The Gentleman Magazine Issue 15 | June 2019 | Page 49

‘On this island, the birds are in charge’ - Bird Island
Home to over a million migratory seabirds, Bird Island was
named in a segment by CNN Inside Africa: ‘On this island,
the birds are in charge’. This little coral island is leading in
conservation projects, and tourism is designed to have a
minimum impact on the environment.
Even in Seychelles’ capital of Victoria, you can meet your eco
needs. The Sanctuary at Roche Caiman is a restored wetland
habitat created on reclaimed land. Here you can enjoy the
restorative qualities of nature including mangrove forest tours
and nature trails. You can even take a yoga class in the midst of
all the wildlife.
The island only sees a handful of tourists each year. The only
hotel on the island, Bird Island Lodge, has limited occupancy
so there are never more than 80 people visiting at a time. The
eco-lodge’s 24, simple but comfortable, individual chalets have
no TVs or phones. Just plenty of birds, turtles and nature.
In fact, the island has no cars and roads. Instead, you can
experience a sight that will stay with your forever: turtle
hatchlings. As part of the conservation efforts, the Bird Island
team rescue vulnerable turtle eggs and keep them safe until
their hatching period. The hundreds of tiny turtles are then
released when they race down the beach to the sea.
Mahé: Hiking through nature reserves (Morne Seychellois)
Responsible travel is a piece of cake on Seychelles’ main island,
Mahé. Many ecotourism trails have been developed and eco-
friendly activities can be found in all corners of the island.
Comprising 20% of the island, the Morne Seychellois National
Park features diverse habitats, from coastal mangrove forests
to the mountainous interior and the country's highest peak!
Most majestic is the central part of the park. The thick forest is
essentially deserted and can only be reached by walking trails.
The Gentleman Magazine | 49