Country 47/196: Comoros
Destinations: Grande Comore Island
Comoros is one of the most remote places we have been to. There are no tourists, very few hotels, and rare signs of the 21st century. We visited the island of Grande Comore – the largest of the three islands. Grande Comore has a lot to offer. Its nature is truly amazing. Turquoise sea, picture-perfect beaches, a spectacular volcano, which covers 60% of the island, and many wonderful forests. However, the island is currently facing a big environmental crisis, which is impossible to ignore. Read more about the issues at the bottom of the post.
The best way to get around the capital is by taxi-buses (shared taxis). To travel around the island it’s best to use buses, but keep in mind that there are no fixed schedules.
Things to see and things to do
Moroni
The capital of Comoros is a vibrant city with a rich history. The people are friendly, and you can admire some of the lovely old buildings. The culture is an interesting yet conservative blend of Arabic, French, and Swahili. You can also see the mixture in the city’s architecture. The old city center is known for its narrow alleys and old (and mostly poorly maintained) buildings. Some of the city’s most popular sites include the main square, the Nouvelle Mosquee de Vendredi, and the Vola Vola market.
Golden Tulip hotel and beach
The Golden Tulip Hotel (formerly known as Itsandra Hotel) is located around 9 km from Moroni. It is said to be the best hotel in the country. We’re not sure about the hotel but its location is definitely something special. It’s situated on a cliff overlooking one of the most gorgeous beaches on the island. There you can enjoy a nice dinner, a cool drink, and a romantic sunset. 😉
Iconi
This small town just south of Moroni used to be an important trading center and the first capital of Comoros. It is home to many charming old buildings and the resting place of Prince Said Ibrahim, the last Sultan of Great Comoros. The beach, which is surrounded by black volcanic cliffs is pretty spectacular as well.
Mitsamiouli beach
Mitsamiouli beach is one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever been to. You’d expect it to be crowded and surrounded by fancy hotels and restaurants, however, since tourism is practically non-existent in Comoros, you can enjoy the turquoise sea by yourself. The beach is not as littered as the rest of the island, but sadly it’s not spotless either.
Trou du Prophete bay
Trou du Prophète (the hole of the Prophet in English) is said to be the place visited by the Prophet Mohamed. The lovely bay used to be a popular resting place for the French sailors during the French period. Nowadays there’s not much to do around here except relaxing at a small restaurant (the Baobab Magic – Backpacker) under a big baobab tree. 😉
Lac Sale
Visiting Lac Sale was without a doubt the biggest highlight of our stay on Grande Comore. The small crater lake, which is located on the northern coast of the island, is said to be bottomless and is considered to be a sacred place. You can hike around the lake and climb the small hill on the other side. From there you can enjoy a beautiful view overlooking the lake on one side and the beach on the other. The hike is simple and it takes around thirty minutes.
Where to stay
As we have already mentioned, tourism is mostly undeveloped in Comoros. Therefore there are limited accommodation options to be found.
Are you planning a trip to Comoros? Here you can get a room with a 10% discount!
Budget
For tourists, Comoros is one of the most expensive destinations in East Africa. Accommodation prices for a couple range from 30-80 USD (25-68 EUR). For food, expect to pay around 23-35 USD/20-30 EUR a day. To travel around the island it’s best to use buses, but keep in mind that there are no fixed schedules. We paid 1000 Comorian francs (2.38 USD/2.02 EUR) for each ride.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Comoros is from April until November or early December, during the cooler dry season. Temperatures are warm year-round, but from December to March it tends to rain pretty heavily.
Environmental issues
Comoros is currently facing major environmental issues, including deforestation, soil erosion, soil degradation, and pollution, which all pose major threats to the islands’ biodiversity.
Everywhere we go, we try to focus on the good, but the ongoing environmental crisis the country is facing is too big to ignore. The island is covered by litter. It’s everywhere – on the streets, in forests, and in the sea. Animals are eating plastics and people don’t seem to mind. This is probably the main reason why the country’s tourism industry is currently non-existent.
We did an extensive beach clean-up and we created a
petition to encourage the government to take action towards solving the problem, and you are more than welcome to
sign it.
Romance and adventure
Naturally, Comoros has a lot to offer. But due to the fact that tourism is entirely undeveloped in the country, you will have to find romance and adventure on your own. Just make sure to stay safe!
196xLOVE
Found lots of LOVE in Comoros. 😉 ♥
Honeymoon rating of the visited destinations: ♥♥♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡
The island of Grande Comore has A LOT to offer, however, due to its political instability and pollution issues it may not be the best honeymoon destination.
* Note: This is NOT a general rating of the country, it is merely our personal opinion of the mentioned site(s) as honeymoon destinations, based on the level of tourism development, the number and quality of romantic and adventurous activities and sites it offers, and safety. We strongly believe that every country is beautiful in its own way, they may simply be more or less honeymoon oriented/friendly.
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