Mount Ntringui is the highest peak on the island of Anjouan, the second largest and most populous island in the Union of the Comoros. Reaching an elevation of 1,595 meters (5,233 feet), the mountain is the centerpiece of the Mount Ntringui National Park, a critical protected area established in 2010. Unlike the raw, active volcanism of Mount Karthala on Grande Comore, Mount Ntringui is a lush, forested, and deeply eroded volcanic mountain. It is a vital water source for the island and, most importantly, a sanctuary for some of the rarest and most endangered wildlife in the world, making it a premier destination for ecotourists, hikers, and conservationists.

Name and Address

• Name: Mount Ntringui.
• Address: Located in the central highlands of the island of Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Union of the Comoros.

How to Get There

Accessing Mount Ntringui involves traveling to the island of Anjouan and then undertaking a guided trek into the national park.

• Getting to Anjouan: You must first fly into Ouani Airport (AJN) on Anjouan, typically via a short flight from the capital city, Moroni, on Grande Comore.
• By Car/Taxi: From the island’s capital, Mutsamudu, or other towns, you can hire a 4×4 vehicle to take you to the trailhead. The roads into the interior can be rough. A common starting point for the trek is from the village of Dindri.
• Guided Trek (Essential): The trails on Mount Ntringui are not well-marked, and the forest is dense. A local guide is essential for navigation, safety, and for pointing out the unique flora and fauna. Hikes are typically arranged as a challenging full-day trip.
• Visitor Tip: The best time for hiking is during the drier, cooler season from May to November. The trek is demanding and involves steep, often muddy, paths through the forest. It is crucial to be well-prepared with sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, water, and food.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of Mount Ntringui is its stunning and vital natural landscape, a product of ancient volcanism and erosion.

• Forested Volcanic Peak: Mount Ntringui is a deeply eroded, extinct volcano. Its slopes are steep and have been carved by rivers into a series of deep ravines and sharp ridges, creating a dramatic and rugged topography.
• Pristine Montane Forest: The mountain is home to the Moya Forest, the largest remaining tract of native forest on Anjouan. This dense, moist forest is a critical ecosystem, rich in biodiversity.
• Lake Dzialandzé: Nestled in a crater on the mountain’s southeastern flank is Lake Dzialandzé, Anjouan’s largest and most important lake. This beautiful crater lake is a vital source of fresh water for the island and a key habitat for water birds.
• A Source of Rivers: The high rainfall captured by the mountain’s forests feeds numerous permanent rivers and streams that cascade down its slopes, providing water for the entire island.

What Makes It Famous

Mount Ntringui is famous primarily as a critical biodiversity hotspot and the last major refuge for some of the world’s most endangered species.

• A Sanctuary for Endemic Wildlife: Its primary claim to fame is its role in conservation. The forests of Mount Ntringui are one of only two places on earth (along with the island of Mohéli) that are home to the critically endangered Livingstone’s fruit bat, one of the largest bats in the world. It is also a key habitat for other endemic species like the Anjouan scops owl and the mongoose lemur.
• Anjouan’s Highest Point: As the highest peak on the island, it is a significant landmark, offering breathtaking panoramic views across Anjouan and out to the Indian Ocean.
• Pristine Natural Beauty: The combination of its rugged peaks, dense forests, and the beautiful crater lake of Dzialandzé makes it one of the most scenic and unspoiled landscapes in the Comoros.

Differences from Other Wonders

Mount Ntringui offers a very different experience from the other major attractions in the Comoros.

• A Biodiversity Trek vs. an Active Volcano Climb: The main reason to climb Mount Karthala on Grande Comore is to witness the raw power of an active volcano and see into its vast, barren crater. The trek up Mount Ntringui, by contrast, is an ecological journey. The focus is on the lush forest, the search for rare wildlife, and the beauty of the crater lake, not on active volcanism.
• Lush Montane Forest vs. Mysterious Crater Lake: While Lac Niamawi is a single, mysterious, and easily accessible crater lake steeped in legend, Mount Ntringui is a vast, mountainous ecosystem that you must trek through for hours. The experience is about the journey through the forest and the rewarding views from the summit, with the crater lake (Dzialandzé) being one part of the larger landscape.
• A Conservation Focus: A trip to Mount Ntringui is inherently tied to the story of conservation in the Comoros. It provides a direct look at a fragile ecosystem and the critically endangered species that depend on it for survival, offering a more profound ecotourism experience than a simple visit to a scenic spot.