Reviews of holidays to Praslin Island

"We nearly did not get our holiday at all. We were refused boarding at Heathrow.

Nowhere on the paperwork did it tell us that we had to complete the Travel Authorisation Republic of Seychelles on the internet and have our landing QR codes for immigration available BEFORE we flew.

This required .jpg files of our passports, our face pictures , our covid details and our accommodation and holiday plans. Just the type of things one has at the boarding gate.

After the first panic attack we found a quiet place and sat down with tablet and phones and filled in pages on line for the Seychelles authorities. An hour later and £140 pound the poorer and we had from the authorities two QR codes and completed authorised forms.

Thank goodness we travel with two tablets and two phones and most of our details are on one of the tablets.

We were not alone in not having the QR codes and being refused boarding that day and I wonder how many holidays were ruined." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Seychelles holiday

"We had a great trip to Seychelles. This is our first overseas travel since Covid started. It was postponed from initially scheduled for December 2021 - thanks to Megan for contacting hotels and ground operators that makes it very smooth.

We enjoyed our stay at both accommodations in Mahe and Praslin and all the transfer logistics are very well organized. I felt our stay at Praslin was a little short and I wish we can have time to visit La Digue, hopefully we can revisit again.

We had 2 scary moments during this trip (no fault of Expert Africa). I got verbal abuse from the owner of Anse Soleil restaurant on a day we explored Mahe on our own. Apparently I parked my car at a place where they do not allow, he kept giving me verbal abuse even though I apologized and told him that we will leave immediately. Found out later on reviews and from Katerina (Le Sans Souci) experience with her family that this guy is very bad and may have mental problem.

The other scary moment was when our rental car got struck in the sand in the parking space near Anse Lazio. Luckily, the local people (3 of them) were so nice that they helped us for almost 30 minutes until we can get our car back on track.

Overall, we had a great trip and thanks to your excellent services and thoughtful advice and arrangement throughout." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Seychelles holiday

"Our trip was fabulous from start to finish.

Extremely impressed with Expert Africa and the service we received from Lucy." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 11 on a Seychelles holiday

"Chris and Megan brilliant as ever." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Seychelles holiday

"First and foremost we enjoyed our trip immensely and have no regrets about having gone to The Seychelles.

The comments we have made above are therefore intended to be constructive. We did however feel that, like so many other places, we were visiting about 30 years too late and that what we really wanted to see, like the wildlife, peaceful places and the real Seychelles, had been overtaken by events, tourists and tourist facilities. We are not beach people. Knowing what we know now, we would have revised our itinerary somewhat. But for the poor food, we could have stayed on Bird Island for at least one more night but would definitely have added two days to the Coco de Mer on Praslin. We would however have excluded any nights on La Digue and just covered that island by a day trip from Praslin and a taxi tour.

Mason's Travel had made all our local arrangements and these generally went well and efficiently as did the local trips we booked through the good island representatives. The one hiccough was caused by our delayed Bird Island to Mahe to Praslin flights. We were supported well at Mahe Airport but no message from there to Praslin with our revised details seemed to have got through and we, a French family and a French group were kept waiting at the Mason's desk for some time until staff eventually arrived and transportation or hired cars were sorted out. The staff member at the Praslin Jetty could also have been more helpful and friendly on our last day on that island. Trips to Aride did not seem to be operating while those to Cousin were heavily booked. We did not attempt to go because of my mobility problems, the number of noisy participants, and a major mosquito presence. Chris had already reacted badly to sandfly bites on Bird Island and we didn't want a further similar occurrence. We made quite detailed lists of the wildlife we did see and those I shall send separately to Lucy soon.


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None. I shall use Expert Africa again." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Seychelles holiday

"More than pleased that we returned to the Seychelles

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really just keep up the good work and thanks." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Seychelles holiday

"Our trip was incredible! Our first time in Africa and our first trip of this extent and we couldn't be happier. We had the perfect combination of safari, tent, beach, hotel and enjoyment.

We thought Tarangire National Park was the most amazing place for a game drive. The elephants were everywhere!! We particularly enjoyed the night game drive and the seclusion of our camp.

We weren't thrilled about Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara. Lake Manyara seemed like a petting zoo compared to Tarangire and the crater had tons of animals but took so much time to get into and exit out. We didn't like the closed safari vehicles which you have to have in both places and the distance from the animals in both wasn't as fun.

The Serengeti is a MUST stop! We got to see the crossing about 4-5 times which was breathtaking. The camp was unreal and everybody should experience a mobile camp bucket shower :) The staff at both tented camps were out of this world.

We looked Asilia!! They were truly unbelievable. The staff was so reliable, intelligent and just fun to be around. We felt completely at home with them and safe. It was so great to work with them!

We loved visiting the Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick's elephant orphanage. They were both unforgettable and moving experiences. We learned so much and have a huge appreciation for the work both places are doing for these animals. We also visited Mamba Village (crocodile place) and we were not fans of this at all. It was more like a zoo. Animals were captured and brought into this village to be looked at by guests. We saw injured ostriches and camels with mussels. Not a great experience.

After having such incredible experiences during safari, we were so exited to spend time in Seychelles relaxing. Although the islands are beautiful, they were too secluded for us. We found that the islands didn't have much to offer for activities or enjoyment. We left the hotel every night for dinner which was good, but the taxis were VERY expensive so that was disappointing. The highlight of Seychelles for us was scuba diving. We loved it so much we went 2 days in a row. We had a good time relaxing by the pool and taking in the breathtaking views of the beaches. I don't know if I think the amount of travel to get to Seychelles is necessarily worth it but it allowed us our layover visit in Kenya and we really enjoyed that.

Elizabeth is so great to work with, she made the planning promise seamless! I actually had fun picking out the destinations and accommodations. Ellie also was great in Elizabeth's absence. She helped us with our very minor issues while we were in the Seychelles. Both ladies were extremely responsive and helpful. Expert Africa is a superb travel agency, I hope to use again and I will recommend to all of my friends and family. Thank you for giving up the honeymoon of our dreams!!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Megan Ingoldby organised this trip so well -- thank you! -- and she and Chris made three excellent suggestions for places to stay in the Seychelles.


We loved having a car on Praslin -- and explored different beaches and the interior every day. And yet we loved not having a car on Mahe at the tail end of our trip -- so we could just flop. That said, it means we'll have to go back and explore Mahe some time!!

Thank you team Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Try as I might, I struggle to think of anything!

Perhaps a 'don't miss' note for each hotel? Perhaps that's too much work?… e.g. When in Coco de Mer, don't miss doing some paddle boarding, visiting Anse Georgette (the hotel has a relationship with the Hotel Constance Lemuria which means you can access their beach), visiting the Vallee de Mai, etc.

That's me digging deep… it was so well organised with some excellent accommodation choices on your part, and v good logistics linking it all together. THANK YOU! Chris, Megan and the team." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 4 on a Seychelles holiday

"What a very nice place to go holidaying.................but you know this already.

On their flights with Etihad, they commented:

We hate long haul and this experience was refreshingly not too bad.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just for the record leaving luggage at Mahe Airport cost us 10 EURO a DAY!
Our one bag for our trip to Bird Island would have paid to a few days car hire!!
The airline said that they would have stored our bag for free [excluding the tip]" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Seychelles holiday

"Very good trip to the Seychelles plenty to do, excellent food though very expensive the hotel Larchipel was the best room I think we have ever stayed in facilities were great as they were at Domaine de Lorangeraie, so glad we went and once again Expert Africa were fantastic, thanks Megan.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No none at all, I think your whole service is top class" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Seychelles holiday