Located between Africa and Madagascar, Mayotte has an abundance of endemic fauna and flora. Baobabs and tulip trees, from Gabon and Takamakas, are spread throughout both the humid and dry forests. You can also find ylang-ylang and magnificent wild orchids, of which nearly 50 species, including the vanilla plant, exist on Mayotte.
The wild fauna, diverse and permanent, is quite surprising: the maki, a type of lemur, is found only on Mayotte. There’s also the roussette (flying fox), a large bat that flies around both day and night. To discover this rich wildlife, a 100 km hiking trail runs around the island, allowing tourists to admire the stunning views, discover a fascinating geological history, immerse themselves in the Mahori nature, and mingle with the locals. One of Mayotte's greatest assets is its coral reef, bordering one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world. The double barrier phenomenon is a mystery of the Mayotte lagoon. Sheltered from the ocean's fury, the lagoon is a haven of peace, housing a great variety of flora and fauna. A real natural aquarium in which colorful fish live side by side with large sea mammals, the lagoon offers an exceptional view of underwater life.
Mayotte is also home to one of nature's most beautiful sights: humpback whales teaching their newborns. Several species of dolphins can be found inside and outside the lagoon. Some of them will allow you to observe their aquatic ballet, while others will share their music with you. Mayotte is also an excellent site for observing sea turtles. Swimming with them, or watching them laying their eggs is among the more unique experiences possible on the lagoon island.
A multi-faceted area, Mayotte has inherited a mosaic of cultures: African, Persian, Asian, Madagascan, European and Arabic. This crossing of several different worlds and civilizations has forged a rich and authentic culture. Thus, there are a multitude of religious, cultural, folk and sporting events that take place annually on Mayotte.
Don’t Miss
- The Saziley nature reserve
- The islets of Choazils and M’tzamboro
- Mount Choungui
- The Passe en "S" nature reserve
- The Combani reservoir and its fields of ylang-ylang
Useful information:
Main town:
Dzaoudzi
Currency:
Euro
Climate:
Tropical and humid
Average temperature:
77°F
Getting there:
The easiest way to reach Mayotte is to stop off at la Reunion. The link between la Reunion and Mayotte is operated by Air Austral (External link) , together with Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Comoros Aviation and, less frequently, Air Madagascar.