Seychelles Island – A Leading Luxury Safari Destination in Africa
February 25, 2009 by Andrew Muigai
Filed under Destinations
Among all holiday destinations in Africa, the Seychelles archipelago ranks as one of the most popular. The archipelago comprises 115 granitic and coralline islands and is situated in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles Islands are particularly preferred by visitors looking for a serene environment for a luxury beach holiday or the ideal Africa honeymoon vacation.
Placed 4 degrees south of the Equator, between 480 km and 1600 km off the coast of East Africa, Seychelles is home to some of the most uncrowded and picturesque beaches in the world. These beaches include Anse Source d’Argent the famous beach on La Digue that is framed by impressive granite rocks, Anse Cocos on the eastern coast of La Digue – accessible only by foot and Anse La Reunion placed along its shore on The La Digue Island (the fourth largest island in Seychelles). Other beaches are Anse Patates lying on the northern most tip of the La Digue, Anse a la Mouche situated on the south western coast of Mahe, Anse Union, and Anse Forbans among many others.
La Digue, Praslin, and Mahe Islands form the cultural heart of Seychelles. The many other remaining islands extend in a gleaming arc towards the East African coast, and are often referred to as the outer islands. Among these outer Islands, only Alphonse and Desroches have accommodation facilities for tourists. Over the years, travelers undertaking holiday tours in Seychelles mostly visit either Mahe, La Digue, or Praslin Islands.
Mahe, measuring 28 km long and 8 km wide, is the principal island of Seychelles and the home to the Mahe International Airport. Praslin is the second popular island in Seychelles, renowned for the legendary Coco-de-mer nut that grow on ancient giant palms in the wondrous Vallee de Mai Forest. Praslin is located 44 km to the north east of Mahe and it features exquisite beaches such as Anse Boudin, Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio, Anse La Farine, Anse Possession, Anse Matelot, Grand Anse, Anse Volbert, Anse Kerlan. On the other hand, time seems to stand still on La Digue where on-carts hold sway on the paths to the dream beach of Anse La Source d’Argent.
International arrivals are received at the Mahe International Airport – the hub of Air Seychelles. Air Seychelles is the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles. The airline connects Mahe with 4 European Capitals and 3 major cities around the Indian Ocean on a weekly basis. Air Seychelles also operates numerous inter island flights every day. Although there is a helicopter service between Mahe, the main island, Silhouette, Fregate and North Island, flights can also be arranged by Seychelles hotels on request.
In addition to the world famous beaches of Seychelles, there are numerous attractions that fascinate visitors to the Seychelles islands. These include the legendary Vallee de Mai, Aldabra, Aride Island, Ile Coco Marine National Park,and Curieuse Island among others. The Vallee de Mai, once thought to be the Garden of Eden, and legendary Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atol, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On its part, Aride Island is said to be one of the world’s most important Nature Reserve. The island is home to breeding seabirds of ten species endemic birds such as Magpie Robins, Fodies, Brush Warblers.
Seychelles Islands have a tropical climate. Between the months of October and March, during the North West trade winds, the weather is warm and humid and the sea generally calm. Visitors to the Islands can move around relatively easily with the aid of the self explanatory map of Seychelles.