Cliffs and a crater lake
Walking the Gris Gris sea cliffs as waves crash against black basalt, and Grand Bassin, a sacred crater lake beneath 33-metre golden statues of Lord Shiva and Durga Maa.
Sacred crater lakes, basalt sea cliffs, primeval rainforest, and rushing sea geysers
See Pricing & Inclusions ↓OverviewA slow-paced road journey focusing entirely on Mauritius' rugged, wind-battered southern coastline, basalt sea cliffs, and sacred crater lakes. This itinerary is designed for luxury travelers who want to experience the island's most authentic and dramatic natural landscapes — the misty highlands of Grand Bassin, the roaring cliffs of Gris Gris, the primeval canopies of Black River Gorges, and the geometric basalt pillars of Rochester Falls.
| Best For | Luxury travelers seeking the raw, untamed beauty of Mauritius' wild south — completely avoiding commercial tourist hubs |
| Duration | 10 Days / 10 Nights (approx) |
| Route | Nairobi → Mauritius (MRU) → Bel Ombre → Grand Bassin → Gris Gris → Black River Gorges → Rochester Falls → Souillac → Nairobi |
| Group Size | Private or small group — your party, or join a small departure |
| Price From | $7,800 per person sharing |
Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort — a historic 19th-century styled estate on the wild south coast
Grand Bassin sacred crater lake — 33-metre golden statues of Lord Shiva and Durga Maa above the mountain mists
Gris Gris Sea Cliffs — walking the clifftop paths as massive ocean waves crash against vertical black basalt faces creating The Crying Rock sea geyser
Hot air balloon or helicopter flight over the rolling sugar fields and dramatic sea cliffs of the Bel Ombre reserve
Black River Gorges National Park — primeval rainforest canopies, private ridge hikes, cascading mountain streams
Breakfast on a rock platform beside a secluded waterfall stream deep in Black River Gorges National Park
Rochester Falls — unique hexagonal basalt pillars with water cascading over perfectly geometric columns; swimming in the freshwater pool
Maconde Viewpoint — 360-degree clifftop views of the wild south coast from a coral-rock outcrop on a dramatic coastal hairpin
Souillac colonial architecture walk — stone bridges and 19th-century port buildings
Bois Chéri Tea Plantation — private master tea blending session and folk music performance

Nairobi → Mauritius (MRU) → Bel Ombre → Grand Bassin → Gris Gris → Black River Gorges → Rochester Falls → Souillac → Nairobi. Day-by-day scrollspy markers to follow.
VIP handling at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport, direct flight to Mauritius. VIP tarmac reception, private luxury SUV to the wild south coast.
Check into Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort — Ocean Suite — or Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort. Private guided tour of the south coast if arriving before 4:00 PM. Welcome dinner.

Drive into the misty central highlands to Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) — a sacred lake filling an extinct volcanic crater, with 33-metre golden statues of Lord Shiva and Durga Maa standing guard over the mountain mists.
Your guide explains the religious significance of the most sacred Hindu site in Mauritius. Nearby temples and the sacred Shiva lingam. Return to the resort for a relaxed afternoon. Gourmet dinner.

The Gris Gris Sea Cliffs — clifftop paths above dramatic vertical black basalt rock faces, massive ocean waves crashing below creating The Crying Rock natural sea geyser. One of the most dramatic coastlines in the Indian Ocean.
Your guide explains the geology and history of the area. The wild ocean stretching to the horizon from every viewpoint. Return to the resort for a relaxed evening.

Rising before dawn, a serene private hot air balloon flight or low-altitude helicopter charter drifting silently over the rolling sugar fields and dramatic sea cliffs of the Bel Ombre reserve — the coastline, green fields, and cliffs from above.
Champagne toast and gourmet bush breakfast after landing. Afternoon at leisure at the resort.
An elite naturalist guide into the primeval rainforest canopies of Black River Gorges National Park — private ridge hikes looking down at cascading mountain streams and volcanic valleys. Rich birdlife and endemic plants.
A beautiful breakfast spread set up on a rock platform beside a secluded waterfall stream deep in the national park. Return to the resort for a relaxed evening.

A private trail hike to Rochester Falls — the waterfall cascading over perfectly hexagonal basalt columns, creating a natural geometric masterpiece found nowhere else in Mauritius.
Swimming in the freshwater river pool beneath the cascade. The surrounding lush scenery and extraordinary geology. Return to the resort for dinner.

Climb the narrow stone stairs of the Maconde Viewpoint — a giant coral-rock outcrop jutting into the ocean on a dramatic hairpin bend of the coastal road, with 360-degree views of the wild south coast.
Handcrafted cocktails from a private clifftop setup on the Bel Ombre ridge at sunset — a perfect sundowner. Return for gourmet dinner.
A private architectural walk through the historic village of Souillac — old stone bridges and colonial buildings from its 19th-century port days. Coastal valley seafood lunch.
A celebratory multi-course bonfire dinner on the beach at Heritage Le Telfair — flames, vintage wines, the sound of the southern Indian Ocean.
The historic Bois Chéri Tea Plantation with indigenous master tea blenders — 150 years of tea leaf drying, traditional furniture hand-carving techniques, and Franco-Mauritian cultural heritage.
Private folk music and oral storytelling performance. Celebratory farewell dinner at the resort paired with vintage wines.
A relaxed luxury breakfast overlooking the wild waves. Check out, chauffeur transfer to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, international flight back to Nairobi.
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 →

Mauritius’s rugged south: basalt sea cliffs, a sacred crater lake and rainforest breakfasts beside waterfalls, from a historic estate.
Walking the Gris Gris sea cliffs as waves crash against black basalt, and Grand Bassin, a sacred crater lake beneath 33-metre golden statues of Lord Shiva and Durga Maa.
A hot air balloon or helicopter flight over the sugar fields and dramatic sea cliffs of the Bel Ombre reserve.
Private ridge hikes in Black River Gorges, breakfast on a rock platform beside a waterfall stream, and Rochester Falls’ basalt columns, from the Heritage Le Telfair estate.
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.
30% off the single supplement
Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.
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 same unforgettable journey, priced by season.
Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.
Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.
Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.
Duffel, sun hat, reef-safe sun cream and dry bag
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.
Visa-free for most nationalities
Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group
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.


