Mayotte Lemurs Bats and Birding – Lake Forest & Nature

Timing/Schedule

Departure - ArrivalDriving (bus/boat), walking / hiking, photo stop, inside/outside visits, refreshments/lunch/tasting, free timeTimeRestroom yes/noAccess/ Steps to climb
Mamoudzou PierTender @ 9Rally Call all guests at port lollipop sign/bus9YN
pierlakeshoreDrive 30m to Lake Karihani freshwater lake9:30YN
lakelakeDziani Karihani Tsingoni bats lemurs & birds 3 h10NY
lunch/refreshfinish lunch1 hour of relaxing at Tsingoni restaurant for lunch13YN
return to shiparrive at pier30 minutes drive back to ship14:15YN
enjoy the marketback aboardwalk the market and views from GT (artisans etc)14:45YN
  Total duration in h   
HD Tour can be repeated AM/PM?Yes during daylight hours is ok
Days of week or dates when this excursion cannot operateNone except natural disaster events like the major cyclones where ship cancels

Tour Description

Embark on a captivating shore excursion to Lake Karihani, Mayotte’s only freshwater lake, nestled near Tsingoni, just a 30-minute drive from Mamoudzou pier. This adventure immerses you in Mayotte’s vibrant biodiversity, perfect for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Departing at the lollipop rally point pierside, travel by private vehicle through lush landscapes to reach the serene lake, surrounded by dense forest and rolling hills.

Spend 2-3 hours exploring scenic trails, spotting endemic species like the Mayotte White-eye, with its striking white eye-ring, and the glossy Mayotte Drongo. Watch for wading birds such as the Malagasy Pond Heron and vibrant Olive Bee-eaters darting over the water. The forest teems with Mayotte Lemurs, leaping through baobab and pandanus trees, while fruit bats may soar at dusk but hang out in the day. Guided by local experts, learn about Mayotte’s unique ecosystem and cultural ties to nearby Tsingoni village, home to a historic 16th-century mosque.

Enjoy a group lunch or an option of a picnic by the lake featuring fresh creole and french high cuisine, tropical fruits, and juices, prepared in Mamoudzou or by a local caterer. The tranquil setting offers a moment to relax, photograph the reflective lake, or listen to bird calls. Optional trail extensions reveal more wildlife, ensuring a rich experience. Return to Mamoudzou by onship time, leaving time for dinner. Comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, binoculars, and sunscreen are recommended. This eco-friendly tour supports Mayotte’s conservation efforts, delivering unforgettable nature and cultural insights.

Quotation

 Price p.p. incl. VATCurrency
Unit price per tour/USD ALL
min. 2 pax per minibus625.00 
min. 4 pax per minibus325.00 
min. 5 pax per minibus265.00 
min. 10 pax per bus176.00 
min. 15 pax per bus176.00 
min. 20 pax per bus176.00 
min. 25 pax per bus176.00 
min. 30 pax per bus176.00 
min. 35 pax per bus172.00 
min. 40 pax per bus166.00 
Supplement for 2nd local guide450.00 
For Children up to 12 years we expect 50 % reduction (standard excursions only)Ok
Final price depends on the actual number of passengers divided by the actual number of buses ordered and used. 
Please note, that cruise line reserves the right to buy “empty tickets” to get into the next price range.
The ship will send you the final notification of counts/final numbers latest 24hrs before the actual call.

Participation Guidelines / Mobility Details / Restrictions

MIN capacity per tour1Max capacity per tour400
Reason for limitation of capacity 
Min age 5Max age90Min weight/Max weight/
Min height/max height/Waiver required yes/noyesdrivers license?/
walking distance steps to climb wheelchair assessable?noaltitude difference/
special clothing required?Sunscreen Hat (Hot!)Suitable for handicapped?No
tour level easy (1) - active (5)3type of walking/cycling description/

Guides

Tour is operated by: driver & guide, guide, driver-guide, escort or not guided?guide
German or English speaking?English
Number of prof. German speaking guides4
Number of prof. English speaking guides35

Refreshments/Lunch/Restaurant

Costs calculated
Kind of refreshmentLUNCH and WATER (If Food: Description Below) 
Kind of menuLocal Creole French High End Fusion. Vegetarian or special options or allergies : NOSee Above
Drinks incl. p.p. during mealNo - guests pay their own in euros NA
Name of Restaurant  
Address & Website  

Price includes

Costs
1 escort FOC per groupYes NoNo for all - just ppNo extra cost of these
Vehicle (latest model)YesYNo  
Entrance feesYesYNo  
Water on busesYesYNo  
Headsets/AudioguidesYes NoN 
Photo & Video FeeYes NoNA 
Special opening feesYes NoNA 

Means of transportation

Busses8Jeeps Minivans 
No. of available busses8No. of available Jeeps No. of available Vans 
Capacity per bus (seats)15-56Capacity per Jeep Capacity per car 
Air ConditionySeating Air Condition 
MicrophonenCovered?   
Boats (chartered or public?)4Planes (chartered or scheduled?nCars4
Type of boatsspeedType of aircraft No. of available cars4
No. of available boats4No. of available aircrafts Capacity per car3
Capacity per boat12Capacity per aircraft (seats) Airconditiony
Covered/shun shadeyAirline   
Toilets on boardn
Life vestsy

Additional information / remarks

Subject to Booking Terms and Conditions, waiver mandatory ; Participants should be in good health ; Itineraries adjusted for weather/road breaks. - several unmarked but easy-to-follow walking paths through the surrounding forest and along the lake’s perimeter. These trails are flat to moderately sloped, ideal for casual hikers and birdwatchers. Stick to the paths closest to the water for the best bird sightings, as the lake’s edges attract waterfowl and wading birds. Follow us. Let's break groups into subgroups of 10-20 

CMT Full Professional Shore Excursions for Cruise Ships to Mayotte Mamoudzou

  • Tour Selection:
    • Large selection including classic, adventure, active, small groups, behind the scenes, off the beaten track, ECO, and new tours per destination
    • Focus on expert tours
    • Possibility to use different high-class restaurants
  • Buses:
    • Best available and newest models of vehicles
  • Restaurants:
    • Very good restaurants, not mass-produced
    • Venues with a good standard of quality
  • Communication:
    • Smooth communication with answers given in a reasonable amount of time, without reminders, to both the head office and the ships
  • Operation:
    • Attention to detail: punctual, prepared buses and guides, entrances checked in advance
  • Private Arrangements (pre- or post-cruise programs/excursions during the cruise):
    • Individual guests prefer to avoid crowds, be flexible, and expect extraordinary and off-the-path experiences
    • Itineraries should not coincide with group tours whenever possible
  • Travel Concierge:
    • Private, outstanding, exclusive tours/activities/experiences for 1-4 people
    • Advertisement in the shore excursion brochure
    • Booking upon request
  • Vehicles:
    • Best available and newest models of vehicles
    • Vehicles will be clean and equipped with a branded logo sign and the guest's name in the windshield
    • For pre- and post-cruise programs, one bottle of water per person should be arranged in the car
    • All vehicles should be on standby 30 minutes prior to departure for quality checks and smooth dispatch
  • Guides:
    • Qualified French or English-speaking guides with excellent language skills and knowledge of the areas