Dahari's 2015-2020 strategic plan, defined in December 2014 and currently being finalized, highlighted the major medium-term orientations. Among these directions, it was decided to focus on ecotourism from 2015. Anne-Gaëlle Borg, communications manager, explains the Dahari approach and presents the Anjouan discovery circuit.

What is ecotourism?

For developing countries, tourism represents an opportunity for the national economy. But in general, the money generated by tourism is distributed among the same private organizations.

However, green tourism or ecotourism is a form of responsible travel which generates money for the protection of the environment and the well-being of local populations.

Why do we do ecotourism?

In Dahari, our mission is to shape sustainable and productive landscapes with Comorian communities. Thus, for seven years we have had a special relationship with local populations. We find that ecotourism is a good way to increase the funds generated for Comorian communities, for the local associations with which we collaborate, and for the field programs of our NGO.

If with this, we can energize Anjouan, create flows and highlight our country, that's even better.

Our “Anjouan discovery” circuit – one week

Anjouan is easily accessible from Mayotte, Grande Comore, Mohéli and Madagascar. However, few visitors venture here. Get started, and let yourself be surprised by the grandeur of the landscapes and the authenticity of the inhabitants.

The Anjouan Discovery circuit is our first circuit. This one-week island tour will allow you to discover the island of Anjouan through its landscapes, its biodiversity, its culture and its inhabitants.

In Anjouan, there are no marked hiking trails. Fortunately, our guides Amelaïd and Ishaka know the island like the back of their hand. As specialists in the biodiversity of the Comoros, they guide visitors into nature, placing great importance on observing the fauna and flora. Thanks to them, tourists can venture into the Moya forest to the Livingstone bat observation point, hike around Lake Dzialandzé in the heart of the island's mountain range or go down to the village of Jimilimé to Ouani.

The history of Anjouan is little known, but it has left some traces. Our stay allows you to discover these historical remains, in collaboration with a network of competent guides and local associations such as the Young People of Comoros Heritage or the UMAMA association. These associations, in which we have complete confidence, provide expertise in their field. For example, the Youth of Comoros Heritage  take us to the heart of the culture and heritage of Anjouan during guided tours of the citadel and the medina of Mutsamudu.

Imagine visiting a country without meeting its inhabitants… Impossible! The Anjouan people help to make the island of Anjouan so special. This is why throughout the stay, we encourage meetings between visitors and communities. Sharing community meals in the villages is an opportunity to question residents about their daily lives. In the fishing village of Bimbini, our collaboration with the association Umama allows us to organize nights with a host family, which become privileged moments of exchange. Thanks to the trust of the Anjouan people acquired over the past seven years, we are able to organize this integration into the communities. This is what makes our stays unique.

This circuit has been organized several times for groups from the Les naturalistes de Mayotte association. Their feedback is excellent. One of them recently told us: “I have never traveled in a group and on an organized trip, I decided to go with Dahari because I found this trip intelligent. Indeed, in addition to being intelligent, this trip was a human experience”

Our perspectives

2015 is our third year in the world of ecotourism. On this occasion, we decided to step up the pace!

We welcomed a first group from Mayotte in March 2015. The following ones are planned for May and July. This year we hope to increase the number of stays and welcome tourists from other horizons: Comorians from other islands, residents of Madagascar and Reunion… We are looking for partners who can help us to publicize the circuits in these areas. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us.

In the future we want to develop new circuits. A first special trip for hikers should be organized on the island of Anjouan in October 2015. We are also seeking to strengthen the capabilities of our team, particularly in English in order to be able to welcome international tourists. In the Comoros it is difficult to find a translator who has all the knowledge of our guides concerning the fauna and flora. Training our guides in the English language therefore seems essential to us.

Finally, we seek to develop, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, a network of dynamic actors to welcome tourists on all the islands in a responsible and united approach.