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Are you planning to go on a holiday anytime soon? For sure, you will be overwhelmed with the multiplicity of the destinations you can visit, each with a promise of an experience you will never forget. Among others, however, one of the best would be Seychelles, which...
Today, there are about 2500 botanical gardens in the world. These gardens play a central role in the ex situ conservation and exploration of global plant biodiversity. People living in densely populated areas go to botanical gardens to get some fresh air and relax in a soothing atmosphere.
The Victoria Botanical Gardens (also called Mont Fleuri Botanical Gardens Seychelles) was established in 1901 by Mr. Paul Evenor Rivalz Dupont (Director of Agricultural Services and Naturalist of Seychelles). Today the Ministry of Environment is responsible for the Botanical Gardens and has its headquarters in it.
The Victoria Botanical Gardens was set up as an experimental garden for crop species during colonial times. However, the functions changed over time and today the garden is used as a park where visitors could enjoy a century of its existence. The Biodiversity Centre on the other hand has been set up with the aim to conserve and propagate the local flora. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the myriad of plants present in the different ecosystems of the Seychelles.
The main objective of the gardens is to contribute towards the national efforts in environmental education, plant conservation, landscape management, passive recreation and ecotourism.
The Botanical Gardens can be reached on foot or by car from downtown Victoria; the walk will take roughly 30 minutes. You can visit the botanical gardens every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission costs 100 SCR (just more than $8 USD). For more information, check out the Seychelles Tourism Board’s website.
Stretching out along 5 acres of Mont Fleuri, the botanical gardens offer visitors a look at Seychellois wildlife. Cannonball Tree is another extremely treasured and unique tree in the gardens. This tree has some of the most beautiful flowers, it gives out a pungent odour and when the fruits drop to the ground they make a loud noise which is similar to that of a cannonball. Durian, Vanilla, Clove, Nutmeg, Guava, Rambutan, Lychee, Starfruit and many other plants are found here. Flowers that are commonly found in the Botanical Gardens are Heliconias, Rose, Frangipani, Ylang- Ylang and Hibiscus.
Coco de mer alley greets you as you enter the gardens. Coco de mer palm produced the world’s biggest nut. In 1956 Duke of Edinburgh planted the most fruitful Coco de mer palm in the Botanical Gardens.
Giant Aldabra Tortoise are found everywhere and other varieties of turtles are part of the Terrapins Pond Enclosure. From fruit-eating blue pigeons to the nectar-sipping Sunbird to Seychelles Bulbul, you will view here. You may also find the Malagasy Turtle Dove, Indian Myna Bird, and more.
The garden also showcases a collection of terrapins locally known as ‘torti soupap’. These dull-coloured turtles are believed to have been introduced from the African continent and Madagascar. These small creatures are known to camouflage themselves in such a way that it will be difficult to distinguish them from other features in the pond, especially the stones.
Among the endemic birds found in the garden are the fruit-eating Blue Pigeon, locally known as the pizon olande, the nectar-sipping Sunbird or kolibri, and the Seychelles Bulbul or merl.
There are more than 150 species of plants and trees in the garden. These include native plants as well as plants collected by the founder of the garden which has historical significance. Over 60% of the Seychelles endemic flowering plants from the granitic island are grown. A further 20% are in trial in the propagation house.
Visitor services at a botanical garden might include tours, educational displays, art exhibitions, book rooms, open-air theatrical and musical performances, and other entertainment. Botanical gardens also contribute to research programmes in plant taxonomy or some other aspect of botanical science. Special courses are organised for school children. There are educational signs in the garden. Tour guides are available to educate the visitors on all aspects of the garden.
The Bicentennial Monument was founded in 1978 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria, which was founded as L’Etablissement du Roi in 1778 by the Frenchman Charles Routier de Romainville. The king was of course Louis XVI (1754-1793). It was later renamed Victoria in 1841(after Queen Victoria of England).
Charles Routier of Romainville was born in Paris around 1739 and he died in Saint-Louis (Reunion) on February 16, 1808. He was a French engineer-cartographer, who joined the army in 1756. He was wounded in August 1762 in the Battle of Johannesburg.
In 1772, Charles Routier was sent to take possession of Seychelles, despite the role given to Charles Brayer du Barréin previously to establish the colony. At first he set up his residence and then a medical center, a prison, a shop, and another residential building.
The monument was created by the late Italian artist Lorenzo Appiani, who lived in Seychelles. It depicts three pairs of extended white wings. It is made of conglomerate gravel in a mortar matrix reinforced with steel. It is also known in Creole as the Moniman trwa lezel (three-winged monument) because of the three wings in the monument. The wings of the monument represent the origin of the Creole people, who derive from three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. The wings also represent varieties of rare birds which were found in Victoria.
The monument is on the busy roundabout at the busy junction 5th of June Avenue and Liberation Avenues. Therefore you will have to walk there to properly admire the monument.
From Victoria bus interchange you can take a bus that goes through Palm street which meets 5th June Avenue. Follow it until it reaches the roundabout. This is where you will have to alight.
Free parking is available in the parking lot between Flamboyant Avenue and 5th June Avenue. During the week between 08.00 – 16.00 it is always heavy traffic in this area.
The Bel Air Cemetery, undoubtedly the oldest historic site in Seychelles, was the first official burial ground to be opened on Mahe soon after the establishment of the French settlement in the late 18th century. The cemetery is important for the people of France and La Reunion as many of the tombs in the cemetery contain the remains of early settlers from these two nations. There was a great landslide of 1862 in the area which covered parts of the cemetery. The nicest headstones and family mausoleums from the 18th and 19th centuries may be found upon the hill.
There is a free parking lot across the street, but there are also a few spots directly in front of the cemetery. There is also a bus stop just in front of the building.
Important historical milestones, the cemetery’s tombs, vaults and shrines contain the remains of some of the islands’ most famous personalities such as corsair Jean-Francois Hodoul and the 9 ft giant Charles Dorothee Savy, poisoned at the age of 14 by neighbours fearful of his height.
Another mysterious person whose remains lie within the cemetery is Pierre-Louis Poiret, claimed by some to be the son of Louis XVI who fled the French Revolution and took refuge in Seychelles. It is also a final resting place of a son-in-law of Queau de Quinssy, a magistrate, an acting civil commissioner and a district magistrate who lie among other recently rediscovered graves once covered by the great landslide of 1862.
La Réunion, is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France. It holds the status of a region of France, and is an integral part of the French Republic.
Today, the rubble of broken tombs, dilapidated vaults, and rusted wrought-iron crosses constitute precious fragments of Seychelles history. The cemetery requires a lot of restoration work to see who has been buried there. La Reunion being a relatively richer country than Seychelles has agreed to provide not only their expertise in the restoration of the tombs, but they will also work to fence in the cemetery to ensure that the place is more secure.
Seychelles considers this cemetery as a national monument. Many islanders perform “craz maloya“ (Maloya dance) on 20th of December, in remembrance of their ancestors. Some will also pay tribute to Father Lafosse in the cemetery.
A young priest named Father Lafosse was sent from Paris to the parish of South Island in 1775. During the Revolution, he took up the cause of the “Sans-culottes” and became a strong supporter of “Friends of equality and freedom.” Landowners hated him. He sheltered in his parish 60 slaves who fought for the abolition of slavery. With the support of the people he was elected mayor of St. Louis in 1790, and then Deputy. For his participation in the great insurrection in the South in March 1798, he was arrested and sentenced to exile in India along with other slaves. But he never went there. Instead he went to France and returned to St. Louis in 1802. He resumed his fight for the abolition of slavery. He was assassinated near the sugar factory of Le Gol, fifteen years later.
Today, the tomb of Father Lafosse has become a place telling the full History of Slavery in Seychelles. Flowers are placed all year round and especially during the “Slavery abolition day” every Dec. 20. The Bel Air cemetery was declared a National Monument in 1985 and officially closed for burial in 1902.
Anse Source d’Argent is located in the south-west of La Digue Island. It has dazzling white beaches lapped by shallow emerald waters, backed by some of La Digue’s most beautiful granite boulders and shaded by craning coconut palms.Other interesting things to see in the island are vanilla plantation, giant tortoises as well as the most dreamy coconut groves with hundreds of coconut trees.
Access to Anse Source d’Argent is via the Union Estate, which charges 115 Rupees (about US$8) per person each day for access. Despite it being the only beach requiring admission, recent visitors say that Anse Source d’Argent is well worth the trip. While here, you can also take advantage of Union Estate’s facilities, including the restaurant.
Don’t expect a minivan or air-conditioned bus to meet and greet guests at the ferry jetty. La Digue Island Lodge sends an ox cart to transport guests and their luggage from the ferry. Visitors may rent a bike to get around La Digue, or ride the traditional way — on an old-fashioned ox cart.
The picture perfect beach has shallow, clear water, as well as the coral reef protection, means the beach is a great spot for families, and is also perfect for swimming and snorkelling. At low tide it is difficult to swim because the water is too shallow. You can swim only when the tide is high.
The long beach is divided into many little coves and nooks, all with iconic granite boulders, lush tropical flora, white sands and turquoise waters which makes it so quintessentially Seychelles. This surreal landscape is what makes this beach so unique.
On the beach there are no eateries or hotels, so pack some snacks, towels etc if you plan to spend many hours here. Also bring cash as there are kiosks selling some souvenirs, fruits and coconut water on the beach.
The largest hotel on the island, La Digue Island Lodge offers private chalets and bungalows as well as the many comforts of a small resort, including a swimming pool, restaurant and bars, and organized activities such as snorkeling, scuba and weekly boat excursions. Another island outpost is Choppy’s Beach Bungalows, a smaller hotel offering 10 rooms, a restaurant and planned day trips. Both hotels are walking distance from the legendary Anse Source d’Argent beach. There are other restaurants and fruit stalls nearby.
This open beach-restaurant in the Union Estate offers traditional local cuisine, and is the ideal place to enjoy some delicious delicacies. Enjoy freshly-grilled fish, a salad, or one of many other culinary treats with the sand between your toes!
This small hotel, located in the Beach House hotel, offers Creole cuisine, international dishes, and Indian food, as well as a beautiful view of the neighbouring island of Praslin.
This Italian restaurant situated in a beautiful tropical garden next to the sea offers authentic Italian cuisine, pizza, pasta, risotto and fish & meat dishes. Don’t forget to leave space for dessert!
The currency on the island is the Seychelles rupee. But you should use foreign currency or a credit card to pay for hotels, transportation and organized tours. For other expenses, you can change money on the island to get local currency.
La Digue is a small island with an area of 10.08 sq.km, which makes it relatively easy to travel around by bike or on foot. It is the third most populated island of the Seychelles, and fourth largest by land area. It has a population of 3,000 people. There is no airport on La Digue, so to get there, one must fly to Victoria and continue by ferry, usually via Praslin. The island has plenty of activities for tourists, including a dive centre and diverse wildlife .
The bicycle is the primary mode of transport. It is possible to rent bicycles near the ferry pier. Most cars and buses belong to hotel companies. There are only 60 cars in the island. Digueois have managed to limit traffic in order to protect the pristine beauty of their 10 sq km territory. Another method of transport on La Digue is the ox-cart, which has a slow pace suited to the island. Tourists also generally follow the local tradition and rent bikes to explore the island.
However, the rise in tourism related construction has made it necessary to import vehicles that has set alarm bells ringing, especially with locals.
La Digue has a post office which is closed on Sundays. There is a small police station that was mainly set up for tourists. There is a small hospital, although some inhabitants prefer to visit the hospitals in Praslin and Victoria. Women usually go to the hospital in Victoria to give birth.
The , Veuve Reserve, a national park and conservation area, set up to protect the endemic Vev, is a crowning jewel of natural beauty for the Digueois. This island is the natural habitat of flycatcher, which is an endangered species. Since 2008, conservationists have transported a few dozen flycatchers to neighbouring islands through a breeding programme that would provide this rare bird species additional suitable habitats. Conservationists believe that construction of buildings is detrimental to the flycatcher. La Digue has now stopped approvals for new building new tourism establishments until 2023, in an effort to preserve the local natural resources.
La Passe offers many accommodation options including smaller hotels, guesthouses, and cottages. Réunion is the only major town on the island. It offers an eponymous beach, banks, shops, restaurants, takeaways, and bike rentals.
La Digue’s tallest peak, Belle Vue (Eagle’s Nest Mountain), is more than 300 m above sea level.
Bird watchers from all over come to witness the rare sighting of the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher bird, an endangered species endemic to the Seychelles.
Anse Georgette is one of the two most beautiful beaches on Praslin. with turquoise ocean water, pristine white sand, and incredible palm trees. Despite Seychelles’ growing popularity as a tourist destination, Anse Georgette has maintained its sense of seclusion, making it an ideal place for those seeking privacy. Both the resort and the beach can be found on Praslin’s northwest coast, about 3 miles north of the Praslin Airport.
Anse Georgette is owned by Constance Lemuria Resort hotel near the beach, but Anse Georgette is open to all. Entry into this place is free of cost even if you’re not a guest at the resort, however, prior booking is recommended. The hotel offers golf-cart transfers to Anse Georgette on a frequent basis. Non-guests should inform the hotel of the visit, as only 30 non-guests are allowed on the beach at any given time, and then make the 30-minute walk down to the hotel yourself. Guests of the resort can rent snorkelling equipment from the hotel itself in order to fully enjoy the beautiful underwater world of the island. There is also a golf course in the hotel premises.
In the island there is also a far more affordable Residence Praslinoise, who will arrange entry for you into Constance Lemuria. This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach and is close to restaurants and shops. The self-catering accommodations here will provide you with air conditioning and a kitchenette. Barbecue facilities are also available. A damage deposit of EUR 100 is required on arrival. This will be collected by credit card. On check-out your deposit will be refunded in full via credit card, subject to an inspection of the property.
Alternatively, it is also possible to reach Anse Georgette by boat, with some sailing tours stopping in this beautiful bay to enjoy the scenery.
The water does get deep rather quickly, however, as there is no protection from an offshore coral reef, so children and unconfident swimmers should be supervised at all times in the water.
Northeastern monsoons dominate from December to April in the Seychelles. It is quite hot and humid, with heavy rains with air temperature reaching a maximum of 33 °C. Water in the ocean warms up to + 30 °C. From June to October, the southeast monsoons prevail with humidity lowering significantly, along with the temperature lowering to + 27-29 °C.
The best time for swimming, diving, snorkeling is October and November, as well as the period from February to May. For surfing and sailing, October to March would be the best time.
For more information, visit the Seychelles Tourism Board’s Anse Georgette page or the Constance Lemuria Resort’s website.
Anse Cocos in the east of La Digue, just along the coast from Petite Anse. The beach offers golden sand, shallow natural pool water, and shade from casuarina trees and craning palms. Swimming should be reserved for confident swimmers only but swimming is safe so long as you stick to the protected natural pools of water. Expert swimmers can swim anywhere in the sea. The sea is generally calm here, but during the trade winds, the waves can be large.
The beach is not normally crowded; there will be only about 10 visitors on a normal day. So you can easily find a spot for yourself away from others.
As there are no shops on the beach you should take food, drinks and beach accessories along with you. The closest facilities are found in Grand Anse, which is about 30 minutes from the beach. The facilities in Grand Anse include hospitals which are open 24 hours, regional police station, post office etc.
The accommodation available in Grand Anse are:
La Digue Holiday Villa which is 3 minutes walk from the beach and within a 2-minute walk of Anse La Reunion Beach and 1 km of Anse Source d’Argent,
JMS Ventures Seychelles is about 15 minutes away from the beach of Anse La Reunion on La Digue. There are 4 double bed rooms which can accommodate 8 guests.
Calou Guest House is a 3-star guest house, located just off Inter Island Ferry, and 1.7 miles from Anse Cocos beach and is a short walk from Anse Reunion. The guest house offers on-site breakfast in the restaurant. Guests can enjoy dining at the a la carte restaurant.
Calou Guest House is a 3-star guest house, located just off Inter Island Ferry, and 1.7 miles from Anse Cocos beach and is a short walk from Anse Reunion. The guest house offers on-site breakfast in the restaurant. Guests can enjoy dining at the a la carte restaurant.
Anse Cocos Beach Location
There is a 900m-long path from Grand Anse that leads straight to Anse Cocos through Petite Anse. In total, it’s a 1.3km walk from the restaurant on Grande Anse. The trail is not marked, so it will be difficult to find the way without a guide.
Despite its lack of facilities, Anse Cocos Beach is considered to be a worthy attraction. it is well-worth a visit.
The best time for swimming, diving, snorkeling is October and November, as well as the period from February to May. For surfing and sailing, it is advisable to set out from October to March. Swimming should be reserved for confident swimmers only, but if you stick to the protected natural pools of water, you should have no problems.
Anse Cocos was actually one of the very first settlements on La Digue. The island used to have a large copra production facility. It was then a small village. Just off the beach, you can still see the abandoned buildings, as well as the remains of the kiln they used to dry the coconuts.
Mahé Island
Mahé is the largest island of Seychelles. Mahé has an area of 154 sq.km, and is 28 km long, 8 km wide. It is also home to the smallest capital city in the world, Victoria, which accommodates 77,000 people which is 86% of the country’s total population. All visitors to the Seychelles will begin their journey from here.
Morne Seychellois is the tallest peak in this island.
Seychelles International Airport opened here in 1971. In the southern and western parts of the island there are Baie Ternay Marine National Park, Port Launay Marine National Park, and University of Seychelles. The Sainte Anne Marine National Park lies offshore, as do Conception Island, Thérèse Island, Anonyme Island and several smaller islands.
The Port of Victoria is home to a tuna fishing and canning industry. From 1963 to 1996 the United States Air Force maintained a satellite control network here at the Indian Ocean Station, where it had a significant impact on the local economy. Mahé is also home to the Seychelles’ governmental and administrative centre.
The centre of the island has imposing peaks and clouded forests with diverse flora and fauna, giving life to the island’s numerous hiking trails. Countless freshwater springs characterise the rich nature of the island, while tropical palms and other plants also grow throughout this region, including mango, papaya, banana, tea, and more.
Beau Vallon is the best beach in the island, which is almost as bustling as the capital itself. Numerous accommodation options, restaurants, shops, and diving centres can be found in this sprawling bay. Sainte Anne Marine National Park is about 5 km from here. This area offers excellent snorkelling conditions, with a great variety of flora and fauna to be seen, especially in the Sainte Anne Channel, which runs between Sainte Anne Island and Moyenne Island, and, for this reason, this is the destination of many tours.
Aldabra Atoll
The Aldabra is a giant tortoise and is endemic to the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.
Aldabra atoll comprises four large coral islands which enclose a shallow lagoon; the group of islands is itself surrounded by a coral reef. Due to difficulties of access and the atoll’s isolation, Aldabra has been protected from human influence and thus retains some 152,000 giant tortoises, the world’s largest population of this reptile. Since 1982, the atoll has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The only residents of the atoll are a few researchers, carrying out work on behalf of the Seychelles Islands Foundation. Tourists may only visit the island as part of a cruise day trip and with permission.
This atoll has the largest colony of wild giant tortoises in the world. In total, there are around 150,000 tortoises here. Hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles, both of which live in the ocean, come to the beach to lay their eggs, where they likely encounter the tiny 60 cm coconut crabs.
Abundant bird species, including flamingos, frigate birds, herons, Aldabra white-throated crakes (unable to fly), tropical red-tail birds, sunbirds, ibises, sea-swallows, Aldabra drongos, and many other feathered creatures live and nest here, with 97 endemic species in total. Eight different species of mangroves are found on the island, providing plenty of natural habitat for the birds.
The flying fox is the only native mammal to the archipelago.The Aldabra snail, once thought to have died out, was re-discovered in 2014 during a survey. Besides shrubs and bushes, most of which are no more than three or four metres tall, there are 40 different flowering plants here.
Drift-diving through the channels in the atoll’s lagoon allows one to get up-close and personal with doctor fish, snappers, and mantas, as well as black-tip sharks, dolphins, and manatees.
Bird Island
Bird Island is found on the northernmost part of Seychelles, about 100 km away from Mahé. Sooty Tern, consisting of 700,000 pairs, forms the largest bird colony on the island. Fairy terns, common noddies, hawksbill and green turtles are other colonies found in this island. The island is 1,500 metres long and 800 metres wide. To get here, you need to take a thirty-minute flight from Mahé.
It is now a private resort with 24 self-catering villas chalet-villas. The island is owned by Alex Savy who lives there. It also contains a small weather station and a small landing strip Bird Island Airport which connects the island with Mahe.
The chalets are, without any air-conditioning, phones, and televisions, for tourists, which nevertheless offer a brilliant ocean view and make for an outstanding stay. The proceeds from the privately-run Bird Island Lodge benefit the island’s nature. The island does not have a pool, cars, roads, or even daily newspapers. There is a shop and restaurant to cater to guest’s needs. Meals are served at the restaurant in the main lodge area and guests can enjoy a drink at the on-site bar.
Because the island is surrounded by beaches, it is safe for turtles to come and nest here. Their nesting routine, which takes place under cover of darkness, must not be disturbed, and neither must the young turtles that hatch around sixty days later. Therefore, visitors stick to the lit paths in front of the bungalows.
Between April and October, hundreds of thousands of sooty terns nest there.
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