Day 1: Arrive Moroni — Welcome to the Perfume Islands
Arrive at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport. Transfer to your beachfront lodge. Afternoon at leisure to settle in. Evening wildlife briefing with your expert naturalist guide covering the extraordinary biodiversity of the Comoros archipelago — an evolutionary crossroads between Africa, Madagascar, and Asia. Welcome dinner. Overnight Moroni.
Day 2: Grande Comore — Karthala Volcano & Coastal Wildlife
Early morning drive to the lower slopes of Mount Karthala for a guided nature walk through montane rainforest. Search for endemic bird species including the Comoro blue pigeon, Grande Comore drongo, and Humblot’s flycatcher — all found nowhere else on Earth. Afternoon coastal exploration: visit saltwater lagoons where migratory waders feed, then snorkel nearshore reefs searching for hawksbill turtles and reef fish. Overnight Moroni.
Day 3: Fly to Mohéli — Turtle Island
Morning flight to Mohéli. Transfer to a beachfront eco-lodge in Itsamia, a village globally recognized for its community-led sea turtle conservation program. Afternoon orientation walk along the nesting beach with a local turtle monitor. The southern beaches of Mohéli host over 20,000 green turtle nests annually — one of the highest densities in the Indian Ocean. During season (October-April), witness turtles emerging from the sea to lay eggs. Overnight Itsamia.
Day 4: Mohéli Marine Park — Coral Reef Safari
Full-day marine expedition in Mohéli Marine Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Morning boat to Ouenefou (also known as M’bo M’Bili), a pristine islet surrounded by spectacular coral reefs. Snorkel among thriving hard and soft corals, giant clams, moray eels, and swirling schools of reef fish. Afternoon drift snorkel along the outer reef wall. Between July and October, keep watch for humpback whales — Mohéli’s waters are a critical calving ground for Southern Hemisphere humpbacks. Overnight Itsania.
Day 5: Itsamia Turtle Night Watch
Morning at leisure — relax on the beach, kayak the mangroves, or visit the Itsamia Turtle Information Centre to learn about 20 years of community-led conservation. Afternoon guided forest walk through coastal scrub looking for the endemic Moheli scops owl and Comoro olive pigeon. After dinner: night patrol on the nesting beach. With luck, witness a green turtle laboriously digging her nest, laying 100+ eggs, and returning to the sea — one of nature’s most ancient rituals. Overnight Itsamia.
Day 6: Fly to Anjouan — Livingstone’s Flying Foxes
Morning flight to Anjouan. Afternoon expedition to a remote forest valley where the world’s largest bat colony roosts. Livingstone’s fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii) are critically endangered — fewer than 1,200 remain — and this colony is one of their last strongholds. Watch in awe as these giants, with wingspans up to 1.5 meters (5 feet), soar against the sunset sky. The Comoros are the only place on Earth to see them in the wild. Overnight Mutsamudu.
Day 7: Anjouan — Spice Forest & Tratringa Falls
Full-day exploration of Anjouan’s lush interior. Morning trek through spice forests — the source of the “Perfume Islands” nickname — where ylang-ylang, vanilla orchids, clove trees, and cinnamon grow wild on volcanic slopes. Hike to the spectacular Tratringa Waterfall plunging through dense tropical vegetation. Afternoon birdwatching walk searching for Anjouan scops owl, Anjouan sunbird, and other island endemics. Overnight Mutsamudu.
Day 8: Anjouan Coast & Return to Grande Comore
Morning boat trip along Anjouan’s dramatic coastline — sea cliffs, hidden coves, and fishing villages accessible only by water. Snorkel one final time on Anjouan’s reefs. Afternoon flight back to Grande Comore. Farewell dinner at a Moroni restaurant featuring the archipelago’s finest cuisine. Overnight Moroni.
Day 9: Departure
Morning at leisure. Visit Moroni’s artisan market for final souvenirs — ylang-ylang essential oil, vanilla pods, handwoven baskets. Transfer to the airport for departure.
