Overview

You won’t find a better way to explore this stunning island than our Undiscovered Sao Tome holiday, where you can combine your love for nature with history and adventure.

There is a lot to see on this island and our first stop is Sao Tome City, where we visit the street markets, National Museum and art gallery of Cacao with one of our local guides. Many of the old colonial buildings have fallen into disrepair, and this adds to the sense of adventure.

Heading south we pass the villages of the Angolares – fishing people and descendants of runaway slaves whose lives have changed little since settling. The coast is rugged and volcanic, with palms and jungle stretching down to the shoreline.

Our Undiscovered São Tomé holiday also includes a quick stop at old cocoa and coffee plantations to learn how some of the finest chocolate in the world is produced. Visit the much-photographed Boca d’Inferno, an active blowhole that shoots up water, and the beautiful surfing beach of Cete Ondas – Seven Waves. Cross over to the small island of Ilheu das Rolas to stand on the equator and explore the rainforests of the interior.

At the end relax on the west coast, where you can watch the sunset from your own balcony, or hire a bike and visit a nearby cocoa cooperative.

Contact one of our team to find out more about our Undiscovered Sao Tome holiday – it is also possible to extend your trip with a visit to the island of Principe.

 

Itinerary

Fly from Heathrow to Lisbon. On arrival walk (5 mins) to the Tryp airport hotel.
Walk to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Club Santana. Please note that at certain times of the year you will be staying at Omali Lodge instead of Club Santana.
The Tour of Sao Tome City includes a visit to St Sebastian fortress where you learn about the colonial history of the islands, a guided walk through the city centre, a visit to the city cathedral, Independence Square, Gallery of Cacao and the Municipal Market, and to the fishing village of Pantufo to taste locally-smoked fish and learn about the traditional fishing methods. Lunch in the city is included.
Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to Roca Sao Joao. En-route stopping at Boca do Inferno, Agua Ize plantation and Praia Sete Ondas. Lunch is at the plantation of Sao Joao.
Free day - cookery lessons or rainforest walk can be organised through the roca. These may need to be pre-booked before departure.
Drive to Porto Alegre and stay at Inham Eco Lodge. Rest of the day free.
Guided trip to discover Malanza mangrove forest in traditional dugout canoe.
Day trip to Ilheu das Rolas. Skip between the northern and southern hemispheres at the equator, and do a short walk through the forest before returning to the mainland in the late afternoon.
Transfer to Roca Bombaim with visit to Trinidade village, Bombaim waterfall, rainforest and plantation excursion en-route.
Guided trek to Bombaim through the rainforest. Duration 6 hours, including picnic, snacks and water (alternatively you could do a shorter walk and drive the rest of the way).
Guided trek to Lagoa Amelia. Duration 4 hours - moderate walking, including picnic, snacks and water. After the walk transfer to Mucumbli lodge.
Free day - activities like bike hire and walks, can be organised through the Mucumbli lodge.
Free day - Sit on your balcony and watch the fishermen below in their dugout canoes, birds feeding in the trees below and possibly whales and dolphins out in the bay in front of you.
Morning free until transfer to the airport. Fly back home via Lisbon overnight.

From £2,995 per person

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

INCLUDED: International flights from UK (guide price). Accommodation on Sao Tome in twin share, en-suite rooms on a half board basis (Roca Sao Joao and Bombain have shared bathrooms). Only Lisbon Tryp hotel is on B&B basis. Return airport transfers Sao Tome. Guided excursions as detailed in the itinerary. Support from our local team when on the island. EXCLUDED: Meals not specified above and insurance. Additional excursions on free days.

Accommodation

The accommodation on this trip varies from small comfortable hotels to eco-lodges to former plantation houses (Rocas) that have been tastefully renovated.

Activities

This holiday allows you to experience much of what the island of Sao Tome has to offer and includes time to relax and take in some of the wonders of the islands. However, to get the most out of your visit we have included some interesting experiences which we feel will add value to your trip. On this trip, you not only get to stay in some interesting and lovely places but also have the chance to try a Saontomean cookery lesson, do guided walks in the rainforests of the interior and explore the small island of Rolas.

Location

Our 'Undiscovered Tour of Sao Tome' will give you a wonderful insight into this island and allows you to travel from north to south, and almost east to west. The accommodation in each part of the island you stay is local in style, not luxurious yet comfortable.