INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
An archipelago of just three small volcanic islands, The Grande Comores literally exploded onto the Indian Ocean between the coastline of northern Mozambique and Madagascar – the result of an undersea eruption, the remnants of which still simmer beneath the surface of the giant crater of Mount Karthala in the capital city of Moroni, on the main island of Ngazidja, or Grande Comoros.
The rugged coastline that emerged spawned numerous sandy beaches and sheltered coves, with the warm, silken, aqua waters so appealing to lovers of sun and sea, and the Comores come in handy on the streets. Fortunately, many of the guided tours are conducted in English.
The thing about the Comores is that while the typical tropical island attractions abound( minus the crowds) if there’ s only so much sun, snorkelling and lotus eating you can stand, there are several other options to keep you interested. Here are just some of them...
HIKING MOUNT KARTHALA AND THE CRATER
The only active volcano in the country, Karthala’ s crater is truly jaw-dropping. Visitors can take a guided hike to the summit and across the
The mosque in the city of Moroni in the Island of Comoros have become uber popular as a beach holiday destination for honeymooners and families seeking some much-needed R & R.
But there’ s much more to these islands – they’ re teeming polyglots, a consequence of diverse cultural legacies. Swahilis, Arabs, Indians and the French have all left their mark here. French is the official language( along with the local Shikomoro), so Google Translate or your preferred app will dystopian-like surface, where swirls of smoke rise eerily through channels in mounds of black rock, making you feel much like Neil Armstrong might have, when he took that giant leap for mankind. It’ s a stark contrast to the verdant slopes you hike to get there, but truly awe-inspiring. The last eruption occurred in 2006 and the volcano’ s been dormant since, but seismic activity is constantly monitored. You’ ll need to reserve an entire day for this, as the hike alone takes about two hours.
94 INBOUND SA / DECEMBER 2025