Seychelles and Zanzibar

Upon arrival, transfer to our beachfront hotel. Gather with fellow travelers this evening for a

Enjoy a lecture and time at leisure this morning. After lunch in the hotel, transfer to the ship for embarkation.

Arriving in Zanzibar’s harbor, we step into a lively city with narrow streets, intricate doorways, mosques, and central bazaars. Embark on a walking tour through Stone Town to see the Livingstone House, Sultan’s Palace, and the Old Fort. This afternoon, join a tour of a nearby spice farm or venture to Jozani Forest to encounter the rare red colobus monkey and other wildlife. Alternatively, opt for additional free time in Zanzibar.

Also known as Fungu Kizimkazi, this uninhabited coral island spans just 7.5 acres but serves as a crucial breeding ground for many bird species. It is one of the most important areas in the Indian Ocean for masked booby, brown noddy, sooty tern, and greater crested tern. Weather permitting, our Zodiacs will cruise around the island to view these colonies. We’ll also have the chance to snorkel on the fringing reef surrounding the island.

This morning, we anchor off Kilwa Kisiwani, founded in the 10th century and later an important commercial trading center. Once one of Africa’s wealthiest towns, Kilwa Kisiwani is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts the world’s most extensive and well-preserved Swahili ruins. Spend the morning exploring on foot, visiting the prominent fort and the Great Mosque. In the afternoon, head to the beach for opportunities to swim, snorkel, or take a leisurely stroll.

Our lecture program continues as we enjoy a leisurely day at sea, sailing toward the Seychelles. 

Arriving in the Outer Seychelles, we will spend two and a half days exploring the Aldabra group of islands. Our Captain and Expedition Leader will adapt our itinerary to maximize our time based on local conditions, with visits planned for the following:

• Assumption Island, once plundered for its guano but now a haven for rare birds and green turtles. Activities include beachcombing, nature walks, and snorkeling.

• Cosmoledo, a ring of twelve islands around a lagoon, known for its diverse bird species, including boobies, sooty terns, and great frigate birds. 

• Picard Island in the Aldabra group of islands, home to giant tortoises and coconut crabs. Activities include walking to observe tortoises, swimming in the clear lagoon, and snorkeling in vibrant coral waters.

This morning, we anchor off Farquhar Atoll and use our Zodiacs to explore its sparkling lagoon and islands covered in coconut trees, palms, and scaevola sea lettuce plants. Hawksbill and green sea turtles nest here, and several of the islands are Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. Enjoy a delightful morning of bird watching or snorkeling in this pristine haven before setting sail this afternoon.

Enjoy more lectures this morning at sea.  In the afternoon, approach the three islands that make up the Alphonse Group, a popular destination for travelers, famed for its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and lush forests. The main island boasts a circular lagoon, providing excellent snorkeling opportunities.

This morning, we arrive at the Amirante Group, a collection of 28 islands discovered by Vasco de Gama in 1501, considered some of the most pristine and untouched in the world. Conditions permitting, visit the vast sand spit on African Banks. Take a nature walk with our naturalists, beachcomb, and look for seabirds. We also hope to take a Zodiac cruise in one of the atoll lagoons, with opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.

Our final two days are spent in the Inner Seychelles islands, beginning with a visit to Aride, one of the most important seabird islands in the Indian Ocean. Over one million seabirds breed here, including tropical shearwaters, lesser noddies, frigatebirds, and roseate terns, along with five species unique to the Seychelles, such as the Seychelles warbler and Seychelles magpie robin. The island’s native woodland includes the endemic Wright’s gardenia, a beautifully scented shrub found nowhere else in the world. We plan to land on Curieuse for a nature walk around this rugged island covered in endemic vines and mangroves and which serves as a key nesting site for hawksbill turtles. On La Digue, we find huge granite boulders scattered like giant sculptures on the brilliant white beaches.

Disembark on Mahé Island and explore the Seychelles capital, Victoria. See the colorful Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and the Clock Tower that was erected in memory of Queen Victoria. Stroll through the lively market where Seychellois shop for local fruit, vegetables, spices, and fish. Continue to the National Botanical Garden and wander among the timber trees, palms, fruit trees, and more than 250 endemic plants. After lunch, spend time in Domaine de Val des Pres, a traditional Creole village that has been recreated around a colonial plantation manor built in 1870. Tour the house, servants’ quarters, and craft stations showcasing traditional Seychellois life in the early days of the history of Seychelles. Gather this evening to toast our journey at a farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport after breakfast for flights returning home.