Praslin Seychelles Africa

Praslin is the second largest inhabited island of the Seychelles, and is seven miles by roughly two and a half. The striking coral reefs are mere striplings, perhaps six to eight thousand years old. But they are teeming with life ; a landscape painted in the myriad colours of living coral, jewel like shells, and an amazing nine hundred species of fish.
It is also home to one of Seychelles’ two World Heritage Sites – the Vallee de Mai – a primeval rainforest containing the famous Coco de Mer palms, which have the largest, heaviest and most suggestively shaped nuts in the world. Vanilla orchids, a variety of lizards and some of earth’s rarest birds also reside there. Praslin, though small, more than warrants exploration. Thanks to its geography, it is also the ideal place from which to visit many of the other islands.

On the island of Praslin, Vallée de Mai has largest amount of coco de mer palms in the Seychelles, 4000. This valley’s prehistoric forest is World Heritage listed. Here you will also find the fascinating wild pineapple, wild coffee and the allspice bush. You may even spot the Seychelles black parrot, which is only found on Praslin.

Anse Lazio is the best beach on Praslin and one of the best in the country. It is located on the far north of the island. The beach has sparkling white, soft sand some rounded granite boulders and some good waves. The water is a spectacular turquoise colour. It is a great beach for snorkelling.
The islands lie outside the cyclone belt but receive monsoon rains from November to February with the northwest trade winds. This hot and humid season gives way to a period of cooler weather though the temperature rarely falls below 23°.

Locality:

Praslin is off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean and is 660 mls NE of Madagascar, 995 mls E of Kenya. Praslin’s small airport lies 5 mls W of Vallee de Mai and 23 mls NE of the main island of Mahe. It is surrounded by many smaller islands, including La Digue and Curieuse, which is 15 mins by air from Mahe, and 3 hrs by local schooner, and 1 hr by catamaran.
The area is suited to upmarket couples and families, particularly suited to honeymooners and those placing an emphasis on luxury retreat with natural beauty.
There are majestic bays and long beaches alternate with small coves. Most development is focused on 2 main strips of coastline: in the east (Cote d’Or) and in the west (Grand Anse).

The Cote d’Or in particular offers long stretches of golden sand and sheltered, shallow water; good for families. From late May to November the whole of the south west coast is affected by seaweed, while from November to February it is the turn of the north east coast.

Hotels generally provide free transport to the other coast at these times. Snorkelling is best in the more sheltered NW bays and in parts of the Cote d’Or. Anse Lazio, in the NW, is good for swimming and snorkelling and is reputed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, although arguably there are several which could live up to that title.
Anse Lazio is not directly accessible by public transport, entailing a long walk on very steep roads from the nearest bus stop (you could always use a hire car or taxi).
During the daytime most activities are beach and water sports based, however cycling and hiking in the Vallee de Mai are also popular.

The nightlife here offers a handful of local dance halls, also 3 discos in proximity of hotels which are only open at weekends. The Casino at Cote d’Or provide entertainment for the gambler. Evening entertainment is available in some hotels and restaurants; otherwise it’s peace and quiet.

There is a limited choice of eateries which means that many visitors stay on a half-board basis. Only a handful of independent restaurants and cafes exist on the island offering local creole specialities and fish dishes. Hotels provide the usual international fare, often with a creole option; their restaurants are generally open to the public. Prices tend to be high.

Mahe Seychelles Africa

Mahé, the largest island of the Seychelles Archipelago, is situated in the Republic of Seychelles in the western Indian Ocean. The capital city Victoria, the wonderful beaches, and the lush green vegetation of the island make it one of the mostly visited tourist destinations in the world.
Mahé, housing a well equipped international airport, destinations that provides you with relaxation and the much-needed break from the monotonous chores of daily life, attracts a good number of visitors all through the year. Surrounded with the calm and quiet neighbouring islands.
Mahé also serves as the base to access all the neighbouring islands on the ocean, ideal to make your weekend itinerary.

This area is suited to well-off honeymooners and families, it appeals to special-interest groups. Prices of accommodation and every day living here are high here. This is predominantly an international resort complexes and medium-sized hotels, all with modern facilities. There are family-run guesthouses and bungalows which are interesting cultural-exchange alternatives.

Mahé has a comfortable weather with temperature remaining between 26°C to 29°C all through the year. However, during the month of November to February, the island gets a good amount of rain.
Due to the position of the island, which is beyond the cyclone belt, you can keep your worries of high storm or thunderstorm aside. Looking at the Southeast trade winds and the Northwest monsoon the best time to visit Mahé would be between March and October.
Locality:
Mahe is situated off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean (640 mls NE of Madagascar and 975 mls E of Kenya). The international airport is on the E coast, 6 mls SE of the nation’s capital, Victoria). The largest and one of the most northerly of the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands. Its nearest neighbours are Silhouette, Praslin and La Digue.

The beaches here offer a wide choice, with around 70 in all, small or large, deserted or crowded, highly visible or hidden away in some remote part of the island. Beau Vallon, the main tourist beach on the NW coast, is a 2-ml-long arc of white sand with clear waters and a wide range of water sports on offer, it is also the calmest of the beaches, so good for young families.
Victoria offers a range of locally produced wares and a daily market for fresh fish and vegetables; the Codevar Centre has a wide selection of local art and crafts. All villages have small, basic grocery stores for every day living.
During the daytime there are many beach and water sports, including snorkelling, diving and sailing. There are also acilities for golf, horse riding, paragliding, bird-watching, walking and hiking.
The nightlife here is based mostly in hotels offering evening entertainment programmes, from barbecue nights to dinner dances and folk singing. There is one cinema in Victoria, a national theatre, 5 discos/nightclubs which are open mostly at weekend, and a couple of hotel-based casinos.

The main choice of food here is by far is creole, but many eateries offer a more bland “international” cuisine for those who can’t take the spice. A reputable pizzeria at Beau Vallon. Several takeaways can be found in Victoria. A few Chinese and Indian restaurants exist in the bigger hotels.

Most of the religious festivals that are celebrated in Port Victoria are related Roman Catholicism like Easter, Corpus Christi on June 10, The Assumption on August 15, and the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Festival Kreole is celebrated every year at the end of October to showcase the Crèole culture and tradition to the outside world.

La Digue Seychelles Africa

The Seychelles is an unspoilt tropical paradise thousands of miles from anywhere. Here you will find magnificent palm-fringed beaches, superb snorkelling and diving, and plenty of forested wilderness filled with wildlife. La Digue is situated a short distance from Praslin, but is unreachable by plane, instead a short boat ride from Praslin to La Digue is required, lasting only 20 minutes or so.

La Digue is the fourth largest and third most populated of the islands within the Seychelles, with over 2,000 inhabitants. Several hotels exist on the island, providing comfortable accommodation, the most popular being La Digue Island Lodge. In addition there are several guesthouses offering simpler accommodation. It is also possible to visit the island on a day trip from Praslin. Suited to middle to upmarket nature-lovers seeking total relaxation and an away-from-it-all holiday. A haven for romantically inclined couples, a popular honeymoon destination.

Locality: La Digue is off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. (it is 660 mls NE of Madagascar and 995 mls E of Kenya. Nearest international airport is on the neighbouring island of Mahe, 27 mls). La Digue is the fourth largest of the Seychelles group.

La Digue is surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches, spectacular coves where one can find deserted beaches with no other tourists beside yourself. The simple beauty and charm has made the island into a favourite for film producers and photographers.

For the more adventurous, who don’t want to spend the whole holiday on the beach, climb to the top of the mountain at the heart of the island, it offers a wonderful view of the island. At the ends of the roads, the follower is left with just a footpath to follow. There are some small tourist shops and a couple of art galleries along the main road from the jetty. A few other shops at the jetty offer groceries and other convenience items. La Digue Island Lodge has 2 boutiques well stocked with souvenirs and other necessities.

This is not the place for nightlife, some hotels provide evening entertainment. The local community hall holds dances/discos at weekends, but these are mostly for locals.