At 660 meters, Mount Bénara is the highest point in Mayotte and the centerpiece of its most rewarding hike. The trail through the Massif du Bénara passes through patches of primary rainforest that are remarkably intact for such a small and populated island. Flying foxes (large fruit bats) roost in the trees, and on a clear day the summit gives views across both the north and south of the island, the lagoon, and the distant silhouettes of the Comoros.
The hike takes around four to five hours return. Start early to avoid midday heat. The trailhead is accessible from the village of Dzoumogné in the north of Grande-Terre. A guide is recommended, as the paths are not always well-marked.