| VICTORIA BOTANICAL GARDENS
Diversity in the Tropics
THE GARDEN'S MAIN ROLE
"To contribute towards the national efforts in environmental education, plant conservation, landscape management, passive recreation and eco-tourism activities"
HOW TO FIND US
The garden is located less than 1 km from the Town centre, next to Victoria Hospital, at Mont Fleuri. It is within walking distance from the town centre. If you are traveling by car, you can use the visitor's car park at the garden entrance; it will take you merely 2 minutes to drive here. If you come from the South of Mahé on the Mont Fleuri Road, it is the first entrance on your left, just past the entrance to Victoria Hospital. For those traveling by bus, get off at the Hospital bus stop.
OPENING HOURS
08.00 to 17.00 hrs - Monday to Sunday
Open throughout the year including public holidays.
ENTRANCE FEE
Adults (12 & over) - € 5 or US$ 5 or £2.50 per person
Children under 12 years – FREE
Residents - FREE
PAYMENT
1. We do not accept the local currency (Rupees)
2. ALL payment transactions MUST be made in CASH or by CREDIT CARD (Master/Visa) in one of the listed currencies
3. For ticket inquiries, please call the Information Kiosk on 670500 Ext 536 during opening hours.
INFORMATION KIOSK
• Serves as an information point for all general inquiries and assistance, and services provided including payment for the purchase of plants from the Nursery.
• Visitors can also buy souvenirs including T-shirts, local pictures, Coco-de-Mer nuts, books, artisanal products like decorations, bookmarks and postcards.
• The kiosk also sells Nature Trail brochures with maps included for outdoor trekking / mountaineering.
IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS
Please remember that the garden reflects the living memoirs of many people, therefore show some respect for the exhibits on display.
• Ensure that labels & notices are left in place and in good condition so that other visitors may also learn from them.
• Removal of plant materials (fruits, flowers, seeds…) or animals from the garden is not allowed except with official authorisation.
• Smoking & lighting of fire in the garden is strictly prohibited.
• Use the rubbish bins available to dispose of any rubbish or litter.
• Use the visitors' car park at the entrance of the garden.
FACTS
• The garden was established in 1901 by Mr. Paul R. Dupont; a Mauritian Agronomist, who became the 1st director for the Botanic Station.
• It is classified as a National Heritage.
• It covers an area of 6 hectares; some visitors might find the terrain slightly elevated.
• The garden is of remarkable beauty with natural features like granite rocks integrated into its landscape architecture.
• It is home to approximately 500 different species of exotic & native plants and an abundance of exciting insects, reptiles and birds.
FEATURES
Visitors will definitely encounter these ANIMAL
Birds such as Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles Blue pigeon,
Indian Mynah & Seychelles Tropic bird.
Large Fruit Bats roosting high up in the tree canopy. They feed on the fruits found in the garden especially at dawn.
For those more keen and observant, butterflies, grass hoppers skinks, terrapins and fish can also be found.
GIANT TORTOISES are closer than you think!
Feeding peacefully in the morning, these Giant tortoises are friendly animals – Feel free to enter the enclosure and give them a nice good STROKE. (The males can be protective during mating season).
CAUTION: Do not Feed the tortoises & Remember to close the gate behind you.
Inherited from the garden's past use as an agricultural outpost station are a number of important plants of rich value in the culinary, agriculture, timber and endemic field.
A major attraction is the amazing collection of palms with about 50 different palm species including endemic plant, with the majority classified as "Endangered". The exotic palms originate from North & South America right across to Australasia & Far East Asia.
Later on introductions were done to increase the diversity, bring richness, colour and a vibrant look to it.
Nonetheless, the KING of all palms trees remains undoubtedly our very own endemic Coco-de-Mer, a trademark exclusive to the Seychelles Archipelago. Getting the chance to see the fruit of this palm is a remarkable & unique experience, the leaves are giant in size and the fruits can easily reach 20 kg in weight. The best of it all is the female Coco-de-Mer tree planted by HRH Duke of Edinburgh; back in 1956 for it is the most fruiting tree in the garden.
How many nuts can you count?
FRUITS, SPICES & FOOD CROPS are spread throughout the garden.
A collection of fruit trees includes Star fruit, Mango, Guava, Lychees (Rambuttan), Jamblon, Durian, Breadfruit and Jackfruit.
Other important trees include Nutmeg, Vanilla, Clove, Cocoa, Cola trees, Sugarcane, Rubber and Kapok trees (ancient filling material used in bedding and upholstery).
Mahogany, Calice du Pape, Teak and Pine were used as TIMBER to make boats, furniture, and other wooden products.
The STRIKING PLANTS of the garden are most definitely the Rose of Venezuela, Pride of Barbados, Traveller's Palm & Ylang-Ylang (used in perfumes).
The latest addition to the garden is the ORCHID HOUSE which holds a collection of exotic and few endemic orchids carefully maintained on a daily basis.
LE SAPIN CAFÉTERIA
The Cafeteria offers hot and cold drinks made especially from local fruits and herbs, sandwiches, green salads and ice cream all to quench your appetite and cool you down on a hot sunny day. The place gets its name from the imposing Pine trees (Sapin in Creole) which one is bound to notice while sitting and drinking the juice of the day.
OPENING HOURS
09:00 - 17:00 hrs - Monday to Friday:
09:00 – 12:00 noon - Saturdays:
Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays/Bank Holidays
The café can be hired for private functions and meetings such as weddings, children parties, and private meetings. Our picturesque landscape sets the ideal location for newly weds to have their photo sessions.
For more information, please contact:
The Director
Education, Information & Communication
Department of Environment
Botanical Gardens, Mont Fleuri.
l.desaubin@env.gov.sc
Tel: 670531
COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENTS & CELEBRITY DIGNITARIES
Over the years, a number of international organisations, twinning Botanical Gardens & famous people have helped us one way or another and to show our appreciation, numerous monuments have been erected in the Garden in their names.
Notably;
1. The Stone Seat, dedicated to Mr. Paul Dupont and British entomologist Mr. Desmond Vesey -Fiztgerald.(1933).
2. The Japan-Seychelles Friendship Monument, contribution of Seychelles Pavilion at the Osaka Expo' (1990).
3. Mr. George Harrison from 'The Beatles' planted a rare endemic tree in December 2000
GUIDED TOURS
Arrangements for group/individual visits can be made via local travel agencies
For more information, please contact any of the listed tour operator representatives below or at their outlets at the International Airport, in most hotels or simply pop into their main branch in Victoria. Alternatively, one can visit the following websites for special deals and packages:
LIST OF GUIDED TOUR OPERATORS
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