Silhouette Island Lodge - closed from JAN 2005 - APR 2006

Covered by very dense vegetation, Silhouette has been subjected to minimal human interference: man has been kept at bay throughout the centuries by the island’s rocky coastline and steep slopes. Of no easy access, Silhouette seems to be hiding a secret, mysterious and wild, as old as time...

This small, 12 bungalow hotel will charm you with its winning mix of homeliness, refinement and friendliness. The only hotel on the island, it is managed by an Italian family, thus the Latin welcome and savoir faire are blended with all things tropical. Silhouette Lodge proposes a holiday where sports and activities interlace with peace and relaxation. Explorers at heart will undoubtedly find great satisfaction by following the tiny, timeless tracks leading into the heart of the forest, while those whose element is the sea, a fully equipped diving centre will meet your every need; experienced divers as well as beginners shall be given the key to explore this wonderful and multicoloured world. Alternatively, a 3 km long white coral beach, right in front of the Lodge, provides ample means of guilt-free lazing about for all those allergic to activities greater than the observation of the ever-changing blue sea.

Silhouette Lodge, is the gateway to the exciting discovery of this island’s untouched nature. For trekkers the pull of the forest will be very strong- away from the shady beach, lies a place where few people have been before. A pack lunch from the Lodge and a whole day in the forest quickly becomes possible. A little of the ocean lies latent in each and everyone of us, and on Silhouette this has not been forgotten. For scuba diving enthusiasts a fully equipped centre (with resident Dive master PADI) will supply the means to satisfy al curiosity in the warm, clear waters around the island, where, as it is national marine park, the collection of live shells and other organisms is forbidden. For those who are hunters, rather than spectators, big game fishing trips can also be organised – a little luck and there will be fresh tuna steak for dinner!

The wooden bungalows, built in the traditional style, are scattered between the beach and the old coconut plantation. The Lodge offers two types of accommodation: Standard bungalow 10 in all equipped with all the usual comforts (private bathroom with shower and WC, twin or double bed, ceiling fan, terrace facing the sea) they also have a minibar and a mosquito net. Superior bungalows: have a large bathroom with tub and hand shower, bidet, double lavabos; the master bedroom has a large double bed, and adjacent to it, a sitting room with minibar and tower fans, both rooms opening right on the sea. Superior bungalows also have a secondary bedroom with large wardrobes and a single bed. Water on Silhouette is spring water: ideal for bathing and brushing teeth we advise not to drink it; a tummy ache is a rather unwelcome guest on holiday! Along the beach, in front of the bungalows, a number of showers have been provided for your convenience, to rinse off sand and salt water without having to go the bungalows bathroom. At night, the only sound to be heard is the gentle lapping of the waves, while the breeze exotically mixes the cool marine scents it carries with the warm earthy smell of the tropical forest, and as one looks up at the silent and vault of the deep blue-black sky dusted with millions of stars, one is indeed reminded that one is in a small corner of paradise.

A fifteen-minute helicopter trip link Silhouette and Mahé. Helicopter shuttle service is available daily, prevalently in the mornings. Helicopter charters are possible at any other time during daylight hours. All helicopter seat arrangements and our office handles exact shuttle transfer timings. Telephone, fax and safe are at reception and our staff will be delighted to tend to your every need. Extras, such as telephone, fax, drinks, laundry service, boat excursions, diving etc. may be settled in cash (foreign and/or local), travellers cheques or credits cards (Master or Visa Cards only). Dress code for bar and restaurant is smart-casual.