What is the major secret of the Seychelles nature?

Wow! What a magnificent nature the Seychelles have. What is its secret? Already on the plane everyone notices how amazing the Seychelles nature is while looking out of the window before landing.

They see that there are mountains, velvet-colored granite rocks, and all of that is covered up with a green forest.

An azure ocean and white beaches can also be seen, and this adds up to the picture.

Thanks to the ban on a construction of tall buildings; houses and facilities are hidden by a thick tropical vegetation and it seems like there is nothing besides nature.

Only low-rise development exists on the islands and it is no higher than the biggest trees. There used to be a law in Seychelles – that nobody could create constructions higher than the longest palm tree. Things are evolving here and now there are other priorities. However, minor houses still prevail.

All the man-made constructions look very miniature so that they would not spoil the prime allure of the Seychelles – its nature.

Most of the isles exist as national parks and protected areas. The most significant nature reserves, that have the UNESCO protection, are the Vallée de Mai and Aldabra.

Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve

Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is an area of 19.5 hectares on Praslin Island: the remnant of ancient palm forests, where grows the unique coco de mer palm and where the endangered species of animals and plants are kept.

As I stated before, everything is miniature on the Seychelles. So, it is no wonder that this reserve is the smallest UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park does not amaze the size of its territory, but it relocates its visitors to the dinosaur times. Extremely high ancient palms remind us of what vegetation was like millions of years ago. Every section of land here is exceptional. It carries the history of the earth and serves as a real-time laboratory for studying current biological processes, endangered species and this specific ecosystem that dominantly consists of the giant endemic coco de mer palms (Lodoicea maldivica).

These palms reach 25 meters in height and on their tops, there are giant double nuts, Coco de Mer, of a bizarre shape that weigh up to 20 kilograms. These trees reach the maturity after 15-50 years, so it is quite feasible that some of them are over 200 years old. These palms still have many unsolved secrets. There is no precise information on how long these trees may live and how they are pollinated. The research is still in progress.

Another secret: if it is true that the inside of this coconut is an elixir of eternal youth. In fact, the pulp of this plant is very uncommon and it has not been well studied yet. Now it is used in pharmaceutical industry for creating medicines.

The coco de mer palm is the first one secret. Unraveled it can give many new of development paths.

This park is a home to another national symbol of the Seychelles – the black parrot, without it, life in this forest cannot be imagined. They live together as an integrated whole, nowhere else can these parrots be found. As the area of the reserve is limited, the population of these birds is rather negligible, the total of 1300 species. The parrots feed on the fruits of endemic palm trees such as latannyen fey, palmiste and others. Its survival depends on the existence of the thicket palm. Birds are not many and hardly anyone sees them.

Does the black parrot truly bring good luck to those who see it? There is a local belief that if someone sees the black parrot, it will give them luck.

The Seychelles black parrot (Coracopsis nigra barklyi) is another mystery of the Seychelles Islands.

Vallee de Mai is home to endemic categories of fauna, like Seychelles chameleons, Seychelles skinks, Seychelles blue pigeons, Seychelles bulbul, Seychelles frogs (Sooglossidae), Seychelles bronze gecko, etc. There is a great diversity of unique plants like Latanier palm (Roscheria melanochaetes), Seychelles stilt palm (Verschaffeltia splendida), Thief palm (Phoenicophorium borsigianum), etc.

Aldabra

The third secret is Aldabra. It is one of the world’s largest annular atoll with a closed inner lagoon measuring 155 km2 and a total protected area of 2559 km2. Aldabra is a research laboratory of this unique ecosystem where key scientific discoveries are made.

The most famous scientist, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explored the mystery of Aldabra. There are many films that reveal the features of this place, one of the latest – Aldabra: Once Upon an Island (2015).

The waters of its lagoons differ from the oceanic water, they also contain a mixture of reef, untouched marine flora and fauna, an enormous population of giant tortoises, a variety of birds and other creatures. The remoteness from other islands (over 1000 km from Mahe) has helped to preserve the extraordinary biodiversity of the atoll. After the destructive human activities on the isle and the launch of the protection program to save the ecosystem only some experts have visited this place. As long as this natural wonder is closed to the public, the endangered animal species are preserved. Nevertheless, garbage reaches this place by the ocean tides and the piles lay down on the shore. Now the crucial task is to save the atolls and preserve its animals and plants.

Seychelles national parks

There are about thirteen national parks besides these two reserves on the Seychelles.

Aride Island Nature Reserve

It is a granite island with an ecosystem of its own that is inhabited by some rare species. It is a home to a large colony of birds such as roseate tern, shearwater, frigate birds, the Seychelles warbler and also geckos, lizards, green and hawksbill turtles; the vegetation such as Rothmannia annae. The island is unusually beautiful and there are day trips to visit it.

Cousin Island Special Reserve

The island and the neighboring ocean zone have been a nature preserve since 1968 to protect the last minor population of the almost extinct endemic bird species – the Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus seychellensis). Hawksbill turtles nest here, and there is also a gigantic community of lizards and birds that inhabit the park. Trips to this place are organized by local tour operators.

Curieuse Marine National Park

It is a red-green mountainous isle with the splendid white sandy beaches. It is a home to giant tortoises and hump head parrotfish. The visitors can explore mangroves, ancient ruins of a quarantine station, colonial mansion of 1870, museum, granite rocks, the coco de mer palm trees. Several rangers live here and protect the environment. There are expeditions to this sanctuary.

The Ile Cocos Marine National Park

It is a maritime place surrounding three small islets with a considerable amount of coral reef. It is a spot for diving and snorkeling. Local DMCs provide the boat trips and excursions.

L’Union Estate

The national parkland is on La Digue Island and covers most of the isle. The trademark of this place is the most photographed beach in the world – Source d’Argent with huge ancient rocks of peculiar colors and shapes. Here can be found an antique cemetery of the first settlers, a mill and a kiln for copra, popular activities are horse riding, feeding of giant land turtles, visiting the Plantation House museum where vanilla plantations can be seen, a great souvenir from here is a fresh coconut oil.

Mission Lodge

It is a heritage site and a sanctuary. It is a mountain territory with a stunning flora of the west coast of Mahe. It comprises a walking trail in the rainforest, an observation deck and the ruins of a boarding house. Queen Elizabeth II once enjoyed these views over a cup of tea a long time ago. This site can easily be reached.

The Morne Seychellois National Park

It is the largest park (3045 hectares) on Mahe, with the highest peak: the Morne Seychellois (905 m); the neighboring tropical jungle with over 12 hiking trails of varied lengths, so a walk there might last from half a day to the whole day; coastal mangroves; rocks; ruins of old cinnamon distilleries; and etc. Local companies and private guides help with trekking along one of the paths.

Port Launay/Baie Ternay Marine National Park

It is a habitat of a whale shark for a reason that a considerable amount of plankton lives in its waters. A lovely beach allows to sunbathe, and coral reefs give every visitor an opportunity to snorkel and look at a wide variety of colorful fish.

Port Launay Coastal Wetlands

It is a mangrove swamp covering 121 hectares where all seven sorts of mangrove trees tower up. This ecosystem is a sanctuary for a bunch of endemic species such as Seychelles flying fox, crayfish, the freshwater fish Macanbale, a dissimilar class of crabs and rare herbs. There are several tracks where one can observe a lot of fascinating things while kayaking.

The Silhouette Marine National Park and The Silhouette National Park

Its are Silhouette Island and waters surrounding it. This mountainous isle, with its highest point at 740 meters above the sea level has avoided a devastating human impact on the woodland, so it still exists in its pristine condition. There are several walking trails where a distinctive flora and fauna, that exists only in this region, can be seen. The vicinities include two museums, a mausoleum of the first owners of the island, a village, a resort, apartments for rent, a research base for scientists, a diving center, a hospital. Travel agencies sell tours to Silhouette or the vacation can be ordered straight from the hotel.

The Sainte Anne Marine National Park

It is a territory surrounding Sainte Anne Island. This place is a habitat for green and hawksbill turtles. Bottlenose Dolphins also come to this place. Beautiful corals and splendid underwater life attract the professional scuba divers, glass-bottom boats and snorkeling cruises.

The Veuve Nature Reserve

It located in the interior of La Digue, is a home to a rare Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher or “Veuve”. There is a hiking expedition with a guide and other tours to this fascinating islet.

The Seychelles Islands possess a collection of endemic – plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else. Most of the islands are granite and each of them is beyond compare. The nature still remains in it primal state, because of an extended period when the Seychelles were uninhabited and isolated from people. Of course, much of harm has been done to the environment since the first settlers appeared. Now the government of Seychelles together with conservation organizations is struggling to revive and protect its nature. With the support of scientists and volunteers from all over the world the research and work to recover the ecosystem of an archipelago and the surrounding waters is underway. It is now happening at the North, Frigate, Silhouette, Curieuse and other islands.

The early colonists and pirates exterminated the large beasts such as saltwater crocodiles a long time ago. They almost eliminated sea and land tortoises, as it used to be a food source for them. A great positive side for anyone traveling here is absence of dangerous animals, insects and poisonous vegetation.

These are the only classes of animals left after colonist times. These are few kinds of animals you can meet there: geckos, lizards, skinks, frogs, hairy hedgehogs, tortoises, flying foxes, crabs and a wide variety of rare bird species. The maritime life around the Seychelles has more than a thousand species of fish, coral and aquatic creatures (sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, etc.).

The major secret of Seychelles is that this is the only place on earth where such exceptional wildlife can be found.

Lovers of a genuine nature truly appreciate it. But those who want to see the unusual and delightful nature need to hurry though, as it may not survive long. To stop the destruction of this nature people should help and support the Seychelles in their conservation programs.

Useful tips:

1.The law protects the environment of the Seychelles. Endangered species may be very close to a visitor, for example, a gecko may crawl into a hotel room. As the travelers, most of the time, do not know which species are listed in the Red List of Threatened Species; no animal reptile or bird should be harmed. The same applies to plants that should not be torn or harvested.

2.Tourists cannot export anything that is related to nature. Except for certified souvenirs (such as shells, corals, coconuts), which are sold in shops.

3.Travelers cannot import plants, seeds, food, animals, biological specimens and so forth for reason that they may contain bacteria able to disturb the fragile ecosystem of the Seychelles. The airplane staff usually sprays all over the aircrafts’ insides with a special chemical agent before the flight to suppress pathogenic microflora and insects.

4.Seychelles has started a program to get rid of plastic; disposable dishes, bottles and other plastic products now cannot be used. Holidaymakers are requested not to litter as it will help to improve the current situation with garbage on the beaches and in other places.

5.During the nature sightseeing tours and hiking everybody should wear comfortable closed shoes and use the insect repellents. There are many mosquitoes in every forest and other places. The mosquitoes do not carry malaria, but their bites are rather painful. There are also yellow flies, whose rare bites can be very unpleasant.

6.All national parks and reserves have environmental conservation fees.

7.People who travel on their own or on a rented vessel must check before entering or disembarking on any island if there are any fees or closed territories for the entrance. Most of the islands in Seychelles have a conservation fee.

8.There are no tours to Aldabra. A special permission has to be given to go there. All the details can be found at The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) website.

There are artificially created botanical gardens and reserves on the Seychelles. More details about all national parks will be given in other articles with practical tips and a special info on each of them. Sign up to the newsletter to follow the information