Comoros Tourism: Why This Island Nation Deserves Your Bucket List

There are 197 recognized countries on Earth and over 8 billion people. To be one of the 10 least visited countries in the world is no easy feat. But that’s the story of Comoros—a remote island chain nestled in the Mozambique Channel, between Madagascar and the African mainland.

I wrapped up 2022 on this untouched paradise, and I’m here to tell you exactly why Comoros tourism deserves way more attention than it gets.

Our 7-Day Comoros Itinerary

• 🥾 Karthala Volcano Hike 🥾 Karthala Volcano Hike

• 🐒 Lemur Feeding 🐒 Lemur Feeding

• 🦇 Moheli Forest Hike to See Livingstone Bats 🦇 Moheli Forest Hike to See Livingstone Bats

• 🕌 Explore Iconi & Grand Comore 🕌 Explore Iconi & Grand Comore

• 🐢 Turtle Egg-Laying Experience in Itsamia 🐢 Turtle Egg-Laying Experience in Itsamia

• 🏝️ Lac Sale Visit 🏝️ Lac Sale Visit

• 🌊 Snorkeling at Laka Lodge 🌊 Snorkeling at Laka Lodge

**TABLE OF CONTENTS **

• FAQ FAQ

• Costs Costs

• How To Get Around The Islands How To Get Around The Islands

• Where We Stayed Where We Stayed

• Highlights Highlights

• Final Thoughts Final Thoughts

Why Visit Comoros?

Most people have never heard of Comoros—unless you’re French, live on Réunion Island, or are a hard-core travel geek. It’s this under-the-radar quality that makes it so special. With visa on arrival for Indian passport holders, we packed our bags and were rewarded with:

• 🐢 Close-up wildlife experiences 🐢 Close-up wildlife experiences

• 🏝️ Remote beaches with zero crowds 🏝️ Remote beaches with zero crowds

• 🌋 A live volcano you can hike 🌋 A live volcano you can hike

• 🦇 Critically endangered bats 🦇 Critically endangered bats

• 🐒 Lemurs just outside your window 🐒 Lemurs just outside your window

** Flights, Visa & Travel Basics**

• Flights: We flew with Kenya Airways, but Ethiopian Airlines, Réunion, Madagascar, and Mozambique also connect—though pricier. Flights: We flew with Kenya Airways, but Ethiopian Airlines, Réunion, Madagascar, and Mozambique also connect—though pricier.

• Visa: EUR 30 on arrival for Indians (must show return ticket + hotel booking). Visa: EUR 30 on arrival for Indians (must show return ticket + hotel booking).

• Yellow Fever Card: Mandatory for entry. Yellow Fever Card: Mandatory for entry.

• Language: Predominantly French-speaking. Use Google Translate. Language: Predominantly French-speaking. Use Google Translate.

• Currency: Euro widely accepted. Currency: Euro widely accepted.

• Best Time to Visit: December to February for dry weather. Best Time to Visit: December to February for dry weather.

Is Comoros Expensive?

While it’s one of the poorest nations in the world, it’s not exactly cheap for travelers:

• Mid-range hotel: EUR 70/night Mid-range hotel: EUR 70/night

• Food: Surprisingly affordable Food: Surprisingly affordable

• Flights between islands: EUR 100 one way Flights between islands: EUR 100 one way

• Boat travel: EUR 40, but sea conditions can vary Boat travel: EUR 40, but sea conditions can vary

• “Much like São Tomé, remoteness = cost.” “Much like São Tomé, remoteness = cost.”

. How to Get Around the Islands

• Main Island: Hire a car or book a driver through your hotel. Main Island: Hire a car or book a driver through your hotel.

• Between Islands:Fly (EUR 100/person)Boat (EUR 40/person) – more adventurous but weather-dependent. Between Islands:

• Fly (EUR 100/person) Fly (EUR 100/person)

• Boat (EUR 40/person) – more adventurous but weather-dependent. Boat (EUR 40/person) – more adventurous but weather-dependent.

Pro tip: Always ensure your boat has 2 motors for safety!

** How Long to Stay?**

You can get a feel of the country in 4–5 days, especially if you’re visiting both Grand Comore & Moheli. Anything longer is only for serious slow travelers.

Where We Stayed

** Hotel Escale – Grand Comore**

Modern amenities, AC, king-sized beds, fridge, and a chef who customized meals for us.

Laka Lodge** – Moheli Island**

A solar-powered eco-lodge with incredible reefs. Rustic but sustainable. Great for diving and wildlife.

** Vegetarian Food in Comoros**

• At Hotel Escale, the chef prepared custom vegetarian meals daily. At Hotel Escale, the chef prepared custom vegetarian meals daily.

• At Laka Lodge, meals were fixed, but we were pleasantly surprised by the all-vegetarian spread made with fresh, local ingredients. At Laka Lodge, meals were fixed, but we were pleasantly surprised by the all-vegetarian spread made with fresh, local ingredients.

Highlights

**Moheli Island **

Comoros tourism is made up of four different islands, and the best thing to do is hop on a plane or boat from the mainland to get to the smaller Moheli Island. This is where all the action happens. We spent our first day there relaxing at the only eco-lodge on the island, Laka Lodge.

The property has some of the best reefs in the country. We saw pristine corals, caught turtles swimming, walked along the beautiful clear beach, went snorkeling, and ended the day watching the sunset with our new friend. It felt like the perfect way to close out 2022 in such a special place.

**Hike in Moheli National Reserve to track Livingstone Bats **

I rarely choose an island purely for its beaches—it’s really not my thing. Much like Sao Tome and Principe, I chose Comoros for its unique wildlife viewing opportunities and its stunning flora, like the ylang-ylang flower, famously used in Chanel No. 5.

One of the highlights of Moheli Island is a full-day forest hike in Moheli National Park. The trail is steep and rugged, but the scenery is absolutely worth it. This trek takes you deep into the forest to track the Livingstone Fruit Bats, a species found only in Comoros.

With a wingspan of nearly five feet, the Livingstone Fruit Bat is the fourth-largest bat in the world. Sadly, due to deforestation and population growth, they are critically endangered. We hiked with biologists working alongside the government to protect them, and the experience of learning about their behavior firsthand was nothing short of fascinating.

Watch Giant Sea Turtles Lay Eggs

At Itsamia, we watched female turtles come ashore to lay 100+ eggs. A conservationist-led, overnight experience.

** Feed Lemurs at Laka Lodge**

These lemurs were originally brought over from Madagascar. Now, they roam the lodge freely and are relatively comfortable around guests.

Hike to Karthala Volcano

One of the few active volcanoes in the world you can hike to the crater of. Takes a day but rewards you with boiling lava views and moon-like terrain.

Moheli’s beaches are stunning—soft white sand, turquoise waters, and complete seclusion. Whether you’re swimming, strolling, or simply relaxing, the island offers a peaceful escape far from crowded tourist spots.

Away from the shore, you might spot fruit bats lounging on baobab trees. With their massive wingspans, they’re an unforgettable sight and a reminder of how wild and unspoiled Moheli truly is.

Explore Iconi & Grand Comore

Get a taste of Comorian history, explore sleepy towns, or just camp under a million stars on a secluded beach.

Watching the sun dip below the horizon in Moheli is pure magic. The sky explodes into shades of orange, pink, and purple, casting a golden glow over the ocean. It’s the kind of sunset that makes you pause and soak in the beauty of the moment.

When night falls, the island reveals another gift—camping under a million stars. With little light pollution, the sky comes alive, and stargazing feels almost surreal. Falling asleep to the sound of waves under a blanket of stars is an experience you won’t forget.

Lac Sale (Salt Lake)

This volcanic crater lake in northern Grand Comore changes colors from turquoise to emerald.

Final Thoughts on Comoros Tourism

This country lies just off the coast of East Africa, north of Madagascar. As one of the world’s poorest nations, it’s no surprise that the Comoros Islands remain far off the tourist map.

If you’ve read this far, you already know there is virtually no tourist infrastructure. So why should you go? Imagine a picture-perfect island destination—untouched, tranquil, and free from crowds. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Comoros, where you might not encounter another traveler in the entire country.

Here, you can hike to the crater of the Karthala volcano, meet some of the kindest people, swim with dolphins, feed baby lemurs, and camp under the stars while giant sea turtles lay eggs on Moheli’s beaches. Experiences like these make Comoros unforgettable.

Ultimately, this is a place for curiosity-seekers, for travelers drawn to rustic adventures and unpolished beauty. If you don’t mind roughing it, and if you crave authenticity over luxury, you’ll feel right at home in the Comoros.

Drop your comments below and show some love. Feel free to shoot me an email with your feedback.

Cheers,

Anki

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