SEYCHELLES WILDLIFE ITINERARY
23 August – 4 September 2002

The thought of endless white beaches, scattered coconut palms and sunshine is what usually attracts the visitor to these idyllic Indian Ocean Islands. We hope to show you more, with stays on Mahe, Praslin and Bird Island plus visits to other isolated islands.

Our first destination is the mountainous island of Mahe, arriving in the morning for three nights during which time we shall visit the lush forested hills, mangrove swamps and shores. Apart from the carnivorous pitcher plant and fruit bat colony we shall also look for the following bird species: crab plover, curlew and terek sandpipers, yellow bittern, green- backed heron, Madagasgar fody, zebra dove, Seychelles scops owl, bulbul, white-eye and sunbird.

During our five days on Praslin we shall make visits to some of the smaller islands - La Digue with its much photographed rock formations, Vanilla plantation and the brilliant black paradise flycatcher: Cousin for the Seychelles warbler and magpie robin and if weather permits Aride for the spectacle of frigatebirds, wedge-tailed shearwaters and tropicbirds. Vallee de Mai will also be on the agenda and once we have seen the unique Coco de Mer trees and palm we shall look amongst the thick vegetation for the shy black parrot and blue pigeon.

Finally, we shall spend two nights on Bird Island - more than a million sooty terns breed here. Both lesser and greater noddy are easily seen and the photographic opportunities for the stunning fairy tern are, as with most species second to none. Giant Tortoise, Lizard and possibly Green Turtle can also be encountered.

On all of the islands there will be time to relax and enjoy the swimming and snorkelling and for much of our stay we share the company and knowledge of perhaps the most experienced local guide on the Islands.

Depart London Heathrow at xx on overnight flight BA xx to Mahe via Nairobi.

Arrive at early afternoon. Our first destination is the mountainous island of Mahe, where we spend three nights during which time we shall visit the lush forested hills, mangrove swamps and shores. Transfer to Fisherman’s Cove Hotel, our base. We have time to settle in and take a short rest before taking a stroll to explore our local surroundings, or if you prefer - take a swim. After dinner a local naturalist will introduce us by way of a short slide presentation to the Island.

Overnight Fisherman’s Cove.

Today we are joined by a popular and well known guide, who will remain with us on Mahe and Praslin. With her intimate knowledge of the culture and plantlife our birdwatching visits will be much enhanced. Today we visit the Morne Seychellois NP again and Mission Lodge for the endemic Pitcher Plant and many other endemic and indigenous plants. We travel south to Port Launay to experience the meeting place between land and sea where all eight species of mangroves grow. Lunch at a Creole restaurant. At the pools and creeks around the Plantation Club we shall look for the elusive Yellow (Chinese) Bittern. Late afternoon return to hotel for swimming and rest before an early evening visit to look for Scops Owl, Seychelles White-eye and Seychelles Kestrel in the Morne Seychellois National Park.

Overnight Fisherman’s Cove.

We go to the Victoria Harbour Mudflats where it is possible to see a selection of waders and herons including Crab Plover, Terek Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Sandplover, Whimbrel, Curlew Sandpipers, Green-backed heron and Cattle Egret amongst many others. Time (approximately 1 ½ hours) will be available to look around Victoria before moving on to the Botanical Gardens where we should see the Fruit Bat Roost, the endemic Seychelles Blue Pigeon, Seychelles Sunbird and Bulbul. Lunch will be taken at a Creole Restaurant in Victoria.

Overnight Fisherman’s Cove.

We transfer by plane from Mahe to Praslin and to the beautifully located La Reserve hotel for 5 nights - time to settle into the hotel, rest, swim or take a wander into the surrounding countryside in search of local birdlife. The next few days are planned as follows but landing on Aride is very much weather (no sea-swell) dependant so we might have to alter accordingly. We cannot guarantee a landing on Aride in which case, in those exceptional circumstances we shall arrange alternative walks/visits on Praslin.

Overnight: Hotel La Reserve

A boat trip to Aride Island if weather permits. We travel by small motor boat and transfer to zodiacs for landing on the island. We undertake a walk of about two hours looking out for the recently reintroduced Magpie Robin, breeding Noddies and ground nesting White-tailed Tropicbirds, Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles and Wright’s Skinks and Hermit Crabs. We take a BBQ lunch on Aride returning to La Reserve mid-late afternoon. Rest of afternoon relaxing, swimming, snorkelling or an optional walk.

Overnight: Hotel La Reserve

La Digue for the day. A larger boat for our crossing to wonderful La Digue. A visit to a coconut processing plant, a vanilla plantation and the opportunity for a mid-day swim. The special bird on La Digue is the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher and a walk in the cool woods should give us good sightings of this stunning species. A Creole lunch will be served in the La Digue Lodge restaurant. The beaches here and unusual rock formations are world famous and feature often in film and advertisements.

Overnight: Hotel La Reserve

Another boat excursion today to the ruggedly beautiful island of Cousin - gorgeous sandy beaches greet us on this Birdlife Seychelles Reserve. Visits are restricted in time and to certain days - however we shall try and maximise our stay. There are giant tortoises, shearwaters, terns and tropicbirds but the key species here is the extremely confiding Magpie Robin - photographs should be very easy. The rare Seychelles Fody and Brush Warbler are also present. Skinks and Bronze-eyed Gecko run amongst your feet. Depending upon conditions and time available we shall either take a picnic on Cousin or alternatively cross to another island - Curieuse where we take a BBQ lunch followed by a walk through the mangroves. On the return crossing to Praslin we can anchor off a small island - St. Pierre where we’ve tried the snorkelling and experienced the amazing underwater world - fantastic!

Overnight: Hotel La Reserve

We remain on Praslin for a full day of visits beginning with Vallee De Mai, the smallest of the World Heritage Sites. This is a small but magnificent forest in the middle of Praslin. For centuries a species of tree remained unknown an undiscovered: the Coco de Mer. The forest also contains a whole community of plants, animals and birds. The Seychelles Black Parrot is unique to Praslin. Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles Blue Pigeon and Seychelles Sunbird are all found in the Valle de Mai. If time permits a visit to Grande Anse on the coast for some birdwatching in and around the bay where Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Crab Plovers are all possible in the early days of autumn migration.

Overnight: Hotel La Reserve

Today we leave Praslin, we say farewell to our guide and take a plane to Bird Island via Mahe and two nights at the Bird Island Lodge - a series of 25 small bungalows. This is a most stunning coral island to the north of the Seychelles archipelago. Our 2 nights here will really feel like paradise. We could walk around the whole island in just a couple of hours and we might just do so, but this is the place to relax as well as birdwatch. After lunch we shall have time to rest, swim or snorkel before joining the Island manager/warden for an introductory walk around the grounds. We can continue independently this afternoon and tomorrow to dwell on the activity of Common and Lesser Noddies, tropicbirds and frigatebirds and come nose to beak with the inquisitive and beautiful Fairy Terns. On the grassy runway wading birds feed (once the small plane has departed) - Turnstones and Curlew Sandpipers. Grey plover, Whimbrel and Great-crested Terns feed along the shoreline. It is just a little early but September is when the first Hawksbill Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs so we must be ever watchful. We should almost certainly meet Esmerelda, the very old Giant Tortoise. The most spectacular of all birdwatching experiences however, is just a short walk along the beach to the breeding colony of Sooty Terns - in the region of 400,000 pairs of them - the noise is deafening, the smell (well interesting) and the sight as you stand on the edge of the colony - one of the natural wonders of the world!

Overnight: Bird Island Lodge

For the very keen a pre-breakfast walk to watch the sunrise - the rest of the day more of the same as yesterday but equally plenty of time to swim, snorkel, relax and enjoy paradise - take some reading and plenty of film! Lunch and dinner on both days will be taken in the open fronted restaurant listening to the birds, sea and with a gentle breeze blowing through the trees - magic!

Overnight: Bird Island Lodge

A final chance for an early morning stroll, breakfast and another hour or so birdwatching before we must bid farewell and take our flight back to Mahe where we arrive round lunchtime. We shall have the facilities of a hotel to complete our final packing, have lunch and a rest before being transferred to the airport for our flight back to London.

Arrive London xx

Departure tax is not included and is payable locally.

Anyone wishing to extend their holiday by staying on another island and/or remaining for a few more days on Bird Island should discuss their requirements with Lucy.

For the photographers, there are many opportunities to get very close to most species particularly the terns and noddies on Bird Island. Take plenty of film and a selection of lenses - do speak to Ralph and Brenda if you need any further advice.

The temperatures can be very warm to hot so we do take a rest in the middle of the day and wherever possible offer the chance to swim. Snorkelling is very good on many islands and excursions. (equipment can be hired from all the hotels)

We kindly request that if you are a smoker you do not smoke in vehicles or at meal times. We respectfully request that cigarette butts are disposed of suitably.

These details are correct at the time of printing. Although Worldwide Journeys and Expeditions have no intention of making changes, it is possible that alterations may have to be made as a result of factors that are beyond our control.

Should you have any further personal travel requirements, such as a private extension to your holiday or flights to and from a regional airport, please ask. We shall be pleased to assist you.

If you have a medical condition that could affect the group or your own involvement in the tour it is important you discuss this with us before booking.

Price: £3,695.00 per person based on two sharing

Single supplement: £995.00 (subject to availability)

Maximum group size: 14

Airport taxes: USD 40

Price includes: International and domestic flights in economy class; airport departure taxes payable on departure, as above; accommodation on a full board basis, daily excursions as indicated, airport transfers.

Price excludes: Insurance; airport taxes; personal gratuities; items of a personal nature such as drinks and laundry.

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