Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
Set along the beautiful Ana Chaves Bay in the northeast of Sao Tome Island, the national capital of Sao Tome is known for its idyllic setting and faded grandeur. This town retains an endearing charm, featuring old Portuguese buildings lining almond tree-fringed streets, crumbling colonial churches, pink palaces and once cascading fountains. Visitors can look forward to visiting the Roca Belo Monte, a notable historic site; strolling along the Ilheu das Rolas Beach; viewing the Presidential Palace; exploring the Fort de Sao Sebastiao, and discovering the Cathedral of Sao Tome.
Located just off the west coast of Africa, Príncipe is the smaller island of the two-island nation of Sao Tome and Principe. This lost world features coffee and cocoa plantations, fabulous sandy beaches and exotic jungle blanketing rugged landscapes inhabited by a host of endemic wildlife. This remote volcanic island is also home to various unique birdlife such as the Principe spierops, golden weaver and sunbird. For adventyre seekers and nature lovers alike, there are several activities to look forward to, including excellent snorkelling, diving, bird watching, and fishing. Must-do activities include spotting triggerfish and turtles in the underwater wonderland around Jockey Cap Island; visiting the unspoilt Praia Banana, the most famous beach on Príncipe; and exploring the surrounding islets which form part of the UNESCO designated Island of Príncipe Biosphere Reserve.
