Mamoudzou

Introduction

Mamoudzou is the capital and the largest town of the French overseas collectivity of Mayotte. It has a population of roughly 55,000 and is located in the central east of Grande-Terre (or Mahoré), the main island of Mayotte. Mamoudzou has been the capital since 1977, before which it was Dzaoudzi. Although it is the capital of Mayotte, there really is not much going on here. There are some nice markets and the town is located right on the Indian Ocean and dolphin and whales can be seen on boat trips in season. There are however basic facilities, with shops, restaurants and bars and some decent places to stay.

Sights and Activities

The daily market is very colorful and bustling.

Go on boat rides into the lagoon to watch dolphins and whales (seasonal).

Events and Festivals

There are various festivals in Mayotte, which are celebrated with great fanfare and enthusiasm. Some of the important festivals that are celebrated here include New Years Day (1 January), Christmas (25 December), Easter Monday, Abolition Day (27th April ) among others.

Weather

Mamoudzou has a warm and humid climate, with some relief of the heath by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Temperatures generally are around 30 °C during the day, and still above 20 °C at night. November to April is slightly warmer, May to October a bit cooler. Rain is present during all months, but is more and heavier from November to May. August to October is the driest period and temperatures are fine as well, making this the best time to travel to Mamoudzou. Hurricanes are possible from December to February, so it is best to avoid this time.

Getting Around

Driving a car is "exciting". The locals tend to bend the rules of the road so caution is necessary at all times.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

External Links