Discover Sublime Sao Tome & Pristine Principe
Tour Introduction
This itinerary is similar to our other sample tailor-made tour but uses alternative yet still well-run, comfortable accommodation. You start with a friendly guesthouse on Sao Tome’s waterfront, owned by the British consul whose island-born daughter may personally take you out on tours of Sao Tome.
Once in Principe you will stay at Roca Sundy, a restored Portuguese colonial plantation house set high above the coast from where, in 1919, the British scientist Sir Arthur Eddington observed the full eclipse of the sun which enabled him to prove Einstein’s Theory of Relativity (a plaque at the Roca marks the very spot he stood). At the Roca you have daily half-day excursions included in your room rate so you can explore the island with a guide each morning and relax for the rest of the day.
Your final accommodation is at Bom Bom, a beach resort which was the country’s first international hotel over 30 years ago: it has been comprehensively refurbished from 2020 to 2023. (At the time of writing Bom Bom was due to reopen in early 2024, so our current accommodation page photographs are out of date. The new resort will look even better.) There you can relax on the two long beaches, go swimming, kayaking, boating, snorkelling and diving, enjoy birdwatching and cross over via a walkway bridge to the eponymous little island itself to dine with fine views across to the mainland. This trip will reveal to you the essence of these captivating islands, so little known yet so full of surprises.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Sao Tome airport. Met and transfer to your nearby hotel. Time to relax and settle in, perhaps with a swim or a walk along the town’s seafront.
Staying at Emoyeni Gardens. Includes No Meals.
Guided excursion to the south of Sao Tome. Spend time on one of the beaches and have lunch at a small restaurant in Sao João dos Angolares, or at Club Santana Resort for snorkelling or kayaking to Santana Island, with an additional visit to Boco do Inferno blow hole.
Staying at Emoyeni Gardens. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Guided excursion to the centre of Sao Tome island. Perhaps visit a cocoa plantation and botanical garden and enjoy a nature walk. Lunch included, followed by afternoon tea at a chocolate factory.
Staying at Emoyeni Gardens. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Check out and transfer to the airport. Catch a flight to Principe. On arrival, met and transfer to an historic plantation.
Staying at Roca Sundy. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
A morning excursion is included (choose from a comprehensive list). Optional: Transfer to Praia Grande to visit the turtle conservation project based there. Depending on time of year, you might see clutches of eggs or hatchlings scuttling down the beach to the sea. Afternoon to relax at the compound or perhaps walk down to the beach.
Staying at Roca Sundy. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
A morning excursion is included (choose from a comprehensive list). Rest of day is at leisure or choose an optional excursion.
Staying at Roca Sundy. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the coast and your comfortable beach resort. Bom Bom was the first international standard hotel in the islands, opened over 30 years ago, and has been completely renovated to provide a high standard of contemporary comfort. Includes breakfast and dinner.
Staying at Bom Bom Island Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure. On-site non-motorised activities are included, such as kayaking or paddle boarding. Optional activities include guided birdwatching, scuba diving and a boat ride down the wild east coast of Principe for snorkelling and stunning rainforest scenery.
Staying at Bom Bom Island Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure. The beach offers safe swimming.
Staying at Bom Bom Island Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure.
Staying at Bom Bom Island Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the airport. Fly to Sao Tome. Transfer to the hotel.
Staying at Emoyeni Gardens. Includes Breakfast.
Pick up for a tour of the northern part of Sao Tome to include savannah habitat with baobabs, the Blue Lagoon and other sites (lunch not included) before returning to the hotel to pick up your bags and transfer to the airport in the evening. Fly out.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Emoyeni Gardens Hotel
Overview
Emoyeni Gardens is a charming family-run hotel in Sao Tome town with beautiful views of the sea and lovely gardens to enjoy.
The hotel building is fully air conditioned. Rooms are light and airy, simply designed and fuss-free. All first floor rooms have a balcony looking directly over to the small beach in front of the hotel. The garden is small but varied and full of interesting exotic plants, including 20 varieties of palm trees, and many birds.
There is a small pool which is ideal after a day exploring the island. There are several restaurants and cafés within walking distance, and if you don’t feel like making the effort to go out for a meal, there is a restaurant on site where you can order your meals in advance.
There is WiFi throughout the hotel and lovely staff on hand to help with any plans for excursions, maps or guides.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant (meals by arrangement), beach access, high speed WiFi, 24 hour reception, pleasant gardens, laundry facilities, breakfast available (pre book with extra charge), toiletries, swimming pool, English-themed pub with snack menu available from 11 am to 11pm all week, tour guides on request, airport transfers available, yoga in the garden, free guest car parking.
Optional Activities
Tours and excursions are available to book from here, including diving excursions, hiking, car rental, boat trips and visits to the chocolate factory.
Bom Bom Island Resort
Overview
The original, pioneering beach hotel in Sao Tome & Principe, Bom Bom Island Resort opened more than 30 years ago and kickstarted tourism to the small island nation.
The resort is situated on the north coast of Principe and includes the eponymous islet of Bom Bom, connected to the main resort via a long walkway across the water. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and the meals are well prepared. A number of optional and included activities are available, including birdwatching, scuba diving and snorkelling.
There are two gorgeous beaches at the resort: Praia de Coco with firm sand suitable for jogging, and Praia Rita, good for swimming and snorkelling.
PLEASE NOTE: Although the splendid location remains the same, Bom Bom is undergoing a complete refurbishment at the time of writing (August 2023) and will reopen sometime in the first half of 2024 – to be confirmed. Therefore, all the information in this section relates to the previous incarnation, which dates from over 30 years ago: new pictures and a revised description will be added as they become available. Watch this space.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant and bar situated on a smaller island accessed via a walkway, snack bar, access to two beaches, WiFi, laundry facilities, toiletries, spa, dive centre, swimming pool with bar.
Local Wildlife
Various bird species including African grey parrot. Marine life such as dolphins, reef fish and mudskippers.
Optional Activities
Tours and excursions are available including boat trips for diving, dolphin watching and snorkelling, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking and inland excursions.
Hotel Roca Sundy
Overview
Built in 1921, the colonial plantation house of Roca Sundy has been converted into one of the country’s best loved hotels. The estate, which grew coffee as well as coco, is the largest on Principe.
The main building, once the owner’s house, holds the restaurant and bar as well as six spacious rooms, while the annex contains nine more. The grounds are being tidied up and there are plans for a swimming pool and other improvements. In the grounds stands the huge derelict hospital, and there are trails leading through forest and farmland for birdwatching and sea views. It’s a 20-minute walk down through lush vegetation to the sandy Sundy beach where the roca’s fabulous sister hotel, Praia Sundy, is found. The roca is also of historical importance. In May, 1919, the British scientist, Sir Arthur Eddington, visited the plantation to observe a solar eclipse which helped him to prove Einstein’s theory of relativity, a trip which was widely reported around the world.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, lounge, bar, trail to beach, WiFi, reception, laundry facilities.
Local Wildlife
Various bird species, lizards, butterflies and mona monkeys can be observed from the breakfast terrace.
Optional Activities
Birdwatching, nature walks, swimming at the nearby beach, various excursions on Principe island including a visit to Roca Paciencia.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly from London to Lisbon on TAP, change planes then a short stop at Accra, Ghana, before reaching Sao Tome.
Best Visited:
January to December
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
On the outbound journey, it is strongly advised to arrive in Lisbon at least the day before departure for Sao Tome. The connection time between the inbound flight from London and the departure flight to Sao Tome is likely to be very tight so, to avoid missing the connecting flight, please ensure arrival at least one day before. In fact, why not allow for a few days before and enjoy some of the sights of the Portuguese capital before flying to Africa.
Although December through to February are hot and humid, these months are the best time for snorkelling and diving as the water is calm and clear.
Bom Bom is currently being refurbished: updated images and description will follow, but it promises to be even better than before.
If you wish to do the tour as a solo traveller, the price would be approximately £3497 subject to confirmation at time of booking.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Thank you for sending us on the most magical holiday. I can hardly believe there are two islands, of such beauty, almost untouched by modern tourism and commercialisation, left on the planet. They must be similar now, to how the Seychelles were 70 years ago.
