Africa > Mayotte: Weather, Map, Costs and Travel Guide

The coastline of Mayotte, very carved, will make you go from surprise to surprise: it offers an alternation of bays and rocky points, bordered by beautiful forests and beaches of various colors, not to mention the barrier of coral and small uninhabited islands Enamel the lagoon. You can swim with turtles or multicolored tropical fish (at least 800 species listed), and even meet dolphins and observe humpback whales that breed every year.

Inland you will find many other wonders: the fauna is easily accessible, and you may be able to see very closely the maki and the dogfish, the zebu, as well as many birds, insects, reptiles, Chameleons and superb butterflies. The flora is also abundant: palm trees, mango trees, cinnamon trees, orchids, flamboyants, baobabs, a real festival of colors and smells! The star of the island is the ylang-ylang with the scent of vanilla, which covers a large area of ​​the island. The mangroves also occupy an important place in the ecosystem and you will admire orchids and mangroves.

To do: visit the botanical garden of Coconi, in the center of the island; Go to Lake Karihani, covered with water lilies; Lazing on the beaches of Moya and Papani; Explore Brandrélé Island where you can rent a canoe and dive to see the corals; Climb Mount Choungui; Swimming with turtles at Pointe de Saziley; See the waterfall of Soulou and walk in the giant bamboo plantation; Strolling in the market of Mamoudzou; Visit the Ylang-Ylang Museum in Sada; Meet the makis on the Bouzi rock.

For the French, a valid identity card or passport is sufficient.

The current currency is the euro.

We arrive by plane at the airport of Dzaoudzi (direct flight from Paris, at least 10 H).

On the spot, it is the car that is the most used means of transport, with the motorcycle and the scooter, but watch out for roads in poor condition. You can also take a taxi in town, as well as a taxi-bush in the rural areas: prices are very moderate. To connect Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre, you will embark on a barge, reserved for pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles, or on an amphidrome if you are in a car or truck.

Budget: if you live in the local fashion, you will get away with a meal for less than 15 €. An average of 50 € for a double room in a small hotel or a guest room.

Health: keep your current vaccinations up-to-date and add those for typhoid and hepatitis A. Also take a malaria treatment and sleep under a mosquito net. Protect yourself effectively from the sun.

Security: Mayotte is a safe place but there is a small delinquency, with thefts in cars or burglaries of houses. Take precautions on this.

Shopping: In the local markets and small boutiques you will find cheap clothing decorated with baobab or tortoise, woven baskets, essential oils of vanilla or ylang-ylang.