3 independent reviews for Comoros guided holiday
Reviews for Comoros guided holiday
Corinna George review 12 Nov 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the turtles on the beach laying their eggs in Moheli.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for the fact that it is off the beaten tourist track so not everything is geared up for tourists. Might not have running hot water, electricity and internet, but therein lies the beauty.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not at all.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I absolutely loved it.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Corinna, Sorry you feel like this tour did not benefit local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation. The Comoros is a very underdeveloped country and it can be difficult to implement such strategies in a country where tourism and this way of thinking is in its infancy. However we work closely with our local partner to promote conservation and reduce environmental impacts. For example, visits such as the agricultural compound in Moroni and the ylang ylang distilleries help support conservation as donations are made as contributions to offset any negative impacts. On the tour we use local guides and stay in hotels which both provide jobs for local people. We hope to see you again on one of our tours in the future. Thanks, Rhia
Wendy Andrew Browne review 27 Dec 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Scuba diving at Laka Lodge.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack some spare clothes in hand baggage as luggage can go astray! Apparently Ethiopian Airways is better than Kenya Airways. The locals don't really know what to make of tourists - there are so few. Make sure you have some knowledge of French. The seafood is excellent but otherwise the choice is quite restricted. Not a place to go if you have special dietary requirements. Refrigeration of food is an issue as there are frequent power cuts. Don't go if you are a nervous traveller. The inter island flights are frequently cancelled and the alternative are boat crossings of 50km in open 'speedboats'. Although the roads are being rebuilt by the Chinese, many of them are still severely pot holed. The tour notes need updating- there is now a concrete road to within 2 hours to the summit of Mt Karthala.Don't go at the beginning of 2024 as there is an election.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, tourism must inject some money into the economy. It reinforced our awareness of the environmental impact of plastics.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. Mr Omar is an excellent guide.Maggie Evans review 13 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting a beautiful part of the world that has not yet been developed to any great extent for tourism.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for arrangements to be quite muddly and dis-organised at times, many local people are only just learning IT and social media skills. Be prepared for lots of friendly smiles and contact with local people. Brush up on your French!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most of the staff we encountered were local people, such as hotel staff and the local guides. These low key tourism ventures provide important employment and learning opportunities for local people, under the leader ship of some European staff. Not sure about reducing environmental impact. We, as tourists, snorkelled in the protected marine park, but alongside large numbers of local villagers illegally catching octopus etc. Not sure about supporting conservation either - we bought ylang ylang from local distilleries only to discover that the profits went, not to the local workers but a few wealthy owners of the companies.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful! We plan to make another trip with the company in 2023.Read the operator's response here:
Unfortunately, these things do happen in Comoros, especially with the locals hunting fish and octopus. We do instruct our guides to explain to the locals that hunting in the marine parks is not allowed when they come across it. As in many places, there is tension in this area and the local authorities are in the difficult position of trying to balance the conservation needs with the local populations needs.
With regards to the Ylang Ylang plantations, these are all locally owned and operated. There is no co-operative scheme in Comoros so workers will be paid a wage for working there.
Hope that helps. All the best,
Aled
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