SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Historic West & Marine Wilderness

2026▾
10
Days
1
Sperm Whale Tracking
1
Chamarel Seven Earths
1
Solo

Wild sperm whales, volcanic Seven Coloured Earths, and a yacht to Ile aux Benitiers

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $7,800 pp
Home  ›  Journeys  ›  Mauritius  ›  The Historic West & Marine Wilderness

OverviewThis circuit positions guests on the sun-drenched West Coast, focusing heavily on encounters with large marine mammals, historic salt pans, and rugged volcanic micro-climates. Connecting the world-famous Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths and Ebony Forest with deep ocean sperm whale tracking and the pristine coral reefs of Flic-en-Flac.

Best ForDiscerning travelers seeking marine mammals, volcanic micro-climates, and Mauritius' rugged western coastline
Duration10 Days / 10 Nights (approx)
RouteNairobi → Mauritius (MRU) → West Coast → Chamarel → Tamarin Bay → Casela → Ile aux Benitiers → Nairobi
Group SizePrivate or small group — your party, or join a small departure
Price From$8,200 per person sharing
✦

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa — an all-villa sanctuary on the West Coast, each villa with a private pool

✦

Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths — a surreal volcanic landscape of sand dunes in seven distinct shades of purple, red, and ochre

✦

Ebony Forest Reserve canopy walkway — 70 metres above the forest floor, looking down at rare endemic birds

✦

Private gin tasting at Sublime Point with panoramic West Coast views

✦

Deep ocean sperm whale tracking safari from Tamarin Bay — tracking massive resident sperm whales and pilot whale pods

✦

Casela Nature Parks — dry savannah gorges, dramatic basalt cliffs, and diverse wildlife

✦

Tamarin Salt Pans heritage walk — 200-year-old solar evaporation salt production still in operation

✦

Flic-en-Flac Sea Walk — helmets on, walking the ocean floor alongside neon damselfish and gold-speckled moray eels

✦

Sunset champagne daybeds on the long white sands of Sugar Beach as the sun sets over the west coast horizon

✦

Private luxury yacht to Ile aux Benitiers — snorkelling at Crystal Rock and a beachside seafood bonfire dinner

The Historic West & Marine Wilderness
Route Map

Interactive Route Map

Nairobi → Mauritius (MRU) → West Coast → Chamarel → Tamarin Bay → Casela → Ile aux Benitiers → Nairobi. Day-by-day scrollspy markers to follow.

Itinerary

West Coast, Mauritius

Day 1 | Nairobi → West Coast — Arrival at the Sunset Villa

VIP handling at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport, direct flight to Mauritius. VIP tarmac greeting, private luxury SUV transfer to the West Coast.

Check into Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa — Luxury Private Pool Villa — or The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius. Private guided tour of the West Coast if arriving before 4:00 PM. Welcome dinner.

Day 1 | Nairobi → West Coast — Arrival at the Sunset Villa
Chamarel

Day 2 | The Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel

Drive into the Chamarel mountains for the world-famous Seven Coloured Earths — a surreal undulating landscape of volcanic sand dunes forming seven distinct shades of purple, red, and ochre.

Nearby Chamarel Waterfall — the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius, plunging 100 metres. Return to the resort for a relaxed afternoon. Gourmet dinner.

Day 2 | The Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 | The Ebony Forest Canopy Loop

The Ebony Forest Reserve — a private crowd-free wooden suspension canopy walkway 70 metres high, looking down at rare endemic birds with the forest and coastline stretching below.

Premium gin tasting at Sublime Point with panoramic West Coast views. Return to the resort for a relaxed evening.

Day 3 | The Ebony Forest Canopy Loop
Breakfast, Dinner
Tamarin Bay

Day 4 | Deep Ocean Sperm Whale Tracking Safari

A private luxury speedboat from Tamarin Bay, heading beyond the reef barrier into the deep blue ocean. Resident sperm whales and pilot whale pods in the open water — their blows visible before the massive bodies surface alongside the vessel.

A hot gourmet breakfast served on a wooden viewing platform overlooking the 100-metre drop of Chamarel Waterfall. Return to the resort for a relaxed afternoon.

Day 4 | Deep Ocean Sperm Whale Tracking Safari
Breakfast, Dinner
Casela

Day 5 | Casela Canyon Safaris

The dry savannah gorges of Casela Nature Parks — dramatic basalt cliffs of the West Coast mountains, diverse wildlife in their natural habitat, and the park's extraordinary geological landscape.

Your guide explains the unique ecology and conservation efforts. Return to the resort for dinner.

Breakfast, Dinner
Tamarin

Day 6 | Tamarin Salt Pans Heritage Walk

A private architectural and historical walk through the historic 200-year-old Tamarin Salt Pans — local salt-pan architecture and traditional solar-evaporation methods that have operated here for two centuries.

The surrounding area with its beautiful coastal views and fishing village atmosphere. Return to the resort for a relaxed evening.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 | Flic-en-Flac Sea Walk & Sugar Beach Sundowner

A specialised high-tech diving helmet for a Sea Walk along the protected shallow reefs of Flic-en-Flac — walking the ocean floor alongside neon damselfish and gold-speckled moray eels without getting your hair wet.

Chilled champagne from private daybeds on the long white sands of Sugar Beach as the sun sets directly over the West Coast horizon — a perfect sundowner. Return for gourmet dinner.

Day 7 | Flic-en-Flac Sea Walk & Sugar Beach Sundowner
Breakfast, Dinner
Ile aux Benitiers

Day 8 | Ile aux Benitiers Yacht Charter & Bonfire Dinner

A private luxury yacht charter to the uninhabited island of Ile aux Benitiers — snorkelling through the crystal-clear water surrounding the famous lone coral rock outcrop known as Crystal Rock.

A magnificent beachside seafood barbecue bonfire dinner under hanging lanterns on the island sand. Return to the resort.

Day 8 | Ile aux Benitiers Yacht Charter & Bonfire Dinner
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 | Exclusive Indo-Mauritian Temple & Culinary Tour

A historic estate visit with indigenous master culinary keepers and stone artisans — the 19th-century history of hand-chiselling volcanic stone shrines, traditional spice grinding on a roche carri.

A private masterclass cooking traditional curries, learning spice blending techniques passed through generations. Celebratory farewell dinner at the resort paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 | Return to Nairobi — Departure

A relaxed luxury breakfast. Check out, chauffeur transfer to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, international flight back to Nairobi. Ten days of volcanic earths, whale tracking, salt pans, and West Coast luxury conclude.

Breakfast

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
The Historic West & Marine Wilderness
Your Accommodation

One Exceptional Properties

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa — Private Pool Villa
NIGHTS 1–9
West Coast, Mauritius

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa — Private Pool Villa

View
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

A villa-based journey on Mauritius’s sunset coast, with sperm whales offshore, seven-coloured earth inland and a canopy walk above rare birds.

01

Whales from Tamarin Bay

A deep ocean safari to track the resident sperm whales and pods of pilot whales off the west coast.

02

Volcanic colour and canopy

Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earths, and the Ebony Forest Reserve’s canopy walkway, 70 metres above the forest floor among rare endemic birds.

03

A private-pool villa

Maradiva is an all-villa sanctuary where each villa has its own pool, with a private gin tasting at Sublime Point and a yacht charter to Île aux Bénitiers ending in a bonfire dinner.

Best ValueJan – MayWarm, occasional showers, lush island
Peak SeasonMay – SepDry, cool season — ideal for outdoor days
Shoulder SeasonSep – DecWarming up again, fewer crowds
Best forSolo travellersNature loversCouples
Plan this journey with us →

Inclusions & Price

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • VIP tarmac handling at all airports
  • All private luxury vehicle transfers
  • 9 nights luxury accommodation
  • All meals — Full Board throughout
  • International flights Nairobi–Mauritius–Nairobi
  • Seven Coloured Earths & Chamarel Waterfall
  • Ebony Forest canopy walkway & gin tasting
  • Deep ocean sperm whale tracking safari
  • Casela Nature Parks safari
  • Tamarin Salt Pans heritage walk
  • Flic-en-Flac sea walk
  • Sugar Beach sunset champagne setup
  • Private yacht to Ile aux Benitiers
  • Indo-Mauritian culinary masterclass
  • All park & site entry fees
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
  • Visa processing assistance & fees
What's Not Included
  • International flights to/from Nairobi (confirm at booking)
  • Gratuities for guides & staff
  • Premium imported alcohol
  • Items of a personal nature

Per Person Pricing

Per Person Sharing$8,200
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Pricing is an estimate subject to confirmation based on season, group size, and final accommodation selection.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Best ValueWarm, occasional showers, lush island
$7,800
May – Sep Peak SeasonDry, cool season — ideal for outdoor days
$9,000
Sep – Dec Shoulder SeasonWarming up again, fewer crowds
$8,350

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Travel Kit

Duffel, sun hat, reef-safe sun cream and dry bag

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for the luggage limits on seaplane and inter-island transfers, where 20 kg per person is common and hard cases are often refused.
  • What is inside it — A wide-brim sun hat, a reef-safe sun cream that meets the marine park rules across the region, and a roll-top dry bag for boat days and sandbank picnics.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan.
  • Packing around it — Light, breathable layers, and one modest set covering shoulders and knees for Stone Town, villages, temples and local islands.

Note

Cyclone season falls between November and April

While rare, tropical storms are most likely between November and April; the drier, cooler months of May to October offer the most reliable weather for outdoor activities and water sports.

  • Early starts — The best of this journey happens at dawn — before the heat, the crowds and the haze. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your hotel.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa-free for most nationalities

  • Passport — Valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with at least two blank pages for stamps.
  • Visa — Visa-free on arrival for up to 90 days for UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian, Indian, South African and most African and Commonwealth passport holders.
  • All-in-One Travel Form — Every traveller completes the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Form online before departure. It combines the immigration, customs and health declarations into one submission.
  • Strict biosecurity — Mauritius protects its agriculture closely. Declare all food, plant material, seeds and untreated wooden items; undeclared goods attract on-the-spot fines.
  • We handle the paperwork — We complete and submit your visa, eVisa or travel-authorisation applications on your behalf. You supply the documents once; we do the filing, track the approval and hold the confirmations for you.
  • Where you must appear in person — A few consulates insist on biometrics or a short interview that nobody can sit on your behalf — China requires fingerprinting for some nationalities, as do European and United States visas. We still prepare the entire file; we simply book you a single appointment and brief you beforehand so one visit settles it.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.

A deposit of 30% is required to confirm your booking, with the balance due 60 days before departure. All itineraries can be tailored — extend a stay, add a destination, or adjust the pace to suit you. Comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical evacuation and personal effects is required for all guests. Your dedicated specialist remains on call throughout your journey for any changes or assistance you need.

  • What to pack — Light, breathable fabrics, and more swimwear than you think you need. Away from the resort, cover shoulders and knees — Stone Town, the fishing villages and any temple will expect it. Bring reef-safe sun cream, which the marine parks require, a rash vest for long snorkelling days, and one smart-casual set for dinner.

More Mauritius Journeys

The Ultimate Couples Romance
SEYCHELLES

The Ultimate Couples Romance

10 Days · Private · Min 2
RouteMahé · Praslin Island · La Digue Island · Curieuse Island
The Peninsula of Royal Splendor
MAURITIUS

The Peninsula of Royal Splendor

10 Days · Private
RouteBelle Mare · Port Louis · Ile aux Cerfs · One&Only Le Saint Géran
The Ultimate Romance & Secret Lagoons
MAURITIUS

The Ultimate Romance & Secret Lagoons

10 Days · Private
RouteLe Morne · Riambel Beach · Ile aux Benitiers · Ilot Gabriel
The Mekong Capitals & Coastal Palaces
COASTAL

The Mekong Capitals & Coastal Palaces

10 Days · Private
Route Phnom Penh · Kep · Bokor Mountain · Kampot