Mauritius North Tour: Our Honest Review of the Private All-Inclusive SUV Trip

So, we were looking for a way to see the northern part of Mauritius without, you know, being herded onto a big bus. We really wanted something that was just for us, sort of on our own schedule. The idea of an all-inclusive day trip in a private SUV was, honestly, very appealing from the get-go. At the end of the day, it’s about comfort and making the most of your time, right? The booking process itself was pretty straightforward, and actually, we got a confirmation with all the details almost right away. I mean, we were just a little bit hopeful that the actual day would live up to the description online. It turns out, that choosing a private tour, at least for us, was probably the best decision for exploring the island’s character.

Starting the Day: Why a Private Car Changes Everything

Alright, so our guide, a man named Sameer, showed up right on time at our hotel lobby, you know, with a smile that was genuinely warm. The car itself was a very clean and modern SUV, which was honestly a relief because you never quite know what you’re going to get. It’s almost a small detail, but starting the day with that kind of comfort and professionalism really sets a good tone. Instead of a fixed, rigid timetable, Sameer basically told us, ‘This is your day’. I mean, if we wanted to stay a bit longer somewhere for pictures, that was okay. We could actually have a real conversation with him, asking all sorts of questions about life on the island, which is something you just don’t get in a group of fifty people. This flexibility is, I think, the main reason someone might want a private experience.

A Stroll Through History: Port Louis and Fort Adelaide

Our first proper stop was, basically, the capital city, Port Louis. Now, Sameer took us straight to the Central Market, and honestly, it was an explosion for the senses. You have the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables we’d never seen before, and then there are the sounds of people bargaining and chatting—it was just a lot to take in. It was a place that felt so incredibly alive, you know? He pointed out local snacks for us to try, like the dholl puri, which was a very interesting taste experience. After the market, we drove up to Fort Adelaide, or as locals call it, the Citadel. As a matter of fact, the view from up there gives you a complete picture of the city and its harbor. It really puts the whole area into perspective, sort of, showing the old and the new parts of Port Louis side by side. Sameer shared some stories about the fort’s past, which, honestly, made the view much more meaningful.

A Quiet Escape: The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

Okay, after the energy of Port Louis, the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden was, like, a total change of pace. It’s actually one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, or so we were told. The highlight for us, of course, was the giant Victoria amazonica water lilies in the pond. They are absolutely huge, almost like something from a fantasy story. Strolling through the grounds was incredibly peaceful, pretty much a welcome break from the heat of the day. Our guide was quite knowledgeable about the different palms and spice trees, pointing out things we would have definitely walked right past. He showed us a tree whose leaves smelled like allspice, and you know, it’s those little moments of discovery that make a guided tour special. It was a really quiet and calming part of the day, that’s for sure.

Coastal Charm: Cap Malheureux and that Famous Red Roof

Later in the afternoon, we started driving along the northern coast, which was frankly a beautiful drive in itself. The main point of this part of the tour was to see the famous red-roofed church, Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, at Cap Malheureux. And you know, the pictures you see online really don’t do it justice. The way that bright red roof stands out against the incredibly blue water of the bay is, well, really something special to see with your own eyes. It’s a very popular photo spot, so it was a little busy, but Sameer knew a good spot to stand to get a nice shot without lots of people in it. He explained that ‘Cap Malheureux’ means ‘Unfortunate Cape’ because of the number of ships that wrecked there in the past, a bit of history that adds another layer to the pretty view.

The ‘ALL INCLUSIVE’ Part: A Taste of Local Life

Now, let’s talk about the ‘all-inclusive’ aspect because, honestly, that’s a big part of the appeal. For instance, all the entry fees to the botanical garden and the fort were covered, so we literally never had to take out our wallets. Lunch was at a small, local restaurant that, frankly, we would never have found on our own. It wasn’t a tourist trap at all; it was just a simple place with food that tasted like a home-cooked meal. We had a selection of Mauritian dishes—some curry, lentils, and fresh fish—that was absolutely delicious and felt very authentic. Drinks were included with the meal, which was a nice touch. I mean, the whole experience of not worrying about prices or where to eat just lets you relax a bit more. It made the entire day feel, sort of, completely seamless and worry-free, which is pretty much what you want on vacation, right?

Frankly, the best part was not feeling like a tourist on a tight schedule. We were more like guests being shown around a friend’s home island, you know?

What We Thought Was Great:

• The Personal Touch: Honestly, having a private guide and car makes a huge difference in the quality of the day.
• Pacing and Flexibility: We could linger where we liked and, sort of, skip things if we weren’t interested.
• Authentic Lunch: The included meal was a real taste of Mauritius, not just some generic buffet, which was really great.
• Hassle-Free Day: With all fees and food covered, you can basically just enjoy the sights.

A Small Thing to Keep in Mind:

I mean, you will be in the car for a good portion of the day as you travel between spots, so just be prepared for that. But honestly, the SUV was so comfortable and the views were so nice that it was actually a very pleasant part of the experience.

Read our full review: Full-Day North Tour of Mauritius Full Review and Details
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