3 independent reviews for Comoros guided holiday

Reviews for Comoros guided holiday

SHOW
1
2
0
0
0

review 27 Dec 2023

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Scuba diving at Laka Lodge.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

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 traveler. 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 vacation 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 vacation overall?

Very good. Mr Omar is an excellent guide.

review 13 Nov 2022

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

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 travelers booking this vacation?

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 vacation 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 vacation 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

review 20 Aug 2019

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The Cascasus mountains. Scenery amazing. Like stepping into a part of the world that hasn't yet been spoiled by mass tourism. The history of Georgia is fascinating. Georgia is predominately a christian orthodox country and religion stills plays a significant role in people's lives despite years of soviet rule. One can really experience serenity and spirituality in visiting some of the major cathedrals and churches.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Maximum 3 days in Tusheti. Bring Lomotil with you. Travel light.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

WE hope the locals in Tusheti benefitted. Otherwise, cannot see a significant positive factor regarding environment or conservation.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Excellent vacation. Really felt we were in a very different place with friendly people, fascinating and exotic sites and good fun.

Holiday Reviews

You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.

Read our review policy