Islands Explorer
São Tomé and Príncipe Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
Imagine travelling to tropical islands with white palm fringed beaches, crystal clear water, unexplored jungle and a friendly people who rarely see tourists. Welcome to São Tomé and Príncipe, a remote archipelago off the coast of central Africa that few people have even heard of, let alone been to. On our tour we explore the colonial heritage of the islands by staying in restored plantation houses, walk through unspoiled forests in the interior and relax on pristine beaches. Explore a truly undiscovered destination.
Tour Highlights
• Discover a largely undiscovered, uniquely rewarding, and safe destination with an exciting blend
• Swim from the black sand beaches at São João dos Angloares
• Take a boat to tiny Rolas Island and walk to the equator line
• Take a bike ride (or travel by car if you prefer) to a local cocoa plantation to see how chocolate is made
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
5/5
Culture
3/5
History
3/5
Wildlife
3/5
Tour Pace
3/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in São Tomé
Arrive in São Tomé and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax or start exploring the town on your own. Overnight at Avenida Residencial Hotel, or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements are included today.
Note: A compulsory hotel tax of 3 Euros (subject to change), per person, per night is levied by all hotels and must be paid in person when checking out.
Day 2: São Tomé city tour
Today after a welcome briefing we explore São Tomé town on foot. We visit the Post Office and the Tourist Office to pick up postcards and beautiful stamps, and a map. We also visit Independence Square, the National Museum and the bustling market. Lunch is a light bite at the surprisingly urban C.A.C.A.U art & museum space. This afternoon we visit the Corallo Chocolate Factory for a chocolate presentation and tasting. The afternoon is at your own leisure to relax and continue the exploration on your own. Overnight at Avenida Residencial Hotel, or similar. (B)
São Tomé Town
Founded in the 15th century by Portuguese slavers, this small town is full of fading colonial buildings, giving it a charming ambience and making it a great place to wander round, especially in the early morning or the late hours of the afternoon. The town has a handful of good restaurants which make for a scenic and relaxing place to grab some food and a beer and watch life go by.
Day 3: São Tomé – Monte Café Plantation - São Tomé (Approx. driving time today: 1 hour)
This morning we visit the Valúdo coconut factory near Tridade to try the products and meet with the owner. We continue up to the Nova Moka coffee plantation for a guided tour through the yard/orchard and along coffee plantation paths on to Monte Café. We then walk a brief way to Roça Saudade for a relaxing break in a rainforest setting before returning to the hotel. In the late afternoon, transfer to a sand cards workshop with local artist and musician Guilherme Carvalho. The rest of the evening is at leisure. The tour leader can point out local restaurants for you to explore. Overnight at Avenida Residencial Hotel, or similar. (BL)
Day 4: São Tomé – Príncipe (Domestic Flight)
After an early breakfast we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Príncipe. On arrival transfer to your accommodation, the Roça Belo Monte. The rest of the day is left at leisure. There will be no driver/guide accompanying you when in Principe. Overnight at Roça Sundy, or similar. (BD)
Days 5 and 6: Príncipe at leisure
These two days are left at leisure for you to relax and explore Santo António, the capital of Príncipe, as well as the rest of the island at your own pace. Many activities such as visits to other plantations, kayaking trips or walking and diving excursions can be arranged directly from your accommodation. Overnights at Roça Sundy, or similar. (BD)
Day 7: Príncipe - São Tomé (Domestic Flight) – São João
Transfer to the airport for the short flight back to São Tomé and transfer to São João along the east coast, with the opportunity to stop by the post office, pharmacy/supermarket en route. We have a brief stop at Voice of America and visit the dramatic Boca do Inferno (Hells Mouth) rock formation, reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway. There is also the chance for a dip in the ocean at mystical 7 Ondas Beach. Continue on to São João where you can take a walk on the plantation before dinner. Overnight at Mionga Hotel, or similar. (BD)
São João dos Angolares
The settlement of São João dos Angolares sits on the east coast of the island and represents the heart of Angolar culture, a fishing community made up of descendants of runaway Angolan slaves. The inhabitants speak Angolar, a unique Creole dialect found nowhere else.
Plantations
São Tomé’s initial raison d’etre was effectively as an enormous plantation, populated by an increasingly diverse Creole society. Portuguese traders imported unfortunate souls from the African interior, setting them to work on sugar cane plantations, and the island soon became the most important producer of the commodity in Africa, fuelled by slave labour under brutal conditions. Sugar cultivation declined from the 16th century onwards under competition from better quality cane from the New World, and after a long period of abandonment, serving as a refuelling water stop for transatlantic ships and as a depot for slaves. In the 19th century São Tomé’s plantation owners turned to coffee and cocoa, establishing themselves as a serious presence on the world market. The Portuguese abolition of slavery in the late 19th century did little to improve conditions for workers, but pressure from international buyers eventually meant that minor changes were made to the plantations, which had schools and hospitals built on each property. After independence in 1975 the plantations were nationalised and production declined enormously, and now, although re-privatised, they are a shadow of their former selves. Some of the old plantation guesthouses now allow tourists to stay, giving a unique insight into the history of this tiny country.
Day 8: São João - Ilhéu das Rolas – Mucumbli
After a relaxing breakfast, continue your journey to the southern tip of São Tomé Island and transfer by boat from Ponta Baleia to Rolas Island, straddling the equator. On arrival, take a 1-hour hike via the real equator to the equator mark viewpoint and have a beach lunch at beautiful Praia Café with the opportunity for a dip. This afternoon take a boat trip up the west coast (approx. 2.5 hours) to Neves where we transfer to nearby Mucumbli. You may wish to visit the beach or take a botanical walk around the grounds. Overnight at Roça Monte Fortei, or similar. (BLD)
Day 9: Mucumbli – Excursion to the Northern Plantations
This morning we visit Diogo Vaz cocoa plantation. This can be done by cycling (approx. 8km) or by a short transfer by car. We take a couple of hours exploring the plantation on easy trails before a simple lunch at the plantation’s cabin restaurant. After lunch we visit the fermentation/drying complex, located on the other side of the road before returning to Mucumbli for a relaxing afternoon. You may wish to visit the beach or take a botanical walk around the grounds. Those who chose to cycle can continue along the scenic coast road towards Sta Catarina, with the opportunity for visiting a new women’s embroidery project. Overnight at Roça Monte Forte, or similar. (BLD)
Note: If you would like to visit the cocoa plantation by bicycle, no car or driver will be included. Bikes can be rented from the hotel.
Day 10: Mucumbli at leisure - São Tomé (Approx. 1 hour drive) - Departure from São Tomé
Spend the morning at leisure. There are a number of activities that can be arranged directly with your hotel. You may also wish to visit an interesting social/school project in Neves (30min walk, each way) – please inform your guide in advance if you wish to take part in this optional activity (to be paid locally). In the afternoon, we leave for the capital with a stop for shopping in town en-route before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight tonight. (B)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Essential Info
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of São Tomé and Príncipe that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals do not require a visa for a tourist visit to São Tomé and Príncipe for up to 15 days.
Algeria. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
