Comoros undiscovered

The Comoros is one of Africa’s biggest surprises. The islands are wrapped in a fragrant blend of ylang-ylang oil, Arabic aesthetics, African warmth and French chic. Add to this a colourful history of sultans and soothsayers, plantation owners and eloping princesses and you have an unconventional, exotic paradise.

Undiscovered Destinations visits the three of the four developed islands of the Comoros Archipelago - Grande Comoro, Anjouan and Moheli, during a 13-day tour departing Heathrow each Friday. Best time of year to travel is between May and October.

The tour begins on Grande Comoro, the largest and geologically the youngest of the Comoros Islands. The island’s most prominent geographical feature is the 2,361 metre high Mt Karthala, an active volcano that still rumbles uneasily at the roof of the island. For those with a reasonable level of fitness there is the option to climb Karthala, camping overnight in the crater, and presuming no unexpected eruption disturbs one’s slumbers, waking to the most spectacular of sunrises.

From Grande Comoro continue to Anjouan, widely considered to be the most beautiful of the three islands now known as the Union of the Comoros (the fourth island is still French territory). From Anjouan take a short flight to the final destination, the island of Mohéli, described as a super-tranquil place. This lost paradise is the smallest, wildest, least populated and least developed island of the Union.

Mohéli’s southern coast of coral reefs and dramatically craggy offshore islets is part of the Comoros’ only national park, Parc Marin de Mohéli, which protects dolphins, whales and sea turtles. On Mohéli, travellers are accommodated at the excellent Laka Lodge, a new 10-room resort located on the south coast, highly recommended by the team at Undiscovered Destinations.

The tour costs from £2,150 (minimum of two people travelling) including scheduled flights from the UK (£1,300 p/p excluding flights), transfers, domestic flights, accommodation, daily breakfast, some lunches and dinners and the services of an English speaking guide.

For more information and bookings, log on to Undiscovered-destinations.com.