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Nyumakele
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Explore Nyumakele in southern Anjouan for volcanic hills, village life, crater-lake scenery, tropical agriculture and quiet Indian Ocean shores.

Nyumakele, also written Nyumakélé or Nioumakélé, occupies the southern part of Anjouan, one of the four principal islands of the Union of the Comoros. This rural region is shaped by steep volcanic slopes, narrow valleys and densely cultivated hillsides that descend towards a deeply indented coastline. Villages are linked by winding roads, while fields, coconut palms, banana plants, cassava and other crops fill the fertile lower slopes. The landscape feels markedly agricultural, with daily life closely connected to gardens, plantations, fishing and small-scale commerce.
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The region’s settlements include Moya and a number of villages spread across the southern and south-western parts of Anjouan. Moya is particularly associated with a coastal setting and access to beaches, while inland communities provide a closer view of the island’s farming landscape and traditional settlement patterns. Houses, mosques and local shops are often arranged along narrow roads, and the surrounding hills create frequent viewpoints over ravines, plantations and the Indian Ocean. Roads can be slow because of the terrain, so short distances may require considerable travelling time.
Nyumakele’s natural character is closely linked to Anjouan’s volcanic origins. The island is one of the most mountainous in the Comoros, and its valleys retain pockets of humid vegetation amid intensively used land. Lake Dzialandzé, a crater lake in the Nyumakele area, is one of the region’s notable natural features, although access conditions and visitor facilities can be limited. Walking in the countryside is rewarding for those prepared for uneven tracks, changing weather and the need to arrange local guidance in advance.
Culturally, Nyumakele forms part of the wider Comorian world shaped by African, Arab, Persian, Malagasy and French influences. Comorian languages are used in everyday life, French is important in administration and education, and Islam is central to community life. Visitors should expect a modest tourism infrastructure rather than a resort environment. Meals are generally based on rice, locally available seafood, coconut, bananas, cassava and spices, with the most dependable dining opportunities found through accommodation, local eateries and advance arrangements.
Nyumakele is best experienced at an unhurried pace. A visit can combine coastal time around Moya, walks through cultivated uplands, visits to villages and an exploration of Anjouan’s volcanic scenery. Because public transport, accommodation and formal visitor services are limited outside the island’s main centres, a locally arranged driver or guide is valuable, particularly for excursions to rural sites and crater-lake landscapes.

When is the best time to visit Nyumakele?

Best: June–August · 28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January30250
February30230
March30210
April29170
May29130
June (best)28110
July (best)28100
August (best)28100
September28130
October29170
November29210
December29250

Getting to and around Nyumakele

How to get there

Nyumakele is reached through Anjouan, not directly from international destinations. Visitors normally fly to Anjouan Airport at Ouani, outside Nyumakele and north of the region, or arrive by boat at ports serving the island, with Mutsamudu commonly used as the principal urban gateway. International travellers may need to connect through Moroni on Grande Comore or another regional airport, depending on current services. From the airport or port, the final journey into Nyumakele is by road and should be arranged in advance.

Transportation

Road travel is the main way to move around Nyumakele. Shared taxis and locally arranged cars operate between settlements, but services can be irregular, crowded and difficult to understand without local assistance. A private driver is useful for reaching beaches, villages, upland tracks and Lake Dzialandzé, especially when carrying luggage or travelling on a fixed itinerary. Roads are winding and may be affected by rain or maintenance. Walking is practical within villages and for organised excursions, but rural paths may be steep and unmarked.

Best landmarks in Nyumakele

Lake Dzialandzé is Nyumakele’s most distinctive natural landmark, a crater lake whose setting reflects Anjouan’s volcanic formation and mountainous interior. Its importance is scenic and geographical rather than architectural, and reaching it may involve rough tracks, changing weather and locally guided walking. The coastal setting around Moya provides another recognisable feature of the region, where volcanic land meets the Indian Ocean and small settlements are framed by steep green slopes. Across Nyumakele, village mosques and compact settlement clusters form the principal built landmarks, expressing the enduring role of Islam and community life in Anjouan. The region’s cultivated hillsides are also significant: terraces, gardens and plantations show how residents have adapted farming to confined volcanic valleys and sharply rising terrain. Rather than a concentration of grand monuments, Nyumakele’s visual identity comes from the relationship between crater landscapes, narrow roads, villages, agricultural slopes and the sea.

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Best restaurants in Nyumakele

Dining in Nyumakele is informal and closely connected to household cooking, local produce and the availability of the day’s catch. Rice is a staple, commonly served with fish, meat, vegetables, beans, coconut-based preparations or spicy sauces. Bananas, cassava and other root crops are important in rural diets, while cloves, vanilla and other aromatic plants reflect Anjouan’s agricultural heritage. Around Moya and larger settlements, visitors may find modest cafés, small local eateries and food stalls, but choices can be limited and opening patterns are not always predictable. Guesthouses and locally arranged accommodation are often the most reliable places to request a meal, particularly outside the main roads. Markets and village shops provide fruit, bread, snacks and drinks for excursions. Seafood is most naturally associated with coastal communities, although availability depends on weather and local supply. Visitors should carry provisions when travelling into the uplands and should ask about ingredients if they have dietary restrictions.

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Best bars in Nyumakele

Nyumakele does not have a major nightclub scene, and evening life is generally centred on family gatherings, neighbourhood conversation, small cafés and modest restaurants rather than late-night entertainment. In keeping with the Comoros’ predominantly Muslim culture, alcohol is not central to public social life and should never be assumed to be available. Moya and the larger villages offer the best chance of finding a simple evening meal or informal meeting place, while rural areas become quiet after dark. Accommodation hosts can advise on appropriate local venues, but visitors should not expect fixed entertainment schedules, cocktail bars or large music clubs. Evening walks should be limited to familiar, well-lit areas, and travellers staying outside settled centres may prefer to spend the night at their accommodation. Occasional celebrations, weddings and community events can bring music and social activity, but these are local occasions rather than dependable tourist nightlife.

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Best nightclubs in Nyumakele

Nyumakele does not have a major nightclub scene, and evening life is generally centred on family gatherings, neighbourhood conversation, small cafés and modest restaurants rather than late-night entertainment. In keeping with the Comoros’ predominantly Muslim culture, alcohol is not central to public social life and should never be assumed to be available. Moya and the larger villages offer the best chance of finding a simple evening meal or informal meeting place, while rural areas become quiet after dark. Accommodation hosts can advise on appropriate local venues, but visitors should not expect fixed entertainment schedules, cocktail bars or large music clubs. Evening walks should be limited to familiar, well-lit areas, and travellers staying outside settled centres may prefer to spend the night at their accommodation. Occasional celebrations, weddings and community events can bring music and social activity, but these are local occasions rather than dependable tourist nightlife.

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Best shops in Nyumakele

Shopping in Nyumakele is practical and local rather than centred on large retail districts. Village shops and small markets sell fruit, vegetables, rice, snacks, household goods and drinks, while larger settlements on Anjouan provide a broader choice of everyday supplies. Visitors may encounter locally grown spices and aromatic products associated with the island, including cloves and vanilla, although quality, packaging and availability vary. Coconut products, woven goods and small handmade items can sometimes be bought directly from local producers or through personal introductions. Moya and other populated areas are more useful for provisions than for dedicated souvenir shopping, so travellers should not wait until a rural excursion to purchase essentials. Bargaining should be polite and moderate where prices are not fixed, and photographs of vendors or workshops require permission. For dependable gifts, choose clearly labelled local products and carry enough Comorian francs, since small traders generally do not accept cards.

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Nyumakele essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Comorian franc, coded KMF, used throughout the Union of the Comoros. Cash is the dependable form of payment in Nyumakele, while card acceptance is limited and should not be assumed at guesthouses, shops, restaurants or transport points. Withdrawals and currency exchange are easier in the larger towns of Anjouan than in rural settlements. Keep small notes for shared taxis, refreshments and modest purchases, and carry enough cash for the full period outside the island’s main service centres.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary precautions with valuables and keep personal belongings secure in transport and busy areas. The more significant risks in Nyumakele are practical: rough roads, limited lighting, slippery paths, tropical heat, heavy rain and difficult access to medical care. Follow local advice before swimming, particularly where currents or unmarked shorelines are involved. Avoid walking unfamiliar rural routes alone after dark, use a reliable local driver or guide, and check weather conditions before travelling to upland or coastal sites.
Emergency Situations
For urgent police assistance in the Comoros, dial 17; for the fire service, dial 18. Medical and rescue arrangements outside Anjouan’s main centres can be limited, and ambulance availability may vary, so ask accommodation staff or local authorities for the quickest current medical contact. In a serious emergency, the practical priority may be arranging transport to a larger medical facility on Anjouan. Travellers should carry essential medicines, insurance details and a charged phone, and should not rely on remote areas having immediate ambulance, coastguard or mountain-rescue coverage.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress conservatively in villages and when visiting mosques or religious gatherings, and remove shoes where local custom requires it. Ask before photographing residents, ceremonies, homes or places of worship. A calm greeting and patience are appreciated, while public displays of affection and conspicuous behaviour are best avoided. Do not enter cultivated plots or private compounds without permission, and take all rubbish away from beaches and countryside. Tipping is not governed by a universal regional rule, so offer it only when appropriate and appreciated.
Local Tips
Nyumakele is easier to appreciate when treated as a rural landscape rather than a checklist of formal attractions. Ask locally about the best approach to Lake Dzialandzé, coastal walks around Moya and suitable village guides, since tracks and access conditions can change. Learn a few polite Comorian expressions even though French is widely useful in official settings. Buy fruit, spices and other provisions in larger settlements before heading into the countryside, and build flexibility into plans because weather, road conditions and boat or taxi arrangements may alter the day.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloSalama[sah-lah-mah]
GoodbyeTsyamaka[tsee-yah-mah-kah]
YesEhe[eh-heh]
NoAla[ah-lah]
Please/You're welcomeTafadhali[tah-fah-dah-lee]
Thank youAsante[ah-sahn-teh]
Excuse me/SorryPole[poh-leh]
How are you?Habari gani?[hah-bah-ree gah-nee]
Fine. And you?Nzuri. Na wewe?[nzoor-ee nah weh-weh]
Do you speak English?Unajua Kiingereza?[oo-nah-joo-ah kee-in-geh-reh-zah]
I don't understandSielewi[see-eh-leh-wee]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseNingependa kuona menyu, tafadhali[neen-geh-pen-dah koo-oh-nah men-yoo tah-fah-dah-lee]
I don't eat meatSikuli nyama[see-koo-lee nyah-mah]
Cheers!Afya![ah-fyah]
I would like to pay, pleaseNingependa kulipa, tafadhali[neen-geh-pen-dah koo-lee-pah tah-fah-dah-lee]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Msaada![m-sah-dah]
Go away!Ondoka![on-doh-kah]
Call the Police!Piga simu polisi![pee-gah see-moo poh-lee-see]
Call a doctor!Piga simu daktari![pee-gah see-moo dahk-tah-ree]
I'm lostNimepotea[nee-meh-poh-teh-ah]
I'm illNinaumwa[nee-nah-oom-wah]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ningependa kununua...[neen-geh-pen-dah koo-noo-nwah]
I'm just lookingNatazama tu[nah-tah-zah-mah too]
How much is it?Ni bei gani?[nee beh-ee gah-nee]
That's too expensiveHiyo ni ghali sana[hee-yoh nee gah-lee sah-nah]
Can you lower the price?Unaweza kupunguza bei?[oo-nah-weh-zah koo-poon-gah-zah beh-ee]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Ni saa ngapi?[nee sah ahn-gah-pee]
It's one o'clockNi saa moja[nee sah ah-moh-jah]
Half past (10)Nusu ya (10)[noo-soo yah ten]
MorningAsubuhi[ah-soo-boo-hee]
AfternoonMchana[m-chah-nah]
EveningJioni[jee-oh-nee]
YesterdayJana[jah-nah]
TodayLeo[leh-oh]
TomorrowKesho[keh-shoh]
1Moja[moh-jah]
2Mbili[m-bee-lee]
3Tatu[tah-too]
4Nne[n-neh]
5Tano[tah-noh]
6Sita[see-tah]
7Saba[sah-bah]
8Nane[nah-neh]
9Tisa[tee-sah]
10Kumi[koo-mee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wapi ...?[wah-pee]
What's the address?Nini anwani?[nee-nee ahn-wah-nee]
Can you show me (on the map)?Unaweza kunionyesha (katika ramani)?[oo-nah-weh-zah koo-nee-oh-nyesh-ah kah-tee-kah rah-mah-nee]
When's the next (bus)?Basi inayofuata ni lini?[bah-see ee-nah-yoh-foo-ah-tah nee lee-nee]
A ticket (to ....)Tiketi (kwenda ....)[tee-keh-tee kwen-dah]

History of Nyumakele

Early settlement and Indian Ocean connections

Anjouan’s history developed through successive movements of people across the western Indian Ocean. African communities, Malagasy settlers and seafaring groups connected to the Swahili coast established villages and cultivated the island’s volcanic soils. Arab and Persian merchants later strengthened links with East Africa, Madagascar and the wider Islamic trading world. Nyumakele’s valleys and sheltered southern coastline formed part of this wider island society, whose economy combined farming, fishing and maritime exchange rather than relying on a single urban centre.

The sultanates of Anjouan

From the medieval period, Anjouan was organised around local sultanates and hereditary ruling families whose authority extended through villages, agricultural districts and coastal settlements. Islam became deeply embedded in public and cultural life, while mosques, religious learning and customary law helped shape community organisation. Political power was often connected to control of fertile land, ports and trade networks. The dispersed villages of southern Anjouan reflect this long history of settlement on difficult volcanic terrain.

Plantations and European influence

During the nineteenth century, European commercial interests expanded in the Comoros, particularly through plantation agriculture and the export of crops such as cloves, ylang-ylang and vanilla. France established a protectorate over Anjouan in 1886, and the island was later incorporated into the French colonial administration of the Comoros. The colonial economy altered land use, labour patterns and commercial links, while local farming and village institutions continued alongside plantation production.

Colonial administration and rural transformation

Under French rule, roads, administrative structures and export agriculture became more important, although development remained uneven across Anjouan’s mountainous interior and south. Nyumakele retained a strongly rural character, with communities dependent on cultivation, small-scale trade and connections to coastal settlements. Plantation crops, especially aromatic and spice-producing plants, became part of the island’s enduring economic identity. Many present-day landscapes still combine household gardens with remnants of commercial agriculture.

Independence and the Comorian state

The Comoros became independent from France in 1975, although Mayotte remained under French administration. The new state inherited a scattered island geography, limited infrastructure and substantial differences between urban and rural communities. Nyumakele became part of the independent Union of the Comoros through Anjouan, with local life continuing to revolve around agriculture, village networks, religious institutions and family links across the Indian Ocean.

Anjouan’s political crisis and later integration

Anjouan was at the centre of a major political crisis in the late 1990s, when its authorities sought greater autonomy and later independence from the Comorian state. The crisis affected movement, administration and economic life across the island. In 2008, the Comorian government, supported by regional forces, reasserted control. Subsequent constitutional arrangements gave the islands a degree of autonomous administration, while Nyumakele remained one of Anjouan’s predominantly rural regions.

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