Comoros archipelago

Did you know ? “ Comoros Islands  ” is the English translation of “Djazair al Qamar ” that is to say, the ” Moon Islands” , the name given by Arab geographers of the Middle Ages. Indeed, the first Arab sailors who arrived in the archipelago were amazed by the lunar aspect of the landscape due to the presence of petrified lava on the white sandy beaches.

The numerous plantations of ylang-ylang and clove fragrant also earned the archipelago the nickname ”  the Islands of perfumes “. The ylang ylang, is a tropical tree producing yellow flowers, highly valued for its essential oil which Comoros is the world’s largest producer. The biggest perfume makers, Chanel ahead, are loyal to it for a century now! Guess what is in the composition of the famous Chanel N 5? Ylang ylang from Comoros!

Nestled in the Mozambique Channel, north-northwest of Madagascar, the Comoros archipelago is rather unknown to tourists.
Making it the ideal place for travelers and adventurers in search of a little paradise away from the hordes of tourists .. Deserted white sand beaches, turquoise water and varied marine life is only one aspect among many of this culturally rich and authentic destination.
So come discover its pristine landscapes, among which the Moheli marine park listed as one of UNESCO’s cultural heritage!

The archipelago has a tropical climate, pleasant and conducive to tourism throughout the year.
High temperatures are averaging 27 ° C in the austral summer; the coolest months are July and August with temperatures around 23-29 ° C. The average temperature of the seawater is 25 ° C. There are two seasons in Comoros: the hot and humid season from November to April and the dry season from May to October.

-Are you the kind that fancy hiking? Then stroll along its lush forests, at the turn of a few waterfalls, where you could come across the Livingstone’s fruit bat, also called the Comoros flying fox, which is a megabat that was once an endangered species. Or choose to climb the majestic Karthala volcano . This active volcano, has one of the largest craters in the world!
-You prefer Beach holiday and relaxation? Then bask on the warm sand of one of the many beaches, enjoy there a freshly caught fish, dive to explore its abundant fauna, or go on a trip to meet wild dolphins or migrating whales.
-Are you more a Culture fan? Then visit the vanilla and ylang-ylang plantations, discover citadels and Comorian villages and their many and varied traditions, inherited from a past rich in colors and ethnic mixtures.
Formerly a French protectorate, the archipelago was in its origin a refuge for African ethnic groups and former stronghold of a Persian population of Shiraz that migrated there, but also afterwards, a temporary stop for Portuguese merchants, just to name a few!
We find indeed in the Comorian traditions and customs , many influences from Arabic, African, French and Indian cultures, which are visible in their traditional clothing and their rich gastronomy.

About 99% of the population is Muslim. It is a moderate and tolerant Islam that reigns in this matriarchal society. A Thomson Reuters survey (2013) on women’s rights in the countries of the Arab League, ranked the Comoros archipelago number 1. The Comoros archipelago is, the agency said, the best Muslim country where it is good to be a woman! The language spoken by the inhabitants of the archipelago is Comorian, a mixed language whose base is Swahili, which is spoken on the coast of East Africa, supplemented by contributions of Arabic, Portuguese and Malagasy words. However, each island has its own dialect and French remains the administrative language.

The archipelago consists of 4 islands, Ngazidja (in French: Grande Comore), Ndzouani (Anjouan), Mwali (Moheli) and Maore (Mayotte). Comoros is now divided into two separate countries, Comoros union, on the West side, comprised of (Grande Comore, Anjouan, Moheli) three of the four islands that opted for independence, and Mayotte, which remained a French territory.

Long shunned by the scarcity of flights serving the islands and hence their expensive price but also due to relative political instability in the past, the Comoros now enjoys a much better situation. At least 4 to 5 airlines now make the round trip between Europe and the International Airport of Moroni in Ngazidja (Grande Comore), with one or two stops. But also more frequent connections to and from neighboring countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Mayotte, …) are now established.

Regarding the political situation, it is in no way a handicap for travelers, Comoros have experienced episodes of political unrest in the past, often concentrated during election periods. Political stability has persisted since 2010. If you absolutely want to reassure you, then feel free to ask about the political and social climate of the time before planning your trip.

The archipelago is not very touristy, visiting the different islands of the Comoros may be not easy, especially if you are only staying for a short time. This is where we come in !
To make the most of your trip, prepare well before leaving. We propose to give here all the necessary information for that. But we are also available to help you organize the trip that suits you! => More information is available in “Contact” page and “Our Guest house” page in the “Where to stay” section.

To summarize: 

Plus +++

• Destination combining both seaside holiday, hiking, adventure, and discovery of new cultures
• The rich landscape (beautiful beaches, lush forests, lakes, volcanoes, waterfalls, islands, coral reefs, …)
• A tropical climate adapted for tourism all year long
• The kindness and authenticity of its inhabitants
• Culinary discovery, the Comorian cuisine is rich in flavors and spices! At the crossroads of Indian, Creole and African cuisines. And if f you like coconut you will definitely enjoy it!

Minus – – –

• Apart from a few hotel brands, there are very few tourist infrastructures => which however will delight those looking for more authenticity (homestays, small bed and breakfast, possibility of organizing a fully customized stay …)
• Sometimes infrequent or expensive flights depending on the season => Prepare your trip and book  in advance or make a clever combination when you visit a nearby country (Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mayotte, Reunion, Mozambique …)
• The inter-islands connections can also become expensive when it is done at the last minute
• Power outages can be frequent

For a successful stay:

• Prepare and book in advance! Or talk to our experts (=> More information in the “Contact” page and “Our Guest house” within the “Where to stay” section.)
• Remember that you are on a Muslim land, so respect the people and their customs, particularly when visiting places of worship. Women should pay attention to their clothes (prefer clothes at or below knees in town) and reserve bath suits for the beach.
• Before you take pictures of people, ask their permission. However Comorians are very warm and very sociable people. However you should not wipe a lot of rejection, expect instead plenty of shots filled with big smiles.
• The fauna and flora are protected, it is forbidden to participate in the trade of turtles, shells and corals. Be aware of that before shopping. You can however fill in your suitcases with lots of other souvenirs such as local spices and perfumes, traditional clothing and trinkets, articles of straw or wood carvings … and many happy memories!
• The Comorian currency’s exchange rate is derived from the parity between the French franc and the euro (€ 1 = 6.55957 FF = 491.968). The euro is widely accepted by the Comorian banks, exchange houses and major retailers. However it’s better to plan some cash because you will hardly find any ATM outside the capital.
• During Ramadan, shops opening hours are highly disturbed. And there is much less nightlife. If you are yourself a Muslim and fast during the holy month of Ramadan, then this month of the year can constitute a very nice experience  if you are staying in some Comorian family. Otherwise we would advise choosing other times during the year, which would be much more conducive to tourism.
• Visa formalities: very easy as it is delivered at the immigration border upon arrival. However expect to pay for it in cash (around 30 € for a tourism visa of 45 days).
• The archipelago having very few  infrastructures dedicated to tourism, we would recommend to use guides or any local friends or trusted local people to help you in visiting the islands. Again we would be happy to guide you during your stay or to redirect you to trustworthy contacts. Whether you choose to stay with us or not! For the most adventurous among you, just grab your backpack and trust your gut!

A focus on places, events, and items not to miss on all 3 islands of the Comoros Union is to find under the present “Discover” section in the menu. This blog focuses on the three islands of Comoros Union (Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli), and do not include any information yet on the 4^th island, Mayotte, for lack of information. However we are working on it and hope to soon offer more visibility on tourism opportunities in the 4th island of the archipelago, in French territory.

If you have any questions about the Comoros archipelago, feel free to visit our “Contact” page . We are happy to answer any questions you might have!