Vallée de Mai

★ 4.7🇸🇨 PraslinSuggested visit 2-3 hoursBest season Year-round; April to May and October to November are drier

World HeritageNatureRainforest

An intact primeval palm forest and the only natural home of the coco de mer, inscribed as a natural World Heritage Site.

Overview

Covering about 20 hectares, Vallée de Mai preserves an almost untouched palm forest where the coco de mer is endemic; its seed can exceed 20 kilograms, making it the largest of any plant. Five other endemic palms grow here alongside the Seychelles black parrot. Well-kept trails form several loops beneath canopies reaching over 30 metres.

History

Long the subject of local legend as a possible Garden of Eden, it was inscribed as a natural World Heritage Site in 1983 and is among Seychelles' oldest protected areas.

Highlights

•Native groves of the coco de mer
•The largest seed of any plant
•The Seychelles black parrot
•Trails through primeval palm forest

Practical tips

•Stay on marked trails; taking seeds out of the country is prohibited
•Birds are most active at dawn, so go early

Practical information

Best time: April-May
Tickets: About EUR 30 for adults
Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
Local food: Breadfruit, coconut curry batfish
Getting around: In central Praslin, about a 15-minute drive from the jetty.
Visa: Visa-free, but a Travel Authorisation must be obtained in advance with a valid passport and proof of accommodation.

Traveller reviews

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