African islands dubbed the ‘Garden of Eden’ that have one of the world’s best beaches

AN African island country has been compared to the Garden of Eden for its natural beauty.

The Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa, made up of 115 islands, and it has some of the world's best beaches too.

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Anse Source d'Argent is one of the best beaches in the world, and it's not hard to see why.

The water is bright turquoise and scattered along the white sands are huge granite boulders.

While it's recognised as a top beach, Anse Source d'Argent still maintains a sense of calm and serenity.

One visitor called the beach an "epitome of island paradise" with another saying they've "never seen the sea so clear and sand so white".

To keep the beach in its current state, the Union Estate charges visitors 150 Rupees (£1.32) each to get access to the beach.

The Seychelles, particularly the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island, is often referred to as a "Garden of Eden" due to its unique and pristine natural environment.

This area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the Coco de Mer palm which is a tree you'll only find in the Seychelles.

The Seychelles is a popular celeb destination too - Prince William and Kate Middleton and a host of other celebs have escaped there.

Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot visited the island of Mahé in the Seychelles, which is the largest and most developed island.

While she was there, Lisa came across the giant free-roaming giant tortoises - of which there are hundreds.

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There are more than 1,000 species of birds that call Frégate island home, as well as dense jungle, soft white sands and seven beaches.

The main city of Victoria in Mahé is where you can explore the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market which sells spices, fruit, art and souvenirs.

It also has the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and La Domus - a historical building that was originally built as a residence for Swiss Catholic missionaries in the 1930s.

Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles and the most renowned attraction is the Vallée de Mai tropical forest where you'll find plenty of Coco de Mer palm trees.

There aren't any direct flights from the UK to the Seychelles - but most have one stop.

Emirates flies from London Stansted to Dubai before continuing onto Mahé Airport.

You can also fly with Kenya Airways, Aer Lingus, Ethiopian Air, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

The cheapest return flights from the UK to Seychelles currently start from £508 with Ethiopian Airlines according to Skyscanner.

You can then get on a domestic flight to other islands, or go island hopping between the Inner Islands which are Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette.

You can travel between these islands by ferry, catamaran, or domestic flights.

This African island that’s a ‘hidden gem’ has new easyJet flights from the UK.

And the tiny African islands nicknamed the ‘purple isles’ – with short flights costing £18.

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