You will be met upon your arrival at the International airport in Sao Tome. After clearing immigration, collecting your bags, and passing through customs you will enter the main arrival hall where your tour leader/local guide will be waiting to meet you. Our team will take care of you from here.
Once you have boarded your vehicle, make the short journey to your guesthouse . Once everyone is checked in your guide will brief you on the following day’s activities and answer any questions you may have. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy your early evening meal whilst acclimatizing yourself to West Africa.
Hiking in Lago Amelia
An early breakfast before setting off to the centre of São Tomé that will take you to Bom Sucesso. For those who like to hike, this tour is irresistible, not only because during the walk you climb above 1460 meters offering outstanding views, but also because you will have the opportunity to explore a primary and intact forest full of endemic trees, birds, and plants - many of them are medicinal.
The ascent should take approximately 3 hours at a nice steady comfortable pace and the decent less than 2hours. In the middle of this pristine forest, find the crater of Lagoa Amélia that is believed to be the origin of the formation of the Island of São Tomé. Here you have the privilege of getting to know the giant bigonia, as well as many species of orchids that exist there. Lunch can either be at a local restaurant or you can take a packed lunch to the bush. After a wonderful morning and early afternoon, head back visiting the Bom Sucesso Botanical Gardens on route, where you can find many medicinal and decorative plants.
The aim is to return to our hotel by the early evening to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Colonial Buildings, Museum and Lagoa Azul Beach
After breakfast head to the North of the island of São Tomé. Your first stop will be in Bela Vista, and the local plantation that was one of the largest producers of cocoa on the Island. From here continue to the nearby Roça Boa Entrada to visit one of the most beautiful houses of the colonial era with a unique architecture.
Continue your trip to Roça Agostinho Neto to visit the old Roça Hospital, built during the colonial period it is in a state of degradation. The Agostinho Neto garden is one of the most visited in the country not only for its size, but also for having high-scale architectural buildings as well as a museum housing many antique pieces from the colonial period. You then pass-through Guadalupe, the main city of the Lobata district. The main highlight of your afternoon is visiting the nearby Lagoa Azul Beach, a beautiful beach not only for its configuration, but also for having blue waters that cannot be resisted for a swim. Quality time will be dedicated here enjoying this beautiful location. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant before you will pass by Neves, the industrial city of the country where the famous national beer “Rosema” is produced.
Santana Beach Surfing
This morning after breakfast set off to the best location in Sao Tome for surfing at the beautiful Santana Beach. It is over an hour’s journey and you will be dedicating the whole day to surfing or relaxing at this location. On arrival head to the surf school to collect your instructor and hit the waves.
Lunch will be taken on the beachfront and you will continue your lessons after lunch before heading back to Sao Tome after a full day’s enjoyment in this beautiful setting. Your evening is free time to relax and prepare for our flight to Principe tomorrow.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport to take your flight to the beautiful island of Principe where you will be staying for the next 2 nights. There is an option to leave your main luggage at the hotel and take a smaller bag with enough for the 2 nights you will spend in Principe.
The island of Príncipe is the smallest of the two main islands in the country, with a population of about 8,000 people and stunning pristine forest area called Obo Natural Park. The main population of the island is Santo António. Upon arrival transfer and check into your beautiful hotel. After lunch there is the option to relax all day at your hotel or if you are looking for more of an adventure and to see how life is on this seldom visited Island then you can trek to the Belo Monte and Oke Daniel viewpoints that offer exceptional views over the stunning landscape here. After you return to our hotel, a more relaxed time can be dedicated to snorkeling along the beautiful coastline. The evening will be spent at the hotel, enjoying dinner and this beautiful location.
Obo National Park, Coffee and Cocoa Plantations and Santo Antonio
A relaxing breakfast at your beautiful beach front hotel. After breakfast transfer to the Obo National Park driving through the coffee plantations on route. This is a stunning park, where you visit the botanical gardens prior to setting off on a hike.
The views are beautiful, and you should expect to see many species of birds, butterflies and if you are lucky monkeys. Depending on how long you would like to dedicate to your walk we can arrange a packed lunch or return to the hotel. After lunch explore Principe further, where you visit the old colonial coffee and cocoa plantations on the island and enjoy a walking tour of Santo Antonio. After a wonderful day return to your hotel to freshen up, relax and enjoy your evening.
Principe to Sao Tome and Monte Café Plantation
Your final morning breakfast in this beautiful location before checking out to take your morning flight back to the main Island of Sao Tome. On arrival check back into your hotel before setting off to the centre of the island where you will be 600 meters above sea level, the air is pure, and the nature is lush and beautiful.
The next stop is in the city of Trindade, the second most populated in the country, where there are also strong remnants of Portuguese colonialism. Pass through the village of Batepá, where the mark of Portuguese colonialism is also notorious. A short stop in Batepá is important to learn more about the best palm wine in the country, and lunch will be taken at a local restaurant.
Continue to Roça Monte Café, which was the largest producer of coffee in the country, here you learn the history of Coffee in Sao Tome from the plant to the cup. There is no doubt that no one who drinks coffee can resist coffee from Monte Café, not only for its quality, but also for its aroma and flavor. Learn not only the history, but also how to make your own perfect coffee. The journey continues to visit the São Nicolau Waterfall, the most visited in the country. During your time here we will also visit a small plantation with the same name before returning to your hotel for the evening and to relax.
Your final day in Sao Tome but as your flight leaves in the early evening you still have time to explore the capital Sao Tome. The tour this morning will put you in touch with the history of Portuguese colonialism in São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as the cultures of Cocoa and Coffee. Also, on this tour you will be able to feel the impulse of the city of São Tomé, as well as the affection of Sao-tomean people.
