Described as one of the wonders of the world, the Aldabra Atoll is tucked away in the western Indian ocean about 1150 km away from Seychelles and to the north of Madagascar and is a raised atoll thickly strewn with the most unwelcome spiky coral reefs that are filled in here and there with brackish water and yet holding in its territory an amazing wilderness of natural beauty, fauna and flora. For the scientist its one of the most exciting laboratory specimens of evolution ever and for the naturalist it’s like coming home, where the growth of plant and tree is bountiful and the large flock of birds and creatures are unafraid and friendly. Designated as a Natural World Heritage site, this atoll is the largest raised coral atoll found on the face of earth and is a treasure trove for a range of endangered species such as the giant turtles to the last of the flightless birds in the Indian Ocean – the white throated flightless rail.
There is a reason as to why Aldabra has remained aloof and rarely disturbed by human interventions. The razor sharps spiky growth of corals makes walking difficult. The atoll is actually made of four coral islands joined together by a coral reef and creating a shallow lagoon amongst them. There is little fresh water on the island, and very few organized flights or sails are available to visit the island. However, those who do get the chance are extremely fortunate, to witness the amazing wilderness and natural habitat of marine and island creatures and the breathtaking beauty of this picturesque location.
For anyone planning to visit this island, the best stopover is a Seychelles hotel. Located at the island of Praslin, that is named as the rediscovered garden of Eden, Raffles Praslin Seychelles offers a dreamy vacation in a cluster of luxurious villas scattered on the pristine white sand which the sleepy blue ocean ceaselessly caress. With the renowned Raffles hospitality, and the mesmerizing seascape and some fabulous dining, this Praslin hotel offers a heavenly prospect for the ideal vacation for leisure and business travellers.
