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Rum, wine, vanilla · Mayotte

Ylang-ylang and vanilla plantations

Photo: Frédéric Ducarme, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The “perfume island”: essential oil distilling and a spice garden

At a glance

Theme
Rum, wine, vanilla
Duration
2–3 h
Season
Flowers all year, peak May — December
Start
Mamoudzou and the north-east

Mayotte is called the perfume island because of ylang-ylang: the trees are pruned so the branches grow downwards and the flowers can be picked from the ground. On farms in the centre of the island you are shown the picking and the distilling in a copper still, vanilla vines, cinnamon and pepper.

Few producers remain, and a visit supports the craft. Buy the oil and vanilla directly from the farm.

Where to book

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We describe a type of tour, not a specific offer. Prices, schedules and availability are on the booking platforms. Duration and season are a rough guide.

Departure point on the map

Purple dot: departure area (approximate); orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.

Where to stay near the start

All places to stay in the area →

Things to see nearby

Sakouli beach Beach Sakouli beach A quiet beach on the east coast with a view of the islets≈ 12 kmDzaoudzi rock History Dzaoudzi rock The old colonial capital on a rock≈ 13 kmLake Dziani Nature Lake Dziani An emerald lake in a volcanic crater≈ 16 kmAround Lake Dziani Hike Around Lake Dziani A walk along the rim of the crater with its green lake≈ 16 km

Other tours on Mayotte

All tours →
A day on the lagoon by boat Sea and lagoon A day on the lagoon by boatDolphins, a white-sand islet and snorkelling on the barrier reef A full dayAll year; drier May — OctoberHumpback whales in the lagoon Whales, dolphins, turtles Humpback whales in the lagoonFemales with calves come inside the reef Half a day to a full dayJuly — OctoberThe turtles of N'Gouja and Saziley Whales, dolphins, turtles The turtles of N'Gouja and SazileyA swim above the seagrass and night-time nesting watches 2–3 hAll year; nesting peaks April — JuneDiving the Passe en S Sea and lagoon Diving the Passe en SA winding channel through the reef — the island's top dive site Half a dayAll year; best visibility May — NovemberMount Choungui with a guide Guided hikes Mount Choungui with a guideA steep climb to 594 m with an all-round view of the lagoon 3–4 hMay — OctoberPetite-Terre: Lake Dziani and the Moya beaches Guided hikes Petite-Terre: Lake Dziani and the Moya beachesA green crater lake and two beaches in volcanic coves Half a dayAll year, best in the morning