Visit Silhouette Island, The Seychelles
Because of the protective nature of the surrounding reef, landing on Silhouette has never been easy to get to. Accordingly, it has never been over developed - there are not even any roads!
Silhouette Island
The Seychelles
From northern Mahe the familiar shape of this island is a silhouetted against the sunset.
The island rises out of the encircling coral reef to Mont Dauban (named after the first settlers) at a height of 740m. It is almost round, about 5km in diameter and covers an area of 20 square kilometres.
Pristine forest environment of Silhouette
Because of the protective nature of the surrounding reef, landing on Silhouette has never been easy, and this has guarded the island from over-development and exploitation. It is probably the most densely vegetated island in the Indian Ocean, and its higher slopes and clad in undisturbed pristine forest. Here, you find hardwood trees, incense trees, rare pitcher-plants, orchids and colonies of the sheaf-tailed bat.
No roads
Silhouette has a small population of about 120 inhabitants and the pace of life is very slow. There are no cars (just one tractor), no roads, no police and only one tiny shop. The beaches are spectacular, with huge granite boulders flanking long stretches of sand.
Finally, there is a giant tortoise sanctuary on the island which is home to some individuals that are over 120 years old.
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