Best of Sao Tome and Principe in 18 days

Overview

Take your time and get under the skin of this tropical paradise with our Best of Sao Tome and Principe holiday.

Sao Tome feels like a genuine frontier of tourism, away from the crowds and mostly untouched. We’ve created an itinerary that allows you to truly explore these paradise islands. We’ll take you to the north, south, east and west of Sao Tome and then treat you to plenty of time exploring the jewel in the crown – remote Principe island.

You’ll start on the beaches of the east coast and, accompanied by our guides, will be introduced to the charm and laid-back attitude of these islands. Your guided days will be private just for you and we’ll include a mix of island tours and guided walks taking you into the rainforest. Sao Tome coffee and chocolate are world-class and you’ll taste the goods at the source.

Next our guides will show you the south as you tour to the deserted, perfect, southern beaches. Stay in an eco-lodge a stone’s throw from golden sands – slide through the fascinating mangroves on a boat tour – there’s plenty of time available to lie on the beach, and snorkel in the warm, crystal clear waters.

You’ll fly to Príncipe to explore this special island. Sao Tome’s national motto is ‘leve-leve’ – translated as ‘slow-slow’. If anything, Principe is more laid back! Join our guides on forest exploration, island jeep tours and snorkelling boat trips around the deserted north coast.

Back on Sao Tome you’ll stay near to and tour Sao Tome city before finishing at Mucumbli Lodge on the west coast. Walk hidden trails in the western rainforest – see secret waterfalls and experience the remote primary forest. Take bicycles to the west coast road end at Santa Catarina and relax in your lodge.

As you depart, you will really feel that you have experienced the Best of Sao Tome and Principe!

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Itinerary

Day 1

This itinerary works well starting on a Friday. If another start day is better for you, that's fine, we can tailor any trip to suit. Today you'll fly to Lisbon and stay in a hotel adjacent to the airport so that you are placed to catch tomorrow's morning flight to Sao Tome.

Day 2

Return to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. If you are lucky you'll spot the Eye of Africa from the air, whilst crossing northern Africa. On arrival at Sao Tome you'll be met for your transfer to your hotel. We've suggested Club Santana here - the itinerary also works with a stay at Omali Lodge or Pestana Sao Tome. Dinner is included tonight.

Day 3

Today's free so you can relax in to the pace of life on these idyllic and charming islands. You can borrow snorkels and see shoals of fish near the rocks in front of the hotel. You might also like to paddle the hotels kayaks, stand up paddle boards or baby catamaran along the coast. You can also venture into Santana village and visit the school, church and market. Santana is a bustling hub with plenty going on and will offer an insight into what life is like on the islands.

Day 4

You'll be met for a guided day out, including a walk in the primary rainforest to the hidden crater of Lagoa Amelia. You’ll pass through agricultural forest land before entering the Obo National Park and the rainforest. There are many medicinal plants and trees, and endemic birds to spot as you explore. Cresting the rim, you’ll make a short descent into the volcanic crater of Lagoa Amelia and will learn the history and legends surrounding the now-dry lake.

Day 5

Today's an adventure along the east coast road. Your guides will show you plantation houses, Portuguese colonial history, wonderful beaches and the many communities who harvest nature's abundance on the east coast. Lunch is a nine course tasting lunch at the Roca Sao Joao, with chef João Carlos Silva and his team preparing the nine individual courses in his open plan kitchen-restaurant. Later on, check in to Praia Inhame, sited right on it's own amazing beach.

Day 6

Into the mangroves - on a boat tour of the watery world. Glide through the trees and roots, watching for mudskippers rushing from your boat and listening for the calls of tropical birds. After your tour, embrace the pace of life and explore Praia Inhame's perfect beach, a sweep of sand overhung by fronds of tropical trees.

Day 7

You have return transfers to the islet of Rolas, in a pirogue style boat. There are gorgeous sandy beaches to the west of the pier and explore the trails that criss-cross the islet, walking up to the Equator mark. It's fun to stand one leg either side of the equator mark!

Day 8

You'll return up the east coast to the airport and cross to Principe. Viewed from the air, Principe appears to be uninhabited and untouched but as you get closer you'll spot the few houses of the sparse population. You'll be met and transferred to your accommodation. Here we've suggested the Roca Belo Monte but this itinerary also works with a stay at the Bom Bom resort, or at the exclusive Sundy Praia. Let us know your preference and we can tailor and cost the trip for you. This afternoon perhaps spend time at the private Banana Beach - made famous by the Bacardi advert of the early 90's.

Day 9

It's best not to have a strict schedule on Principe but we'll outline what's possible here! Today you might like to join a Principe Explorer jeep tour visiting the Sundy Plantation, Paciencia, Abade fishing village and Nova Estrela viewpoint. The jeep tours are a great way to see real life on the island, as well as its interesting geology.

Day 10

The north of the island holds many hidden secrets including deserted tropical beaches. Join a snorkelling boat tour and weave in and out of sandy bays, with plenty of chances to swim with the tropical sea life.

Day 11

Take a guided walk through the jungle to ascend Pico Papagaio - one of Príncipe’s most famous mountains. Visible from the town of Santo Antonio, it is approximately 700 metres high and is formed from volcanic basalt. It's surrounded by secondary and primary rainforest, within the boundaries of the National Park. The challenging trek takes you to the top of the mountain and you’ll see monkeys, native birds, orchids and medicinal plants along the way. The views along the way and from the top are spectacular!

Day 12

Perhaps you might like to join your local guide on a bird-watching walk through the forest. Principe is remarkably untouched, and its wildlife flourishes undisturbed in the primary and secondary rainforest that covers the island. You'll spend 2-3 hours looking for the beautiful tropical birds that are endemic to this special environment. Sao Tome and Principe have the highest density of endemic birds worldwide and, of the 75 species that regularly occur on the islands, 8 are endemic to Príncipe. Time spent looking for these birds is unforgettable.

Day 13

You'll check out and return to Sao Tome, staying in Omali Lodge on the outskirts of the city. We'll leave today free to relax. You can arrange transfers in to town if you would like to explore, or have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 14

Today's a private walking tour of Sao Tome city with your English-speaking guide. You'll visit the bustling old and new markets and tour the former Portuguese colonial buildings that make up the city centre. Your guide will take you to lunch at a restaurant where you can sample the local cuisine of fish, seafood, beans, maize, cooked banana, and the many tropical fruits that grow abundantly here. Later on we'll transfer you to Mucumbli Lodge on Sao Tome's west coast.

Day 15

The Angolares waterfall is deep in the forest, accessible via paths that link to a levada passing the entrance to the waterfall gorge. You'll join your guide on a ride through the jungle to the start of the walk - then leave the jeep behind and follow a levada through the trees. Keep your wits about you as there are times where the levada path is uneven and unprotected. You'll pass through tunnels - some containing bats - before emerging at the spectacular falls.

Day 16

We've included bike and helmet hire so that you can self-guide and explore. It's lovely to explore the road that takes you south from Mucumbli. You'll cycle through small villages to the little town of Santa Catarina and if you have the energy you can go all the way to the end of the road.

Day 17

We'll include your room all day so you can relax and use the facilities. Later on we'll transfer you to the airport for your overnight flight to Lisbon.

Day 18

Change flights in Lisbon and return to London, your heads swimming with memories of this special trip.

From £5,985 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

Please contact us for a personalised itinerary showing inclusions and exclusions. As a general guide, our itinerary includes * International flights from London to São Tomé and back * Inter island flights * Accommodation at Club Santana on a half board basis * Accommodation at Praia Inhame on a half board basis * Accommodation at Belo Monte on a half board basis * Accommodation at Omali on a bed and breakfast basis * Accommodation at Mucumbli on a half board basis * Tours on Sao Tome as described * All necessary transfers as described. As a general guide, our itinerary excludes * Tours on Principe if staying at Belo Monte (pay direct on the day) * Meals not specified above * Insurance * Additional excursions on free days.