Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve

Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve

Covering an area of 195 hectares, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is a botanical reserve specially designated by the government. The reserve is home to many precious plants, the most famous of which are over 4,000 coco de mer trees, which grow several meters tall, with the tallest reaching up to 30 meters. The coconuts that grow on these trees weigh between 10 to 20 kilograms each, and are the largest coconuts in the world.

In addition, the reserve hosts six species of palms endemic to the Seychelles, as well as 30 plant species unique to Praslin National Park. The critically endangered species found here is the Seychelles endemic coco-de-mer palm. In rocky and more open areas, endemic sedges grow, while the drier mountainous regions along the valley edges have suffered from soil erosion due to previous deforestation and forest fires.

There are also many animals in the area, some of which are specially adapted to living on palm leaves, such as the brown snail and black snail. Other wildlife includes green geckos, gold geckos, the Seychelles house snake, the Seychelles wolf snake, the black snake, blue pigeons, swiftlets, and bats. Among the most famous birds is the black parrot, which is endemic to Praslin Island and found exclusively in the Vallee de Mai and the surrounding palm forests.

Vall de Mai Nature Reserve

Must-visit reason: Home to the world’s largest coconut trees

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Seychelles[Seychelles]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Baie Sainte Anne [Baie Sainte Anne]