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The flora of St Helena
DISCOVER THE FLORA OF ST HELENA – with expert guide Phil Lambdon
9th July – 27th July 2010
Saint Helena has a fascinating natural history and although the endemic flora and fauna has suffered the ravages of human habitation of the island there has been recent recognition of the importance of conservation and re-introduction of the endemic flora; the establishment of the Diana's Peak National Park, the gumwood reforestation project at the Millennium Forest and formation of th St Helena National Trust are very positive steps.
When discovered in 1502, St. Helena was densely vegetated and there survive a large number of endemic plants, including 14 endemic species of fern and 6 endemic genera of flowering plants (with an additional 4 extinct genera). The flowering plants include the bizarre She and He Cabbage Trees. There is an active propagation programme (involving Kew Gardens) to save particularly threatened flowering plants such as the St. Helena Olive, the St. Helena Redwood, and the St. Helena Ebony.
The tour will be led by Phil Lambon who has long been interested in all aspects of wildlife, first focussing on birds and then invertebrates in the UK before moving on to plants. He worked on the flora of Mediterranean islands for 5 years, and two years ago, first came to St. Helena to undertake a botanical survey. At the time, there hadn’t been a complete assessment of St. Helena’s flora since 1875, and in the intervening period many new alien species had arrived from all corners of the globe.
Over the 6 months of the survey, he has walked and mapped each of the 145 km grid cells which cover the island, and compiled a list of 470 species which occurred in the wild. In the process, rediscovered an endemic sedge which was thought to have been extinct for 200 years, and an endemic grass new to science. He continues to work in the South Atlantic, dividing time between St. Helena and Ascension Island, and is currently writing a field guide to the plants of St. Helena. Phil will be accompanies by local guide Basil George whose knowledge of the island is unparalleled and his witty and personal account of life on St Helena throughout the ages will amuse and fascinate you.
Itinerary
9th JULY: Transfer to the Royal Docks and embark on the RMS St Helena. During the next 6 days you will be entertained by the ship’s crew as you plough through the South Atlantic waters en route to St Helena.14th JULY: Arrive St Helena and transfer to your hotel in Jamestown.
During your stay on St Helena your tour includes 4 guided tours of the island.
A tour around lower Jamestown as an introduction to the island and its people, a break for morning coffee, followed by a circular island tour which captures the stunning and varied scenery of the island. It starts and finishes in Jamestown. The tour takes the visitor into the countryside, to the east of the Island and into the interior, the roads along the hillsides rising to more than 2000 feet. Visitors get superb views, from the lush interior contrasting with the stark volcanic outer rim. There is a stop for a packed lunch at a social enterprise center in the Southern part of the Island before moving along the central ridges to the West. Following a stop at Casons Arboretum, the tour continues to Farm Lodge, originally the home of one of the earlier settlers, for tea where St Helena coffee will be served before returning to Jamestown.
National Park
St Helena’s endemic plants have been described as the dinosaurs of the ancient world. Once covering the whole of the uninhabited Island before its discovery, the result of settlement has meant that they are now confined to relatively small areas, many now endangered. Most of these special endemic plants are to be found on the central peaks which are now protected in a national park. The day tour takes the visitor to the three central peaks to see the plants and the conservation work that is being carried out.
Conservation
The Island is fortunate in having a focus on conservation of the Island’s endemic flora and fauna both from its Government and NGO’s especially the National Trust. Through the latter, a millennium project was set up to re-establish a forest of a particular endemic tree in the Eastern part of the Island. There will be a visit to this site with an opportunity to plant a tree. There will also be an opportunity to see the Island’s only endemic bird, the “Wirebird.” After a break for a packed lunch there will be a visit to the Government’s Agricultural and Natural Resources department and its involvement in conservation.
The remaining days will be kept free for you to explore, or to take one of the many guided tours that are available.
22ND JULY: Transfer to the wharf and embark on the RMS St Helena for the return voyage to St Helena
27TH JULY: Arrive Cape Town. Tour Ends
ABOUT THE RMS ST HELENA
The RMS St Helena is a passenger / cargo ship with 55 comfortable cabins, most with en suite facilities. The ship carries just 128 passengers and the atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Passengers are entertained during the voyage by the ship’s crew. The food on board is excellent and an experience on the RMS is as much a part of the holiday as the tour itself.
PRICES PER PERSON
| 4BO | 2BI | 2BO | 2BOS | 2BIW | T4 | T4S | T3 |
| £1,363 | £1,365 | £1,388 | £1,410 | £1,453 | £1,552 | £1,578 | £1,613 |
| T2H | T2HS | T2 | T2S | T1 | T1S |
| £2,085 | £2,193 | £2,298 | £2,405 | £3,197 | £3,338 |
Fares shown based on A or B or C deck cabin and include return sea passage, all meals on board the RMS St Helena, 8 nights accommodation in St Helena including breakfast, and tours on St Helena as described.
