Comoros
Comoros Discovery Tour

The Comoros – Comoros Discovery Tour – an 11 day Private Tour from £1599 per person.


The Comoros lie moored in the Indian Ocean. The islands’ people and culture are an intriguing fusion of African, Arab and Asian influences, overlaid by more recent French colonial rule. Though easily portrayed as a paradise, until recently tranquillity evaded the island nation. 20 coups or attempted coups have characterised the period since French rule ended in 1975.

That said, the Comoros is a fascinating destination, juxtaposing engaging inhabitants, idyllic beaches and rich marine life with colonial hangovers, turbulent politics and adrenaline-pumping hikes to summit active volcanoes. Interested?

The Comoros islands are wrapped in a fragrant blend of ylang-ylang oil, Arabic aesthetics, African warmth and French chic. Not only this, but they have a colourful history of sultans and soothsayers, plantation owners and eloping princesses.

We visit the three islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli, exploring charming local villages and beautiful beaches, with plenty of optional excursions on offer from whale-watching to hiking through rainforests to climbing a volcano. Or simply relax and let the easy charm of the Comoros Islands work its way into your soul.

Following a visit by the Undiscovered Destinations team our tour now includes an extended stay at the excellent Laka Lodge. Located on the beautiful island of Mohéli we were very impressed with the lodge’s accommodation and the National Marine Park location. With comfortable beach front bungalows, good food and service and the most amazing of settings we know our travellers will be equally impressed. Why not ask us about a tailormade itinerary, with a longer stay on Mohéli?

Tour ratings.

  • Fitness
  • Off the beaten track 
  • Culture
  • History
  • Wildlife

Tour Pace

Relaxed

Tour style

Traveller

Relaxed Pace

Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.

Moderate Pace

Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.

Busy Pace

A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.

Pioneer Class Tours

On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.

Traveller Class Tours

Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.

Itinerary.

Arrive in Moroni, capital of the Comoros Islands. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your long flight or explore the town. Overnight Retaj Moroni Hotel* (formally known as the Le Moroni Hotel) or similar. (*please note that the Retaj Moroni Hotel does not serve alcohol)

After breakfast embark on a full-day tour of Grande Comore with private car, driver and English-speaking guide. Visits include Mitsaniouli village, a Ylang-Ylang plantation, Lac Salé and Chomoni for its excellent beach. Overnight Retaj Moroni Hotel* (formally Le Moroni Hotel) or similar. (*please note Retaj Moroni Hotel does not serve alcohol). (BL)

Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Anjouan. On arrival you will be met and taken on a guided tour of the island, widely accepted as the most beautiful of the three islands which make up the Union of the Comoros. Overnight Al Amal Hotel or similar. (BL)

A day at leisure to simply relax or independently explore the island’s capital, Mutsamudu. Overnight Al Amal Hotel or similar. (B)

Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Mohéli. Depending on the airlines’ schedule a connection may be required in Moroni. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Laka Lodge, a small and intimate resort with its own beach. There are a number of optional excursions available including trips to some of the smaller islands nearby, and evening visits to watch turtles lay their eggs in the sand. Overnight Laka Lodge. (BLD)

Two days at leisure to enjoy this beautiful island. We have not pre-arranged any sightseeing or activities as Mohéli is very easy to explore independently or optional excursions can be arranged directly with the lodge. Relax and enjoy the different pace of life and meet the friendly local people. If you are feeling a little more energetic, you can arrange a guided hike across the island on tracks of virgin rainforest. Alternatively, you can cycle around the island, on virtually empty roads. Then of course there are the beaches.

Two of the most beautiful are Sambadjou and Nioumachoua. You can also snorkel to discover the rich marine life or even go whale and dolphin watching. Finally, at certain times of the year you may be lucky enough to see giant turtles lay their eggs at night on Itsamia beaches. Overnight Laka Lodge. (BLD)

Return to Moroni with free time to explore this charming town further. We stay at a resort a few kilometres out of town, with its own private beach. Another chance to soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Overnight Golden Tulip Resort & Spa or similar. (B)

Today you have the option of leaving Moroni for a climb to the summit of Mt Karthala (2,361m). Although it is possible to do the climb in just one long day, we recommend that you camp at the summit in the crater itself and return the next day. For those not wishing to make the climb, you will have today and the next day to relax or perhaps enquire locally about the options to dive. Overnight Golden Tulip Resort & Spa or similar / camping. (B – Hotel, BLD – camping)

Your last day in the Comoros to either relax and unwind or take the opportunity to explore more of Grande Comore. Overnight Golden Tulip Resort & Spa or similar. (B)

Day at leisure to either relax or explore further until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Dates & Price.

We offer this tour for private departures only.

Prices start from £1599 per person, based on two people travelling.

Call us to book.

Tour Notes

Single Supplement from £345.

Return flights from London to Moroni start at £850. Contact us for a quotation.

Kindly note that we can tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please get in touch with Estelle so we can tailor your perfect tour in the Indian Ocean.

Mapped itinerary.

Want to see details of your itinerary on a map?

Download PDF.

Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.

The Comoros - Comoros Discovery Tour Map

For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.

+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA

Tour inclusions.

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Domestic flights
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Tour exclusions.

  • International flights
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas
  • Drinks

The local guide, Belin, was fantastic and he gave us such a good feel for the intricate issues of their recent history as well as the fascinating ancient history of this area. We would wholeheartedly recommend this trip to anyone with a bit of an adventurous spirit!

 

Jennie Werner, US