Suzanne's Monday Minute

Seychelles

1500km east of mainland East Africa lies an archipelago of 115 islands collectively known as Seychelles. The outer islands, with a land area of 220 km² make up almost half of the land area of Seychelles and 2% of its population. These outer islands comprise 9 important bird areas, the largest population of giant tortoises, nesting grounds for turtles, over 180 bird species, 320 species of coral, over 1000 fish species, spinner dolphins, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, melon-headed whales and even the elusive dugong.

Within the outer islands is the Alphonse Group, the coral islands of Alphonse, St Francois and Bijoutier, about 1 hour's flight and 250km from Mahé. Just over 1000 km southwest of Mahé you find the Aldabra Group, including Cosmoledo and Astove Atolls. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon partially or completely. There may be coral islands or cays on the rim. The coral of the atoll often sits atop the rim of an extinct seamount or volcano which has eroded or subsided partially beneath the water. The lagoon forms over the volcanic crater or caldera while the higher rim remains above water or at shallow depths that permit the coral to grow and form the reefs.

It is amidst this vast oceanic playground that you will find Blue Safari Seychelles.

READ MORE

Solio Lodge

Nestled in the valley between the dramatic slopes of Mount Kenya and the rolling peaks of the Aberdare Mountains, Solio Lodge is one of Kenya's most luxurious lodges. The lodge is located on the private 19 000 acre Solio Game Conservancy and is home to a diverse and numerous population of wildlife, including leopard, lion, a wide variety of birds and both the black and white rhino – a real rarity. Guests staying here will enjoy luxurious accommodation with exceptional views of Mount Kenya, breath-taking game drives and some of the best food on offer on the Kenyan safari circuit.

READ MORE