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Click here for a Seychelles Itinerary
Gallivanter Tours 2000, the Holding Company of Africa 2000 Tours specialise in travel to the Indian Ocean Islands of the Seychelles.
Seychelles! The very name seems to whisper of Paradise, and for most it is as close as we can get on earth, isolated as it is by a thousand miles of ocean from the nearest landmass. As your plane homes in on those tiny specks of land a thousand miles from the strains and pressures of modern life - prepare yourselves for a miracle.
The islands are scattered with random perfection, like a fabulous necklace of topaz, emerald and turquoise in a setting of silver, each one a treasure, a discovery, a secret you will cherish for the rest of your life.
The Islands
At the very dawn of time, when the shape of our planet was still evolving, the giant continent of Gondwanaland broke apart and a group of ancient granite fragments finally came to rest in the Indian Ocean between Africa, India and Madagascar, just 4o South of the equator. Today the Seychelles archipelago’s 115 granitic and coralline islands lie spread like jewels over one million square kilometres of azure water, with a total land-mass of 450 square kilometres! Most of these islands remain unique and virgin worlds. All remain sanctuaries to some of the rarest and most exotic plant and animal life in the world. All Totally unspoiled
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The main island houses the international airport, and is also the economic and political centre of the Seychelles - 90% of the population of 81,000 Seychellois live there. The capital town of Victoria, one of the smallest capitals in the world, boasts Creole restaurants, crafts shops, art galleries, museums and a colourful market. You will find eccentric houses with crumbling walls, draped with ferns and lianas, which tell the story of man’s brief, but eventful history. The interior abounds with lush coconut palms, cinnamon, wild vanilla and tea plantations, with towering peaks offering unparalleled views of the nearby islands, most of which are easily visited by boat, or by air. Like the other islands in this archipelago the beaches must be seen to be believed. |
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Just 15 minutes by air, 1 hour by fast ferry or 2 hours by traditional sailing boat from Mahé lies Praslin, the second largest granitic island, which is a must for every visitor. Praslin is home to the rare Black Parrot, Bulbul and Blue Pigeon, it is also here you will see the largest seed in the world. The legendary Coco de Mer nuts were found on the beaches of India and Africa, which gave rise to the belief they were from some strange under sea plant, hence the name. The palms grow however in the Vallée de Mai, one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be found in Seychelles. Amongst it’s many wonderful beaches Praslin boasts one of the worlds most beautiful - Anse Lazio
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La Digue
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A mere 3 hours by boat from Mahé, or 30 minutes from Praslin, this island offers a way of life that hasn’t changed in centuries. Ox-carts or bicycles are the mode of transport on La Digue, which is the third largest granitic island in the archipelago. At l’Union a fine traditional planter’s house has been carefully restored and was once the centre of a vanilla plantation of which the treatment factory can still be seen. On the agricultural estate, you can see furnace dried coconuts, or copra, being turned into oil. La Digue too is noted for its superb beaches and excellent snorkeling. Among the birds you will encounter is the unique Seychelles paradise flycatcher, the symbol of this island. No trip to the Seychelles is complete without a visit to La Digue.
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Aride, Frégate, Silhouette, Desroches, Bird Island, Denis Island, the list is endless…..
Though not one is more than 2 hours away by air, their old world charm guarantees a visit full of tranquil fascination and wonder.
Aldabra, the second UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a remote atoll of wild beauty, and home to 150,000 giant land tortoises, as well as colonies of rare birds, some endemic only to Aldabra.
Cousin and Aride - Islands of pilgrimage for dedicated ornithologists
Both islands are owned by the Royal Society of Nature Conservation and are havens for numerous birds, including many endangered species. On Cousine you will find the Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles Magpie Robin and the Seychelles Noddy, also Lesser Noddy, Malagasy Turtle Doves, Audubon’s Shearwaters and Seychelles Sunbirds, as well as reptiles, geckos and giant tortoises.
Aride is the most northerly of the granitic Seychelles islands ,on which there are more breeding species of sea birds than any other island in the region. The island’s warden will guide you to the breathtaking clifftops where hundreds of piratical Frigate Birds soar above the turquoise sea. If you are lucky you will also glimpse Hawksbill Turtles and Dolphin in the waters below.
Both these islands prohibit picnics, shell collecting and snorkelling and are declared Special Reserves.
Seas That Were Made for Pleasure
The Indian Ocean’s Crystal clear waters open up a whole new world of adventure and fun.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
Conditions for these activities are perfect with 100 different species of coral to marvel at and some 900 species of fish. Scuba diving and snorkelling is a fascinating pastime throughout the Seychelles islands, but the avid scuba diver should venture further afield to the outer islands, such as the Amirantes group of islands where even snorkelling a few yards offshore will reveal a colourful landscape of living coral, shells and beautiful reef fish. From the months of October to April experienced divers can dive in the company of huge, but gentle, whale sharks, and even assist with the research into these amazing creatures.
Do remember though that shell collecting and spear fishing in protected areas are forbidden, which is why most of the fish are almost tame.
Amongst the inner islands you will find most water sports well catered for including windsurfing, parasailing, pedalos, and glass bottom boat excursions. There are also numerous wonderful day or half day excursion around the islands or to neighbouring islands and marine reserves.
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Fishermen will find the Seychelles a haven too. Line, bottom, and fly fishing are popular. The seas are bursting with Marlin, Yellowfin, Dogtooth Tuna and many more. Fully crewed and equipped boats can readily be chartered on most islands. Alphonse: 450km South of Mahé, or 60 minutes by air, is home to numerous record size-bonefish, traveallies and barracuda. It is considered to be the ultimate tropical destination for the passionate saltwater fly fisherman .... or woman.
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Accommodation - All the Comforts of Home & More
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Seychelles is a true island
paradise, unspoiled by commercialism, but with a high standard of accommodation
ranging from exclusive island resorts which blend harmoniously with their
natural surroundings, to beachfront hotels and family run guesthouses, of which
none is allowed to be higher than the surrounding palms. Self catering
establishments are also available for the more budget conscious traveller. Sophisticated night life is not part of the Seychelles style, in place of night-clubs you will find folk music, traditional Sega dancing and barbecues. |
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A Taste of Paradise
When it comes to food, Seychelles offer a mouth-watering choice of dishes, ranging from the unusual and exotic, to the spicy. Even the most demanding of gourmets will find something to excite and tempt the palate. There is an old saying in the islands that if you eat breadfruit you will surely return!
Warm Welcomes and Fond Farewells
Whichever of the Seychelles islands you visit, and wherever you choose to stay, you may be sure of a warm welcome. The Seychellois are much like their lifestyle - warm, shy but friendly. Creole, English and French are the official languages of Seychelles, so making yourself understood never poses a problem.
Air Seychelles
Air Seychelles, the national carrier and largest operating carrier in the Seychelles flies to 13 destinations on 3 continents and each year thousands of passengers discover the extraordinary beauty of the Seychelles islands with their inter island network. The National carrier fleet consists of B767-300 and B737-700, two of the most modern, safest and reliable aircraft in the world.
We work with the longest
established ground operator in the Seychelles.
With its humble beginnings as a small inbound operator following the opening of the Seychelles International Airport in 1971, the company has sustained unprecedented growth to become the most dynamic and innovative Destination Management Company of the Seychelles. Their professional approach backed by a wealth of experience has earned them the position of market leader in the Seychelles. Representation can be done in multi-languages as our Destination Management Company broadens its horizons to cater for clients from different countries of the world.
They operate an excellent programme of popular optional excursions which can be booked directly through our office before you depart, or with your hostess after arrival in Seychelles.
Photographic credits: Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA) and Angelo Cavalli, Air Seychelles, Paul Turcotte, Patrick Darphin, Claude Pavard, Alf Pexton. Graham & Gill Maskell
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* Contact: Gill & Graham Maskell *
* Postal Address: P.O. Box 1204, Hilton, 3245, South Africa *
* Telephone: +27 33 3433911 * Fax: +27 33 3431786 *
* email: info@africa2000tours.co.za
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