Birding Seychelles

Birding Seychelles with Seychelles Travel...

Seychelles offers the birding enthusiasts the opportunity of viewing a number of critically endangered species, 11 endemic species and 4 endemic sub-species such as the Seychelles Kestral (Falco araea), Seychelles Blue Pigeon (Alectroenas pulcherrima), Seychelles Scops Owl (Otus insularis), Seychelles Swiftlet (Aerodramus elaphrus), Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina), Seychelles Bulbul (Hypsipetes crassirostris), Magpie Robin (Copsychus sechellarum), Seychelles Brush Warbler (Acrocephalus modesta), Seychelles Fody (Foudia sechellarum, Seychelles Sunbird (Nectarinia dussumieri), Seychelles White Eye (Zosterops modesta).

These birds are present on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, Cousin, Aride, Bird and Denis Island and are all within convenient travelling distances from the main island of Mahé.

Seabirds also feature widely in the Seychelles and breed in vast concentrations throughout the islands. Bird Island, aptly named, is a mecca for Sooty Terns numbering 1.5 million between March & May each year.
See Bird Island details

Viewing the Birds..

For individual birders who prefer to see for themselves -  you will need your usual viewing equipment along with a plan of what you would like to see before you travel. Fortunately the inner islands mentioned above have most bird varieties covered, but it will necessitate moving around from one island to another at the right time of the year. Seychelles Travel would be delighted to assist you in planning your birding holiday.

Alternatively Seychelles Travel also arrange for a qualified birding guide to take guests to the various sites. We can arrange this for you as private individuals or in groups of up to 12 like-minded birders.
Interested parties should contact Seychelles Travel to obtain the latest information we have on the tours.

Here is a typical 7 day group itinerary. Private guided tours can be arranged to suit individuals on each island.

Day 1
Arrive Seychelles International Airport. Warm welcome on arrival and introduction to your local tour organiser. Transfer to your hotel in air-conditioned mini-coach. Welcome refreshing drinks whilst keys are distributed, then the rest of day at leisure. Evening diner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Full day on Mahé Island in search of the White Eye and Scops Owl in the mountain forests of Mahé with your local guide.  Other possibilities include the Seychelles Blue Pigeon, Seychelles Kestral, Bulbul Swiftlet and the Seychelles Sunbird. Back to your hotel for evening dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3
Early transfer to Mahé domestic terminal to take your 15 minute light aircraft flight to Praslin Island. Onward transfer to your hotel. Excursion to the Unesco Vallée de Mai nature reserve to view the Coco de Mer palms that bear the largest fruit in the world. Also the home of the Black Parrot, with possibilities of the Seychelles Bulbul and Swiftlets. Return to hotel and evening dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
Full day boat excursion to Aride Island, 7 miles north of Praslin. This nature reserve island, was purchased by Christopher Cadbury and in 1975 became a Special Reserve being home to more lesser noddys than anywhere else in the world, a hilltop sooty tern colony, 10 species of breeding sea birds that includes red and white-tailed tropic birds, fairy terns, shearwaters and fregate birds. Return to your Praslin hotel for evening dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5
Full day excursion to Cousin Island, 1 mile from Praslin Island. Designated a special reserve, on Cousin are the Brush Warblers, Seychelles Fody, and Seychelles Turtle Dove.  The Seychelles Magpie Robin has recently been introduced. Here also there are large numbers of seabirds including Audubon's Shearwaters, Bridled Terns and Brown and Black Noddies. Return to your Praslin Hotel for evening dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6
A day on La Digue Island, just a short ferry trip away. Famous for its black granite boulder formations and bullock cart transport around the island. Visit the Paradise Flycatcher Reserve, the last known natural habitat of this beautiful symbolic bird in the surviving stands of Almond and Takamaka trees. Return to your Praslin Hotel for evening dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
Morning at leisure followed by return light aircraft flight to Mahé to check in for your return international flight.

Guide Price  PLEASE ENQUIRE -  . Price generally includes Interntional economy flights from UK, all transfers within Seychelles and hotel accommodation (based on two people sharing) on Half Board basis, local birding guide.

Why not Contact Seychelles Travel for further details?