Saint Helena (Jamestown)

A remote South Atlantic island where Napoleon lived out his final years, with Jacob's Ladder in Jamestown, Longwood House and Jonathan, the world's oldest known tortoise – plus the chance to swim with whale sharks.

Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, about 1,900 km off the west coast of Africa and one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, with an area of around 122 sq km and a population of about 4,000. It is famous as the place where Napoleon was exiled from 1815 and died in 1821; Longwood House, Napoleon's Tomb and the Briars Pavilion are still French property today. The capital, Jamestown, is squeezed into a steep valley on the north coast; from the seafront, the Georgian Main Street climbs inland, and the 699 steps of Jacob's Ladder lead straight up to the top of the hill. The centre of the island is green highland and cloud forest, topped by Diana's Peak at about 818 m; the south is a stark, colourful volcanic landscape, with hiking routes such as Lot and Lot's Wife's Ponds; the island also has nearly 20 "Post Box Walks". Jonathan the tortoise, on the lawn in front of the Governor's residence, is approaching 200 years old. The climate is mild year-round, and you can swim with whale sharks Dec–Mar. Getting there: the airport, opened in 2017, is currently served mainly by a weekly flight from Johannesburg; flights are infrequent and prone to weather disruption, so plan ahead. Roads on the island are narrow and steep, so hiring a car or a car with driver is recommended. Visitors usually stay a week (one flight cycle).

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