Gorilla Hike: Private Guided Trail to Mahé's Gorilla-Shaped Granite Rock
Photos: the tour operator, Island Tour Seychelles, Abubakr Saeed, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons, daojames, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- About 3.5 hours
- Group
- Private
- Level
- Moderate, from age 8
- Cancellation
- Free to 36h
Mahé is built of granite, and wind and rain have worn it into strange shapes. On this trail your guide takes you to one that most people recognise at once: a gorilla's face in the rock.
The short answerThe Gorilla hike is a private guided trail on Mahé to a granite rock formation shaped like a gorilla's head, with wide views over the green interior of the island. It is a moderate walk with a few climbs and uneven ground. Plan 2 to 3 hours on the trail and about 3.5 hours in all with free pick-up. Children from 8 enjoy spotting the face in the rock.
Is this for you?
A good fit if you
- Travel with children aged 8 or more
- Want a hike with a fun goal
- Like granite landscapes and wide views
Think twice if you
- Have children under 8
- Want a famous summit, try Morne Blanc or Trois Frères
- Dislike uneven ground
The route
- 1Your timePick-upFrom your hotel or any address on Mahé.
- 2DriveTo the trailheadOn the way your guide tells you about the island and the walk ahead.
- 32 to 3 hoursOn the trailForest and granite with a few climbs, stopping for plants and views.
- 4Photo stopThe gorilla rockThe granite formation that looks like a gorilla. Your guide shows you the best angle.
- 5ReturnBack to the car and drop-offBack to the start and a drive to your hotel.
Price and what is included
| 1 guest | €129 |
| 2 guests, each | €69 |
| 3 to 4 guests, each | €55 |
| 5 to 25 guests, each | €49 |
| First child up to 12, with two paying adults | Free |
Your tour covers Private guided hike, only your group, Licensed local guide speaking English or French, Free pick-up and drop-off anywhere on Mahé, Transport to the trailhead and back.
Costs on top
| Food and drinks | Not included |
|---|---|
| Entrance fees | Paid on site where a place charges one. All fees |
These are the local operator's own prices, checked 10 November 2026. The tour is private, only your group takes part. You book and pay online with the operator, and the price for your date shows before you pay.
Key facts
| Operator | Island Tour Seychelles, a licensed family business on Mahé |
|---|---|
| Highlight | A granite rock formation shaped like a gorilla |
| Trail time | 2 to 3 hours |
| Level | Moderate, a few climbs and uneven ground |
| Why a guide | The trail is not well signposted. The guide knows the best angle for the photo |
| Languages | English or French. Sheena also speaks some German |
| Pick-up | Free anywhere on Mahé |
| Cancellation | Free up to 36 hours before, full refund minus the payment fee |
Mahé's granite
Mahé and the inner islands of Seychelles are granite, one of the very few oceanic island groups built of continental rock rather than volcanic stone. Rain and wind have weathered the granite into domes, grooves and odd shapes over a very long time.
That granite gives the island its look: bare grey domes above green forest, boulders on the beaches and rock faces that seem to show faces and animals. The gorilla rock is one of the best known.
Wildlife and nature on the way
The smallest kestrel in the world and the only breeding bird of prey in Seychelles, katiti in Creole after its shrill call.
A common endemic bird of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette, noisy and easy to spot in the forest.
Photo: Florival fr, CC BY-SA 4.0A small nectar-feeding bird, kolibri in Creole, common across the islands.
Photo: Yulia Kolosova, CC BY 4.0A large flying fox of the granitic islands that spreads the seeds of many trees. Common and easy to spot at dusk.
Photo: A.Savin, FALThe Seychelles kestrel, the smallest kestrel in the world, often perches on high granite.
Insider tips
The trail has a few climbs and uneven ground.
Parts of the trail are open to the sun.
Do not show them the gorilla first. Most children find the face themselves.
Bring your own, there is no shop on the trail.
Weather and the best season
Seychelles is warm all year, about 24 to 30 °C on Mahé. October to March is the wetter half, January usually the wettest month, and July and August the coolest.
Trails are slippery after rain, which falls most from December to February. Morning starts are cooler and clearer, because clouds build over the mountains later in the day.
Pair it with
Seychelles entrance fees, every trail and parkSeychelles hiking trailsMorne Seychellois National ParkSeychelles with kids
Questions people ask
What is the Gorilla hike on Mahé?
A guided trail to a granite rock formation shaped like a gorilla, with views along the way.
How hard is the Gorilla hike?
Moderate, with a few climbs and uneven ground. Normal fitness and good shoes are enough.
How long does the Gorilla hike take?
About 2 to 3 hours on the trail, about 3.5 hours in all with pick-up.
Can children do the Gorilla hike?
From age 8 if they are used to walking.
Why do I need a guide?
The trail is not well signposted, and the guide knows the best spot to see the gorilla.
How do I book?
Online with the local operator from the button on this page. The price for your date shows before you pay.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Free up to 36 hours before the start, full refund minus the payment fee.
Sources9 sources, checked by the SeyBooking.com team on 10 November 2026
Every fact on this page comes from the sources below. If two sources disagree, we show both.
- Island Tour Seychelles, tour page (read 10 November 2026)
- Wikipedia: Mahé highlands Important Bird Area (Morne Seychellois National Park)
- Wikipedia: Geology of Seychelles
- SeyBooking.com: Seychelles entrance fees, checked 10 November 2026
- Wikipedia: Seychelles climate
- Wikipedia: Seychelles kestrel
- Wikipedia: Seychelles bulbul
- Wikipedia: Seychelles sunbird
- Wikipedia: Seychelles fruit bat
- Photo: Abubakr Saeed, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- Photo: daojames, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
