A little more
Comoros.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Comoros: what to know before you go

The Union of the Comoros is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, between Mozambique and Madagascar, made up of three volcanic islands: Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali) and Anjouan (Ndzuani). It has an active volcano, turtle-nesting beaches, the scent of ylang-ylang plantations and a Swahili-Arab island culture. Few tourists visit and facilities are basic, so it suits independent-minded travellers who value quiet and authenticity over comfort.

Where to go

• Mount Karthala, Grande Comore. One of the world's largest active volcanoes by crater size, rising above the capital.
• Moroni's old town. The capital's medina has narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and the white Old Friday Mosque beside the harbour.
• Mohéli Marine Park. The smallest and least developed island protects reefs, mangroves and islets.
• Mutsamudu and Anjouan's interior. Anjouan's main town has a hilltop citadel and a maze-like old quarter.

Best time to visit

The cooler dry season, roughly from May to October, is the most comfortable time to visit, with less humidity and better conditions for hiking Karthala. The hot, humid rainy season runs from about November to April, with the possibility of cyclones from December to March.

Staying online in Comoros

Mobile coverage is available in Moroni, Mutsamudu and the main towns, and along much of the coast, but data speeds can be slow and service in the mountainous interior and on remote beaches is patchy. Mohéli has the weakest coverage of the three islands. Wi-Fi is mostly limited to some hotels and guesthouses and can be unreliable, and power cuts happen. Download offline maps and translation packs, carry a power bank, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.