to pass. The guide can usually suggest the best spots for photos that won’t annoy anyone.

Alexandra Falls and Gorge Viewpoint: Postcard Views With Some Steps

Alexandra Falls is next, and it’s famous enough that you’ll likely recognize it from photos. It sits around 700 meters above sea level, and the stop is roughly 35 minutes with admission included.

The big payoff is the view. You’re meant to look out over the South-East Coast, with the ocean described as turquoise in the information you have. There’s also a wooden platform you can climb to take in more of the panorama.

From there, you continue to Black River Gorges National Park and a Gorge Viewpoint stop. This is where the day goes from single waterfall views to wider terrain. The viewing area looks out over rolling hills, deep valleys, and waterfalls, with a mention of close to 17,000 acres of nature reserve area in the region. You’ll likely see a waterfall to the right side of the viewpoint.

A small practical note: the path to the viewpoint has a unique ambiance and includes souvenir stalls. Those stalls can eat time if you browse, so decide quickly if you want snacks and small gifts, or if you’d rather save your energy for the later tea and rum stops.

Bois Chéri Tea Factory and Tea Museum: What Tea Production Looks Like in Real Time

Now you turn toward something more hands-on: Bois Chéri Tea Factory and Tea Museum, about 1 hour with admission included. This is described as the first stop in the Mauritian Tea Route, and the structure matters. You get a guided tour through the factory and the tea plantation, with explanations about the history and the production process.

Then you visit the tea production museum, which helps connect what you just saw in the field to how tea ended up becoming a part of Mauritius culture. You also get a panoramic view of the south of the island from the property, which is one of those natural perks that makes the stop more than just a lesson.

You’ll have tasting time at Le Bois Chéri restaurant, described with panoramic views. The information you provided also says you can taste a range of teas, including flavored teas, green teas, and herbal teas.

If you’re a coffee person, tea can feel like a smaller deal until you taste side by side. This stop is built to reset your sense of what tea tastes like when it’s connected to place.

Practical tip: this section is where you’ll want to pay attention to the guide’s pace. The tastings and museum visit together are easy to rush, and that’s when people miss what they came for.

Gris-Gris Beach: Wind, Cliff Edges, and Waves That Don’t Apologize

After tea, you head to Gris-Gris Beach near Souillac. This is your coastal reality check. The key feature here is the cliffs: high sea cliffs drop abruptly to the ocean, and the winds from the Indian Ocean blow much of the year.

The appeal is specifically that you get a viewpoint above the cliffs, so you can watch wave energy hit the coastline directly. The information you provided notes that coral reefs do not surround this part of the island, which helps explain why large waves can crash right against the flanks.

You’ll have about 1 hour with admission included. This is also a good place for photos, especially when the sky has contrast. But do remember it’s windy. Bring a light layer, and keep your phone secure while you walk near the cliff edge.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, give yourself a second to stand still before you start photographing. Watching waves can make the mind feel like you’re moving, even when you aren’t.

Rhumerie St Aubin Rum Distillery: Behind the Scenes, Then a Rum Tasting Session

The day ends with Rhumerie St Aubin at the end of the circuit. This is described as set in a charming colonial house with tropical and traditional vibes. Expect a guided visit that goes behind the scenes of rum making.

You’ll get a rum tasting session included, and the tour description says you’ll learn about the distillery’s different rum flavors. The tasting is paired with guided explanation, which is the difference between a quick stop and a real experience.

This is also where I’d recommend planning your attention. One of your provided cautions says that if the day feels rushed, the Rhumerie stop is the one people can still enjoy if they get time there. Translation: if you care about rum, this is the stop to protect mentally and physically. Ask the guide for a few extra minutes if you’re in the middle of a tasting flight and want to compare flavors.

If you prefer drinks with a story, you’ll like how the distillery blends the setting, the explanation, and the tasting. And if you prefer to keep it simple, you can still enjoy the flavors without getting lost in production terms.

Lunch and the Food Reality: 3 Courses, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Plus Options

Lunch is a real inclusion here, not a vague meal voucher. You get a 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks included. The information provided also notes halal food, and it says vegetarian options are available if you advise at booking.

This matters because it keeps your energy steady for the last half of the day, especially after the viewpoint stops. In Mauritius, heat and sun can wear you down fast, and a seated lunch is one of the most practical parts of the itinerary.

Before you go, do the simple thing: mention allergies or illness concerns when booking. The tour info specifically asks you to advise of food allergies or illness, which suggests the provider takes it seriously.

Price and Value: When This Private Tour Makes Sense

Let’s talk value in the real-world way. At $143.72 per person, you’re paying for:

• Round-trip transfers from your hotel
• A private air-conditioned vehicle
• A certified guide and driver service
• Bottled water upon arrival
• Admission included for Rhumerie St Aubin and Bois Chéri (plus ticketed entries at multiple other stops)
• 3-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks
• Tea tasting and rum tasting

That’s a lot of included pieces. If you’re traveling in a group that would otherwise need multiple taxis or would spend time figuring out entrances and timing, the math often starts to look better. If you’re the type who likes guided context, tastings, and not worrying about logistics, you’ll likely feel the value.

Where value can dip is if the day doesn’t match your expectations for time at each stop. Your provided feedback includes a concern about the itinerary not being followed as expected and the day feeling rushed. If you book, keep expectations realistic for a 7 to 8 hour schedule, and talk to your guide on the morning about what you care about most.

Getting the Most Out of the Day (Without Burning Out)

This tour is packed, so the trick is to travel smart inside the time limits.

• Wear non-slip shoes. The information explicitly asks for it, and you’ll be walking paths at viewpoints.
• Choose your priorities early. Tell the guide what you care about most: the biggest views, temple area time, or tastings.
• Take photos fast, then look with your eyes. Gris-Gris cliffs and Alexandra Falls are photo magnets, but the best moments happen when you pause and just watch wave patterns or coastlines.
• Use the calm stops to recharge. Mare aux Vacoas and tea tastings give you pockets of slower pace.
• Be ready for wind at the coast. Gris-Gris can be breezy, so keep a light layer handy.

One more practical point: it’s a private tour, so you can ask the guide to adjust minor timing. Even a small shift can help you enjoy the rum tasting without feeling like you’re checking a box.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour fits best if you want a structured day that covers both scenery and food culture. I’d especially recommend it for:

• Couples who like a mix of viewpoints and guided explanations
• Travelers who want tastings without planning the tea and rum routes on their own
• First-time visitors to Mauritius’s south who want the highlights in one day

It may feel less ideal if you want long, slow hikes or if you hate packed schedules. Since the day runs 7 to 8 hours with multiple stops, you’ll want to be okay with moving through places rather than camping out.

Should You Book Wild South?

I think you should book it if you want a guided, private circuit that includes real production tastings, plus a sit-down lunch and a full day of major southern sights. The combination of Bois Chéri tea tasting and Rhumerie St Aubin rum tasting, with multiple nature stops, is the kind of mix that makes a day trip feel like it belongs on a first Mauritius trip.

I’d hesitate if you’re someone who needs a lot of spare time at each viewpoint or you’re very sensitive to schedule changes. If that sounds like you, book with the mindset of a guided day of highlights, not a slow exploration of one single place.

If you do book, do one simple thing: when you meet your guide, ask what time the tastings will happen and how long you’ll have at the viewpoints you care about most. That one question can turn a busy day into a smooth one.

FAQ

What is the duration of Wild South?

The tour lasts about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30am.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. You get pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation anywhere in Mauritius.

What meals are included?

A 3-course lunch is included, with non-alcoholic drinks. Vegetarian options are available, and halal food is noted.

Are tastings included?

Yes. Tea tasting is included at Le Bois Chéri, and rum tasting is included at Rhumerie St Aubin.

Which stops have admission included?

Admission tickets are included for Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges Nature Reserve viewpoints, Bois Chéri Tea Factory, Gris-Gris Beach, and Rhumerie St Aubin. Mare aux Vacoas is listed as free.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What should I wear?

Wear non-slippery shoes, since you’ll be walking on paths around viewpoints.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.