INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
WANDERING THE MEDINAS
A labyrinth of narrow alleyways a few storeys high, with little staircases that could lead into either another alley or someone’ s living room, navigating the medina feels like an Arabian Nights adventure. Fortunately, the people are generally friendly, and you might score a cup of mint tea or a refreshing drink – perhaps even a game of rummy got up by some of the elders in a corner somewhere.
THE SULTAN’ S PALACE, ITSANDRA
The rambling 15th Century Sultan’ s Palace is a prime example of Moorish architecture – complete with intricately carved wooden doors, and wooden mashrabiyas covering the windows. Fairly intact though currently closed for restoration, it’ s worth a look. But volcanic rock and ash seem to be the great levellers here in the Comores, blighting both the Palace walls, where the Sultan’ s descendants still reside, and those of the impoverished medina surrounding it.
Fun fact: at one point, the tiny archipelago boasted nine sultans! The ruins of their ancient fortresses are dotted around the islands, some with rusting cannons in the ramparts, aimed back then at marauding Malagasy pirates. hawksbill and green sea turtles lay their eggs in mounds on the beach, and you might catch the babies hatching and watch them make a dash for the ocean immediately after, little flippers flapping. Anjouan is possibly the most scenic island in the Union. The spectacular Dziancoundre Waterfalls – wide curtains of water cascading over a series of jagged cliffs down the ylang-ylang and clove-scented landscape, is a must-see.
VISIT MAYOTTE
Still a French territory, you’ ll need a short-stay visa to enter here. If you’ re looking for hi-octane watersports, here’ s where you’ ll find it: zip across the ocean on a jetski, go kite-surfing, or gently paddle-board to the mangroves circling the bays. You could even spot or enjoy a guided swim with a Dugong, a rare marine mammal resembling a hippo. And if all you want to do is dive into a great book lounging on the beach, that’ s an option too.
Best time to visit? May to October – the dry season.
Great for friendcations, family vacays and honeymoons alike, The Grande Comores offers a smorgasbord of fun experiences whatever your speed. IB
SNORKELLING THE BARRIER REEFS
Most of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs abundant with aquatic life. It’ s a world in full technicolour – a dream for both amateur snorkellers and serious divers. Bonus: just a few strokes into the clear aquamarine ocean gets you there. Take your own gear, though, just in case. A short boat ride could see you escorted by a school of dolphins, or watching humpback whales breaching from a safe distance.
Bandrele, Carton de Boueni, Mayotte
The small island of Moheli is classified as a UNESCO biosphere, thanks to a concerted effort by the local population. Here and on the island of Anjouan,
DECEMBER 2025 / INBOUND SA 95