Vallée de Mai, National park in Baie Saint Anne District, Seychelles
Vallée de Mai is a nature reserve set in a forested valley and home to six native palm species found nowhere else on Earth. The terrain features dense vegetation with pathways that let visitors explore the original forest environment.
The area was placed under protection in 1966 and received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983 for its ecological value. This protection has allowed the forest to survive in its original state to the present day.
General Charles George Gordon visited Praslin in 1881 and declared the valley the Garden of Eden, calling the coco de mer the forbidden fruit because of its suggestive shape and reputed aphrodisiac quality. Writer H. Watley Estridge replied that the fruit's 10 cm husk could not have been bitten through by Eve. The Seychelles black parrot nests almost exclusively in the dead standing trunks of this palm.
Visitors can walk marked trails through the valley to observe the rare plants and wildlife. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to take in the surroundings at a leisurely pace.
The Coco de Mer palm produces the world's largest plant seeds, weighing several kilograms each. This extraordinary trait makes the tree a truly singular organism in nature.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,955 contributors worldwide.
