Îlot M'Bouzi

Îlot M'Bouzi lies in the lagoon just off Mamoudzou, a nature reserve of around eighty hectares with dry forest on it, a population of maki lemurs introduced decades ago, and reef around the shore. An association manages it and runs guided visits and restoration work, removing introduced plants and replanting natives. The crossing from Mamoudzou takes around fifteen minutes. The islet was farmed and then abandoned before being made a reserve in 2007, and the restoration is working against decades of introduced growth. Its position in the lagoon means the reef around it has stayed in reasonable condition.

What you actually see

• The maki lemurs - the introduced population living on the islet.
• The dry forest - the woodland the reserve protects and is restoring.
• The reef - the coral around the islet's shore.
• The restoration work - the replanting the managing association runs.

When to go

May to October is the dry season. Visits must be arranged with the managing association. The wet season brings cyclone risk.

Honest expectations

Visits are by arrangement rather than turning up and are not always available. The lemurs are introduced rather than native to the islet. Facilities are minimal.

Nearby

Mamoudzou is across the water, and Petite-Terre is east.