since 1982

Seychelles is home to no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Vallée de Mai on Praslin where the wondrously shaped Coco-de-Mer nut grows high on ancient palms and fabled Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll.

Seychelles, one of the world’s very last frontiers, promises adventure and breathtaking natural beauty in pristine surrounds still untouched by man. These are truly five star islands!!

CULTURE & FOOD

You can hear it in the music. You can taste it in the food. For two centuries Seychelles has been a melting pot of different races, traditions and religions.

The broad range of Creole cuisine is an expressive reflection of the diverse ethnic mix of the islands. It features the subtleties and nuances of French cooking, the exotic taste of Indian dishes and the spicy flavours of the Orient. Grilled fish marinated in a sauce of crushed chilli, ginger and garlic is a favourite as are crab, octopus and chicken curries with coconut milk. The less known and not as readily tried Fruit bat curry is also a very interesting taste! A dazzling array of fresh fish is readily available and is easily transformed into a wide selection of succulent dishes with the help of condiments, fruit spices and herbs on sale in the local markets.

Music and dance are an integral part of all Seychelles festivities. Creole music and dance have their roots both in African, Malagasy and European cultures. The music played to the accompaniment of drums such as tambour and tamtam and simple string instruments. Foreign influence has introduced the violin and guitar, both of which play a prominent role in today’s music. The colourful lyrics recount simple daily events.

The popular local dance, the Sega, danced to the rhythm beaten on the drums, features an energetic shuffling of the feet and swaying of the hips. One foreign dance import is the Kamntole, which is danced to the accompaniment of banjos, accordion, violin and triangle and which is faintly reminiscent of a Scottish reel. Another is the Contredance, an import from the French court. The traditional Moutya is an erotic dance derived from the days of slavery when it was perhaps the only way for the slaves to express themselves, something they did brazenly with slow and suggestive movements at gatherings on the beach under the moonlight and around a fire.

Monday to Friday 08h00 - 14h00

Saturday 08h00 - 11h00

All banks process traveller’s cheques and foreign exchange transactions.Passports are required for visitors’ transactions and nominal commissions may be charged.ATM facilities exist at major banks on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and at the airport on Mahé and Praslin.Please note that these provide cash in local currency.

Seychelles’ enviable climate is always warm and without extremes.

The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR) which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in 5, 10, 25 cents, and 1 and 5 Rupee denominations. Notes come in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Rupee denominations.

Exchange rates are featured on the Central Bank of Seychelles website, in the Nation newspaper and are also available at all banks.

Nature Reserves and World Heritage sites

Vallee de Mai on Praslin, where the famous Coco de Mer trees grow in ancient forests is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atol, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

L'Union Estate on La Digue Island, which also boasts the postcard perfect beaches, the Seychelles is known for.

Aride Island, is home to breeding seabirds of ten species endemic birds such as Magpie Robins, Fodies and Brush Warblers.

Ile Coco Marine National Park is set around 3 small islets in a shallow turquoise sea surrounded by large expanses of coral reefs.

The hills of Curieuse Island are peppered with Coco de Mer trees.

The Curieuse Marine National Park by chartered boat from Praslin.

Silhoutte Marine National Park is the only "paper park" left in Seychelles.

St Anne Marine National Park has one of the largest areas of sea grass meadows in the granitic

islands.

Cousin Island Special Reserve on Mahe.

Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahe.

Beaches

The famous Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue, is framed by impressive granitic rocks.

Anse Cocos on the eastern coast of La Digue is only accessible by foot.

Anse La Reunion lies along its shore on The La Digue Island.

Anse Patates lies on the northern most tip of the La Digue and is close to the Patatran Village.

Anse Pierrot. Anse Union beach is a part of the L'Union Estate, a plantation open to the public.

Anse a la Mouche is situated on the South Western coast of Mahe.

Anse Boileau is a narrow band of shallow waters of Mahe.

Anse Forbans is located on the South Eastern coast of Mahe.

Anse Victorin on Fregate Island Private.

Grande Anse or West Beach on North Island has nothing but a small sunset bar and nature surrounding it.

National Monuments and Historical Sites

Bel Air Cemetery on Mahe

Bicentennial Monument on Mahe

Domain de Val des Pres on Mahe

Grann Kaz on Mahe

Kreole Institute on Mahe

La Bastille on Mahe

Le Jardin du Roi on Mahe

Mission Lodge on Mahe

National Museum of History on Mahe

Patrimwann on Mahe

Seychelles National Botanical Gardens on Mahe

Seychelles Natural History Museum on Mahe

Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market on Mahe

St Paul’s Cathedral on Mahe

The Sanctuary at Roche Caiman on Mahe

Victoria Clock Tower on Mahe

Zonm Lib/ Liberation Monument on Mahe

Eustache Sarde’s House on La Digue

Granite Boulder on La Digue

Plantation House on La Digue

Veuve Reserve on La Digue

Praslin Museum

Dauban Mausoleum on Silhouette

Plantation House on Silhouette

Seychelles' office hours are Monday to Friday 0800hrs-1600hrs. Most government offices and some private businesses close on Saturdays and remain closed on Sundays and also on public holidays.

There are various interesting places to shop for Seychellois arts and crafts, and the local market places on Mahe and Praslin, offer local fresh fruit, vegetables and fish.

At Sans Souci on Mahe where tea is planted and processed one can do a tea tasting.

On Mahe the Seychelles Craftsmen Association, exhibits in the Craft Village of Anse aux Pins, for souvenir shops try Camion Hall in Victoria and La Kaz in Independence Avenue; Seypot, a pottery co-operative is located in Union Vale. For fabric, clothing, batik try the Antik Colony Shop and various other shops on the main road of Victoria, near Pirates Arms.

The Black Pearl (Seychelles) Ltd on Praslin and Tom Bower's Sculptures Studio on Mahe may also be of interest.

The international dialling code for Seychelles is 248.

Seychelles enjoys modern, efficient communication services. At present, there are two GSM networks in operation, Cable & Wireless and Airtel.

Payphones are available in most districts on the Inner Islands.

Most charges (restaurant, hotel, taxis, porters, etc) already include a 5% to 10% service charge or "tip" and so tipping is not obligatory in Seychelles. However, as a reward for exceptional service, a nominal tip is sure to be warmly received.

MOREMI SAFARIS AND TOURS

"DISCOVER TIMELESS JOURNEYS"

Johannesburg Reservations office:

Telephone: (+27) 11463 3999

Fax: (+27) 11463 3564

Email: info@moremi-safaris.com

PO Box 2757

Cramerview, 2060

Gauteng, South Africa

http://www.moremi-safaris.com/