Mahé Central Mahé
Central Mahé is home to the International and domestic airports which are only a short distance from the picturesque village of Cascade and its beautiful church. The La Misère road gives access to the west coast via a scenic mountain drive allowing excellent photographic opportunities. The more northerly route of Sans Soucis leads to the viewpoint at Mission Lodge at Sans Soucis, high in the mountains above Victoria where there is a breathtaking view of the island and a lodge where the Queen of England once sat and sipped tea.
In Central Mahé is also to be found the Morne Seychellois National Park, covering more than thirty square kilometres and occupying most of the west and central massif of Mahé. Walking through the park will reveal much endemic flora including the insectivorous Seychelles pitcher plant, the wild vanilla orchid and an example of the Wright’s Gardenia.
If you fancy some great horse riding, then Turquoise Horse Trails which is located close to the bottom of the La Misère road on the west coast, offers a wonderful service. Turning right at the same intersection will lead you up to the Ephelia Hotel and to a memorable zip-lining experience.
Mahé The East Coast
Just inland from the east coast of Mahé, is situated the splendid Jardin du Roi with its fruit and spice gardens and restaurant, the photogenic Fairyland beach at Anse Royale, as well as the Craft Village and Plantation House at Le Cap.
Close to Victoria, Eden Island is a one stop shop and Seychelles' only true mall experience. Its great scenic beauty is topped off by a great selection of restaurants, bars, shops and a discotheque. Mahé is also a stepping-stone to discovering the delights of the Ste. Anne Marine National Park and the neighboring islands of Cerf and Moyenne, which offer excellent opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. ABSOLUTE
The Tea Plantation itself is at Morne Blanc, a few kilometres further along the mountain road and visitors can sometimes taste the assortment of flavoured teas produced at the small tea factory on site at the Tea Tavern. Further on down the steep winding road to the other side of the island, a trip to the beach at Port Launay for swimming and snorkeling is a must.
SEYCHELLES
South Mahé
In comparison to the north of Mahé, the south is a pastoral region enjoying a more relaxed pace of life in traditional villages such as Baie Lazare, Bougainville and Takamaka. The south also features several beautiful and secluded beaches such as Intendance, Takamaka, Anse Soleil, Petit Anse and Anse Bougainville. Here are also the studios of the renowned British artist, Michael Adams at Anse aux Poules Bleues, sculptor Tom Bowers at Santa Maria and Antonio Fhillippin at Baie Lazare. The scenic walk through Val d’Andor will reveal some of Mahé’s most wonderfully untouched countryside dotted with remote hamlets and fruit and vegetable plantations.
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