Comoros Sightseeing Places

By | July 5, 2020

Visa requirements

Passport: is generally required for travel to the Comoros, all entry documents must be valid for at least 6 months and for the planned stay in the Comoros.

Visa: Generally required, a tourist visa can be issued on arrival at the international airport on Grande Comore. This can be issued with a validity of up to 45 days upon arrival upon presentation of the return flight ticket. Proof of sufficient funds to cover subsistence costs must be presented. If you intend to start work, you need to have a visa in advance.

No distinction is made between tourists and business travelers.

Travelers who reach the Comoros with sailing yachts are advised to complete the customs formalities in the Comorian port of entry before traveling to the interior of the island.

A visa extension is possible, but if the departure only takes place after the visa has expired, a penalty will be charged depending on the number of days exceeded.

Transit: Transit travelers who fly on to the next connection, have valid documents for the onward journey and do not leave the transit area do not need a transit visa.

Application: Visas are issued by the immigration authorities or by the diplomatic missions of the Comoros, such as in Paris, Antananarivo or Cairo. For stays of more than 45 days, the embassy should be contacted (see Comoros – important addresses).

Documents: an application form (available at the airport) – valid passport – 2 passport photos – fee (in cash), payable in euros or US dollars – return tickets – proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay (it will depend on a daily need of 60 Euros out).

Visa fees: At Grande Comore airport, issuing a visa that is valid for up to 45 days costs 30,000 Comoros Francs (around 60 euros). Visas with a validity between 46 and 365 days cost 125,000 Comorian Francs (about 250 euros), Visas with a validity between one year and 10 years cost 250,000 Comorian Francs (about 500 Euros).

Sufficient funds: Foreigners must have sufficient funds during their stay (daily rate approx. 60 euros).

Entry with children:
Germany: Children need their own passport to enter the Comoros (children’s passport or electronic passport).
Austria: own passport for children.
Swiss: own passport for children.

Comoros Sightseeing Places

Money

National currency: 1 Comorian franc divided into 100 centimes.

Currency abbreviation: KMF – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG

Banknotes of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500 KMF as well as coins of 100, 50 and 25 KMF are in circulation. Centimes are no longer used.

The Comoros Franc is part of the French currency area and is issued by its own central bank. The Comorian franc is firmly linked to the euro, which is also legal tender in the Comoros. CFA Francs are also legal tender.

Currency exchange: Exchange of foreign currency in local currencies is possible at banks in the cities on Grande Comore. Exchanges are very limited on the other islands. It is advisable to take Euros in cash. Even in markets, it is often possible to pay in euros with small notes.

Exchange rate Comoros Franc:

Currency converter at OANDA

Credit Cards: Accepted in most hotels.

Traveler’s checks: Should ideally be in euros. Travelers checks can be exchanged in the Banque pour l’Industrie et le Commerce (BIC).

ATMs: there are some in the capital, mainly the Visa card is accepted.

Foreign exchange regulations: The import and export of the national currency is unlimited. The import and export of foreign currencies is subject to declaration from an amount equivalent to 500,000 KMF.

Bank opening times: Mon – Thu 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Health and diseases

The health service of the Foreign Ministry recommends vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months also hepatitis B. In the case of special exposure (e.g. stay in the country, backpacking), vaccination against typhoid can also be useful. These and other questions should be decided in a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.

HIV / AIDS can be a danger in the country for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a life-threatening risk.

Prophylaxis : Through hygienic eating and drinking (only boiled, not lukewarm reheated) and consistent mosquito protection (repellents, mosquito nets, covering clothing, behavior), most can partly also dangerous Durchfäl l e and many other tropical and infectious diseases are completely avoided. This also includes malaria. One should not bathe in fresh water (danger of schistosomiasis but also of crocodiles). There are other tropical and infectious diseases, but they pose very different threats to travelers. Protection offers consistent hygiene when eating and drinking. Use only boiled water.

Various prescription medications (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market for malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis.

The medical care is not like in the country with Europe and can be locally technically, in terms of apparatus and / or hygienic problem. Some European-trained English / French-speaking doctors are also missing. Adequate global health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are strongly recommended. You should take an individual first-aid kit with you and protect it according to the temperature (cold chain). Individual advice from a tropical doctor or travel doctor makes sense.

In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.

Means of transport for your vacation

Airplane: There are flight connections to the individual islands. Each island has a runway. The Comores Aviation company flies among other islands and also to Madagascar. The former national airline Air Comores no longer flies. No flight connections on Sundays.

Ship: The islands of Grand Comores, Anjouan and Moheli are connected by more or less safe ships and boats. The Mayotte ferry can be used safely. Tourists can rent motor and sailing boats as well as canoes in the seaside villages and towns. A rented boat is particularly recommended on Moheli, as the roads are in poor condition.

Bush taxis (taxis-brousse), rental or private cars are the only transport on the islands. The road network is generally in poor condition, fuel is not always available. Especially during the rainy season, four-wheel drive vehicles should be used inland and on the more remote islands. You should drive carefully because the streets are narrow and farm animals often run in front of the vehicle. Caution should also be exercised when driving after dark.

Information about minibus services in the Comoros can be obtained from the Direction Générale du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie in Moroni (see Comoros – important addresses).

Documents: International driving license, valid for up to three months.

Comoros highlights

The capital Moroni is a picturesque, quiet town with modern government buildings, large squares, narrow streets and a market place. The mosques are worth seeing. Especially from the minarets of the Vendredi mosque you have a good view.

The Mont Karthala volcano erupted for the last time in 1977. Visitors can climb the mountain and take a look at the crater. You should plan an overnight stay in the existing mountain huts. The ascent should only be undertaken by visitors with sufficient physical condition, that there is a large difference in altitude and that long distances have to be covered without shade.

At the fishing village of Itsandra (6 km from Moroni) you will find a wonderful sandy beach. The old fortress and the royal tombs are also worth a visit.

Diving is very good in the northwest of the main island near the city of Mitsamiouli.

On the island of Mohély / Mwali there are giant turtles in the Niumashuwa Bay.