Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve

　　The Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve spans 195 hectares and is a government-established botanical reserve. It hosts numerous precious plant species, the most famous of which are over 4,000 coco de mer palm trees. These towering palms can reach several meters in height, with the tallest growing up to 30 meters. The coconuts they bear each weigh between 10 to 20 kilograms, making them the largest coconuts in the world.

　　In addition, the reserve grows six species of palms unique to the Seychelles archipelago, as well as 30 plant species endemic to Praslin National Park. Among the endangered flora is the critically threatened Seychelles redwood. The rocky and more open areas are home to locally unique sedges. The slightly drier mountainous regions along the valley edges suffer from soil erosion due to past deforestation and forest fires.

　　The reserve also hosts a variety of animals, some of which are specially adapted to life on palm leaves, such as the brown snail and black snail. Other inhabitants include green geckos, gold geckos, the Seychelles house snake, the Seychelles wolf snake, black snakes, blue pigeons, swiftlets, and bats. Among the most famous birds is the black parrot, which is found only on Praslin Island and lives exclusively in the Vallée de Mai and the surrounding palm forests.

　　Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve Reason to Visit: Home to the world’s largest coconut trees Continent: Africa Country/Region: Seychelles Province/District: Baie Sainte Anne