A photo of tourists on a nature walk.

Seychelles: why it’s a leading tourist destination.

There are many beautiful places in the world, but none have as much going for them as the Seychelles. It is one such tourist destination that can help us rejuvenate from the hustle-bustle of our city life. The country is a great destination to plan your honeymoon, family outing, or trip with friends. Blessed with year-round warm tropical weather, one can visit here at any time during the year. 

Her warm waters tempt scuba divers, where vast whale sharks and manta rays glide. And in the shallows, thriving reef beds and long sea grasses make for fantastic snorkelling along the varied, shipwreck-laden seascapes of Mahé’s north coast. As the primary draw for travellers, first time visitors will soon realise after a stroll along the powder-like stretch of La Digue’s Grand Anse, that the hype is more than justified.  A favourable oceanic climate prevails as the archipelago sits on the calm waters outside the Indian Ocean’s cyclone belt, with the southeast trade winds that have long bought visitors to these distant shores soothing the tropical humidity. 

The top tourist attractions in Seychelles and very good reason to visit, are shown below:

  1. The most beautiful beaches in the world

The beauty of the Seychellois beaches is beyond words and is unmatched anywhere else in the world. With their icing-sugar shores and glass-like water, reputation precedes the Seychelle’s beaches. We all have a different idea of the perfect beach, but on Seychelles, you’re not likely to be caught short without somewhere to stretch out and catch some rays. 

Each island of the Seychelles is surrounded by a stunning coastal landscape consisting of warm, turquoise water, exquisite ribbons of powdery-fine white sand, and palm trees as far as the eye can see! Often, you’ll find yourself just a short distance from the closest beach so you’re sure to never get bored, as each beach and bay will enchant you with its unique features. 

From imposing boulders to secluded natural beach spots where you will feel like you’re on a desert island, the variety of unique beaches on offer here gives any tourist plenty of options with vast experience opportunities.

A picture of Anse Georgette, Praslin beach in Seychelles
Anse Georgette, Praslin beach in Seychelles
A picture of Petite Anse, Mahé beach in Seychelles
Petite Anse, Mahé beach in Seychelles

2. Unique Islands

Seychelles archipelago is one of the most amazing and beautiful island paradises in the world but with 115 islands and amazing coral atolls, it’s a tough task narrowing down the best Seychelles islands to visit. While some islands of the Seychelles will bring you face to face with other tourists, others are almost completely deserted and offer peace, quiet, and pure seclusion.

Island-hopping is the best way to get to know all of the different sides of the Seychelles. Every island, whether large or small, brings the full variety of the Seychelles to the forefront. And thanks to the various tours that are on offer on every island, the Seychelles are a unique and varied holiday destination.

Out of the so many islands, only a few are open to tourists and inhabitable. Mahe is the main and the largest island in Seychelles. It is home to Victoria, the capital of Seychelles and the International airport, making it the starting part of all trips to Seychelles. Praslin is the second-largest and second most popular island of Seychelles. It has the world’s most white and thinnest sand beaches and is more laid back than Mahe.

A picture Mahe Island in Seychelles
Mahe Island
A picture of Praslin Island in Seychelles
Praslin Island

3. Spectacular Nature and impressive animal species 

An island nation at the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles sit about 1,000 miles off the East African coast with over half of the surface area covered by marine and wildlife reserves, including the UNESCO-protected Aldabra Island where astonishing numbers of giant tortoises roam freely – just one of the many examples of the harmony that can exist between tourism and conservation. 

Although one of the world’s smallest countries, the Seychelles are an ecological delight with diverse terrain ranging from high-altitude tropical forests, dotted with hiking trails to thriving coastal mangroves. The verdant rainforest disguises tiny tree frogs and tiger chameleons whilst native Sunbirds and Paradise Flycatchers dwell in the treetops above. And with the abundant exotic plant species, including the government-protected coco de mer – a fruit treasured by Asian cultures as a natural aphrodisiac and retainer of mystical properties, Seychelles’ varied plant life is a joy for botanists. 

The majestic vegetation of the Seychelles can be found on the country’s beaches and in its nature parks, as well as the tropical gardens that many accommodations offer. The lush, deep-green plant world of the Seychelles will make you feel as if you are in a whole new world, with huge trees, exotic flowers and bushes, and a wide range of tropical fruits are just waiting to be discovered. Almost nowhere else in the world protects such a unique range of species so strictly. Above all, the Seychelles are even to this day home to the Coco de Mer palm tree.

A picture of a Nature trail, Anse Major, in Seychelles
Nature trail, Anse Major
A picture of Vallee de Mai, Praslin, Seychelles
Vallee de Mai, Praslin

4. Beautiful climate throughout the year

Seychelles are the perfect destination all year-round. Whether you travel in January or July, the temperature in the Seychelles almost never drops below 26°C. Unlike other tropical islands, there is no rainy season, so the stunning beaches here are the ideal place to get away from it all, especially during the European winter season. Good weather in the Seychelles is pretty much guaranteed!

Stress and unrest are not words that apply to the Seychelles as the relaxed pace of life under the tropical sun is the perfect antidote. While here, you’re made to forget the stress of daily life and focus on relaxing and enjoying your holiday in paradise to its fullest extent.

5. Different Kinds of Accommodation

From elegant hotels, comfortable apartments, luxurious resorts and to authentic guesthouses, the Seychelles offer something for every taste and every budget. For those that prefer to spend a relaxing holiday in a luxury hotel, right by the white sandy beach, at traditional guesthouses where you can experience the lifestyle of the Seychellois a little closer, to spend the holiday at the beach, or even in a tropical oasis, there’s an experience for all. During an island hoping holiday, one can even choose to experience all of them by staying in all kinds of accommodations. This helps a visitor to know the different sides of the Seychelles. We will gladly help you find the perfect accommodation for you!

A picture of Paradise Sun Hotel, Seychelles
Paradise Sun Hotel, Seychelles
A picture of Glacis Heights Villa, Seychelles
Glacis Heights Villa, Seychelles

The Seychelles are a top tourism destination for any kind of relaxation holiday and we totally recommend it. And should you like to visit the Seychelles, Swanair Travel and Safaris is here to take care of all your planning to ensure you have the perfect holiday. Contact us on info@swanairtravel.com, 0776515014 or visit our bookings page to book your next holiday.

A photo of giraffes in Murchison falls NP

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK – A TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION

Murchison Falls National Park, locally known as Kabalega National Park, is situated between Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert at the end of the Albertine Rift valley. It is approximately 305km and a 4 to 6 hours drive from Kampala. Murchison falls NP is one of Uganda’s oldest national parks, first gazetted as a wildlife reserve as early as 1926 and later transitioned into a national park in 1951.

The northern section of the park contains savanna and borassus palms, acacia trees, and a riverine woodland while the south is dominated by woodland and forest patches.

The Murchison falls NP can be visited throughout the year although the best time to visit is during the dry season (also known as the peak season in the months June to September, December to February). This is because during the dry season, there’s little rainfall and therefore vegetation is thin. This in return makes it easy to have clear views of animals while access roads to the park and hiking trails are also more passable.

For the visitors interested in birding and would like to visit the park when it’s less crowded, the wet season (March to May and November) is ideal. During this time, lodges offer discounts too which favors budget travelers.

A photo of giraffes in Murchison falls NP
A photo of giraffes in Murchison falls NP

WILDLIFE AT MURCHISON FALL NATIONAL PARK

Murchison Falls National Park is home to approximately 76 mammal species, 556 Bird species, 51 reptiles, and 51 Amphibians. The signature animal at Murchison Falls National Park is the giraffe.

However, one is able to see many other animals through activities like taking a boat cruise, nature walk and during game drives in the park. Examples of animals at the park include but are not limited to giraffes, elephants, zebras, hyenas, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, bush backs to mention but a few. It should however be noted that the best time to sight the big cats (leopards and lions) is early in the morning during game drives before the sun gets too hot and forces them into their hideouts. The park also has primate residents such as red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, endangered chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys. These are seen in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest which is part of Budongo Forest, in the south eastern part of Murchison falls NP.

A photo showing tourist attractions in Murchison falls NP.
A photo showing tourist attractions in Murchison falls NP.

MURCHISON FALLS IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Murchison Falls National Park is best known for the most powerful waterfall in the world which is its main tourist attraction. The waterfall is found along River Nile(Victoria Nile) and at the top of the falls, the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gap in between two rocks where it plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron” leaving behind a stunning rainbow. Furthermore, for every second, the equivalent of 200 bathtubs full of water is forced through a gorge less than seven paces wide. The pressure is so great that the ground around it trembles. The water then plummets 43 meters before flowing out toward Lake Albert as a placid river whose banks are dense with hippos, crocodiles, waterbuck and buffaloes.

A photo showing the majestic Murchison falls
A photo showing the majestic Murchison falls

ACTIVITIES AT MURCHISON FALL NATIONAL PARK

There is a wide range of activities at Murchison falls National Park that offer breathtaking experiences to spice up your visit. The main activities at the park include the following: game drives, bird watching, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, and hiking to the top of the falls. For adrenaline junkies, the hiking process is a thrilling experience that’s also very refreshing.

A photo of tourists on a nature walk.
A photo of tourists on a nature walk.

ACCOMMODATION AT MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

While at Murchison falls NP, there is a variety of safari lodge options to choose from, ranging from budget to luxury. The accommodation at these lodges ranges from 40$ to 500$ per night and therefore there’s an option for everyone. One can either book the travel activities through a travel agency or through safari lodges. Whilst choosing the best lodge therefore, beyond affordability, it’s important to consider the one with a gorgeous view of the Nile so as to enjoy a wholesome experience. Examples of lodges at the park that we recommend are; Fort Murchison Safari Lodge for budget, MRL, Pakuba and Sambiya river lodge for midrange, Chobe Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River lodge for luxury, to mention but a few.

A photo of Paraa safaris lodge.
A photo of Paraa safaris lodge.

The beauty of Murchison falls National park is one that cannot be exhausted in a single blog. It is one that everyone needs to personally experience. Therefore if you are planning for your next safaris destination, we recommend you visit Murchison Falls National Park. And should you like to avoid the hassle and bustle of planning your safaris, simply contact Swanair Travel & Safaris at +256776515014, info@swanairtravel.com, or click here to book your dream getaway.