Veuve Reserve, Seychelles Overview

Known as the "Home of the Paradise Fly-catcher", Veuve Reserve on the La Digue Island is the only place where the critically endangered Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher can be found. Almost like a well-kept secret with jungle vegetation and trails around the area, you can reconnect with nature at this place.

Veuve Reserve is on the western part of La Digue and covers an area of 21 hectares. It has a staff of two park rangers and a field worker. A Peace Corps volunteer has been appointed as Assistant Park Officer. The reserve has a modern office for the staff as well as an Information Centre. Besides Veuve, the reserve protects wildlife habitats and many species of plants. It also provides a breeding ground, as well as a feeding habitat for some rare species of endemic birds.

Though the primary focus of Veuve Reserve is conservation of the breeding and nesting habitats of Veuve or the paradise flycatcher, it also protects numerous other species like Seychelles Terrapins, Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles Sunbird and some species of animals too.

Things to Do

Locals and tourists, both domestic and international, find the reserve a wonderful place to sight rare, endemic birds and their breeding places. The staff organise short guided tours and field programs for tourists and point out nesting sites and the elusive birds. For nature lovers, it is a paradise. There are six breeding grounds with Badamier and Takamaka trees which are favoured by flycatchers for nesting.

There is a natural pond, a few man-made ponds and a freshwater marsh for providing the ideal breeding ground for insects. The trails and paths among the beautiful dense trees and vegetation are lovely to walk or bike on. It is advisable to use a mosquito repellent at the reserve as there are quite a lot of them.

Veuve Reserve not only contributes to the tourism industry of Seychelles but is also instrumental in spreading the awareness of the importance of conserving the natural environment and Veuve. It also promotes education and research by providing a place for teachers and rangers to hold nature tours for their students. An hour or two spent at Veuve Reserve in its natural surroundings will leave you refreshed for days.