| The Seychelles is the only mid-ocean group of granitic | | | | SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: |
| islands in the world, the Seychelles was formed 600 | | | | Religion is mainly Roman Catholic. Hand-shaking is the |
| million years ago when Gondwanaland broke up. A | | | | customary form of greeting. The Seychellois are very |
| veritable Garden of Eden with its rare and unique | | | | hospitable and welcome guests into their homes. |
| flora and fauna, the islands protect more than 46 | | | | Clothing is casual at dinner - for men, slacks and shirts |
| percent of its territory with conservation and natural | | | | are fine for the evening. Swimwear is only for the |
| reserves. | | | | beaches. A shirt with a tie are suitable for business, |
| Its virgin beauty can be witnessed in the uncrowded | | | | no jackets are required. |
| white beaches, swaying palms, striking grey and pink | | | | TIME DIFFERENCE: |
| boulders, untouched forests, bird sanctuaries, exotic | | | | GMT +4 |
| hideaways and unspoilt underwater riches. Ecological | | | | TIPPING: |
| treasures the Seychelles boast include the world's | | | | Tipping is not expected at hotels, restaurants and in |
| smallest frog, the female Coco-de-Mer fruit, | | | | taxis as bills include a service charge. |
| prehistoric beetles, the magpie robin, brush warbler, | | | | TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: |
| the white-throated rail, black parrot, giant tortoises, | | | | Mahé: |
| rare butterflies and flowers. If you are looking for a | | | | In the capital Victoria and on the island, you can visit |
| natural paradise, the Seychelles will more than satisfy | | | | Creole plantation houses, Market Street, La Reserve |
| you, it will astound you with its splendour. | | | | palm forest, white coral sand beaches, Creole |
| CAPITAL: | | | | restaurants, craft shops, art galleries, cinnamon |
| Victoria | | | | plantations, colonial mansions, the Cathedral, National |
| CLIMATE: | | | | Museum, Botanical and Orchid Gardens; Jardin du Roi; |
| The Seychelles climate conditions in different areas | | | | Morne Seychellois National Park; the best beaches are |
| can vary considerably, but in general the rainy season | | | | Beau Vallon, Anse Intendance, Anse Royale and Anse |
| is Nov-Apr with high humidity and strong winds and | | | | Takamaka. |
| the cool, dry season is May-Sep. Rainwear is required | | | | Praslin: |
| throughout the year. | | | | The island of palms and, in particular, home of the |
| CURRENCY: | | | | Coco-de-Mer palm; find huge granite boulders, coral |
| 1 Seychelles Rupee = 100 cents. Complete currency | | | | reefs and over 900 species of fish; visit the nearby |
| transactions at the airport for better rates than at | | | | island of Curieuse (the only other place in the world |
| banks. It's illegal to exchange foreign currency with | | | | where you can find Coco-de-Mer palms); the Vallee |
| unauthorized money changers; penalties can be | | | | de Mai is a World Heritage Site; the best beaches are |
| severe. All major credit cards are accepted. Pound | | | | Cote D'Or and Anse Lazio. |
| Sterling traveller's cheques are recommended. Only | | | | La Digue: |
| foreign currency is accepted in making payments in | | | | One of the world's most sought-after outdoor |
| hotels, guesthouses and for other holiday-related | | | | photographic and film locations, the island has striking, |
| expenses such as hiring of cars or boats, services of | | | | giant granite boulders, tall coconut palms and an |
| tour operators or travel agents, patronage of casinos | | | | intimate cluster of beaches; cycle or take a ride on |
| and domestic transfers within the country. Incidental | | | | an ox-cart; visit the Plantation House at L'Union |
| purchases or payments to restaurants outside hotels, | | | | Estate; about 30 minutes away by boat, you can |
| for shopping (excluding duty-free shops) and taxi | | | | visit the islands of Felicite and Coco where there is |
| fares are payable in local currency. It's illegal to enter | | | | excellent snorkelling; the best beaches are Anse La |
| or leave the country with more than 2000 Seychelles | | | | Source d'Argent, Grand Anse and Petit Anse; see old |
| Rupees without authorisation. | | | | plantation houses, a vanilla plantation and a copra |
| ELECTRICITY: | | | | factory; breeding ground of the rare Black Paradise |
| 240 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin flat. Adaptors are | | | | Flycatcher. |
| provided by most larger hotels. | | | | Aldabra: |
| HEALTH: | | | | A World Heritage Site and the world's largest atoll |
| A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from | | | | with 5 times as many giant land tortoises as the |
| travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected | | | | Galapagos; find a profusion of fish, dolphins, whales |
| areas or who have passed through partly or wholly | | | | and rare birds; some 2000 green turtles breed here |
| endemic areas within the preceding 6 days. You are | | | | annually. |
| advised to take pre-arrival precautions against | | | | Vallee de Mai: |
| hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Other health concerns | | | | In Praslin, a World Heritage Site; home to huge, |
| are limited medical facilities, tetanus (recommended | | | | granite boulders, the Coco-de-Mer palm and three of |
| for rural areas), hookworm and other parasites (don't | | | | the world's rarest birds, the Seychelles bulbul, fruit |
| walk barefoot) and influenza (risk extends throughout | | | | pigeon and black parrot. |
| the year). | | | | Mornes Seychelles National Park: |
| LANGUAGE: | | | | Much of the central highlands of Mahe comprise this |
| The official languages are English and French. | | | | park; ideal for walkers and hikers who often enjoy a |
| Seychellois is a mixture of Seselwa and French | | | | picnic at the isolated Anse Major; also visit tea |
| Creole. | | | | plantations. |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | Anne Marine National Park: |
| New Years' Day (1 Jan); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter | | | | The park comprises 6 islands off the coast of Mahe |
| Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Liberation Day | | | | near Victoria; the islands are Ste. Anne, Cerf, Round, |
| (5 Jun); National Day (18 Jun); Independance Day (29 | | | | Moyenne, Long and Beacon; Long and Ste. Anne are |
| Jun); Assumption (15 Aug); All Saint's Day (1 Nov); | | | | not open to the public, but the others offer |
| Immaculate Conception (8 Dec); Christmas Day (25 | | | | underwater viewing through diving, snorkelling, glass |
| Dec) | | | | bottom boats and semi-submersibles; great Creole |
| SHOPPING: | | | | restaurants and island-style barbecue lunches can be |
| Commercialised souvenirs; unique natural artifacts and | | | | enjoyed. |
| craftwork e.g baskets, tableware and hats; Mother | | | | Victoria Botanic Gardens: |
| of Pearl, coral and shell rings and pendants; red and | | | | Established in 1901, this 15-acre park is home to |
| black coral necklaces; local wood boxes and walking | | | | exotic plants and trees from around the world. |
| sticks; paintings; jewellery; exotic local spices; strong | | | | Veuve Reserve: |
| black island tea; orchids dipped in gold. Polite | | | | A small reserve in La Digue that protects the |
| bargaining is acceptable. NB: You need an official | | | | endangered Black Paradise Flycatcher, of which only |
| permit to purchase a Coco-de-Mer. | | | | about 50 breeding pairs remain in the world. |