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Discovery tour on Îlot Mbouzi: natural wonders and eventful history!
On September 20, 2025, 40 people visited the Îlot Mbouzi Nature Reserve in Mayotte to explore its cultural heritage and biodiversity.
Discovery tour on Îlot Mbouzi: natural wonders and eventful history!
On September 20, 2025, a special event took place on Îlot Mbouzi, a picturesque nature reserve: around 40 visitors flocked to the small island as part of the European Heritage Days. The Îlot Mbouzi, which lies on the eastern side of Mayotte in an enchanted lagoon area, is not only a scenic delight, but also has an eventful history. The island used to serve as an isolation facility for lepers who lived here from 1935 onwards. In 1955 the colony contained about 150 sufferers, and a former building was used as a medical center, with doctors and nurses visiting weekly to help.
Today, Îlot Mbouzi is much more than a sad place of isolation. It is considered one of the last facilities that still retains traces of this history. The surviving buildings, including the Leproserie, were selected for the Loto du Patrimoine to be restored and made accessible to researchers and interested tourists. Mohamed Thani Ibouroi, the conservator of the reserve, emphasizes the importance of these initiatives: “It is crucial to preserve our natural heritage and pass on history,” said Ibouroi.
The diversity of nature
The reserve covers a total area of 140 hectares and offers both an impressive coastal strip and rich marine areas. The 80 hectares of land are home to over 300 plant species, including 14 notable and protected species and 28 of cultural interest. Particularly noteworthy is one of the last relics of the endemic dry forest vegetation that is in decline in Mayotte.
The marine area contains fascinating ecosystems with a variety of marine life, including black corals, impressive sponge-like structures and various species of fish. Common visitors to the waters include dolphins, sea turtles and even dugongs. But the wonderful biodiversity faces several challenges, including the tracks of Cyclone Chido, lagoon pollution and an overpopulation of rats that threaten the habitat.
A place of heritage and research
The Îlot Mbouzi is not just a place for relaxation; it is also an important focal point for researchers who want to learn more about the local flora and fauna. Future research projects should help to deepen knowledge about this historic and ecologically valuable place and show how closely history and nature are intertwined here.
Visitors to the Îlot have already felt a personal connection to the place's deep history. One participant from La Réunion in particular felt drawn to the fates of the former residents. It is stories like these that make Îlot Mbouzi a living place of remembrance and keep it popular with those interested in history and nature.
Overall, the reserve shows the importance of protecting both natural and cultural heritage. The challenges are many, but with the support of interested visitors and researchers, Îlot Mbouzi could continue to exist as both a retreat and a vibrant learning center for the future.
For more information about the Îlot Mbouzi, visit la1ere and reserves-naturelles. You can also find other exciting nature conservation projects on the website of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.