beachgirl

My husband and I are trying to decide whether to upgrade our safari accommodations (e.g., Kitchwa Tembo vs. Bateleur, among others) or go to Frigate or Private Island North in the Seychelles after our safari in Kenya and Tanzania. This would be in October. Is it worth it to spend the time and money to travel to the Seychelles? We have been to Hawaii and the Caribbean, and we love swimming, snorkeling, scuba and wildlife.

labella

personally, i find the seychelles to be overpriced in comparison to many other nice islands. but if you can afford the hotel on frigate island-great. but then i live near the beach and find that we have just as much as they do. returned in december.

sandi

There are options closer if looking for some R&R after your safari.

Kenya:
South of Mombasa at Diani Beach:
Alfajiri (run shoulders with the likes of Bradgalina and other "names."

Lamu:
Peponi or Kingozi

Tanzania:
Mnemba Island - off the coast of Zanzibar (same owners as Bateleur, CCA - but no a/c)

Southeast coast of Zanzibar - The Palms, large large suites w/ a/c

We loved the Seychelles when we visited, but Fregate and North Island were only a dream, not yet built. But realize these will run you about $2K/person/nt and they have a minimum stay of 3-nts.

I do have dreams of North Island, but gotta buy a lottery ticket (and win)!

beachgirl

We don't mind the distance or the money. But only if the destination is really worth it.

beachgirl

We've heard about Mnemba--does anyone know how it compares to the Seychelles?

sandi

Mnemba is a very small island with only the Mnemba Lodge here - about 8-cottages.

North and Fregate are also single island resorts, but islands are larger and much more greenery, animals (little ones) things to do here than on Mnemba.

You'd have to check flight schedules from NBO to SEZ versus NBO to ZNZ (the latter is closer and more frequent). Once at SEZ, I believe, it's a costly heli trip (though price for these may be included in your per night rate) to either of these two resorts. Once on ZNZ, you drive across the island to a speed-boat that takes you to Mnemba. No dock here, you have to wade into shore.

While I dream of North and its seclusion, I have already been on Mahe and Praslin and visited LaDigue which are all very interesting with places to see and things to do; so the seclusion of North or Fregate would be a change for a return visit.

It's your choice!

NoFlyZone

Flights between NBO and SEZ are only on Sundays and Thursdays and Sandi is correct that the only way to get from the international airport to either Fregate or North is an $800-900 helicopter transfer. But once there, the rates are not quite as high, being about $1300 at Fregate and $1600 at North (both are per person per night). Fregate has a 3 night minimum stay but North has no minimum.

Both are gorgeous yet quite different, although both are casually elegant and easy. In addition to the superb accommodations and food you are paying for a great measure of exclusivity. Beaches on both are gorgeous yet different and October is a perfect time to visit. North has a small refreshment outpost at the end of the farthest beach. Overall, there is NO comparison with anything on the mainland coast.

Basically toss a coin!

sandi

NoFlyZone -

Thanks for current prices... I wasn't quite sure, assuming the $2K when including the heli transfer.

Yes, exclusive at any of the three.

It's the limited flight schedules NBO/SEZ that are the killer in "getting from here to there" - not unlike other destinations in/around Africa.

Pat2003

After safari I would go for Zanzibar. It is so close and such fantastic destination. Spent lots of time in the Seychelles and visited Zanzibar too. Fregate Island is wonderful, we stayed there for a whole week but you need to remember that the number of flights from Nairobi to Mahe is limited and once a while may be canceled. Then, once on Fregate you need to remember that helicopter may not fly on a specified day. Our flight from Fregate was delayed one day because of winds but we did not mind to stay longer than scheduled as we did not have a flight back home for the next 3-4 weeks. I would definitely never recommend to anyone going to the Seychelles just to stay on Fregate. Fregate does not represent Seychelles at all. Is it worthy? Only you can answer this kind of question. Was it worthy to us? Certainly but we visited the Seychelles many times prior going to Fregate and during that trip we stayed on the other islands as well. There is not much wildlife on Fregate and snorkeling in October may be a little iffy. Transfer to Fregate is not included in a rate. It costs $450 per person

skier1

beachgirl: did you go to Africa and if so, where did you end up? I am looking at Kichwa vs. Bateleur (what are the main difference?) and considering Fregate Island or possibly Alfijiri Villas.

bombasticlife

Mnemba was one of the most beautiful resorts I've ever been to. I have more info at http://www.bombasticlife.com/paf_tan...mba_lodge.html
Not been to Seychelles yet but would highly recommend Mnemba

salisbury

If money's no object, I'd recommend Fregate in the Seychelles. I've been there a couple of times, though not at the present hotel there which is very exclusive. Before they built that you could go over from the main island Mahe on a day trip, have lunch at a little place called the Plantation House and a swim and go back. Now only guests of the hotel are allowed on the island. Anyway, Anse Victorin on Fregate is a fantastic beach, a beautiful little crescent of sand backed by coconut trees. It's worth going to Fregate just for that. And as for the hotel I'm sure it's very luxurious. Wish I was going there myself! Enjoy!

Alejandra

Beachgirl, we will be in Kenia for a safari th elast days of September, first days of October. After the safari part we fly from Nairobi (Kenya Airways direct) to the Seychelles. They do not fly everyday. We will be staying 3 nights at Praslin (Lemuria),we stay there becasue they have some of the nicest beaches, it is not as nice as North Island but good enough i would say. Also more to do than on North Island. The last night we stay at Maia resort which is by far the nicest on Mahe. Its the sister hotel of North Island.