Bat exodus

There are bats everywhere on the Comoros, but the Livingstone's fruit bats are among the biggest and most endangered. It can only be found on the islands of Mohéli and Anjouan in the Comoros. The wingspan can be up to 1.4 m and the bat itself up to 30 cm. It's black and fury with characteristic round ears and red eyes. There aren't that many Livingstone's fruit bats left in the wild (est. 1200), as their habitat (mountainous jungle) are slowly destroyed and transformed into fields. However, one of the best places to see these giant bats is an hour walk through the jungle and fields outside the village of Ouallah 1 on Mohéli. A local guide can be hired from the village, who are used to show the bats to the few foreigners who get this far.

A deep cave with fairly impressive stalactites. The first section is lighted and deeper exploration is possible but the cave isn't really the attraction here, it is the bats. At dusk thousands of fruit bats (though we didn't counted) leave the cave to go hunt for food. They all exit at the mouth of the cave where it is possible to stand and experience the bat exodus from the inside of the cave. In the dark you can feel the animals navigating centimetres from your head but amazingly never collide with you (or each other). A flash from your camera will reveal how dense the air is with bats.

Big holes, tunnels and cave systems with the biggest known cave chamber (Sarawak Chamber) exist here in Mulu National Park. Some of the caves are show caves with boardwalks and artificial lights on the stalagmites and stalactites, but real caving trips are also possible to arrange with one of the national park's experienced guides. Seeing the Sarawak Chamber (600 m x 415 m x 80 m) is a very difficult and demanding expedition, so don't count on seeing it on your first trip underground. Overground, the jungle and its wildlife can be explored from canopy walks spanning between the tree tops. Don't forget to see the bat exodus at dusk, where millions of bats set out from the caves on their hunt for food. They just keep coming out and draw thick waves in the evening sky. An incredible sight not to be missed.

Namua Island is a small hilly island, which has the most beautiful beach at low tide. It's perfect for a daytrip from Lalomanu, though you can also stay overnight in the open fales. There is a steep trail which leads to the top of the island. From here you have a perfect view over a colony of bats, which sleeps in the top branches. It's quite a sight when the whole colony takes off or arrive back from a food raid.

This tunnel is part of the amazing Water Tunnel Hike. It's full of small bats, which hang from the cliff ceiling. They will fly off when you get close, but they will never hit you.