Ngare Serian in the Mara North Conservancy is a special little place – there are only four ensuite guest tents here. Each one is positioned on the river bank. A huge advantage for guests staying here is exclusive-use vehicles, which come with a guide and spotter.

After the excitement of safari you fly to the Seychelles for a relaxing stay at The Constance Ephelia,  overlooking the Port Launay Marine Reserve.

Days 1-4 Ngare Serian Camp, Masai Mara
Fly to the Masai Mara. You will be met and transferred to camp. Ngare Serian is an intimate and luxurious candle-lit camp in the Mara North Conservancy, one of several small Alex Walker Serian properties here. The only Wi-Fi you’ll find is Wi-Fi the camp dog. Access to camp is thrilling – by foot over a narrow rope bridge strung high above the river. You’ll be rewarded by four glorious tents with wonderful ensuite bish bathroms and views over the river and beyond. The farthest tent, tent 4 overlooks a hippo lagoon. The Ngare Serian safari experience includes exclusive use safari vehicles, expert guides and spotters, bush breakfasts, lunches, and sundowners in scenic locations.

Day 5 Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
Early morning game drive is followed by breakfast. Today you will fly to Nairobi and transfer to Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Days 6-12 Constance Ephelia Mahé, The Seychelles

Fly to the Seychelles. On arrival in Mahé you will be met and transferred to Constance Ephelia Mahé Seychelles where the rest of your time is at leisure. Enjoy exploring this tropical landscape or relax on your choice of two soft, white sandy beaches.

PRICE GUIDE

Per person sharing: from £7,325 (based on mid season)

• This itinerary is available all year round.
• This trip starts in Nairobi and ends in Mahé.

INCLUDES

• All domestic flights, airstrip transfers and departure taxes
• Park & conservancy fees
• All game activities in an exclusive-use 4×4 safari vehicle
• Full board accommodation and house drinks on safari; half board at the beach

International Flights Our partners can book international flights for you as required.

Mahe, the largest island in the Seychelles, is a green and mountainous paradise offering a dramatic landscape and stunning vistas. The island’s east coast overlooks Cerf, Moyenne, and Long Island in the St. Anne Marine Park, which can be easily visited on a day boat trip. From the northern tip, the 3km long Beau Vallon beach offers views of the mountainous Silhouette Island.

Exploring Mahe

• Sans Souci Mountains: Head into the lush mountains around Sans Souci to discover waterfalls, gentle nature trails, and challenging hikes.
• Southern Beaches: The southern part of Mahe is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Anse Intendance, often considered Mahe’s finest, features a wide stretch of white sand with vast boulders and turquoise waters. However, be cautious between June and September when strong currents make swimming dangerous. Petite Anse, where the Four Seasons is located, is another gem. Anse Louis offers calm waters ideal for sunset swimming, while Anse Soleil is great for snorkeling in calm weather.
• Port Glaud: A perfect lunch spot with views over a wide lagoon, near the Constance Ephelia Resort. The beach here is great for snorkeling, especially in the Port Launay National Marine Park.
• Baie Ternay: For those seeking more remote beaches, head north to Baie Ternay, accessible by a short walk from the road’s end. Snorkeling here is best at high tide.
• Anse Royal: On the west coast, Anse Royal in the southern corner is a lovely spot for walking and relaxing.

Victoria

Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is a colourful city with tin roofs and a bustling market, offering a vibrant slice of local life.

Accommodation

Mahe offers a range of accommodations from simple guest houses and self-catering chalets to resorts and luxury hotels. Base yourself in Mahe at a beach resort for a week,  or spend just a few days on arrival before island hopping to Praslin or La Digue, or flying to one of the private islands.

La Digue, the fourth largest granitic island in the Seychelles, is a charming retreat accessible only by boat. With no airport and no roads for cars, the island offers a unique, peaceful experience where the primary modes of transportation are walking, cycling, or ox carts. Covering just 10 square kilometers, La Digue is easily explored.

The island features laid-back guesthouses, a couple of more luxurious hotels, and simple cafes and restaurants, primarily located around the marina at La Passe on the west coast.

Highlights include cycling to Grande Anse on the wild east coast and visiting Anse Source D’Argent, one of Seychelles’ most famous beaches, where you can also see giant tortoises.

La Digue is conveniently reached from Praslin via a 15-20 minute ferry ride on fast catamarans, which operate around six times a day, replacing the older schooner service and making the journey smoother and more accessible!

Praslin, situated about 28 miles northeast of Mahe, is the second largest island in the Seychelles. It is renowned for its stunning beaches and lush tropical forests.

Natural Attractions

Explore the Vallee de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the exotic vanilla orchid and the unique coco de mer palm. Enjoy the sun-drenched beaches of Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, famous for their pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters.

Activities

Praslin is surrounded by small islands and islets perfect for day trips. Visit Curieuse Island to see giant tortoises or snorkel at St Pierre islet. Take a ferry to La Digue for the day or join a boat trip for sailing and snorkelling.

Accommodation and Recreation

The island features charming small hotels and resorts. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the course at Constance Lemuria resort.

Silhouette is the third largest island in the Seychelles, easily reached in 35 minutes from the Bel Ombre boat jetty. Located 12 miles northwest of Mahe, it is known for its green, mountainous terrain and white sand beaches. The island hosts the villages of La Passe, Anse Mondon, and Grande Barbe, as well as the Hilton LaBriz Resort.

Natural Beauty and Wildlife

Silhouette is home to lush forests and a variety of wildlife, including giant land tortoises, Green and Hawksbill turtles, and the sheath-tailed bat. The island’s diverse birdlife includes endemic species like the Seychelles kestrel, blue pigeon, bulbul, and sunbird. The surrounding waters, declared a marine national park in 1987, are rich in marine life, with rays often spotted in the lagoon shallows.

Conservation Efforts

Most of the island’s population comprises conservationists and hotel staff, dedicated to preserving Silhouette’s unique habitats. The Hilton resort collaborates with the Island Conservation Society to protect local species.

Accommodation and Activities

The Hilton LaBriz Resort offers a range of cottages, as well as a large pool area, and several restaurants and bars. The Creole restaurant, Gran Kaz, is located in the historic Dauban family home. Despite the resort’s size, there are plenty of quiet spots, including the secluded Silhouette Estate & Spa.

Visitors can explore the island by bicycle, hike to Grande Barbe, or relax on the stunning beaches with views of neighbouring North Island. Silhouette’s mountainous scenery includes five peaks over 500 meters, with Mount Dauban as the highest at 740 meters.

Bird Island

Located just over 60 miles from Mahe, Bird Island is a 170-acre private sanctuary renowned for its abundant birdlife. Home to sooty and fairy terns, noddies, and tropicbirds, it is a paradise for bird watchers. The island also hosts hawksbill and green turtles and a small community of giant tortoises. Accommodation is available at the simple Bird Island Lodge chalets on the west coast. With 24 chalets, the lodge offers a rustic experience without air conditioning, phones, or TVs, but provides opportunities to explore the rich ecosystem through snorkelling, swimming, walking, and engaging with resident scientists and conservationists. Bird Island is more affordable compared to other private islands and is accessible by flight from Mahe.

Denis Island

Denis Island, 38 miles north of Mahe and reachable by scheduled flight, is a 370-acre island that balances wild beauty with comfort and affordability. The island features 25 charming cottages with open-air bathrooms. Guests can join rangers in monitoring nesting turtles, learn about breeding and tagging projects, or explore the island independently through walking, cycling, and snorkelling.

Felicite

Home to the Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Felicite is a stunning island near La Digue, 30 miles from Mahe. Accessible by boat from Praslin or La Digue or by helicopter from Mahe, Felicite offers luxurious villas and a range of activities that you’d expect from the Six Senses brand.

Desroches

The Four Seasons Resort at Desroches Island, located in the Amirantes Islands and a 35-minute flight southwest of Mahe, offers nearly 9 miles of pristine beaches, coconut groves, and vibrant coral reefs. The resort features 40 exclusive beach suites and 11 private residence villas with private plunge pools and outdoor living spaces. The island also hosts a Marine Conservation Discovery Centre and a Giant Tortoise Sanctuary.

North Island

Known for hosting William and Catherine’s honeymoon, North Island is part of the Wilderness portfolio and features just 10 expansive villas. The island emphasizes strong conservation practices and is accessed by helicopter from Mahe.

Fregate Island

Fregate Island is another exclusive destination with 7 stunning beaches and 16 residences. The island is home to over 2,000 free-roaming giant Aldabra tortoises and serves as an important breeding ground for the Seychelles Magpie Robin and Hawksbill turtle. Fregate Island is accessed via helicopter transfer from Mahe.

The Seychelles is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit largely depends on what you wish to see and do regarding wildlife and weather conditions.

Peak Visitor Months

The busiest months are from December to April and July to August. However, it’s important to note the weather conditions during these periods.

Monsoon Seasons

• Northwest Monsoon (October to May): This is the preferred season for many visitors due to the calm to moderate sea conditions and lack of wind. However, expect significant rainfall around Christmas and New Year.
• Southeast Monsoon (End of May to September): Characterised by steady Southeast Trade Winds, which usually result in rough sea conditions. Despite this, there are many alternative beaches to suit the season and sea conditions.

Weather Overview

• Calmest Months: March and April
• Wettest Months: December and January

Sea conditions are greatly influenced by both the season and the tide. Beaches that look perfect at high tide may become unswimmable at low tide. Snorkelling is generally best during the hours around high tide.

Wildlife Highlights

• Turtles: Hawksbill turtles lay eggs from October to December, with hatchlings emerging from December to February/March. Green turtles are rare but present.
• Whale Sharks: Best seen around September/October.
• Manta Rays: Abundant from April to December due to high plankton levels. Other rays, such as spotted eagle rays and bluespotted stingrays, are also common throughout the year.