One of the most spectacular waterfalls on our planet and the largest in Africa – the Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe are an incredible natural spectacle that should definitely be on your bucket list! This post is a travel guide with useful tips on how you can visit the Victoria Falls yourself and what you should definitely keep in mind before visiting.

How to visit the Victoria Falls in Zambia & Zimbabwe – the ultimate guide

When is the best time to visit the Victoria Falls?

In general, the Victoria Falls can be visited all year round. However, there are significant differences whether you want to travel to this beautiful part of Africa during the dry season or the rainy season:

Rainy season or dry season?

The rainy season begins in December and extends into March.

Pros: The masses of water flowing through the Zambezi River, which is the source of the Victoria Falls, increases tenfold during this time! Especially at the end of the rainy season, when the water volumes are at their highest, it is a tremendous sight that shows the true dimensions of the waterfalls. During the dry season, these can only be guessed at. You will find the highest water levels in April and May, after the end of the rainy season. Temperatures are also significantly cooler in winter (which corresponds to our summer in the northern hemisphere) and can even drop below 10°C at night.

Cons: The enormous masses of water also mean an enormous spray by the waterfall, which can hardly be put into words. Especially on the Zimbabwe side, you will get drenched when visiting the Victoria Falls National Park during the rainy season. This is the case even during the dry season at some viewpoints, but when the water masses have reached their maximum, you can already feel the spray on the road leading into the national park – a few minutes’ walk from the first viewpoint.

In Zambia, the Devils Pool cannot be visited during the rainy season for safety reasons.

The dry season begins in May and extends into September.

Significantly lower water volumes also mean significantly lower water levels. But even at only a tenth of their maximum strength, the Victoria Falls are still impressive. We ourselves were there at the end of November, when the water level is at its lowest, and were still speechless.

There is a huge advantage for all adventure lovers who want to swim in the legendary Devil’s Pool, which is located at the source of the waterfall in Zambia. It can only be visited when the Zambezi River has a low water level and therefore less power. You can find out more about the Devil’s Pool later in this post under “Activities”.

Temperatures are significantly higher during the dry season. However, even at over 30 degrees Celsius during our visit in November, it never felt oppressive, but pleasant, as it was not humid.

You can therefore choose the ideal travel time for Victoria Falls according to your personal preferences from this naturally recurring change in water and weather.

How many days should you plan for the visit of the Victoria Falls?

One day is not enough to experience the Victoria Falls. Especially if you also want to explore the surrounding area and relax a little in a great hotel, I recommend five days.

You can visit the Victoria Falls from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and do different activities from each. The Mosi Oa Tunya National Park in Zambia is also great for safaris!

Which side is more beautiful to see the Victoria Falls? Zambia or Zimbabwe?

Again, both options offer different advantages. However, due to their close proximity, they are easy to combine:

The Zambezi River, which is the source of the Victoria Falls, flows through Zambia and plunges into a deep gorge that forms the border with Zimbabwe. Therefore, you have the best view of the falls themselves from the Zimbabwean side at the Victoria Falls National Park.

Nevertheless, we opted to stay at a very special hotel in Zambia and only took a day trip to Zimbabwe. And this was the best decision, because the location of the hotel on the Zambezi River in Zambia, just a few meters from the start of the Victoria Falls, was unique! You can find out more about this under “Hotel recommendation for the Victoria Falls”. Another benefit of Zambia is, that the Devils Pool is also located on that side!

Book the best tours at the Victoria Falls here:

How to reach the Victoria Falls?

No matter which side you choose, your journey will be by plane. The closest airport is Livingstone (LVI) in Zambia, but Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) is, as the name suggests, also a very close airport in Zimbabwe.

We ourselves first flew to Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa and then on to Livingstone with the airline Safair. And it’s hard to believe, but there are even direct flights with Eurowings Discover from Frankfurt to Livingstone!

Do you need to apply for a visa for your trip to Victoria Falls?

Since 2023, it has become much easier for German citizens to enter Zambia and Zimbabwe with a visa on arrival! On → this website you will find a list of all countries that do not need to apply for a visa for Zambia. On → this website you can find the entry requirements for Zimbabwe.

The entry from Zambia to Zimbabwe by car during our day trip also went smoothly.

Costs for the Visa on Arrival:

in Zambia: 25 USD

in Zimbabwe: 30 USD

!! Please note – some countries still require you to apply for a visa for both countries before traveling. You can find more information on this in the links above.

Can I fly a drone at Victoria Falls?

Shooting the Victoria Falls with a drone would be a dream come true for nature and hobby photographers! But unfortunately this is not very easy. Drones may only be imported into Zambia with a special registration. As we didn’t have such a permit, this was the first time we had to hand out our drones at the airport when we entered the country. Fortunately, we got them back when we left Zambia without any problems.

Here you can find more information about the drone regulations → in Zambia and in → Zimbabwe!

Is it safe to visit the Victoria Falls?

We always felt safe during our visit to the Victoria Falls, both in Zambia and in Zimbabwe. The contacts we had with the locals were always warm and hospitable – even outside the hotel. The hotels, national parks and activities offered on both sides are an important source of income for most of the locals who live near the Victoria Falls. Negative events would deter tourists, discourage them from traveling and thus minimize revenue. Therefore, almost everyone is concerned that tourists feel comfortable.

Nevertheless, one should never forget that Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world (but also a country with one of the fastest growing economies in the world). The “ideal world” in the secure hotel grounds therefore does not necessarily reflect the outside world. When exploring the Victoria Falls, you should therefore refrain from carrying obvious valuables and always keep a close eye on and secure your belongings.

Hotel tip at the Victoria Falls

My absolute hotel tip at the Victoria Falls is the Royal Livingstone by Anantara Hotels. We had one of the most beautiful and unique stays here ever! As the name suggests, the Royal Livingstone is located in Livingstone in Zambia, in the middle of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The location on the banks of the Zambezi River, right at the source of the waterfalls, is incomparable. Wild zebras, giraffes and monkeys roam the hotel grounds and you can marvel at hippos up close by the river. The hotel also has direct access to the Victoria Falls! The Royal Livingstone is an incredibly great hotel that will make your trip to the Victoria Falls even more unforgettable!

→ Here you can find my full hotel review of the Royal Livingstone

→ Book your stay here for the best price!

Which excursions at Victoria Falls are really worthwhile?

The Devils Pool

If you are traveling to Victoria Falls between August and January, you should definitely not miss a boat trip to Livingstone Island and the Devil’s Pool. The tour starts with a boat trip across the Zambezi River in Zambia to the small Livingstone Island. It is located directly at the point where the Zambezi River plunges into the gorge to form the Victoria Falls. The more adventurous can even swim to the Devil’s Pool with a guide. It is a natural pool at the source of the Victoria Falls. But don’t worry, even if the pictures look daring, this excursion is safer than it might seem. To date, there has never been an accident at Devils Pool. From around mid-January to July, however, it is closed for safety reasons as the power water is too strong during these months.

→ You can book the same excursion to the Devil’s Pool here!

Cost: approx. 170 EUR per person (including breakfast or lunch)

Recommendation: 10/10!

Helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls

A helicopter flight offers a unique bird’s eye view of the mighty masses of water and the Mosi-oa-Tunay National Park with its wild animals. Prices are similar in both countries. If you decide to take a helicopter flight, I strongly recommend booking the longer 22-minute route, which includes a flight through the gorge. It is a little more expensive, but the experience is incredible! After the regular tour, the pilot flies in a small helicopter deep into the gorge into which the Victoria Falls plunge. This is not for the faint-hearted, but it is the most impressive helicopter flight we have ever experienced! You can find some impressions in my “Zambia” story highlight on my Instagram profile

→ You can book your helicopter flight here! *The 22-minute option includes the flight through the gorge.

Cost: 170 USD without the flight through the gorge & 250 USD for the longer flight through the gorge

Recommendation: 10/10!

Microlight flight

Another option for admiring the waterfalls from the air is a microlight flight. This is a small motorized machine that is attached to a paraglider. One person at a time can sit behind the pilot at lofty heights. A helmet with a visor protects your face from the wind and you are secured to the seat with an airplane harness. This is probably a horror for anyone with a fear of flying, but I personally found it very exciting and more peaceful than the helicopter flight. The microlight planes glide gently through the sky and are closer to the ground than the helicopters.

However, it is not a great option if you like to take photos as any cameras, GoPros and cell phones are strictly forbidden during the flight. The wind is far too strong and the devices could get into the rotor! However, a GoPro is attached to the wing of the plane and you can buy the footage after the flight.

→ You can book your microlight flight here!

Cost: approx. 160,- EUR (plus approx. 30 EUR for the GoPro footage)

Recommendation: 7/10

Visit to the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe

Even if you’re staying in Zambia, a trip to Victoria Falls wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe! Here you will find spectacular views of the waterfalls from numerous vantage points. In sunny weather you can see rainbows everywhere thanks to the mist and it’s a magical sight! We booked a tour to Zimbabwe starting at the hotel. This included the drive to border control, the drive over the Victoria Falls Bridge to Zimbabwe, entry into Zimbabwe and the short drive to the entrance of the national park as well as a personal guide for the national park. Even though we usually travel without tours and guides, it is very worthwhile in this case and a very safe option to marvel at the Victoria Falls from two countries.

→ You can book your excursion here!

Cost: from USD 45 per person for the private tour plus USD 30 for the visa for Zimbabwe

Recommendation: 10/10

The Victoria Falls Bridge connects Zambia with Zimbabwe and is crossed at the border crossing.

Other activities

Of course, there are numerous other activities that you can experience at the Victoria Falls: Such as wild water rafting through the gorge on the Zambezi River or bungee jumping and zip lining from the Victoria Falls Bridge or a sunset dinner cruise. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to do these activities, which is why I can’t report on my personal experiences.

However, I would advise against the so-called Lion Walks, which are unfortunately very popular here. Walking with a trained lion on a leash and taking photos with baby lions is in my opinion not animal friendly at all! Much more impressive is a safari tour with an open off-road vehicle through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to see elephants, giraffes, hippos and zebras – and with a bit of luck also the endangered black rhinos – in their natural habitat!

Book the best activities at the Victoria Falls here:

Visiting the Victoria Falls is an incredible experience that I definitely want to do again! It was an unforgettable tour, which has been one of my favorite travel moments ever – especially in combination with a stay at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia!

I hope this post helps you plan your own travels to Victoria Falls and I was able to give you some important tips for your trip! If you have any further questions about visiting the Victoria Falls, feel free to write a comment or message me on Instagram!

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Mauritius – A wild island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, not far from Madagascar on the East Coast of Africa.

If you are one of those travelers who like to combine their beach vacations with adventures, wild life & hikes, then Mauritius is the ideal destination for your next vacation!

We’ve traveled the island already three times and in this post I will tell you my most favorite places, which you must not miss on Mauritius! In addition, you will find in this post my personal travel tips for Mauritius, advice on things to do in Mauritius and a map with the most beautiful places & attractions on the island.

The best things to do in Mauritius with map & travel tips

When is the best time to travel to Mauritius?

When autumn begins in my home country Germany, Mauritius is slowly entering summer, which brings sunny warm temperatures.

But even the winter (May to October) Mauritius is worth a visit, because the temperatures do not fall below 20-23 degrees Celsius. A plus point of winter on Mauritius is that you will meet far fewer tourists, as well as benefit from low hotel prices.

During the gliding periods between summer and winter, it is usually a bit windy on the coast, which means that it can quickly get chilly, especially in the evening. A light jacket and a sweater should therefore definitely be in your luggage!

How many days are ideal for Mauritius?

To explore the island, do some hiking, discover beaches and still have time to relax, 7 to 10 days are ideal. This period is enough to enjoy the most beautiful places and sights on Mauritius at a leisurely pace. It also will allow you enough time for all the tings to do on Mauritius. However, you can also add more days to your itinerary if you want to unwind a little longer.

How to get to Mauritius?

From Europe you can fly with Air Mauritius from Paris to Mauritius in about 11 hours. Another popular hub is Istanbul: Turkish Airlines flies about 10 hours from the Turkish capital to the African island.

With Condor, Mauritius can be reached directly from Germany, but the airline is clearly not one of my favorites in terms of comfort, which is why I like to avoid long flights with Condor.

The trip to Mauritius is long, but it is worth it!

Book your stay in Mauritius

The best places to visit in Mauritius

The most beautiful waterfalls

Chamarel Waterfall

One of the easiest waterfalls to reach, which offers a breathtaking view, is the Chamarel Waterfall in the Chamarel Geopark. From the parking lot you will only need to climb a few steps to reach the viewpoint. The 83m high Chamarel Waterfall is the highest waterfall on Mauritius and plunges down a cliff into the abyss surrounded by spectacular scenery.

Unlike other waterfalls on Mauritius, you can’t swim in this one, but it’s worth a visit just for the view.

An entrance fee of 500 MRS (Mauritius Rupees) / 11 Euros must be paid for Chamarel Park, but this also includes other well-known sights in Mauritius, which are located in the park. Among those is the Seven Colored Earths – This is the name of the colorful hilly landscape, which looks as if it came from another planet. It was created thanks to the volcanic activity of Mauritius several million years ago. Over time, the warm and humid weather eroded the basaltic rock, creating the unique shape and color of the Seven Colored Earth.

You can also see a small group of Aldabra tortoises, which are originally from the Seychelles and were settled in Mauritius in 1880 after the native tortoises were unfortunately wiped out. 

Tamarind Falls

Among the most impressive waterfalls in Mauritius are without a doubt the Tamarind Waterfalls – also called 7 Cascades. A powerful stream of water, plunges on several levels into different water basins and creating a total of seven small to impressively large waterfalls. While it is possible to hike down and up all the pools, it would take an entire day. However, there is a popular loop trail which starts at the highest of the seven falls. The trail takes you to a total of five of the Tamarind Falls and there are several places where you can swim. I marked the starting point on the map, which you can find at the end of this post. For me, this is one of the best things to do in Mauritius, which you must not miss.

→ Explore the Tamarind waterfall with a guide & book your tour here

→ Mauritius Waterfall Tips by my Followers:

Gris Gris Waterfall

Very close to Gris Gris beach (more on that below), you’ll find the hidden and lesser known Gris Gris waterfall, which most tourists miss because they don’t know of its existence! (Which, by the way, includes us. We didn’t get the tip until after we left).

To find this secret spot on Mauritius, follow the path along the Gris Gris cliffs while keeping the ocean on your right. You will reach a clearing between the trees, from where you can already hear the sound of the water.

Cascade 500 Pieds

1.5 hour loop trail, starting at Alexandra Falls View Point in Black River Gorges National Park.

The most impressive hikes in Mauritius:

Among the best things to do in Mauritius is definitely the hiking. You will have the chance to explore so many beautiful locations. 

Le Pouce

The most beautiful hike for me in Mauritius, was the trail to the top of Le Pouce, which means “The Thumb”. The mountain is with its 808 m height, the third highest elevation on Mauritius.

The path to Le Pouce begins moderately and initially leads through a forest until you have pushed through the treetops. Here you are already rewarded with great views.

Follow the path for about an hour and shortly before the summit you will meet a small monkey family that lives here and curiously eyes hikers.

Only the last little bit involves a bit of climbing, but it’s worth the effort. On the summit you get an indescribable panoramic view of the coast as well as the surrounding impressive mountains. It was, for me, the most beautiful view, which we were allowed to see in Mauritius!

With sturdy shoes, a good profile and if you are relatively athletic, the climb, even on the last meters, is no problem. We even encountered a family with a daughter of about 13 years, who made it to the top without any problems.

But even if you prefer to skip the last meters of climbing, the hike is well worth it!

Le Morne Brabant

Climbing the 555 meters up to the basalt monolith on the Le Morne peninsula is high on many travelers’ to-do list for Mauritius. But the hike is a tricky one..

For the ascent and descent for Le Morne Brabant you should plan about 3 hours, whereby the first hour uphill is unproblematic and with a moderate climb.

But after the “South West Viewpoint” the most difficult part begins, where a sign “Dangerous Climbing” warns. From here follows intense steep climbing, without any protection. Especially on the way back, the path is very slippery due to scree and should only be covered with a very good shoe profile and by climbers in good physical condition.

We decided against the ascent of the last piece, because it was already shortly before sunset and we only wore sneakers without much profile. Next time we will be better prepared.

However, we did have our drone flying and the view from the “South West Viewpoint” was already great.

For children and older people, I would recommend the hike to Le Morne Brabant only up to this penultimate viewpoint before the difficult part starts afterwards.

→ Mauritius Hiking tip by my Followers:

La Tourelle du Tamarin

For a unique view of the lagoon and the striking Le Morne Brabant, I was recommended the hike to La Tourelle du Tamarin by a follower from Mauritius. We’ll make up for that next time!

The best beaches in Mauritius

Among the best things to do in Mauritius is sometimes simply to do nothing at all. Visit a beautiful beach and relax for the day.  

Le Morne Beach

The beach around the Le Morne peninsula is one of the most beautiful ones in Mauritius: white sandy beach, a shallow entry into the water and a breathtaking view of the sunset.

There is a public “Public Beach”, but in Mauritius all beaches must be open to the public – even if they are right next to a resort. Therefore, you can walk along the water until you find a nice spot. We especially liked the area in front of the resort “LUX Le Morne”.

During a boat or catamaran tour, it is worth taking a detour to the turquoise lagoon in front of Le Morne. It resembles an aquarium with starfish and colorful fish, which makes it ideal for snorkeling. The best spots are in front of the Beachcomber Golf Resort and around the famous Crystal Rock – a mushroom-shaped coral rock that juts out of the water.

Flic en Flac

Also a great white sand beach with a shallow and calm lagoon. You can also see the iconic Le Morne Brabant in the background, which looks exceptionally beautiful in photos. We stayed at Sugar Beach Resort on this beach (a detailed hotel review of the resort will follow soon) and enjoyed every moment!

→ Mauritius Beach recommendations by my Followers:

• Mon Choisy
• Pereybere Beach in the North of the island
• Blue Bay in the South
• Gris Gris & Roche qui Pleure in the South, which are not suitable for swimming, but for great drone shots. The high waves rush with an impressive force onto the reef, which makes for a great sight.

Tours and places you can’t miss during your Mauritius trip:

I would not want to finish my Article without showing you the best things to do in Mauritius and the most exciting activities. Everyone offers a unique experience and a lifelong memory. 

Attending a Dolphin or Whale Tour

In the waters around Mauritius, dolphins and sperm whales can be seen all year round. A tour to swim with the gentle giants is therefore an unforgettable experience, which you must not miss on your trip to Mauritius.

Between July and November you even have the chance to meet the impressive humpback whales.

Unfortunately, not all providers offer tours that are pleasant for both humans and animals. We have not experienced it ourselves, but learned from a follower that some packed boats probably race without consideration in the dolphin schools.

We therefore opted for → this private tour which is both animal-friendly and unforgettable for the participants. Vitamin Sea only offers private excursions to guarantee an individual experience. Although the tours starts during sunrise, it is worth getting up early. At this time there are no other boats in the lagoon and the dolphins are most active. 

While the sun was slowly rising, we encountered the first larger school of spinner dolphins, but they still seemed sleepy and wanted to have their rest, which is why we did not jump into the water, but we kept a lookout for another school! With success: A little later we discovered a small group of bottlenose dolphins, which were very playful and romped with us through the water.

It was an unforgettable experience to see the animals up close and hear how they communicate under water.

I highly recommend this animal friendly private tour! It was one of the best moments of our trip and I think will be the best thing to do in Mauritius for anyone visiting this beautiful island. 

→ Book the same tour here!

La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park

Should you not have perfect beach weather during your trip to Mauritius, or are simply longing for adventures and adrenaline, then I can highly recommend La Valle des Couleurs. No matter if you’re young or old, this nature park has thrilled everyone we’ve met. On several ziplines, suspension bridges and co. you can enjoy the island from a whole new angle and conquer your fear of heights. The highlight of the park is the 1.5-kilometer-long zipline, to which you are attached at the back of your body and thus get a feeling of flying. It is the third longest zipline in the world! You can also explore waterfalls, ride on off road quads through the rainforest and see the 23-colored earth that gives the park its name. It is created in the same way as the one in Chamarel Park, but is more colorful and impressive in my opinion.

Cost:

• Admission adults: 400 RS / 8 EUR
• The various attractions such as ziplines or quads must be booked separately and can be booked either as a single attraction or discounted package → Check out the activities & prices here!

Diving

Mauritius is a popular diving and snorkeling destination. So if you already have your diving license (or even plan to do it in Mauritius?) nothing stands in the way of an adventure in the depths. There are even sunken shipwrecks which can be explored. We ourselves went diving at Belle Mare Plage beach with the Blues Diving Center at Constance Resort and dove through canyons of coral in the so called “Aquarium”. The diving center is PADI licensed and also open to guests who are not staying at the resort.

Visiting the Chamarel Rum Distillery

Driving around the island you will see numerous fields where sugar cane is grown. From this not only sugar can be produced, but also a worldwide popular spirit: rum!

A visit to a rum distillery belongs without a doubt on your travel list for Mauritius! There is only one distillery that still produces its rum traditionally from fresh sugar cane and does not use industrial molasses: At the Chamarel Rum Distillery, you can experience up close how the noble drop is produced in different stages.

Tours are offered every hour and cost 439 MUR / 10 euros per adult. This includes a tasting of seven rums and the ticket fee is consumable (discounted from your restaurant bill) afterwards in the restaurant, which belongs to the distillery.

Black River Gorges National Park

The largest protected forest on Mauritius is the Black River Gorges National Park, through which meanders more than 50km of trails, as well as the dark Black River. The forests with ancient ebony trees provide refuge for numerous bird species, wild boar, monkey colonies and deer. You can get a great view of the area from the Gorges Viewpoint lookout.

During our last visit we made a discovery: if you stand at the Gorges viewpoint and look to the right, you will see a marked path that leads into the forest. Follow this path for about 10 minutes until you reach a water stream. On this you can carefully walk downstream on the large stones for about 50 meters and then arrive at the beginning of an impressive waterfall. There is no safety here, so this little detour is not suitable for children and you should be extremely careful, as the stones can be slippery due to the water. However, the endless view into the Black River National Park is spectacular!

A helicopter flight over Mauritius

Unfortunately, we missed this experience on Mauritius, because we did not take care of it early enough: A helicopter flight over the striking landscape of Mauritius and to the “underwater waterfall” in front of the Le Morne peninsula.

Although the flights are very expensive, they are already booked up several days in advance. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look for an appointment at the beginning of your trip or already at home. There are numerous providers, which, however, hardly differ from the tours and prices.

Saving tips:

– You will save money if you book a helicopter flight for four people, because the third and fourth person only pays a small surcharge. Therefore, it is worth organizing a trip together with family members or friends.

– A cheaper alternative to the helicopters are sightseeing flights with a seaplane over Mauritius. However, due to the price, these are usually booked out even earlier.

→ Book your helicopter flight here!

I recommend to book your tour in advance to save a spot!

Visit the Flacq Market

The best market in Mauritius for souvenir shopping or just to marvel is the Flacq Market in the east of the island. It is much less touristy than the larger market in Port Louis. The market sells everything from vegetables and spices to jewelry and clothing! The market is very popular with locals, which is why you will have an authentic experience here!

Port Louis

During our third visit to Mauritius, we finally managed to visit the capital Port Louis. A total of almost 160,000 people from different cultural backgrounds live in the vibrant city. This is clearly reflected in the cityscape, as well as in the culinary offerings. Therefore, we booked a → tasting tour to explore Port Louis with our eyes as well as through our taste buds. We visited various street food stalls, as well as the Grand Market, where you can find all kinds of food, textiles, souvenirs and much more!

→ Book your Port Louis tasting tour here

Mauritius is not a typical vacation island, where there is nothing to see besides white beaches and blue water. You can find so much more! Besides its dream beaches, Mauritius has so much to offer that even after three trips to the island, we still have places and activities on our list. With its diverse landscape, Mauritius offers a huge variety of activities that guarantee an eventful trip!

I hope this post with the best places to visit and things to do in Mauritius helps you planning your own unforgettable adventure.
On my Instagram profile you can also find my Mauritius Story Highlight Part 1 and 2, in which you can experience all the moments up close. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments or send me a message on Instagram.

Map with the best places to visit in Mauritius:

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The temples in Abu Simbel have been the most impressive sight we’ve seen during our trip to Egypt. That’s why you shouldn’t miss a day tour to Abu Simbel!

Where is Abu Simbel located?

The temples are located in the very south of Egypt. Only 20 kilometers away from the border to Sudan. The Abu Simbel village is very small and was only rebuilt since it’s located so close to famous sight. That’s why It’s enough to plan a day tour from Aswan to visit the temples of Abu Simbel.

How to get to Abu Simbel?

By Car

Since we didn’t want to book a guided day tour to Abu Simbel, we paid a taxi driver in Aswan for a private tour. You will have your own driver picking you up from the hotel, driving around 3 hours to Abu Simbel, waiting for you at the parking lot and of course driving back to the hotel.
To book a private driver in Aswan is very common but make sure to negotiate about the price in advance. We paid 2000 EGP (Egyptian Pounds) for the both of us and both ways – which ist around 115,- EUR or 130,- USD. I think that’s a very fair price. In the hotel we stayed at they wanted to have the triple price for the same tour!

By Plane

In case you don’t plan to stay in Aswan you can also reach Abu Simbel by plane. Around two times a day there are flights from Cairo, Luxor and even Aswan landing at the small airport of Abu Simbel.

How much is the entry for a day tour to Abu Simbel?

The regular entrance fee for an adult is 200 EGP and has to be paid in cash. But like at all historical sites in Egypt you only have to pay 50% of the price with a valid Student-ID! This saved us so much money during our trip!

Additionally you have to buy a ticket for a local guide for 15 EGP – no matter if you need a guide or not!

If you wanna take pictures with a camera inside the temple you have to get a photo pass which costs another 300 EGP. Taking photos outside of the temple is free of charge.

Which is the best time to visit Abu Simbel?

The temples are open from 6am – 5pm from October to April & 6am – 6 pm from May to September.

We started our drive from Aswan at 5am and arrived around 8am to Abu Simbel. Unfortunately this was exactly when all the tours arrived too! The good thing is that the groups only stay for 1-1,5 hours. After they left the whole area was empty and we had both temples almost to ourselves.
In the late morning the temples are hit by the sunshine which is perfect for taking pictures.

Note: We did our day tour to Abu Simbel only a few days before Egypt closed its borders due of the Corona Virus. So naturally there have been less tourists than normal at all places we visited.

We heard that afternoons are usually the emptiest time of the day BUT unfortunately the sun won’t shine directly on the temples during this time.

Book your Abu Simbel Day Tour here:

About Abu Simbel

The two temples are both built by Ramses II. 3300 years ago. The bigger one is dedicated to himself and the main gods of the Egyptian Empire. He built the smaller one for his favorite wife Nefertari. The pharaoh had eight wives in total!

After the era of the Egyptian Empire and since the temples are located so far in the south, people started to forget about them and they slowly got covered by sand. In the year 1813 the Swiss researcher Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered the temples and a few years later they got excavated and explored. After that they got a famous attractions for tourists and even got declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When the famous Aswan High Dam was built, the temples were threatened to submerge by the Nile River. To save the monuments an international team completely disassembled both temples in different parts and rebuilt them 60 meters above the original position between 1963 and 1968 .
If you see the massive temples today It’s hard to imagine that they once stood somewhere else!

The four sitting statues in front of the bigger temple are all showing Ramses II. and each of them is more than 20 meters tall. One of them got destroyed during an earthquake already a few years after they built it.

The inside of the temples is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Several halls are all covered with colorful hieroglyphics which are in a very well condition. Seeing them for the first time with your own eyes is a goosebumps moment!

A few more tips for a day tour to Abu Simbel:

• The guards of the temples have been very kind (at least in our case) and even let us take a few pictures inside the temple without having a photo pass. One of them was so much into photography that he showed us a few funny perspectives. We gave him a little tip after we left

• You won’t get a lot of shadow in Abu Simbel and the sun will be very strong. But the shops with drinks are only located at the ticket counter – so make sure to bring enough water!

• Toilets are located on the site but the ones at the ticket counter are way cleaner!

• If you walk towards the exit you will notice a path leading to the top of the rock which offers a nice perspective to see the temple of Ramses from above. We didn’t walk up since it was to hot but I saw some really cool pictures of other travelers who did it! Make sure to take the path really close to the Exit – the ones you see earlier are closed and very steep.

The temples of Abu Simbel are in such a good condition that you feel like stepping back in time! So make sure to put these temples to your bucket list!

After visiting South Africa, Cape Town went straight to the top of our list with the most beautiful cities we’ve ever seen! Thanks to its special location next to the Table Mountain and the coast of the wild Atlantic Ocea, it exudes a very special charm and offers numerous opportunities for activities. In this post, I’ll tell you the 10 best things to do in Cape Town, including insider tips.

The 10 best things to do in Cape Town with insider tips

1. The Table Mountain

Of course – the most famous sight in the city has to be part of my Top 10 of the best things to do in Cape Town. The flattened peak, to which Table Mountain owes its name, can be reached either comfortably by cable car or after a hike. Unique views over Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean as well as a unique vegetation await you. On the → official website of Table Mountain, you can check daily whether the cable car is open and reserve your tickets online! During stormy weather conditions, which aren’t uncommon in Cape Town, the cable car is not in operation for safety reasons.

Cost for the cable car:

• 8am – 1pm: 395 Rand (21 Euro) round trip / 220 Rand (12 Euro) one way
• 1pm – End: 340 Rand (18 Euro) return / 220 Rand (12 Euro) one way

2. Cape Point Nature Reserve

This popular destination is a beautiful, rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula. The drive to the nature reserve is already incredibly beautiful and takes you past the dreamy Fish Hoek, great beaches and an impressive coastline.

In the park itself, you can expect idyllic walks, empty beaches, breathtaking views and wild animals such as sea lions and baboons, as well as the Cape of Good Hope and the famous new Cape Point lighthouse. If you want to explore the nature reserve thoroughly, you should plan at least half a day and better a whole day. But even in good weather you should have a jacket in your luggage: The original name of the Cape of Good Hope was “Cape of Storms” and during a visit you will surely quickly realize where the name comes from! Before the Suez Canal was opened in 1869, all ships sailing from Europe to Asia had to sail around the African continent. Because of the windy weather, the Cape was a feared area among sailors. Many ships capsized in the area at that time.

Entrance fee:

360 Rand (19.50 Euro) for adults.

3. Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach can be combined especially well in one day with the Cape Point Nature Reserve. This is because this popular attraction is on the way from Cape Town to the nature reserve.
Named after the round granite boulders that are found on this soft, white sand beach, this beach is protected from wind and large waves, making it an ideal place for swimming. Since a colony of African penguins settled here in 1982, this beach has become a popular tourist destination to see these cute animals up close.

Boulders Beach is also part of Table Mountain National Park, which means that an entrance fee of 152 Rand (8 Euro) has to be paid for a visit. However, the ticket is valid for both parts of the beach: The one which is only accessible on a jetty to watch hundreds of the penguins and the actual Boulders Beach, a few meters further, which is ideal for swimming, but where fewer penguins can be found.

Insider tip: For the possibility to take pictures with the animals, you have the best chances at Middle Beach (which is located between Boulders Beach & the observation point). The access is a bit hidden, as you have to walk between two big granite boulders at the left end of Boulders Beach. It’s best to come at low tide for this, as at high tide you’ll have to wade through waist-deep water to reach Middle Beach. The exact times for low and high tide, change throughout the year, but you can read them → here.

Even though the penguins at Boulders Beach are used to humans, you should always keep in mind that they are wild animals, which do not want to be touched and which you should only approach slowly and not too close, so as not to scare them. If a penguin feels threatened, it may bite you.

4. Visit more of the great beaches in and around Cape Town

As a coastal city, beaches are undoubtedly one of the top 10 things to do in Cape Town!

Especially beautiful are Camps Bay Beach, with the dramatic panorama of Table Mountain in the background, and Clifton 4th Beach, which is a bay well protected from wind and high waves, making it ideal for swimming.

5. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Located on the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is home to some 7,000 species of plants, as well as a large greenhouse displaying plants from various regions. Hike up Skeleton Gorge, explore the many trails, and enjoy panoramic views from the Boomslang Aerial Walkway. You should plan an entire day for the botanical garden.

Entrance fee: 200 Rand (11 Euro)

6. Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is probably the most colorful area in Cape Town and belongs to a popular sight because of the photogenic motifs. Already when approaching Cape Town, the neighborhood catches the eye! The houses, which were painted in various colors, are with Table Mountain in the background a great photo motif.

In and around Bo-Kaap are also many great sights such as Signal Hill (more on that later) or the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

7. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront & Helicopter Flight

The Waterfront, which attracts more than 23 million visitors annually, is still technically a working harbor, but is increasingly perceived as a shopping center. The large V&A Waterfront is divided into five shopping districts: Victoria Wharf, The Watershed, Alfred Mall and Pierhead, Clock Tower and Breakwater Point. With more than 450 stores, restaurants and bars, there is something for everyone! But there are also other activities like a Ferris wheel, a golf course or the aquarium.

If you’re a fan of markets, be sure to pay a visit to the Oranjezicht Farmers Market near the V&A Waterfront. It’s open three times each week:

Wednesdays 5pm – 9pm
Saturdays 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sundays 9am – 2pm

However, we visited the Waterfront primarily for another reason: the spectacular panoramic helicopter flights over Cape Town start from here. You can choose between different routes, which are shorter or longer and are also more expensive or cheaper. I will never forget the view from the air over the city, the blue Atlantic Ocean as well as the impressive mountain formations! We booked our flight with NAC Helicopters and were super happy!

8. Robben Island

About 11 kilometers from the coast of Cape Town lies Robben Island. The island was the prison where Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, was imprisoned as an anti-apartheid activist. Mandela spent a total of 18 years, his total of 27 years in prison, on Robben Island. In 1996, the prison was bullet and the island became a symbol of democracy and the triumph of freedom over the repression that colored people in South Africa had to suffer until 1994. Today Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Robben Island Museum is open to visitors. The island can only be observed during a tour, which can be booked → online here. I recommend you do this already a few days before your desired date, as the tours are booked up quickly.

Entrance fee: 600 Rand (32 Euro) for adults

9. The Lions Head

Probably the best known and most iconic hill in Cape Town is Lions Head, which dominates the cityscape with its sugar loaf shape. Especially at sunset, Lions Head is a great hike, which offers breathtaking views. The climb starts as a walk, but quickly turns into climbing. As you spiral up the hill, views can be enjoyed in all directions: Table Mountain, Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the city center.

For the ascent and descent of the total 5km you should plan around 2-3 hours. For me, the most beautiful place to watch the sunset is not at the summit, but on the plateau just before it. Here you have enough space to find the most beautiful spot for yourself, while it quickly becomes crowded at the summit and you save the last and steepest part of the hike.

10. More sunset hikes:

The many hills and mountains of Table Mountain offer not only a great backdrop but also numerous hiking opportunities in Cape Town, which are undoubtedly among the top 10 sights in Cape Town. Especially in the late afternoon and at sunset, these offer breathtaking views over the city.

These are next to Lions Head my favorites, which you should not miss during your visit to Cape Town:

• Signal Hill View Point
  Very close to Lions Head is the Signal Hill View Point. It’s flatter than the neighboring hill, but it has one big advantage: YOU can reach the viewpoint completely by car or Uber thanks to a road! It is therefore the perfect choice for a relaxed picnic at sunset and also offers a great view of Lions Head.
• “The Rock”
  Less known, but also beautiful at sunset is “The Rock” (under this name the spot can also be found on Google Maps). It is especially popular with locals and offers a similar view as Lions Head.

For the way back you should keep in mind that it gets dark quickly after sunset and there is no path lighting. A headlamp is therefore very helpful!

These were my top 10 sights in Cape Town that you should not miss. If you have more time, there is so much more to explore in the area, like the Cape Winelands with the wine famous town of Stellenbosch, whale watching in Hermanus, the world famous Garden Route or a safari!

Map with the best things to do in Cape Town

Read next:

→ The best places to visit in the Dolomites

→ The best photo spots in Venice

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Fascinating history meets ancient architecture and an interesting culture: That’s Egypt! In this blog post I’m sharing 7 best things to do in Egypt which must not be missed on your travel itinerary for this spectacular country in North Africa.

7 best things to do in Egypt

1. Cairo

The capital of Egypt with more than 20 Million inhabitants is the biggest capital in Africa and a place where many nations, cultures and African as well as Middle Eastern traditions come together. Most tourists visit Cairo only for their arrival and departure from the airport or due to the fact that is located right next to the famous pyramids of Giza. But the city itself is definitely worth spending some time at, to experience how the majority of Egyptians are living nowadays.

Best things to do in Cairo:

• Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum to see impressive ancient artifacts closely – it only opened in 2025 an is super impressive!
• visit the oldest mosque in Egypt and Africa: The Mosque of Ibn Tulun from 879 AD
• enjoy the incredible panoramic view over Cairo from the Salah El Din Citadel and visit its main attraction, the Muhammad Ali mosque
• climb up the Minaret At Bay Zuweila for a spectacular view of historic Cairo

2. Giza

Located in the outskirts of Cairo lies Giza: Probably the most visited place in Egypt – but for a good reason: The pyramids of Giza date back to 2560 BC and are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The size of the structures and the fact that they have been manmade thousands of years ago, take their visitors back to ancient times!
It is possible to go inside the pyramids through tiny corridors into the chambers but it is not as spectacular as seeing them from the outside. All mummies and artifacts which used to be inside have been transferred to the Egyptian museum. Even though the guides try to tell you something else, the visit to one pyramid is for free: Menkaure Pyramid. For the other two pyramids you’ll have to pay an extra charge to get in but we heard that they all pretty much look the same inside – so visiting the free one is enough!

On the complex locals offer camel rides to the best spots of the areal to overlook the pyramids and take amazing photos of the pyramids. Don’s miss on this opportunity! It is definitely worth the extra charge that you should bargain before the ride.

To the South of the Cheops pyramid lies the most famous creature from the Egyptian mythology: The Great Sphinx which has the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. It is said to be the guardian of the pyramids and a great photo opportunity as well!

Philae Temple

Nubian Village

4. Abu Simbel

A visit in Abu Simbel is one of the best things to do in Egypt which will surely leave you in awe – just as myself! It has been one of my personal favorite places we visited in Egypt.
Abu Simbel is located relatively close to Aswan so the best way to reach it is by hiring a taxi driver during your stay in Aswan for a day tour. The drive still takes around 3,5 hours but it is definitely worth it! Otherwise you can reach Abu Simbel by plane.
The temple of Ramses II. and his wife Nefertari are carved into massive rocks and look absolutely spectacular from outside but even more fascinating from the inside with very well preserved colorful hieroglyphics which are more than 3300 years old!

For more details about Abu Simbel, how to get there, what to expect and important advices, read my guide for a day tour to Abu Simbel!

5. Luxor

The most beautiful temple we’ve visited in Egypt is the Karnak Temple in Luxor: The largest and most religious temple in ancient Egypt. Its obelisk and the huge columns with hieroglyphs are glowing mysteriously in the early morning light. That’s why the best time to visit the Karnak Temple is early in the morning right after the opening at 6am! You will have the site almost to yourself during this time of the day and have the possibility to shoot dreamy photos.

The best things to do in Luxor:

• visit the mysterious Karnak Temple
• admire the Luxor Temple which dates back to 1400 BC where many kings of ancient Egypt have been crowned
• Visit the Valley of the Kings which used to be the royal burial ground for the pharaohs of the 18th until 20th dynasty including Tutankhamun and Ramses II.
• While the Valley of the Queens used to be the burial site of the pharaohs wives. Especially spectacular is the tomb of Queen Nefertari which is very well preserved, colorful and rich in details!
• Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – the most powerful female ruler of ancient Egypt.
• Take a hot air balloon ride during sunrise over the West Bank of Luxor to see the tombs and temples from above

Karnak Temple

6. The Red Sea

After exploring the impressive temples, pyramids and tombs of ancient Egypt, plan a few days of relaxation at the Red Sea. It is not only a great place in Egypt to soak in some sunshine and go for a swim but especially to go diving or snorkeling. The maritime life in the Red Sea is extremely rich. You might see dolphins, colorful reef fish and corals, rays, sharks, turtles and so much more! It is a different side of the country and definitely belongs to the best things to do in Egypt.

7. Siwa Oasis

One secret tip and definitely one of the most spectacular things to do in Egypt is visiting the Siwa Oasis in the Western part of Egypt. Siwa Oasis is a tiny community near the border to Libya and not the right destination for you if you’re looking for a luxury stay in Egypt. The area is famous for its hundreds of unique salt pools which spread over the whole region. They are mostly surrounded by a white salt crust while the water in the pool appears to be turquoise blue. The area looks almost extraterrestrial!
Getting to Siwa is not easy – expect a long (9-12 hrs) and bumpy bus or car ride from Cairo but if you want to visit a unique and extraordinary destination in Egypt, then this place has to be on your travel list!

The best things to do in Egypt

You may also be interested in

• A day tour to Abu Simbel – everything you have to know

• My Jordan Itinerary 

Plan your stay in Egypt

Paradise beaches, incredible view points and a lush vegetation: These are the Seychelles! This blog post includes useful travel tips you need to know before booking your vacation and the ultimate Seychelles itinerary for the perfect stay!

Seychelles Travel Tips and the perfect Itinerary

What is the best time to visit the Seychelles?

The Seychelles are a great travel destination with lots of sunshine and blue water throughout the whole year so the best time to visit depends on you personal preferences:
– Do you want to skip the peak season when mosts tourists are on the islands? Then book your stay January to April to avoid the high season during the summer months May – August. This is also the right season if you want to experience the hatching of the endangered Hawksbill sea turtles at the beaches (Jan – March). April is one of the best months since the weather is warm and mild.

We’ve been to the Seychelles in November and had beautiful sunny weather but sometimes strong winds which means higher waves. During November – January you also have a bigger change of the tides at the beaches.

How many days are ideal for the Seychelles?

The right amount of days you’re planning to spend on the Seychelles, depends on how many islands you’re planning to visit.

• Mahé is the biggest Seychelles island and I would suggest you at least five days. If you want to spend a few more days of relaxing & doing nothing, then I would suggest even more. We decided to split our time on Mahé and spent six nights in total, including five days of exploring and one full day of pampering ourselves in a luxury resort.
• Praslin is smaller than Mahé but has many beautiful beaches and must see places. We spent four days on this island, including a full day boat trip and it was absolutely perfect.
• La Digue is tiny so we only planned two nights there but I would suggest to stay three nights.

This makes a total of 12 days which is exactly what we did & it has been perfect!

Which budget should I plan for the Seychelles?

Many people think that the Seychelles are a high-end luxury destination and not suitable for budget travelers. But that’s not 100% true: Yes, the Seychelles have amazing luxury resorts and the prices for a stay have no limit to the top. But at the same time you can definitely plan a budget friendly trip to the Seychelles.

A big saving trick is to book apartments with your own kitchen. Even basic restaurants in the Seychelles are quite expensive and main courses are usually between 15 – 30 EUR per person. That’s why you can save a lot of money if you cook your own meals and breakfast. The groceries in the supermarkets are still a bit more expensive than back home, especially if the products have been imported, but you will still save a lot of money!

We decided for a mix of budget friendly apartments, some nice mid-priced hotels and a few days in a luxury resort to pamper ourselves.

Here is a price example for one week on Praslin per person

• Accommodation: Nice apartment at the beach with kitchen (f.e. The Seashell Beach Villa → Book it here!): 100,- per night for 2 persons = 350,- EUR per week / person
• Food: 10-15 EUR per day / person when cooking your own meals or 25-35 EUR per day / person eating out = 70 – 245,- EUR per week / person
• Transfer between islands = 100,- EUR per person
• Entrance to National Parks & Full day Boat Tour = 150,- EUR per person
• Rental Ca:r 40 – 50 EUR per day = 140 – 175 EUR per week / person (The price is based on traveling as a couple. In case you’re traveling as a bigger group, the price per person will be lower.)

= 910 – 1.120 EUR per week / person

What are the best beaches in the Seychelles?

If you want to experience postcard worthy beaches with blue water, soft & white sand, framed by palm trees and dark granite rocks, then you will fall in love with the Seychelles. Some of the beaches we visited belong to the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen during all our travels!

Make sure to check out my blog post with → the best beaches in the Seychelles, including useful information and a map to find them!

The perfect Seychelles Itinerary – Island Hopping

Every island in the Seychelles is unique in its own way. That’s why island hopping is the best way to see the Seychelles properly and experience as many sides of these beautiful islands as possible.
We focused on the three most famous islands: Mahé, the biggest one with the airport, Praslin with unique beaches and nature and La Digue which is well known for the most photographed and famous beach in the Seychelles.

This is the ultimate Seychelles Itinerary to make the most out of your time:

Seychelles Itinerary: Mahé (Part 1)

• our accommodation: → PARADISE CHALETS SEYCHELLES – Book it here!
  newly opened, mid-priced and modern apartments with kitchen, available with one or two bedrooms and pool
• time: three nights (we came back to Mahé at the end of our trip)

Day 1

• Arrival at the International Airport, picking up the rental car (we booked via Sixt)
• Checking in a → Paradise Chalet Seychelles – Book it here!
• Stocking up on groceries for the next days

Day 2

Visiting Cap Ternay

There is basically one main road which leads around Mahé so for our first day we decided to visit the part of the island which is the farthest away from our accommodation: The North of Mahé.

Cap Ternay is located at the end of the main road and a very unpopular beach among tourists. It is a calm bay with shallow emerald green water surrounded by a lush greenery which will make you feel like you stepped right into Jurassic Park!

Sans Soucis Road & Victoria

Sans Soucis Road is a scenic drive through the mountains of Mahé with lovely view points which connects the Northern part with the capital Victoria. There are several hikes you can do along this road. We did one of them during our last days on the Seychelles, when we came back to Mahé – but read more about this later.

Victoria is not only the capital of the Seychelles but also the only city in the country! With less than 30,000 inhabitants Victoria is one of the smallest capitals in the world. Exploring the city will not take very long: Visiting the market, the national museum or the botanical garden and seeing the clock tower – a mini version of the Big Ben – and enjoying a burger and cold drink at the harbour.

Sunset Beach

In the evening we came to a beach which is ideal to watch the sunset: Sunset Beach – what a fitting name Park your car at the road side and walk a few steps to the small beach which is usually almost empty! The view and the colors are absolutely incredible.

Day 4

Sunrise at Anse Baleine

We decided to split our time on Mahé in a few days at the beginning and some more at the end of our trip, since we had to come back for out international flight anyways.
On the fourth day we planned to take the ferry to Praslin.

Before we took the boat in the late morning, we started the day at the beach Anse Baleine just in front of our accommodation. The beach offers a direct view at the sunrise and is incredibly photogenic with palm trees leaning over the waves. If you’re planning to stay at the Paradise Chalets or at another accommodation in the South, it is definitely worth a visit to take some photos in the morning.

Seychelles Itinerary: Praslin

• accommodation: → SEASHELL BEACH VILLA – Book it here!
  a small, family owned and budget friendly hotel with several apartments with kitchen, located at a beautiful beach at the West coast of Praslin
  P.S. It is way nicer in reality than as it looks on the booking website! I can highly recommend this accommodation.
• time: four nights

Day 4

After our sunrise at the beach we drove to the ferry station on Mahé to remove our rental car. The good thing about the Sixt company is, that they have a station at the airport and ferry station which is very convenient.
The ferry to Praslin takes around 1 – 1,5 hrs and costs 50,- EUR per person which is not cheap but definitely more affordable than the 200,- EUR for a plane flight between both islands.

Arriving at the ferry station we rented a car with a small local company and drove to our accommodation at the beach and got some groceries.

Seashell Beach Villa

Day 5

Vallée de Mai

After relaxing at the hotel beach in the morning, we drove to the center of the island to one of the biggest landmarks in the Seychelles: The Nature Reserve and UNESCO heritage side Vallée de Mai which is home of the Coco de Mer – the biggest seed in the world! This palm forest in the green heart of Praslin has been isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years which led to the evolution of a unique flora and fauna. Many species can only be found here! That’s why visiting Vallée de Mai feels like traveling back in time to the ancient palm forests of the Seychelles.

The Coco de Mer palm is not only producing the biggest nut in the world but is also highly endangered. The nuts only grow on the female palm trees and it takes around seven year for one nut to be fully ripe, fall to the ground and produce a new palm tree. That’s why it is highly forbidden to eat the Coco de Mer by the Seychelles Gouvernement. Our guide told us that the taste is incredibly flavorful (he knew the taste from when he was still a child and it was still allowed to eat them). When you pick up the shell of a fallen Coco De Mer on the ground to smell it, you will get an idea of the taste – it smells like a Pina Colada.

• cost: 350 SCR (around 22,- EUR) per person, without guide
• opening times: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (Fridays only until 1pm)

Book the best activities on Praslin here:

Anse Georgette

In the afternoon we drove to the Constance Lemuria Resort which is where you will find the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles: Anse Georgette! By Seychelles law all beaches have to be accessible to the public even if they are surrounded by a resort. You just have to register your visit at the Constance resort in advance. The best is to do this one or two days before your planned visit. Simply tell the receptionist of your hotel your preferred date and they will take care of it! You find more Information about Anse Georgette and how to reach it in my “Best Beaches in the Seychelles” blog post!

For me Anse Georgette is clearly the most beautiful beach we’ve seen in the Seychelles and even belongs to my Top 3 beaches around the world – so it is definitely a must see on your Seychelles Itinerary! The water is blue and perfect for a swim, the sand is soft and the whole scenery is incredibly photogenic. Beside that it is a perfect spot to watch the sunset in the evening.

Restaurant Paradisier

After watching the sunset at Anse Georgette we decided to treat ourselves for dinner at the lovely Restaurant Paradisier. It is not far away from the Seashell Beach Villas and has really delicious food. We paid 310 SCR (19 EUR) for a big pizza which is not cheap at all but a typical price for the Seychelles.

Day 6

Full Day Boat Trip to St. Pierre & Curieuse Island

When you’re visiting Praslin, you should definitely plan one day for a boat tour around the island to go snorkeling and most importantly: to visit the nearby Curieuse Island! It is a National Park and home of around 200 Seychelles Giant Tortoises which roam around freely on the island.

We can highly recommend the full day tour with Angel Tours, which the friendly owner of the Seashell Beach Villa organized for us. The price for the tour is 100,- EUR per person, which includes the following:

• pick up from the hotel in the morning
• visiting two different snorkeling spots – one of them is the beautiful tiny island St. Pierre which you can see on the photo below
• Exploring Curieuse Island to see the tortoises and hike to a hidden beach
• Delicious lunch at Curieuse Island
• National Park fee
• Visiting Anse Georgette at the end of the tour for a swim

We were back at our hotel for sunset and spent a cozy evening at the beach of our accommodation.

→ Book the best day tour to St.Pierre & Curieuse Island here!

Day 7

Anse Lazio

There are two beaches on Praslin which are battling to be the most beautiful one in the Seychelles: Anse Georgette & Anse Lazio. You already know which one these two is my personal favorite but I also understand why some people prefer Anse Lazio: It is a huge beach which is easy to access. The parking lot is just a few steps away from the beach. Anse Lazio is great to go swimming and snorkeling which makes it to the ideal beach for families.

Hike to Lovers Bay

From Anse Lazio you can do a small hike to a picturesque small cove called Lovers Bay or Petite Anse Lazio. In my blog post with the → best beaches in the Seychelles you’ll find a brief explanation how to find the hidden path!
Lovers Bay looks like a place out of a fairytale and most likely you will have the tiny beach all to yourself. But make sure to watch out for the sea urges in the water if you want to go for a swim.

Anse Volbert

After spending the whole day at the beach, we decided to visit the area around Anse Volbert in the late afternoon. It is a bustling area and if you walk along the beach you can find different bars and cafes to relax. We stopped at Café des Artes for a small snack and coffee to end the day.

Day 8

Time to say goodbye to Praslin! On the eighth day of our Seychelles trip, we booked a ferry to La Digue in the afternoon. This meant that we still had enough time to visit one place which can’t be missed on your Seychelles Itinerary:

Fond Ferdinand

Fond Ferdinand is a nature park on Praslin with a native lush vegetation. You will also find the endemic and huge Coco de Mer but the best part (& the main reason for our visit) can be found at the end of the trail: After walking 600 steps through the jungle, you reach the top of Fond Ferdinand with incredible views over the neighbored islands and the ocean – you can even spot La Digue!

• times: Fond Ferdinand can only be visited during a guided tour, weekdays: 9.30 am, 11am, 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm
• price: 150 SCR (10 EUR) including guide

Seychelles Itinerary: La Digue

Day 8

In the afternoon we took the quick 20-mins ferry connection to La Digue. The first thing we did after arriving at the ferry station was renting bicycles since they are the only means of transportation on the island. One bicycle costs 150 SCR (10 EUR) per day.

• accommodation: We stayed at a hotel (without our own kitchen) called “Le Relax Luxury Lodge” which we were totally disappointed of for several reasons. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend it. We actually planned to stay at the Le Nautique which has a way better location and is really beautiful but unfortunately it was already booked out! Nevertheless we came here every night for dinner since it has an amazing sunset view and the cuisine was the best we had in the Seychelles! Can highly recommend to stay at Le Nautique or at least to enjoy your dinner here!
• time: We stayed two nights on La Digue but I would suggest three nights

Sunset view at Le Nautique

Day 9

Unfortunately we only stayed two nights on La Digue which meant that Day 9 has been our only full day on the island which we wanted to use to the fullest:

Grand Anse

One of the beaches you can’t miss during your time on La Digue is the beautiful Grand Anse. To reach it, you have to ride quite a bit with your bicycles on streets which lead up and down the whole time. But the strenuous way is all worth it for this amazing blue water and white soft beach with picturesque granite rocks.

P.S. A local told us that there are more beaches behind Grand Anse which are not connected to the street and can only be reached after climbing over the granite rock piles at the end of the Grand Anse.
The first beach you will reach is Petite Anse. There are less visitors on this beach than on Grand Anse but in my opinion it is not as beautiful.
The second one is Coco Beach which we heard has amazing natural pools. But when we arrived, they were quite disappointing (maybe just because we had low tide?) and definitely not worth the 50 mins hike in the heat from Grand Anse. Especially since it was our only full day on La Digue and I felt like we were wasting time..

Sunset at Source d’Argent

The most photographed and popular beach in the Seychelles is Source d’Argent on La Digue. It is located in the state park “L’Union Estate” and is easy to access. At the entrance gate you have to pay an entrance fee of 115 SCR (around 8 EUR) per person which is valid for the next day as well.

P.S. L’Union Estate has more to offer than just the famous beach. You will find vanilla plantations and the Aldabra giant tortoises! It is also popular to rent one of the famous glass kayaks which have to be reserved online a few days in advance.

After sunset we came back to the Le Nautique Hotel and Restaurant one more time for an amazing dinner!

Day 10

Anse Source d’Argent

On our last day on La Digue we came back to the L’Union Estate Park to explore it properly and to enjoy the beautiful Anse Source d’Argent during daylight.
Tip: Due to its popularity Anse Source d’Argent is quite packed during the day but many visitors just stop at the first beach and don’t know that, when you follow the path a little further, you will find even more beautiful little beaches with less visitors and enough space!

After a few hours of relaxation and taking a lot of photos we drove back to the hotel to check out and reach our ferry to Mahé.

Seychelles Itinerary: Mahé (Part 2)

Day 10

Ferry to Mahé

When you take the ferry from La Digue to Mahé you will always have a short stop in Praslin since there is no direct connection. But anyways it is bookable as one ticket with SeyFerry and during the stop you can usually stay on the same boat.

After arriving back at the port in Mahé it was almost sunset time so we picked up our rental car and drove to our hotel. For our last days on the Seychelles we decided to pamper ourselves and booked a five star resort which we absolutely fell in love with:

• accommodation: → HILTON NORTHOLME RESORT & SPA – Book it here!
  luxury resort with incredible rooms and pool villas, perfect to relax a few days at the beach or pool, great dining choices and especially amazing breakfast!
• time: 2 nights

The Hilton Northolme

Day 11

Relaxation & Snorkeling at the Hilton Northolme

After ten days of exploring we decided to take it a bit slow during our last days to recharge our batteries. So we spent the whole day baking in the sun and snorkeling in the lagoon until the late afternoon.

Sunset at Petite Anse

If you’re looking for a long beach with an amazing sunset view you should definitely check out the Petite Anse. It is located at the property of the Four Seasons Seychelles, but just like all beaches in the Seychelles, Petite Anse has to be accessible to the public as well. You don’t need to pre-register yourself for the visit. Just drive to the resort, park your car outside of the gate and walk through the resort after a health check at the gate. The resort it huge so you will have to walk quite a bit but it is definitely worth it!

Day 12

Our flight has been leaving at 11pm on the 12th day in the Seychelles so we still had one full day to explore Mahé and one hike which can not be missed on your Seychelles Itinerary:

Trois Freres Trail

You may remember that we drove along the scenic Sans Soucis Road during our first days on Mahé but didn’t had time to do one of the amazing hikes. That’s why we planned this for our last day.
From the many hikes you can do along Sans Soucis Road we decided for Trois Freres Trail since it has the best views and is not as long and exhausting as some others are.

How to reach Trois Freres Trail: With your rental car, drive all the way to the bus station of the Sans Soucis Road where you will see a small street leading uphill. Behind it is a parking lot located where you can safely leave your car and start the hike.
Trois Freres Trail is quite short but – especially at the end – very steep. We needed 45-50 mins to reach the top and where blown away by the incredible views! I can definitely recommend this moderate hike during your stay in Mahé!

Eden Island

Not far from Victoria is an artificial island located, which is connected to Mahé and has a big harbor for yachts. But even if you’re not traveling with a yacht, it is worth visiting Eden Island to enjoy the many restaurants, bars, shops and biggest supermarket on Mahé.
After our hike we had a nice lunch at Eden Island, overlooking the yachts before we were on our way to the last beach on our Seychelles Itinerary:

Anse Intendance

The last beach we were visiting happened to be my favorite one on Mahé! Anse Intendance is a long beach stripe with soft sand and easy to access with your rental car. Due to its length you will easily find an empty spot for yourself to lay on the sand and take a dip in a blue water with soft waves. Make sure to come in the afternoon and stay until sunset since the view is absolutely lovable!

After our last sunset, we had to say goodbye to the Seychelles, return our rental car at the airport and Check in for our late night flight!

Résumé:

We were absolutely amazed by the Seychelles! In fact so much that this island paradise turned out to be our favorite destination we visited in 2021! The incredible beaches and unique scenery are outstandingly beautiful and we’re already looking forward to return to the Seychelles in the near future

I hope my Seychelles Itinerary & Travel Tips will help you to plan your own Seychelles vacation! If you have any other questions, please put them in the comments below or send me a message on Instagram!

Make sure to check out the following blog post as well:

• The best beaches in the Seychelles!

Plan your own Seychelles trip:

Endless white sandy beaches, surrounded by palm trees and black granite rocks with turquoise waters. This is what most people haven mind when they think about the beaches in the Seychelles. But not all of them are like this, they are all unique in their own way. In this post I’ll show you my personal best beaches in the Seychelles and what you should keep in mind before visiting each of them:

Before I’ll start I want to point out, that in my opinion it is super important to rent a car when you’re planning to explore Mahé and Praslin. While there are public buses, not all stops are close to the most beautiful beaches and often you have to plan an extra walking time of 30-50 min per direction to reach them. Additionally it is often strenuous to walk in the Seychelles due to the heat and the fact that many roads change between going up and down due to the mountains and are steep. So renting a car will cost you a bit of extra money but it will save you tons of time during your vacation and make your experience way more relaxing.
On La Digue rental cars are not allowed but therefore you’ll find countless bicycle renting points! 

Mahé

Since Mahé is the biggest island on the Seychelles with many countless beaches it makes it hard to visit them all. During our six days on the islands we got to see quite a few of them and these have been my favorites.

Cap Ternay

In the very Northern Part of Mahé you’ll find the small bay Cap Ternay with calm and warm water, which you can walk in for several minutes while still being able to stand. The water at Cap Ternay is emerald green and the beach just a small sand stripe (depending on the tide). Anyways you still have a few meters of sand left under the trees which offer a lot of shadow to hide from the sun. Surrounded by a lush vegetation, which grows close to the water and with the surrounding mountains you’ll feel like stepping in Jurassic Park!

• Accessibility: Easy with a rental car. A small road leads almost to the beach and you’ll only have to walk five minutes.
• Family Friendly: 7/10 – no waves, calm and flat water, but not space to play in the sand
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: No
• Popularity: Low, we were almost alone beside very few people which were mostly snorkelers & divers
• Snorkeling: Great, but if you start directly from the beach you have to swim quite a bit to the reef. However we noticed many diving and snorkeling trips staring from Cap Ternay with boats

Anse Baleine

Right in front of our first hotel the „Paradise Chalets“ at the East Coast we had a lovely small beach which is ideal to watch the sunrise in the morning. Depending on the tide, Anse Baleine can either be quite big during low tide or almost not existing during high tide. The many palm trees which are often growing horizontal over the water, make a lovely photo opportunity.

• Accessibility: Easy – Anse Baleine beach is located right next to the street
• Family Friendly: Medium – This beach is ideal to take photos or to relax but not really kid friendly to play in the sand or water.
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes, there is a laid-back restaurant located right at the beach where you can sit with your feet in the sand.
• Snorkeling: We didn’t snorkel ourselves here but oft saw other people doing it from our hotel 
• Popularity: Low – we barely saw anyone at the beach during our entire stay at the hotel behind it.

Petite Anse – Four Seasons Beach

By Seychellois law all beaches have to be accessible to the public. This means that you can also visit beaches, which are surrounded by a resort. The Petite Anse which is the main beach of the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is one of them and definitely worth a visit. Located on the West Coast of Mahé, Petite Anse is one of the best beaches to watch the sunset.

• Accessibility: Medium. Park your car in front of the Four Seasons (parking lot is available) and register yourself at the hotel gate. From there you’ll have to walk quite a bit downhill to reach the beach. The area of the resort is quite huge and located on the surrounding mountains of the beach, which means that it can get quite steep. So safe some energy and water for the way back up to your car.
• Family Friendly: Yes! Petite Anse is a huge sandy beach with small to medium sized waves.
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Only for hotel guests
• Popularity: Medium – High. You’ll find mainly hotel guests at the beach which have their own area with sun beds. But differently from what you would expect from the name Petite Anse, the beach is long and the public beach offers a lot of space as well. We’ve been here during sunset and it was quite empty.

Anse Intendance

The last beach we visited on Mahé turned out to be our favorite one on the island! We came to Anse Intendance to watch the sunset but it’s also a great beach to relax during the day. The beach is just perfect and the water blue with the ideal size of small waves to swim in the water – even for kids. It is definitely not a „secret beach“ but thanks to its size also not crowded: You’ll easily find a nice spot for yourself without sitting right next to someone else. The further you walk from the entrance to the right side of the beach, the less people you’ll meet.

• Accessibility: Easy! You can park your car just a few steps away from the beach.
• Family Friendly: 10/10!
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes, Fruit stall and drinks
• Popularity: Relatively High, but thanks to it’s size it’s not crowded

Praslin

If you plan your visit in the Seychelles and want to see the most beautiful beaches of this island paradise, then Praslin should definitely be on your list! There are actually two beaches battling to be the Number one of the most beautiful beaches on Praslin – and even in the Seychelles:

Anse Georgette

My absolute favorite beach in the Seychelles, and even one of the most beautiful beaches in the world I’ve ever seen is Anse Georgette. It looks exactly like you would imagine a beach in the Seychelles: soft sand surrounded by granite boulder rocks on both ends of the beach, a lush greenery and of course blue water with soft waves. It is the perfect spot on the island to watch the sunset so make sure to come in the afternoon and stay until the sun has been going down.

Important: Anse Georgette is surrounded by the resort Constance Lemuria and the daily access is limited. That’s why you have to register before your visit. Your hotel will do that for you.

• Accessibility: Medium. Park your car in front of the resort gate of the Constance Lemuria, from where you’ll have to walk through along their huge golf course for around 25-30 minutes.
• Family Friendly: Yes! It is a lovely beach for children to play in the sand plus the access to the water is easy and sandy without any sharp rocks.
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes, you will find a little stall to buy cocktails and drinks. But if you’re planning to stay a bit longer I would recommend to pack your own water and snacks.
• Popularity: High! Everyone wants to see the most beautiful beach of the Seychelles But anyways I didn’t found Anse Georgette crowded during our visit.

Anse Lazio

As already mentioned above there is one beach which is competing with Anse Georgette about being the most beautiful beach on Praslin and this is Anse Lazio. For me it is clearly on the second position but some people prefer this one. So definitely visit both and see which one is your personal favorite.
Compared to Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio is a lot bigger and super easy to access. You can park your rental car just a few steps away from the beach. Due to this fact, Anse Lazio is also has a lot more visitors but thanks to the size you’ll most likely still find a nice spot for yourself.

But in my opine there is one big plus point which Anse Lazio has compared to Anse Georgette and this is the access to Lovers Bay – but read more about this below.

• Accessibility: Super easy
• Family Friendly: Yes!
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes, you’ll find a fruit and coconut stand right at the beach and a souvenir / snack shop just behind it.
• Popularity: high
• Snorkeling: Good! You can snorkel along the rocks in the water on both ends of the beach

Petite Anse Lazio / Lovers Bay

If you’re in the mood for a little adventure after relaxing at Anse Lazio you should check out the Petite Anse Lazio, also known as Lovers Bay, nearby. It is a very small but picturesque bay which will let you feel like you’re on a lonely island and makes a beautiful photo opportunity. Additionally you will most likely have this bay all to yourself, just like us, since it is not easy to access at all:

At the very end of Anse Lazio, at the right side, you have a for the Seychelles typical collection of boulder granite rocks which you will have to climb up and down again to reach Lovery Bay. Take some steps behind the trees where you will see a tiny path leading up the rocks. We did this hike in flip flops but to be on the safe side I would recommend you to wear sneakers – especially when the rocks are wet and slippery from the rain. Then simply follow the path above the rocks, enjoy the views on the way and after around 10 minutes the way will lead you down to the beach.

Depending on the tide the access to the water can be tricky since there are quite a few rocks and sea urges in the water.

• Accessibility: Difficult, but the hike is absolutely doable if you’re fit and not long.
• Family Friendly: No
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: No
• Popularity: Low

La Digue

La Digue is one of the smallest islands in the Seychelles and so tiny that there are not even cars on the island – just bicycles. Nevertheless La Digue offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles which you can’t miss:

Grand Anse

One of the most famous beaches in the Seychelles is Grand Anse with its endless appearing sand stripe, picturesque granite rocks and incredibly blue water. The waves at Grand Anse are usually a bit higher but it makes so much fun to play in them when you’re a good swimmer and go too deep in the water. But the current might change any time so watch out for warning signs.

Unfortunately Grand Anse is not surrounded by many trees which means that you can barely find any places in the shadow. We saw some shelters constructed out of palm leaves from the locals which I’m pretty sure you have to pay a small fee for to use them. But look out for some lonely granite rocks which are located on the beach – they are a great natural shelter from the sun.

• Accessibility: 7/10. You can almost drive directly to the beach with your bicycle but the street has quite a few steep ups and downs which can be exhausting in the heat.
• Family Friendly: It depends: Great for families with older kids which are good swimmers. But the strong waves plus the lack of shadow spots is not really ideal for young children.
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes, there is a little beach restaurant located where you’ll park the bicycles.
• Popularity: High

Petite Anse

If Grand Anse might be too packed or you simply want to see a less popular beach than you can follow the path which leads you from your bicycle to Grand Anse a bit further to climb over the Granite Rocks and reach Petite Anse. Even though the rocks are quite high, the hike itself is definitely doable and completely in the shadow. We even met older people on the way. Just make sure to pack enough water to stay hydrated and after around 20-30 minutes you will already be at the beach.

• Accessibility: Moderate hike
• Family Friendly: The beach itself is similar to Grand Anse, so again I would say it depends on the age of your children but the accessibility to Petite Anse is not as easy.
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes – you will find a shelter where locals sell coconuts, fruits, cocktails and soft drinks.
• Popularity: Medium – Low

It is even possible to access the next beach, called Coconut Beach but for us it was not really worth it. I found some pictures from „Natural Pools“ on Google which are located at Coconut Beach but they weren’t that impressive in reality and definitely not worth the second hike in the heat – at least for us.

Anse Source d’Argent

We’ve probably all seen the famous drone shots of postcard like beaches in the Seychelles – and 90% of them are taken at a! It is THE famous beach in the Seychelles and extremely picturesque.
The beach is located in the State Park „L’union estate“ so you have to pay an entrance fee of 115 SCR (around 8 EUR) per person but it is worth it!

When you arrive at the beach, it will most likely be quite packed. But what many don’t know is that Source d’Argent consists of several beaches which are connected via a path so most tourists stop at the first one to take photos. But I would recommend you to follow the way behind the trees a bit further until you find a nice spot for yourself.

• Accessibility: Easy! You can park your bicycle a few steps away from Anse d’Argent and the street which leads to the State Park is completely flat.
• Family Friendly: Yes!
• Possibility to buy drinks / snacks: Yes. There are several shelters to buy drinks and small snacks in the state park and at the beach itself.
• Popularity: High!

Plan your stay in the Seychelles

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Morocco is a number one travel destination which gets more and more attractive for people from all around the globe. The pretty architecture, friendly people and delicious food have made it very attractive for travelers. You probably think of Marrakech or the Sahara desert first when you think about Morocco but in this blogpost I want to show you another part of the country:

Souss-Massa is a region located in the South West of Morocco with the Atlantic Ocean at the coastline and the mountain rage of the Anti-Atlas behind it. The capital of the region is Agadir where we stayed for four days.

AGADIR

The city of Agadir was almost completely destroyed during a heavy earthquake in 1960 which was the worst natural disaster in Morocco.

But Agadir got completely rebuilt with a modern harbor and a lovely beach to relax and play. Some parts are even reconstructed in the original way. One of these places is the Medina:

MEDINA OF AGADIR

The Medina is the project of an Italian architect Coco Polizzi. He started to rebuilt it in 1992. All the buildings are new but designed in a traditional Moroccan way with many details to discover.
You can find small artesian stores or sit under one of the many Eukalyptus trees to enjoy the atmosphere.
I especially loved the theater where they play concerts during warm summer evenings.

The Theatre

MOSQUE MOHAMMED V.

This mosque has been my one of my favorite spots in Agadir. It is a beautiful and colorful mosque which is full with many details. We didn’t went inside but even the facade is extremely pretty.

SOUK EL HAD

This souk has been the largest one we’ve ever seen! The market is not only for tourists like many other souks but more for locals which do the daily shopping here. It is divided in different sections: One for artesian goods, another one for clothes, one for spices and so on. We had so much fun walking around and seeing all the different goods.

THE CASBAH OF AGADIR

The casbah of Agadir is an old fortress from 1572 which got destroyed by the earth quake 1960. But it’s still possible to visit the original walls on the hills over the city nowadays. The Casbah is one of the oldest parts of Agadir.

SOUTH OF AGADIR

During our last day we decided to explore more of the Souss-Massa region in the South…

TIZNIT

Tiznit is a small city in the South of the Region. It was built in the 19th century after people discovered a water source in the desert and startet to settle down at this spot.
A huge wall was created around the old town to protect the source and inhabitants from the Berber tribes back in the days.
Today you can still see the Grand Mosque and the Casbah from this time which are both in a very good condition.

PARAGLIDING IN AGLOU

Not far from Tiznit lies the small city Aglou. It’s located right at the beach with some lovely hills and cliffs around it. The perfect place for me to try paragliding for the very first time  I was a little scared at the beginning but after we took off from the ground it felt so peaceful and was a great way to see Morocco from a new perspective.

Résumé of our stay in Agadir

The four days in Agadir and the surrounding have been amazing to get a first impression of Morocco but were definitely too short. We absolutely can not wait to see more of this rich country! The Architecture, Food, Kindness of the locals, … everything really impressed us.