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.

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Little Chem Chem

Bordering Little Chem Chem is an acacia forest within the typical landscape of the Tarangire National Park and its impressive Baobab trees. The camp overlooks the freshwater Lake Burunge with the Babati mountain range as a magnificent backdrop on the south-west. The north east faces the hills of Tarangire in the distance. Known as the sunrise camp, Little Chem Chem is home to early morning displays of glory.

Set on the earth, the five vintage tents have a large bedroom with rocking chair and study desk, a vanity area with dressing room and an en suite bathroom with running hot water shower and flushing toilet.

The atmosphere at Little Chem Chem is welcoming, elegant and oozing authenticity of a bygone era. The luxury of sharing 16’000ha with only 10 guests sets the ideal stage where one can perfectly blend into the wilderness. Lions roam around the camp and call each other at night; stately elephants march down to Lake Burunge to get a sprinkling of fresh water; cheetahs hunt on the plains facing the lake; leopards, eland and lesser kudu can be seen in the more dense woods in the inner part of the wildlife management area. And wherever there is water, the bird life is abundant and colourful.

Little Chem Chem is the ultimate setting from which to explore on foot, slow down and indulge in a sensual African safari.

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