A large number of reefs within the inner granitic islands of the archipelago of Seychelles could be entirely lost, unless concerted action is taken soon to control crown of thorns, warns Dr. Udo Englhardt, the expert on on the management of crown of thorns in a...
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Takmaka Beach
Takamaka is a tropical flowering plant and a member of the genus Calophyllum native to some equatorial region and Indonesia. These plants are mainly distributed in Asia, with some species in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands. They are of particular importance to traditional shipbuilding of the larger Austronesian Outrigger ships and were carried with them in the Austronesian Expansion as they migrated to Oceania and Madagascar. They were comparable in importance to how oaks were in European shipbuilding and timber industries.
Many species are used for their wood. Some are hardwood trees that can reach 30 meters in height. They tend to grow rapidly. The wood has been used to build boats, flooring, and furniture, and made into plywood. This species is also planted in coastal landscaping as a windbreak and for erosion control.
Takamaka is also the name of several places in the Indian Ocean: a village in Reunion, a region of Mahé, Seychelles, and two islands in the Chagos Archipelago.
Takamaka is one of the 26 administrative regions of Mahé, Republic of Seychelles. It is located on the southern part of the island of Mahé. The population of Takamaka is estimated at around 3,000. Economic activity centres around traditional farming, fishing and tourism.
Like in all other districts, there is a primary school, health center, police station and District Administration Office, all grouped around or near the local Roman Catholic Church of Saint Mary Magdalene.
It takes about an hour to commute by public bus to the capital, Victoria, some 25 km away and centre for all administrative and commercial activities. Regular public bus service runs daily from around 05.30 to 20.00hours.
There are many shopping malls in Takamaka such as Amy’s Shopping Zone, Kumar &Kumar Supermarket, SeySell, Srisha, MNL Trading, MakiShop-BeauVallon, Passjocenter, Roots Seychelles, Mike’s Store, Cocofarmsc and many more.
There are also several clothing Stores in Takamaka such as Matalan, Billabong, Quiksilver, La Plage Beachwear Boutique/Valmer Resort, Wedding in Seychelles, and many more.
Located in Takamaka directly opposite Anse Parnel beach and the 1.7 km Anse Capucins Trail. Each chalet is built with exquisite interior design, containing a bedroom, living room with open and fully equipped kitchens and a large terrace with stunning views of Anse Parnel Bay. Every chalet is fitted with individually controlled air conditioning units in the living room and bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, free WiFi and a Nespresso coffee machine. The chalets also come with a hairdryer, dressing gowns, custom designed linen from Turkey and daily maid service. Free parking is available on site for guests. A popular surfers restaurant is located right opposite the hotel.
Situated along a white sand beach, Surfer’s Beach Self Catering Chalets offers several chalets, a restaurant and private on-site parking. The Self-catering chalets all come with air-conditioning, ceiling fans and offer free WiFi in all rooms. Each chalet has an open-plan lounge, dining and kitchenette. The lounge area features flat-screen TV and the kitchenette includes a 2-plate induction hob, a fridge and a microwave.
Situated amidst tropical jungle and overlooking the Indian Ocean, guests at Demeure De Cap Macon can enjoy the view from the large veranda. It is 150m from the Anse Forbans beach. The spacious suites feature modern-colonial design with individual features such as four-poster beds, vaulted ceilings or an exposed stone wall. Each unit is equipped with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Meals can be prepared in the private kitchenette attached to each room or on the barbecue facilities.
Located on the Anse Takama coast, Villa Chez Batista offers beachfront accommodation surrounded by green gardens. This small hotel comprises six bungalows and 18 rooms. Guests have access to free WiFi at the restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool. It is also within easy reach of other beautiful beaches such as Anse Soleil, Anse Marie Louise, Anse Forbans and the famous Intendance beach.
This is a 3-star property within 2 km of Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden. Each room at Charlotte Villa is air-conditioned and comes with a TV with satellite channels. Each unit has a sitting area for your relaxation. A terrace or balcony are featured in most rooms, while every room features a luxurious private bathroom with free toiletries. The guest house has barbecue facilities and offers sea views. The accommodation features windsurfing, snorkelling and diving. There are good restaurants nearby.
Located in Intendance Bay along the south western coastline of Mahe, Banyan Tree Seychelles has direct access to the beach and offers spacious villas with a private pool. It features spa facilities, a fitness centre and a tennis court.
Banyan Tree Seychelles has luxuriously furnished villas, combining the Seychellois architecture with contemporary décor. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, each of the air-conditioned villas has a satellite TV.
The resort’s restaurants offer a variety of local and international dishes. Saffron serves Thai cuisine and Southeast Asian specialties, while La Varangue (the veranda) provides a selection of light snacks and pizzas.
Guests can relax around the infinity pool with a fruit cocktail, before enjoying a yoga session or a game of tennis. They can also experience spa treatments at one of the luxurious hillside pavilions.
A range of activities such as mountain biking, snorkeling, and canoeing are available in the surrounding area. Free bikes and a car rental service are also provided on site.
Family Chalet has two double bedrooms and one single bedroom, it can accommodate up to five adults and upon request you may get additional bedding for two children below 12 years of age. The room has a spacious living/dining area. The open kitchen of this chalet is fully equipped with every-day utensils. The property offers an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking and a garden. The guest house provides air-conditioned rooms, a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, an oven, safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a shower.
Takamaka Sky Villa is located in the south-west of Mahé at the main road Intendance. Just four minutes’ walk away is Anse Intendance. Takamaka Sky Villas provides spacious accommodation for families coming to Seychelles.
The property is situated 1.9 km from Anse Bazarca Beach, 2.9 km from Anse Forbans Beach and 27 km from Victoria Clock Tower. The guest house also features free WiFi as well as a paid airport shuttle service. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, towels, a fridge and a balcony with a garden view. You will also find some shops in the immediate vicinity, while the nearest restaurant, Takamaka Sky Pizza & Grill, is located right next to your accommodation.
Chalets Bougainville offers self-catering accommodation on the south-east coastline of Mahe Island, surrounded by tropical vegetation and only a 5-minutes drive from a restaurant, shop and Anse Royale. Rooms are fitted with telephones offering free local calls and each unit is air-conditioned and equipped with a ceiling fan. Free high fibre optic WiFi is featured in all the units. A selection of activities is offered in the area, such as snorkeling, diving, fishing and hiking. The property is near a bus stop.
South Point Chalets is a charming 3-star hotel located 10.8km (6.7mi) from the centre of Mahe Island . Local tourist attractions such as Anse Intendance Beach and Takamaka Beach are not far from the hotel. Facilities include a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, babysitting or child care, safe-deposit box, front desk and wedding services.
North Island
North Island is a small granite island in the Seychelles. The size of the island is 201 hectares. The island is one of the Seychelles’ 42 inner islands. North Island is a conservation project aimed at protecting the indigenous natural flora and fauna and is home to a luxurious luxury lodge resort.
The island has four beaches; East Beach, West Beach (or Grande Anse), Honeymoon Cove, and Dive Beach. It is 5.8 km north of Silhouette Island, and 27 km north west of Mahé. The granite island is also a sanctuary for endangered species of turtles and birds. The island seas welcome nesting sea turtles, and the palm forests are home to giant Aldabra tortoises and rare Seychelles white-eye birds.
North Island was the first Seychelles island to record a landing by seafarers. An expedition in 1609 by Captain Sharpeigh and the crew of the English East India Company vessel Ascension reported that the island had a large population of giant land tortoises.
From 1826 until the 1970s, North Island was owned by the Beaufond family from Réunion. During this time, the island had a plantation for growing fruits and spices, as well as producing guano, fish oil and copra. After the plantation was sold in the 1970s, the island fell into disuse.
In 1981, North Island was given to Marius Maier by his father. Marius Maier returned the island to its former pristine state before human settlers arrived there. He removed many unwanted animal and plant species, including pigs, rats, coconuts, casuarina, cows, Indian mynah birds, cats and a very intrusive weed called lantana. He re-introduced the Seychelles’ natural flora & fauna, including giant tortoises, certain birds, and trees such as takamaka, badamier and the famous coco-de-mer palm.
In 1982, Marius Maier and the villagers established a turtle nest monitoring center in the island. North Island was all but abandoned by its German industrialist former owner after the copra market crashed. Wilderness Safaris bought the island in 1997, and removed non-indigenous species, including more than two million rats, a herd of domesticated dairy cows and casuarina trees, which were recycled to build the villas.
In 2019, management of North Island Seychelles changed from Wilderness Safaris to Marriott’s ‘The Luxury Collection’ brand. But this resort is far above all other hotels in Marriott’s other luxury hotels.
Wilderness Holdings Limited, an ecotourism company from South Africa bought the island in 1997 for US$5 million. They opened a private resort in 2003, aiming at the ecotourism market, with 11 private villas each with a private plunge pool and direct access to the beach. Villas 1-10 have two bedrooms, while the slightly larger Villa 11 suite is reserved for couples. George and Amal Clooney had their honeymoon in this suite. The resort has helped to develop the island and increase its population. During 2014, the villas were refurbished with a refreshed colour palette, and designer bathroom fittings.
The resort has 10 standard villas, and a special villa (Villa North). A gym, a huge spa, and a library, restaurant are in the village. La Vie by Golden Hands, the Spa offers a full menu of treatments. A 30-minute complimentary welcome treatment is offered by the spa to all guests. TheTechno-gym is located just below the spa. The resort also features a boutique, a dive center, a main pool, and a bar. You can shop for accessories and gifts from the North Island boutique. Each villa has an electric buggy for the guest’s total convenience. The villa pricing includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, except cocktails and drinks on the reserve list.
The villas one to ten are known as Presidential Villas. Each of them measures 450 square metres and can accommodate up to four travellers. Every villa has a large master bedroom with a writing area, change-room and dressing table. The massive en-suite bathroom is fitted with a marble bath, an indoor and an outdoor shower. An outdoor shower is useful to remove sand or muddy feet from the beach. It is also useful to rinse off deck furniture and even scrub an outdoor rug and wash items like paddle boards. The bedrooms are air-conditioned and have WiFi internet access.
A completely separate, large second room is furnished with woven coffee tables and sofa beds in crushed velvet and linen. This room can be used as a study, lounge, theatre or, at an additional cost, to sleep children aged 19 or under. At night it can be transformed into a complete private cinema with projector screen and surround sound.
Between the two rooms is an open-sided lounge and dining area which leads seamlessly onto the outdoor deck, and to the back of this is the kitchenette, which is used by your butler to help prepare drinks and food, if you choose to eat in your own villa.
In May 2011, it was the site for the royal honeymoon of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Actress Salma Hayek, David and Victoria Beckham, Liz Hurley, Jennifer Aniston, Pierce Brosnan and J.K. Rowlingm have all stayed in this resort.North Island stood in for Tracy Island in the 2004 live-action adaptation of the movie Thunderbirds. The resort is a magnet for the rich and famous.
The resort is one of the most expensive hotels in the world. Rates start at a hefty $6,000 USD per night, excluding 21% in VAT and service charges. You will also have to pay extra for the transfers by helicopter from Mahé, most spa treatments, and full-day excursions.
North Island offers an array of dining options. At The Piazza one can enjoy a candlelit meal consisting of tapas-style BBQ snacks, pizzas and cocktails. In-villa dining is also offered as guests can choose from the home-style menu and snacks from the stocked pantry. Exquisitely light tom yum talay sour soup is served at lunch followed by a zingy lemongrass popsicle with tiny chips of pineapple marinated in Malibu. Sous vide hen’s egg is served with flavourful morels. Salty pancetta and charred asparagus or, the sweet scallops are served with coconut sushi rice ‘risotto’ with lime and thyme. All food on North Island is either grown in the organic vegetable gardens, reared on the island, or caught fresh from the sea.
Activities on North Island Seychelles range from snorkeling, diving, kayaking, paddle-boarding, fishing and sunset cruises to exploring tropical trails by foot, bicycle or private buggy.
Air Seychelles, British Airways, Air France, Condor, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Air Mauritius, Kenya Airways, Air Madagascar and Interior provide regularly scheduled air services from Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa and the islands of the Mascarene Plateau to the Seychelles International Airport on Mahe. Guests from the United States access Seychelles through Europe, through South and East Africa.
From Mahe, access to North Island Private Sanctuary is by a 20-minute private helicopter charter. Meet, and Assist service is provided at Seychelles International Airport and from all hotels on Mahe.
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