* Please note that should your international flight arrive in the evening (past 6:00pm) the helicopter will not operate a flight to North Island, as we do not schedule helicopter departures at dusk. An overnight in Mahe will thus be necessary, and arrang ements for a transit overnight will be made for you.

Before designing the lodge, North Island undertook extensive research that indicated that in today’s overcrowded world, people were increasingly looking for privacy and a sense of personal space. In respect of this, the resulting concept that became the cornerstone and major influence in the design of the Villas at North Island, a point of focus, was to ensure that guests would really enjoy spending time in the privacy and space of their Villa if they so wished.

With this in mind, North Island designed Villas that measure 450 square meters (4,890 square feet) which they felt was the optimal size to enable a feel of exclusivity and freedom to spread out and enjoy a unique, private, island-style experience. The idea was to ensure that the Villas bring that ‘sense of freedom’ to life, while at the same time offer casual simplicity and space in which to free the mind and refreshen the spirit.

Each Villa has two bedrooms, a master bedroom and a second bedroom. Whilst the Villa is usually occupied by a couple, families may require to use the second bedroom for children (at an additional cost). Alternatively, the second bedroom can be converted into a study for guests.

Each Villa was individually handcrafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen, with all artisans and selective materials being flown in and assembled on the Island. The principle materials used were wood, local stone, glass and thatched roofs, all crafted to form a warm and inviting space that offers guests that rare opportunity of complete relaxation. Each Villa is completely self-contained and raised over a meter off the ground to catch the cooling island breezes.

In siting the Villas, North Island placed Villas 1 to 9 discretely in the tree-line, facing onto Anse d'est Beach. Villas 10 and 11 are completely unique in their siting. Their layout has been designed to accommodate the incline along the extreme northern side of the Anse d'est Beach, tucking them secretively away in the Takamaka forest. The panoramic beach view from these Villas is truly spectacular and it is this, together with the unique manipulation in design, that separates the two from the rest of the villas on North Island. Villas 10 and 11 are referred to as Villa Royale and Villa North Island respectively are are available on request, at additional surcharge to our package rates.

Each villa has two bedrooms, a main bedroom and a second bedroom that is generally configured as a study when not required by guests. The bedroom and dressing room are air-conditioned. Bedrooms feature extra large King beds as well as lounge areas with TV and DVD/CD systems. A spacious main bathroom with marble bath is equipped with twin vanities. Lounge and dining area features an adjoining kitchenette to allow guests the opportunity of dining in the privacy of their own villa, if they choose. The use of a second en-suite room as a guest room or office/ study comprising of complete internet connection (which is also in the main bedroom), as determined by guests’ personal requirements.

A 200 square meter pool deck encompasses a private 17,000 liter plunge pool, outdoor nature shower and a Massage ‘sala’ area, strewn with casually large comfy cushions and light curtains that let the ocean breeze through.

Located some twenty miles north west of the main island of Mahe in Seychelles, North Island was established as a distinguished conservation project providing sanctuary for the rehabilitation of rare and special fauna and flora. Covering a surface area of 462 acres, the North Island features eleven beachfront villas, and four exquisite beaches.

North Island is a special place where your hosts become your friends. It feels more like an invitation to return and meet old friends in their home, as opposed to being part of the conventional travel experiences designed to ‘impress’ rather than accommodate. The entire experience is unique in this way. On arrival, you are welcomed by a complimentary fifteen-minute massage to alleviate you into the unperturbed mood of island life. Meals and fine wine as well as water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving are all part of the plan when you book your villa at the North Island, so most of what you will need is conveniently prepaid - including laundry service.

There is also the unique ‘no menu’ concept at North Island through which the chef determine your likes and dislikes to tailor-make meals daily according to your tastes. The rich, fertile soil at North Island produces fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables that complement the chef’s renowned recipes. Of course, as with beach destinations, seafood will be a special highlight for those who enjoy it. And be sure to save room for the scrumptious desserts! In addition to fine cuisine, North Island also features a wine cellar with a modest collection of fine wine and champagne from around the world, specifically South Africa, to accentuate each meal.

The design of the villas is one of the memorable aspects of your stay. The beauty lies in their simplicity, following two basic rules: the first, the freedom of space; and second, the natural feel of this private sanctuary. The implementation of native materials in their architecture draws a fine line between the outdoors and the indoors making you feel like a part of the island rather a five star hotel. The huge bathtubs are magnificently designed to ‘celebrate the art of bathing’, offering sea views while you soak luxuriously in custom prepared salts. It is also, since the villas were designed by Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens who are also responsible for their work on CCAfrica’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania and Wilderness Safaris’ Mombo and Jao Camps in Botswana] why certain architectural design elements are reminiscent of the famed African safari lodges.

The island was first discovered in 1784 by ship-wrecked Portuguese sailors and purchased later in 1826 by a French lady, who used it to cultivate fruit and spices such as vanilla, patchouli, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, citronella, nutmeg and cloves.

After the collapse of the agricultural industries in Seychelles [following the abolishment of slavery and subsequent lack of farm laborers] North Island was sold in the 1970s, and in its state of abandonment grew into ruins as an old farm littered with livestock and infested by rodents, feral cats and alien weed. The rodent population gorged on the rotting flesh of fallen coconuts and worse, the island’s rare bird species, such as the Magpie Robin. Combined, the parasites rapidly began to suffocate the marshland which supported extraordinary indigenous species of plants.

When the plight of the island, and its treasured flora and fauna, came to the attention of ecologists, a rescue operation was launched and the search began for the perfect organization to partner with and restore the island to its former state. In 1997, Colin Bell, CEO of Wilderness Safaris of South Africa, purchased North Island and marked a new era for the island. Wilderness Safaris rank highly amongst Africa’s largest conservation-focused organizations, successfully managing over 2.5 million acres of land in six unique African destinations. With experience, knowledge and significant investment, they have managed to reverse the long-endured damage to the island through their ‘Noah’s Ark’ project, under which giant tortoises, rare birds and indigenous trees, such as the Coco de Mer, are being rehabilitated on the island. The island has also launched a research project to monitor the breeding patterns of the endangered Hawksbill and Green turtles when they come ashore to lay their eggs – an awesome spectacle that guests are invited to witness.