National park · Seychelles
Morne Seychellois National ParkParc national du Morne Seychellois
Enter for SCR 100, hike the Copolia Trail (≈2 km (1.2 mi), moderate) in April–May or October–November; avoid the midday heat and stay in Victoria or nearby guesthouses.Enter for SCR 100, hike the Copolia Trail (≈1.2 mi (2 km), moderate) in April–May or October–November; avoid the midday heat and stay in Victoria or nearby guesthouses.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Seychelles ↗Seychelles requires a travel authorisation for visitors; apply only on the official government portal and check the rules for your passport before you fly.
- Seychelles ↗Check with a travel clinic whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from or through a country with yellow fever risk.
- Seychelles ↗Do not take shells, coral or coco de mer nuts without an export permit; the Vallée de Mai and Aldabra are protected sites.
- Mahé ↗Bus fare is SCR 7 flat; drivers do not accept notes above SCR 25, so carry small change.
- Mahé ↗Drive on the left; mountain roads are narrow with deep roadside gutters.
At a glance
- Country
- Seychelles
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Morne Seychellois National Park covers the mountainous spine of Mahé, protecting the island's last primary rainforest and the highest peak in the Seychelles. Established in 1979, it spans about 50 km² and includes a network of trails, the historic Mission Lodge site, and the Copolia Trail – the only trail that requires a ticket. The park is free of malaria and other tropical diseases, making it one of the safest places in the world to walk through pristine wet tropical forest.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 1979
check
Why go
- Walk through the only remaining primary rainforest on Mahé.
- Reach the island’s highest point for panoramic views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- Julhot, occasional showers
- Aughot, occasional showers
- Sephot, occasional showers
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic forest birdsMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Copolia Lodge area | Gate, visitor centre, Copolia Trailhead. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the park; approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Copolia Trail) | SCR 100 | person | Ticket sold at Copolia Lodge entrance. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Guides
- Not required for Copolia Trail; required for longer treks beyond the lodge area.
- Fires
- No open fires in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Victoria hotels and guesthouses
Range of budget to mid‑range accommodation, 15 km (9.3 mi) from park gate.Range of budget to mid‑range accommodation, 9.3 mi (15 km) from park gate.
Safety
Heat and steep sections medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead reachable by car; path includes steep steps, not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Stick to marked trails to protect rainforest.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Morne Seychellois National Park?
SCR 100 per person for the Copolia Trail; tickets sold at the lodge gate.
What are the best hikes in Morne Seychellois National Park?
Copolia Trail (short, moderate) and the full‑day Morne Seychellois summit hike (hard).
When is the best time to visit Morne Seychellois National Park?
April–May and October–November offer mild weather and clearer trails.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is only required for treks beyond the Copolia Lodge area; the Copolia Trail is self‑guided.
Can I bring a drone for aerial photos?
No, drones are prohibited without special permission from park authorities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Morne Seychellois National Park
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