Cadbury Lodge on Aride Island Officially Reopens After Major Restoration
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The historic Plantation Lodge on Aride Island Special Reserve officially reopened on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, marking a new chapter in the island’s conservation legacy. The facility has been renamed Cadbury Lodge, in recognition of the Cadbury family’s three generations of dedicated contribution to conservation in Seychelles since acquiring Aride Island in 1973.
The restored lodge was unveiled following extensive reconstruction after being severely damaged by a tree in March 2025. The works, which have taken the better part of a year, brought the buildings back to a standard suitable for both researchers and visitors to the reserve.
Renamed Cadbury Lodge, the accommodation now offers improved facilities while retaining the character of the original site. Officials said the reopening would allow the island to welcome more researchers, students, and eco-tourists in the coming year, while continuing the conservation work that has made Aride one of the most important seabird islands in the Indian Ocean.
The reserve is managed by Island Conservation Society, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment.
