Travel

Seychelles – The Perfect Getaway

Located some 1,500 km away from mainland Africa, one can find the Seychelles – a set of 115 islands spanning an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles are considered as one of the most beautiful countries in the world and some people rightly call them ‘a paradise on earth’. The country has some of the best beaches in the world and is a preferred destination for honeymooners, due to the islands’ beauty and romantic set-up.

The country has two sets of island groups – 41 of them are granite and constitute the inner group. The outer islands are 74 low-lying reef islands and coral atolls, most of which are uninhabited and very difficult to access. In fact, in order to reach the Aldabra group of islands, one needs the permission of the Seychelles Department of the Environment, because the area is a nature reserve with many turtles and tortoises living there. On the other hand, the inner islands cluster around the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue – which form the tourist hub of the Seychelles.

Entering the country is fairly easy and you don’t need a visa. There are enough air carries that fly from and to the Seychelles, or you can go by boat. One crucial thing you must remember, though, is that you need your accommodation to be booked prior to entering the country. Here, the officials are not really keen on welcoming backpackers that turn up without any accommodation. In such cases, you will be taken to a counter where you will have to book and pay for accommodation for the duration of your stay before being allowed to leave the airport. So when you are considering your holiday in Seychelles make sure you have your accommodation sorted beforehand.

Once you get here, there are plenty of entertainment options. The most obvious choice is to go to one of the many pristine beaches with clear blue skies, talcum-powder sand and turquoise water. The best part is that most of the beaches have been untouched by man’s influence and are rather uncrowded – all this will offer you tranquility that you would hardly find anywhere else. Alternatively, you can leave the sunbathing for later and take a half-day to explore the Mahe island by taking a hike. There are many trails within the Morne Seychellois National Park, where you can appreciate the nature and see most of the wildlife in the country.

Don’t forget to also explore Victoria – the country’s capital. You can stroll through the tiny city for a couple of hours, but it will definitely be worth it.

James Thomas Burns