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 on Mahé island, the largest in the Seychelles and home of the capital, Victoria.  Transfer to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht this morning and embark on an unforgettable journey through this idyllic Indian Ocean paradise. In the afternoon, you’ll sail to Sainte Anne Island.

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

Sainte Anne Island is encircled by a Marine National Park that’s home to incredible marine life including more than 150 species of fish. Sainte Anne is also a significant nesting site for Hawksbill turtles.

Late in the morning, you’ll sail to Cousin, a small island renowned as a haven for seabirds. The granitic islet was a private property until 1968 when it was purchased by the International Council for Bird Preservation to transform it into a nature reserve. It’s the most protected island in the archipelago, providing a breeding ground for 11 seabird species annually and a habitat for five birds native to the Seychelles.  Later, you will sail to Praslin to stay overnight.

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.

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, set sail for La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. Like Praslin Island, it is also fringed by world-famous beaches. One of the most recognisable is Anse Source d'Argent – it has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. Sail to Curieuse later in the evening.

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. The island was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house now has a museum and visitor’s centre. Nature trails wind through the island, passing mangrove swamps and the native coco de mer palm trees.

Early in the morning, sail to the lush, green island of Aride, a nature reserve managed by the International Conservation Society. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than 30 rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs. 

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.

Return to Mahé for the final days of your voyage.  The capital city, Victoria, was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British for Queen Victoria. The island of Mahé has pristine beaches dotted with huge rocks and tranquil nature trails threaded through the Morne Seychellois National Park.

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 at the hotel this evening. 
Overnight Stay: Nairobi 

Your thrilling 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, Samburu enchants visitors with spectacular scenic landscape. Within the Reserve, enjoy a two-night stay at your lodge.

You’ll set off on your first safari drive this afternoon. Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. This is one of the best places to find several endemic Northern species, including the reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich and the endangered  Grévy'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

Today enjoy a morning and afternoon game viewing drive. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath-taking and wondrous beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river brings a magical end to a memorable day on safari. Visit a Samburu Manyatta or Village and see what life is like in this harsh landscape.

After breakfast depart for Lake Nakuru National Park with a brief stop en-route at the Thompson’s Falls for a breath-taking view of the magnificant scenery.

Lake Nakuru ranks as one of Africa’s finest game viewing parks, the natural habitat for a variety of animal species that extend to prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, impala and the elusive leopard. among many others. Lake Nakuru National Park is also one of the best places to spot the endangered black and white rhino, while more than 300 bird species have been recorded here.

Later, savour an unforgettable African sunset experience, complete with drinks and canapés, before your overnight stay.
Overnight Stay: Lake Nakuru National Park

Visit the Mission in Action Orphanage and hear the fascinating stories of how it was established by an Australian family. Continue to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most renowned game reserve, which offers breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Arrive at your tented camp, your home for the next three nights stay. Then enjoy lunch and some time at leisure 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 are the habitat of the black-manned lion, the savannah elephant, the Cape buffalo, wildebeest, the elusive leopard, cheetah, the spotted & stripped hyena, the rhino, topi, Burchell’s zebra and the Maasai giraffe, among many others.
Three Night Stay: Masai Mara Game Reserve

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 have done for centuries;  this is a marvellous opportunity to interact with the East African semi-nomadic people and experience their way of life, as you learn first-hand about their customs and traditions.

DiscoverMORE
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (extra expense, please book on tour)

Today enjoy another day of game drives with an opportunity to see more of Africa’s ‘Big Five’ that Maasai Mara is world-famous for: the lion, savannah (African) elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and the black rhino.

This evening, enjoy dining  under the African starry skies.

Today your African adventure draws to a conclusion. Bid farewell to your Driver-Guide and fellow travellers before being transferred to the airport.

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.