Are the Seychelles a good holiday destination?
The Seychelles are a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Roughly speaking, they are situated above Madagascar, east of Tanzania. It is an independent African country that is a member of the African Union. It has a population of less than 100,000, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. This does not mean that the archipelago has few opportunities for tourists. Precisely because of the remote location of the islands, there are unique beaches, flora and fauna to be admired that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. There are a number of other island groups in the Indian Ocean that are popular with tourists, such as the Comoros and the Maldives.
The Seychelles have many small islands, most of which are not even inhabited. There are actually only a few main islands that you can visit as a tourist if you are looking for a hotel or resort. On several of the smaller islands, there are simpler options such as
huts and lodges that can be rented by adventurous holidaymakers. Make no mistake about the supply, it is relatively large. Almost a quarter of the national economy runs on tourism.
The most important question you ask yourself as a tourist when travelling to a new country is: Is this country safe to travel to? Some African countries are unfortunately less well known when it comes to safety. The Seychelles are special because they are so remote. This makes it relatively safe. The crime rate is low, but there is poverty, so it is wise not to walk the streets alone at night because of muggings and pickpockets. What can be dangerous is boating on open water. Piracy occurs throughout the area, so it can be dangerous to go out to sea on a pleasure yacht. Inform yourself well in advance about the safety risks so that you will not be surprised.
What should not be underestimated is the role of nature on the islands. Unlike many other countries, nature still prevails. Natural forces can be very overwhelming, and because of their location in the ocean, bad weather can suddenly appear. The inhabitants are used to this, but for you as a tourist it is good to be aware of this in advance. It is precisely this nature that makes it so beautiful to visit the islands. There are several plants and animals that occur nowhere else. Even within the group of islands, there are great differences. For example, a very rare species of coconut only occurs on one of the islands. Much of the nature is therefore protected so that it remains intact as much as possible.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, restrictions are more common in the Seychelles, because it is easier to keep such a virus at bay on an island. If there are no tourists from outside, it is much more difficult for a virus to find its way around. By enforcing strict restrictions, the local population is protected. Be aware of this when booking your trip, if you need extra guarantees from your travel agent.
A holiday to the Seychelles is not cheap, the trip is long and therefore expensive. Staying in the hotels is relatively expensive and the costs for food and drinks are also quite high. This is because the islands are so remote that almost everything that is needed has to be imported. These costs are, in principle, passed on to the tourists, as a result of which the Seychelles can be kept economically afloat. Some products, however, such as fish or certain local crops, are very cheap.
Most holidaymakers take one of the larger islands as their base, as there are the most possibilities in terms of hotels and restaurants. From there, you can make day trips to other areas or islands. Because you will probably only make this trip once in your life, it is good to prepare carefully. Every island is unique and you want to see it, but it is probably not possible to visit all 150 islands. Therefore, it is good to think about what you really want to see beforehand, so that you can tick them off your list.
Because your trip to the Seychelles is probably a costly one that you will only make once, we recommend that you do some research beforehand about the travel company you are going to work with. The best way to do this is by reading independent reviews from travellers who have gone before you. So you know what to expect and you will not be disappointed. You want your trip to be unforgettable, so it is worth putting in the extra time. Even when using a booking site, it is wise to check where exactly you are making your booking. More information on the current travel advice and safety instructions can be found at the embassy.
