Southwest Mauritius Jeep Safari: Ebony Forest & Colored Earth

Rainbow-hued sand dunes and a 100-meter waterfall in one day

An 8-hour private jeep safari through southwest Mauritius combines nine natural and cultural stops (a dormant volcanic crater, a sacred Hindu temple, waterfalls, and a 4x4 drive through Ebony Forest Reserve) with hotel pickup, a certified guide in English, French or Hindi, and a three-course Mauritian lunch. Children from age 1 are welcome, and vegetarian meals are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano40m
2. Black River Gorges National Park30m
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark40m · entry included
4. Chamarel Waterfall25m · entry included
5. Ebony Forest Reserve1h · entry included

Explore southwest Mauritius highlights

• Hotel pick-up and meet guide
• Visit Trou Aux Cerfs volcano crater
• Stop at Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir viewpoint
• Explore Grand Bassin lake and Hindu temple
• Admire Alexandra Falls and panoramic views
• Visit Black River Gorges viewpoint
• Drive through Chamarel village and viewpoint
• Enjoy 3-course Mauritian lunch
• See Chamarel Seven Colored Earth
• View Chamarel Waterfall from upper deck
• 4x4 jeep tour in Ebony Forest Reserve
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your hotel anywhere in Mauritius and a drive to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level ringed by indigenous forest. From the rim you get a 360-degree view of Curepipe, the Rempart Mountain, and the Port-Louis–Moka range. Next is Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest reservoir at 26 million cubic meters, set between thick forest and offering a quiet break from the usual pace. Then comes Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), a sacred lake in an extinct volcanic crater where a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva stands on the shoreline beside a Hindu temple: the highest statue in Mauritius and one of the most visited sites on the island.

Alexandra Falls sits 700 meters above sea level overlooking the southeast coast and a green valley home to endemic birds and plants. A wooden platform lets you take in the full panorama. From there, a short walk leads to the Black River Gorges Viewpoint, where you stand above deep valleys and rolling hills across 17,000 acres of rainforest protecting the island's remaining endemic flora and fauna. After lunch at a local restaurant (a three-course Mauritian meal with salads, rice, soup, and your choice of chicken curry or fish), you move into the Chamarel area. The Seven Colored Earth is a natural phenomenon of sand dunes in seven distinct colors (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow) set amid lush vegetation. The colors separate into layers if mixed together. The Chamarel Waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius at about 100 meters, drops into an oval pool and flows into a tropical-forest-fringed canyon.

The final stop is Ebony Forest Reserve, where you board a 4x4 jeep for a guided drive through ancient ebony trees and endemic plants, with chances to spot rare birds like the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher and Aldabra tortoises. The reserve includes a museum on conservation efforts and a plant nursery. Your guide can suggest a gentle trail through the forest or a climb to the summit of Piton Canot for views of the UNESCO Le Morne site and the coast. The tour ends with return transport to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius.
• private air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide in English, French, or Hindi.
• entrance to Ebony Forest Nature Reserve, Seven Colored Earth, and Chamarel Waterfall.
• a three-course Mauritian lunch (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) with non-alcoholic beverages.
• bottled water upon arrival.
• and a 4x4 jeep safari through Ebony Forest with multiple stops at viewpoints and natural attractions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Freshverde Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying anywhere in Mauritius without a rental car. The driver handles all navigation and timing across nine stops, and the day is built around the jeep's ability to reach viewpoints and forest trails most visitors miss on their own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What is the Seven Colored Earth and why does it look that way?

The Seven Colored Earth is a natural geological formation of sand dunes in seven distinct colors (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow) created by the conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals. The colors evolved over time and will separate into distinct layers if mixed together, creating an almost lunar-like landscape set in lush green vegetation.

Can I see the Chamarel Waterfall from more than one viewpoint?

Yes. Tourists can view the Chamarel Waterfall from the upper deck at the Seven Colored Earth or from below at the waterfall itself. At 100 meters, it is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius and drops into an oval pool before flowing into a 6-kilometer tropical-forest-fringed canyon.

What animals might I see at Ebony Forest Reserve?

Ebony Forest Reserve is home to rare endemic birds, including the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, and Aldabra tortoises. The reserve protects ancient ebony trees and some of the rarest plants in Mauritius, and your 4x4 jeep drive gives you multiple stops to spot wildlife and flora.

What does the Mauritian lunch include, and are vegetarian options available?

Lunch is a three-course Mauritian meal with fresh salads, rice, soup, and your choice of chicken curry or fish with vegetables. Vegetarian meals are available: request your preference when booking. Non-alcoholic beverages are included with lunch, and bottled water is provided at the start of the day.

Do I need my own transportation, or is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius are included in the tour price. You travel in a fully air-conditioned private vehicle with your guide, so no car rental or separate transport is needed.