The Seychelles and Safari - Cruise & Land Journey

Like jade-coloured jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden. Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa. Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited. Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays. Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands. He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves. After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years. Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group. During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles. This name was later anglicised to Seychelles. The first settlers arrived at St. Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves. Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago. The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English. Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria. Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities. Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market. The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors. With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands. Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail. Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.

Your tropical cruise begins in Mahé island, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and embark on your discovery of the Seychelles. In the evening, we sail to Sainte Anne Channel. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Mahé, Seychelles prior to 01:00 PM.

Docked: 17:45

Forty kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Mahé, Praslin is just a 15-minute flight or 45-minute ferry ride away. Praslin, at 11 km (7 miles) long and 4 km (2.5 miles) wide, is the second-largest island in the Seychelles. First settled as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants, the island's original name, Isle de Palmes, bears testament to its reputation as home of the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site: the only place in the world where the famous Coco de Mer, the world's heaviest nut, grows abundantly in the wild. Praslin's endemic palm forests shelter many rare species, and the island is a major bird-watching destination. Surrounded by a coral reef, majestic bays, and gorgeous beaches, Praslin is much quieter and less developed than Mahé. With few real "sights," the pleasures of Praslin largely involve relaxing in or exploring its stunning beaches and fantastical forests.

Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is visually stunning with tropical jungle-fringed beaches, emerald waters and powdery sand. Anse Lazio beach has been voted one of the world’s best several times and there’s a dazzling reef just offshore brimming with coral and marine life. On land, coconut palms and granite boulders create a picture-postcard landscape. In the centre of the island, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. 

Included Excursion
Anse Lazio Beach shuttle

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Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve & Anse Lazio (extra expense)  
Explore the natural treasures of Praslin Island on this captivating island escape. Departing from Baie Ste Anne Pier, your first stop is the legendary Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seychelles’ most extraordinary natural sanctuaries. Walk beneath towering palms in this primeval forest, often described as a natural cathedral, and discover the iconic Coco de Mer, producer of the largest seed in the plant kingdom. Keep watch for the rare Seychelles Black Parrot, endemic to Praslin, and listen for its distinctive high-pitched call echoing through the forest canopy. Following your forest visit, enjoy a scenic drive to the breathtaking Anse Lazio, where you will be welcomed with fresh coconut drinks and have leisure time to relax, swim, or soak in the beauty of one of Seychelles’ most celebrated beaches before returning to the pier. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes 

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A Day of Golf on Praslin: Constance Lemuria Resort (extra expense) 
Enjoy a premier golfing experience on Praslin Island at the spectacular Lemuria Golf Course, located within the elegant Constance Lemuria Resort. Beautifully designed by Marc Antoine Farry and Rodney Wright, and inaugurated in 2000, this is the only 18-hole golf course in Seychelles. Set against a dramatic backdrop of lush hills and the Indian Ocean, the course features stunning terraced greens and the iconic 15th hole, widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking in the region. Golfers can look forward to both a scenic and rewarding challenge. This comprehensive package includes 18 holes, green fees, rental clubs, a shared club car, water per person, 10 golf balls, and return minivan transfers between Praslin Jetty and the resort.
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 5 hours

Anchored: 23:00 (previous day) – 7:00 (next day) 

La Digue Island is an island like no other. It is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles, but the tranquillity will make it feel like you’re the only one there.

The stunning surroundings should be soaked up from cycling through the vanilla plantations to lying on the white-sandy beaches, your time on La Digue should be cherished.

There is a little more to do on La Digue compared to the smaller, uninhabited islands where you can enjoy full moon tours, surfing and snorkelling with a local.

Early in the morning, we sail to La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. Like Praslin Island, it also possesses world-famous beaches, with one of the most recognisable being Anse Source d'Argent. It has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. We will navigate to Curieuse later in the evening. 

Included Excursion
Visit La Digue Island by Camionette  
Experience the laid-back beauty of La Digue Island on a scenic island tour by traditional camionette, one of the island’s limited and charming open-sided vehicles. After tender disembarkation at the jetty, enjoy a picturesque drive through the village of La Passe, passing the magnificent La Passe Harbour, framed by dramatic granite outcrops and traditional schooners. Visit L’Union Estate, where you will explore the historic copra kiln, traditional coconut oil mill, colonial plantation house, and vanilla plantation, offering fascinating insight into the island’s heritage. Continue by camionette to the world-famous Anse Source d’Argent, celebrated for its powdery white sands and extraordinary granite formations sculpted over centuries. Enjoy time for photos and swimming before returning to the jetty, with a brief opportunity to browse local crafts and souvenirs. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes 

Anchored: 8:00 – 18:00 

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of resident Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. It was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house has a museum and visitor’s centre.

EmeraldACTIVE
Curieuse Island Hiking Exploration 
Discover the wild beauty of Curieuse Island, a small granitic island located just off the north coast of Praslin. Renowned for its striking red earth and rare endemic flora, Curieuse offers an authentic nature experience within a protected marine park. Arriving by boat at Baie Laraie, guests are greeted by the island’s iconic giant Aldabra tortoises, roaming freely near the shore. The excursion continues with a one-hour guided nature trail from Baie Laraie to Anse José, where you will discover mangrove ecosystems and endemic plant species, including the legendary Coco de Mer, a cultural symbol of Seychelles found naturally only on neighbouring islands. Upon arrival at Anse José, visit the historic Doctor’s House, once a colonial residence and now a small museum, followed by time to relax on the beach before returning by boat to the ship. 
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 

Anchored: 19:30 (previous day) – 06:00 (next day) 

Early in the morning, we sail to Aride, a nature reserve in the Indian Ocean. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than thirty rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs. 

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Forest Walk (extra expense) 
Discover the natural wonders of Aride Island on this scenic coastal exploration. Guests are transferred by small island boats from the ship to the island, arriving ashore to begin a guided walk led by island rangers. This walk focuses on the island’s shoreline ecosystem, offering insight into native flora and fauna while enjoying spectacular ocean views. Following the trail walk, guests continue with a guided stroll along the beach, where there is an opportunity to learn about the island’s turtles and their conservation. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Anchored: 07:30 – 12:30

Like jade-coloured jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden. Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa. Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited. Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays. Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands. He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves. After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years. Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group. During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles. This name was later anglicised to Seychelles. The first settlers arrived at St. Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves. Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago. The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English. Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria. Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities. Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market. The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors. With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands. Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail. Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.

Mahé is the main island of the scenic Seychelles and the largest of the archipelago. It’s home to the capital Victoria, which was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British, after Queen Victoria. The island of Mahé has pristine beaches dotted with huge rocks and tranquil nature trails threaded through the Morne Seychellois National Park. 

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Mission Lodge & Botanical Gardens (extra expense) 
Discover the natural and cultural highlights of Victoria on this scenic exploration. Departing by coach, your first stop is the renowned Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, home to giant land tortoises, fruit bats, and a remarkable collection of endemic plants, including the world-famous Coco de Mer. Guests will have the opportunity to feed the tortoises and stroll through the lush tropical grounds. Continue via the scenic Sans Soucis mountain road to Mission Lodge, originally known as Venn’s Town, where liberated Africans were settled after 1861. Enjoy a photo stop at this historic site, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The tour concludes in Victoria, one of the world’s smallest capitals. Explore the colourful bazaar, browse local crafts and souvenirs, and see the iconic Victoria Clock Tower before returning to the pier.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4 hours 

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Ephilia Zip Lining Adventure (extra expense) 
Experience an exhilarating adventure on Mahé with a scenic journey from Victoria to the stunning northwest coast at Constance Ephelia Resort, located in beautiful Port Launay. Upon arrival, guests transfer by resort buggy to the zipline base, known as “The Icebreakers,” where the adventure begins. This thrilling experience features 8 zip lines ranging from 85 to 120 metres, soaring high above the lush forest canopy and dramatic granite boulders that define Mahé’s landscape. The zipline activity lasts approximately 60 minutes, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable adrenaline rush. Following the adventure, guests return by buggy to the resort reception before rejoining the coach for the scenic drive back to the pier and ship. 
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Creole Show 
A traditional Creole show depicting the culture of Seychelles, including Sega, Moutya, traditional dances, and guest participation. 
Duration: 45 minutes 

Docked: 07:00 – Overnight 

Like jade-coloured jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden. Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa. Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited. Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays. Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands. He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves. After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years. Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group. During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles. This name was later anglicised to Seychelles. The first settlers arrived at St. Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves. Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago. The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English. Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria. Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities. Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market. The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors. With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands. Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail. Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.

Your Emerald Cruises voyage concludes here. From the yacht, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Nairobi.

JAMBO – Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi, Kenya’s colourful capital city. Meet your experienced Driver – Guide and enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

Overnight Stay: Nairobi

Your African safari begins this morning as we head north via Nanyuki for the Samburu Game Reserve set in the rugged, semi-arid northern region of Kenya, with spectacular scenic landscape.

Your first safari drive is this afternoon. Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. It is one of the best places to find several endemic Northern species, including the reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich and Grevy’s Zebra. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai.
Two-night Stay: Samburu Game Reserve

Enjoy morning and afternoon game viewing drive. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath-taking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river brings the perfect end to a day on safari.

After breakfast depart for Lake Nakuru National Park with a brief stop at the Thompson Falls for a breath-taking view of the great scenery.

The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffe, the black & white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impala, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino.

Enjoy an African sunset experience with drinks and canapes.

Overnight Stay: Lake Nakuru National Park

Visit the Mission in Action Orphanage and hear the stories of how it was started by an Australian family. Continue to the Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya’s most renowned game reserve offering wonderful scenery and plenty of wildlife. Arrive at your tented camp for lunch and a little bit of leisure time before you depart on an exciting game viewing drive. The rolling plains and grasslands, stretching far into the horizons as far as the eye can see is home to the black-maned lion, the savanna elephant, the Cape buffalo, wildebeest, the elusive leopard, cheetah, the spotted & striped hyena, the rhino, Burchell’s zebra, the Maasai giraffe among many others.

Three Night Stay: Masai Mara Game Reserve

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Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (extra expense)

Enjoy a full day in the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives.

Visit a traditional Maasai Village and experience the culture of this world-famous community. The Masai still live as they did for centuries -interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions.

Dine under the stars tonight.

Another day of game drives with an opportunity to see more of the 'Big Five' that Maasai Mara is famous for. These include the lion, savanna (African) elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the black rhino.

Bid farewell to your Driver – Guide before your included light aircraft flight back to Nairobi this morning where it’s time to say farewell to the magic of Africa of Africa and the Seychelles

Please book your flight to depart out of Nairobi after 04:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.