What to expect
The Silhouette National Park was opened on 7 August 2010 by President James Michel.
Silhouette is the third largest island of the inner granite group of the Seychelles archipelago, and the government has declared 93 per cent of it a nature reserve.
Silhouette is known for its impressive peaks: Mont Dauban (740 m), Mont Pot à Eau (621 m), Gratte Fesse (515 m), Mont Corgat (502 m) and Mont Cocos Marrons (500 m). The island is also considered one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the western Indian Ocean. It is home to many endemic and threatened plant and animal species, with large areas of ancient forest and tropical rainforest as well as striking viewpoints. The little-known Silhouette sheath-tailed bat also lives here.
The national park designation underlines how important it is to protect this area and its endangered species.
Nature and history
Most of the roughly 75 endemic plant species of the granite islands grow on Silhouette, and some of them grow nowhere else. The waters around the island have been protected since 1987, and you can read more about this under Silhouette Marine National Park.
The island also has a history of settlement. In Anse Lascars, graves were found that point to earlier visitors, possibly of Arab origin. This is where the name comes from, as "Lascar" here means an Arab. From the plantation era, the Plantation House and the Dauban Mausoleum have survived.
Getting there and access
By boat from Mahé
Silhouette lies about 20 km north-west of Mahé and has no airport. There is no public ferry service as there is to Praslin or La Digue, and the Cat Cocos ferry does not call at Silhouette. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. The scheduled transfers are organised by the Niva Labriz Seychelles resort (formerly Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa) for its guests. For day trips and charters from Mahé, see Boat tours.
Details of the departure point on Mahé vary (the Beau Vallon area, Bel Ombre, Victoria). So have the place and time confirmed in writing when you book. During the north-west monsoon, roughly from November to March, a crossing can be cancelled at short notice. Allow a buffer day before a return flight.
Starting point La Passe
All trails begin in La Passe, the island's only harbour. There is no motorised traffic on the old footpaths.
Hiking trails and safety
Silhouette can be explored along a network of hiking trails.
| Trail | Route | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Nelsia Malbrook Trail (also known as Anse Mondon Trail) | Between La Passe and Anse Mondon, about 3 km | about 2 hours one way |
| Anse Lascar Trail | Between La Passe and Anse Lascar. This trail also leads to Anse Cimitiere. | Ask on site for duration |
| Grand Barbe Trail | Between La Passe and Grand Barbe on the west coast, across the ridge | challenging, a full day with the return trip |
Destinations along the way
The shorter trail leads to Anse Mondon, a small bay on the north coast. Snorkelling among the granite boulders is well worth it there. The path runs partly over smooth rock surfaces. The bay can also be reached by boat or at low tide, so ask locally about the tides.
Grand Barbe is the walk for experienced hikers. It leads to an abandoned village and a long, lonely beach. Free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises live there, and from October to March hawksbill turtles lay their eggs. Keep your distance from nests and follow your guide's instructions. Trails up Mont Dauban are only open with a guide.
Opening times, entry and guides
The park has no gate and no fixed opening hours. A binding, publicly available fee list for the park could not be confirmed. Guided walks are run through the resort and the island's conservation team, which looks after the park (Island Conservation Society). Prices and dates change, so ask locally or when you book. If you come as a day visitor, please check beforehand whether a guided hike is included in your excursion.
Duration, best time and tips
For Anse Mondon, allow half a day including breaks and a swim. Grand Barbe is a full-day trip and usually does not fit into the limited time of a day excursion. The trails run mostly in the shade of the forest, but an early start is still more pleasant. For when the weather is at its best, see Best time to visit.
You will find more destinations on the island page Silhouette. General advice on tours on the islands is under Hiking, and for snorkelling under Diving & Snorkelling. Emergency numbers and clinics can be found under Hospitals, Clinics & Emergency Numbers.
