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La Digue Island
Things to Do in La Digue Island
Veuve Nature Reserve
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Veuve Nature Reserve

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Veuve Nature Reserve
3.5
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
24 within 3 miles
Rey & Josh Cafe Takeaway
362
0.3 mi$ • African • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Le repaire
1,075
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Le Nautique Waterfront Restaurant
303
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Cajun & Creole • Seafood • International
Pizzeria at Gregoire's
471
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Zerof Restaurant
502
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Island Lodge Pool Side Restaurant
25
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International
Gala Takeaway
952
0.5 mi$ • Fast Food • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Le Relax Beach House Restaurant
63
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Seafood • International
Le Bon Coin Beach Restaurant & Bar
121
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Cajun & Creole • Seafood • Grill
Glorious Bakery
41
0.6 mi$ • Polish • Pizza • Cafe
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Attractions
21 within 6 miles
Notre Dame de L’Assomption Church
21
0.2 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Petite Anse
748
0.8 miBeaches
Anse La Reunion Beach
145
0.5 miBeaches
Anse Source D'Argent
3,813
0.9 miBeaches
Anse Severe
572
1 miBeaches
Spiagge di Anse Marron
307
1.9 miBeaches
Anse Patates Beach
370
1.3 miBeaches
Anse Coco Beach
957
1.7 miBeaches
Grand Anse
1,632
1.5 miBeaches
Plantation House National Monument
81
0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
92 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
30
Average
20
Poor
12
Terrible
3
yumifoodie
Nashville TN62 contributions
Just park your bike and look up
Jul 2015 • Family
As you walk or ride your bike along the road to the Reserve, look up. Medium sized blue black birds with long tails will be darting about. They tend to stay a bit high in the trees but their long tails make them easy to identify. The males chase each other about. We were there in July so we were lucky to see a female on her nest just beside the road. They have small basket weave nests hung like little purses from the bobbing tree branches. The female is tan/brown with a black head and much smaller tail. The reserve was closed for lunch so I can't review that but the birds were easy to find if you are patient and look up in the trees. They are noisy so if you hear a lot of singing look up.
Written July 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bern_Shen
San Francisco, CA152 contributions
Minimally developed yet well worth a visit
Dec 2014 • Couples
Even if you're not a birder seeking the exceedingly rare black paradise flycatcher, an hour or two in this modest nature reserve will provide a sense of the natural state of La Digue & of the Seychelles more generally. Easily reached via a 10' leisurely bike ride from the bike rental stands near the ferry dock along what's basically the only road cutting east across the island - look for a small hut & sign on your right heading east (away from the Anse Source d'Argent beach area).

The ranger wasn't on duty when we visited, so we just parked our bikes & explored the very short network of trails. Because you're never far from the road, don't be surprised by local residents riding their bikes or walking along the trails on their way somewhere... but if you're lucky, as we were, the woods will be undisturbed for 15-20 minutes at a time, during which the black paradise flycatchers will make their appearance, sometimes approaching within 2-3 meters. A careful eye will also pick out other birds & a variety of lizards, spiders & other fauna. Afterwards, refreshments, a meal, other attractions or the ferry back to Praslin are just a short bike ride away!
Written December 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angel57
Essex UK1,741 contributions
Enjoyable visit
Jun 2018 • Couples
Walked to the Reserve from our hotel. Went into the office & girl there gave us a quick explanation of what to look for & see.

We then leisurely followed the paths looking for the rare flycatcher. Be careful as you walk around as it is easy to walk into a cobweb of a large palm spider if you are looking up & not straight ahead.

We had just about given up seeing a flycatcher when we spotted another couple avidly looking up into a tree, we joined them & they kindly pointed out a male bird. This was then joined by a female & then we spotted a nest which they took turns sitting on - how lucky were we?

The nest is not far from the office. Come out of the back of the office, follow the trail to the right & when you come to a junction in the paths the nest is in a tree there.

Even if we hadn't seen the birds it is a pleasant way to while away an hour.
Written June 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter F
Bru13 contributions
Save your money
Jul 2019 • Couples
Dogs run around, jump into the ponds where they chase turtles; cyclists cross nonstop and there are very few birds in this small piece of forest. Definitely not worth 150SCR. We complained about the cyclists and dogs *they are from the neighbours* and were shown a nest of the fly catcher just across the street outside the reserve. If still interested: you can enter the reserve for free by entering a few hundred meters after the info centre ...
Written July 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ivana B
Bratislava, Slovakia131 contributions
Nice nature
Nov 2018 • Couples
Very nice place to observing fauna and flora. It is home of big bat colony. They fly right over your heads and you can hear their whistle.
Written December 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
iansaggers1
Norwich, UK22 contributions
Seychelles Paradise Fly Catchers
Sep 2018
We went to the island of La Digue on holiday with the specific intention of seeing and photographing one of the rarest birds in the world. We were not disappointed.
The reserve is well signposted and easy to find. There is not an entry fee, but donations are welcomed. The reserve is accessible at any hour, but the visitor centre is only open Mon - Fri.
In terms of seeing the birds we would recommend the following. Near to the visitor centre, and part way along route 2 there are water tanks. These are about the size of a glass aquarium, painted bright green, and are on stands about four feet high. Between 3.30 & 4 o'clock on a sunny afternoon the birds visit these water tanks to drink and bathe. They stay for several minutes and if you are lucky they will preen on branches about eye level. We found that the water tank near the visitor centre is frequented by younger birds, the adults (males with huge, long tails) were seen on route 2.
Be aware that the general public use the reserve as a cycle track, amazingly this appears to have no impact on the birdlife. We sat photographing a splendid male bird in the company of three excitable young children on bikes and their two dogs.
It is also worth noting that under the dense tree cover light levels are limited, to be technical I had to push the ISO on my camera to 5000 to get any speed at all.
The good news is that we saw the birds every time we visited, and have come home with excellent pictures..
Apart from the flycatchers many other birds are seen, as are fruit bats.
In summary - its free, its readily accessible, its easy walking and the birds are wonderful/
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrewschoeman
Skukuza, South Africa942 contributions
Small Reserve but nice to visit
May 2017 • Couples
We spent an hour or so walking through the small Veuve reserve, we were mainly looking for the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher that can be seen here, we were not disappointed, we saw 2 male birds and one female bird, the trees and vegetation are quite beautiful, there is no entrance fee and you can visit anytime, there were quite a lot of mosquitos so spray some repellant on any bare skin, well worth a visit and to use up a hour or 2 during your stay on La Digue.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mary_quont
London, UK16 contributions
Saw little, got bittten
Dec 2015 • Couples
As many other have noted, this is a good place to get bitten so layer up the Deet.
We didn't see the paradise bird here ( fortunately we had seen it at the Union Estate, both male & female), or any other interesting wildlife. Good that this place exists, but our visit was underwhelming.
Written December 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Izabela P
Lodz, Poland13 contributions
not worth the price
Oct 2019
The reserve itself is nice, but... from this year it is paid - 150 SCR - the price is ridiculous, it is not worth this price. Reserve is small and the truth is that you can see paradise flycatchers everywhere on the island for free... There is some lady that tells about reserve and this is an advantage. Fortunately I saw one flycatcher and a nest. Be prepared because there are a lot of mosquitos. Generally I was dissapointed.
Written October 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Luc Victor
.761 contributions
Lovely trail, beautifully kept
Aug 2017 • Solo
A small natural park in the middle of the island, the Veuve Reserve is a forest in Anse Reunion located near the mountain. This is known as the breeding place for of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, also known as the Veuve, a rare black-colored bird with a deep blue sheen. This is one of the world’s most threatened birds and, is only found in the Seychelles. If you are lucky, your short tour may grant you a sighting of the breeding places for this endangered species of native birds. It is an advisable tour especially for those who are nature lovers. It is tour you will never forget.
Written June 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Veuve Nature Reserve (La Digue Island) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Veuve Nature Reserve