Aldabra Atoll
Aldabra is an amazing example of one of the world’s untouched environments and most fragile ecosystems. The world’s largest raised coral atoll, it consists of 13 islands which make up one third of the Seychelles’ land mass, the whole of Mahé can fit inside it’s lagoon. The Aldabra Group consists of Astove, Cosmoledo, Assumption and of course Aldabra. Home to 273 species of flowering plant and fern of which nineteen are endemic and twenty-two shared only with neighboring islands, Aldabra is sometimes described the land man forgot and rightly so. Giant tortoises belong to one of the most ancient groups of animals alive today, and have survived unchanged for perhaps 200 million years. On Aldabra - they live happily with a population of about 120 000.,the world’s largest tortoise colony (according to the latest census results). The last remaining flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, the white throated rail, is found only on Aldabra together with the Aldabra drongo and unique varieties of sunbird, fody, white eye bulbul, nightjar, coucal, pigeon and turtle dove. Other rare birds include the greater flamingo and red-footed boobies. As Aldabra is a World Heritage Site access to the atoll is carefully controlled. To ensure the protection of it’s unique, fragile ecosystem special permission is required for anyone wishing to visit the island. The island is administered by the Seychelles Island Foundation and a research station with scientific laboratory and housing facilities, for the few research staff are the only signs of habitation. Research programmes and filming trips to Aldabra can be organized through the SIF or individuals can book through the only chartering company currently running expeditions to visit Aldabra.
