Comoros Safari Tours & Holidays

Comoros Safaris officially known as the Union of Comoros is a little-known archipelago that consists of a group of volcanic islands at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the southeast African mainland, about 290 km off the eastern coast of Africa. The islands from northwest to southeast include Grande Comore, Mohéli Anjouan, and Mayotte, Mayotte Geographically part of the Comoros archipelago, is claimed by Comoros but is administered by France.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘perfumed islands’ due to the fragrant plant life, Comoros was an important trading post for Arab, Persian, African, and European traders from the 15th century onwards. In the 19th century three of the islands were annexed by the French, hence their names – Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan – while their Comorian language names are given in parentheses. In 1975 they gained independence, though Mayotte, the fourth island, remained a French territory.

Created through volcanic activity over the ages, Comoros is a nature lover’s paradise. From stunning coral reefs that offer exquisite diving experiences to uninterrupted white sandy beaches, dense forests, and active volcanoes. That said, Comoros does not have a well-developed tourist industry. Less than 3,000 tourists pass through the archipelago each year as visitors looking for an island experience in the region instead choose destinations such as Reunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, or Madagascar.

How to get to Comoros

But since so many people from Comoros have family and work in France, there are actually some really good flight connections to Moroni while planning Comoros safaris ensure you choose the best options of flights.

By Air

Clients can fly using Kenyan airways or Ethiopian airways that operate flights to Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in Moroni the main capital city of the Reunion of Comoros.

Passport, visa, and Entry requirements

All visitors to Comoros are required to have a visa Nationals of any country can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 45 days however due to the difficulties of travel that may be caused by a global pandemic or any kind of disaster so please ensure you check with your home country for the current and updated visa requirements.

Based on the government website, visa fees are thought this can be subjected to change and you may be charged a fee of 30.00 Euros or US$ 50.00 for stays of up to 45 days but for Comoros safaris you may not need that much time to travel the country.

Free of charge for transit visitors with a stay for a maximum of 24 hours can be issued for traveling transiting through and they must show proof of the transit document.

All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months and return or onward tickets as the island security is pretty tight.

The health sector of Comoros

While pre-travel vaccinations and other preparations are strongly advised before visiting Comoros, the country has extremely limited local health care resources and extra precautions must be made before making a trip. As mentioned above, the country has no health insurance system, so arrangements should be made before any travel to Comoros. Keep in mind that an emergency evacuation is usually required for any situation requiring serious medical attention, so insurance and other arrangements should be planned in advance accordingly.

Malaria and Yellow fever vaccination

Travelers to Comoros are advised to meet with a physician four to six weeks before departure. At a minimum, routine vaccines such as measles, mumps & rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis & tetanus (DPT), polio vaccines, hepatitis, and typhoid are strongly recommended. Rabies vaccines should be updated for those traveling to areas where contact with wild animals is likely. As mentioned above, malaria is very common in the region and throughout the country, and proper precautions such as mosquito nets, long-sleeved clothing, and anti-malarial drugs are recommended. The Centres for Disease Control recommend bringing antimalarial from your home nation, and note that chloroquine is not effective in Comoros and halofantrine should only be used in emergencies where there are no alternative treatments. Anti-diarrhoea drugs, sun protection, water filters, and purification tablets, insect repellent with DEET, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and iodine tablets are all strongly recommended items for travelers or long-term visitors.

Currency of Comoros

Comoros is a member of the Franc Zone, which it joined in 1976. The national currency, the Cormoran franc (KMF), is pegged to the French franc and is fully convertible travelers should travel with Euros if possible which they can convert into Cormoran franc upon arrival in the country.

Official Language of Comoros

Arabic is the first of the official languages of Comoros, considered the second language of most of the citizens of Comoros. Arabic became an official language here because of the Islamic faith, and with Quranic instruction written predominantly in Arabic, this decision would only make sense! Though historically, much of the trade between Comoros and surrounding islands was conducted in Arabic, and there is no reason not to expect this to continue today.

French is the second on our list of official languages in Comoros. It is the language of all administrative duties across the islands, as well as any formal education that is not Quranic.

Best time to travel to Comoros

Comoros’ tropical climate is one of the key factors why should visit the island nations the islands are mostly basking in warm temperatures all year round, though from April to November for the driest months and balmiest conditions for experience the best in Comoros. Exclusive holidays run all year round, but April to November is the best time to visit Comoros as this is the driest season.

What to wear in Comoros

Comoros is a Muslim country, so I always covered my knees, shoulders, and chest in public. However, the country does not have any restrictions on what to wear but we strongly advise wearing appropriate clothing while in public places.

What to bring while traveling in Comoros

Travelers must ensure they have cash as it’s the main way of making payments in Comoros, a portable medical kit comes in handy as the health system is not that good and travelers should not bring drones into the country otherwise it will be confiscated by the security.

Car hire and driving

Self-Driving in the Comoros Islands is on the right of the road and you should be able to use the license of most countries for up to 3 months. After that, an International Driving permit is needed. Roads are generally in poor condition, congested, very narrow, and poorly lit at night. An exception is the main road around Grand Comore which is generally okay. You should avoid driving after dark and exercise extreme caution if you have to drive as there are likely to be obstacles and pedestrians in the road and unlit vehicles. Most roads in towns are paved, but many rural roads are not. Whether paved or not, many roads have plenty of potholes and dangerous curves. Roads have no posted speed limits, but road conditions limit speeds to below 30 miles an hour. Driving standards are often erratic and you should drive cautiously and expect the unexpected.

Wilderness Explorers Africa does not recommend self-drive in Comoros.

Accommodation in Comoros

Most tourist areas will have accommodation facilities ranging from Budget, mid-range to sometimes Luxury depending where you are visiting through the remote areas do not have good accommodation.

Local food of Comoros

Comoros Island being influenced by Arabic has quite a good selection of local traditional meals and some of the common meals in Comoros include

Lobster boiled in a rich vanilla sauce
Fried unleavened bread made with coconut water.
Highly spiced meat and rice dish.
Pigeon pea curry flavored with cardamom.
Fish and green plantains stewed in coconut milk.

Tipping while traveling in Comoros

Drinking isn’t very common in Comoros though, it is a Muslim country. Other: There are no standard tipping rules in Comoros; if you have a guide you can tip them 20%, which is the standard rate across Africa, and this highly based on excellent services offered if you’re not fully satisfied then you may Go down to 10% but feel free to inquire from Wilderness explorers Africa for updated tipping information for Comoros.

Further information for Comoros

Before traveling to Comoros feel free to buy little gifts, not in terms of food but items like pens, colored pencils you can give out while traveling in the country for any kind of donations or support please contact us before proceeding.

Safety of Comoros

There is minimal risk from crime in Moroni. On the Islands of Grand Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan, criminal activity is relatively low. Criminal acts against foreigners are rare. The most commonly reported crimes are petty crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and travelers must avoid traveling at Night as this may expose you to danger.