THE FACTS ABOUT COUSINE ISLAND

Seychelles

Rich in indigenous wildlife, Cousine island is a private nature reserve where money generated from tourism is reinvested in the conservation project. A wildlife officer lives on the island and will conduct tours both of Cousine and her neighbouring uninhabited island, Cousin. It's an escapist place, best for a three- or four-night stay and sleeps a maximum of 10 in four French colonial-style, air-conditioned villas set back in private gardens from a white-sand, desert-island beach. Each spacious villa has a large living room and dining room, marble bathrooms with Jacuzzis, satellite TV, full-size fridges and ice machines. Meals are served either in the main pavilion, in your villa or on the beach - expect lots of seafood and fresh fruit. There is a library and true-blue swimming pool. Helicopter transfers from Mahé are around £610 return (complimentary for stays of seven nights or longer). BEST TIME TO VISIT October to April PRICE Villas for two from around £780 per night full board. Exclusive use of the island from around £7,300 per night, full board. Minimum stay three nights CONTACT Indian Ocean Islands (00 27 11 463 3702; www.indianoceanislands.net or Abercrombie & Kent (0845 070 0611; www.abercrombiekent.co.uk).