Okay guys, let me tell you about actually trying to see the best stuff in Comoros. Sounds fancy on paper, like some paradise adventure, but man, doing it is another story. Here’s exactly how my trip went down, step by messy step.
Step 1: The Humbling Arrival
First, landed in Moroni on Grande Comore. Hahaly Airport? Tiny. Hot. Felt like stepping into an oven, humidity smacked me right in the face. Got my visa stamp – took ages, line was slow. Lesson learned? Pack extreme patience.
Got out, chaos! Taxis guys yelling. Negotiated a ride to town. Roads? Rough. Car bounced like crazy. Driver just laughed. Welcome to Comoros.
Step 2: The Mountain That Tried to Kill Me (Karthala)
Heard about Mount Karthala, the active volcano. Looks epic in pictures. Decided I needed to hike it. Found a guide – took asking around, no official tourist office thing.
- Started stupid early, like 4 AM. Pitch black, cold. Used my phone flashlight.
- The climb? Brutal. Steep, slippery volcanic ash. Thick forest turned into moon-like rock.
- Reached the crater rim, finally. Sweat pouring, legs jelly. View? Absolutely mind-blowing. Huge caldera, steam rising. Smelled like sulfur, strong!
Truth bomb: This hike is no joke. Bring proper boots, tons of water, snacks, and be fit. Guide is mandatory, seriously. Got back to Moroni covered in dust, exhausted, but feeling epic.
Step 3: The Ferry Fiasco & Finding Anjouan
Wanted to see Mohéli and Anjouan next. Heard about the boats.
- Went to the dock in Moroni. Pure madness. People everywhere, cargo piled high. Smelled like fish and diesel.
- Bought a ticket? More like fought my way to a guy scribbling in a notebook. Cash only, crumpled bills.
- The boat? Old. Crowded. Packed tight. Sea was rough, I gripped the railing thinking “this is it”. Took hours. Finally saw beautiful Anjouan coastline.
Honestly? If you get seasick easily or hate chaos, maybe fly the small planes. But the boat? It’s an experience, you won’t forget it!
Step 4: Anjouan Gems – Waterfalls & Old Towns
Anjouan is green and lush. Hired a local guy with a car (cheaper than tours, just ask at your guesthouse).
- Djiancoundi Waterfall: Drive was bumpy, roads got smaller and smaller. Then walked through spice trees – cloves, vanilla! The waterfall itself is stunning, cool mist felt amazing after the humidity. Jumped in the pool, freezing but awesome.
- Mutsamudu Old Town: Wandering the narrow streets felt like stepping back centuries. Arabic architecture, carved doors. People friendly, kids shouting “Bonjour!”. Got lost, happily. Ended up at the harbour watching dhow boats.
Best bit? The smell everywhere – spices mixed with sea salt. Unreal.
Step 5: Mohéli – Turtles & Totally Chilling
Took another bumpy boat ride (smaller this time) to Mohéli. Different vibe. Super sleepy.
- Stayed near Nioumachoua. Simple beach bungalow. Basic, cheap, ocean right there.
- Turtle watching: Hired a local fisherman with his pirogue at dusk. Paddled quietly. Saw giant female green turtles crawling up the beach at Itsamia to lay eggs! Absolutely magical. Moonlight, sand, ancient creatures. Silent awe.
- Chomoni Beach: Just swam, snorkeled right off the sand. Clear water, colourful fish. Did nothing else for a whole day. Bliss.
Key here: Mohéli is slow. Bring books. Enjoy the quiet. No rush.
Step 6: Wrapping Up & Escape from Paradise
Had to get back to Moroni for my flight out. More boats, more bouncing. Said goodbye to the amazing Comorian people – so welcoming despite the language barrier (my French is terrible!).
Reflected on the flight home. Comoros isn’t easy tourism. The infrastructure? Barely exists. Things break (buses, ferries, sometimes water). Planning feels loose. You gotta go with the flow, seriously.
But the sights? Volcano craters, spice forests, ancient towns, pristine beaches with nesting turtles – it’s all real, and incredible. You earn it though, with sweat, patience, and maybe a bit of stomach-churning on a dhow. Would I go again? In a heartbeat. But I’d pack more snacks and less expectation for comfort! #ComorosTruths
