The Best of Sao Tome & Principe in Style & Comfort
Tour Introduction
This itinerary reveals all that’s best in Sao Tome & Principe without compromising your creature comforts and travel style.
Starting in the larger island of Sao Tome, where the majority of the population live, you will reside at its best hotel and visit the interior and south coast with private guide to learn about the island’s colonial history, industry and remarkable cultural diversity, as well as perhaps fit in a spot of snorkelling.
Fly to the much smaller, wilder and less populated island of Principe and reside in a lovingly restored, historic plantation house which boasts a small natural history museum and cinema and access to Banana Beach, famed as the setting of an iconic Bacardi commercial. Also close by is the turtle conservation project at Praia Grande where, depending on time of year, you may see turtles laying and hatchlings scurrying to the sea on your included tour.
Finally comes the world-class beach resort of Sundy Praia, opened in December 2017 and by far the premier establishment in the country. Your room is a spacious, well appointed “tent” with comfortable bed and en-suite bathroom, minutes from the beach. The infinity pool is served by a snack bar, and the fabulous main restaurant, built to resemble an upturned ship, serves up imaginative, delicious fare using mainly local ingredients from the island. A complimentary 30-minute massage is included during your stay at Sundy Praia, as well as a half-day excursion each day. There are also various optional tours and excursions from which to choose (see detailed itinerary below) or you can just relax on the beach or by the pool.
All told, there is no better way to appreciate the delights of Sao Tome & Principe in style and comfort.
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 Omali Lodge. 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 Boca do Inferno blow hole.
Staying at Omali Lodge. 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 Omali Lodge. 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 Belo Monte. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Morning excursion 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 Banana Beach where there is a bar and loungers.
Staying at Roca Belo Monte. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure to relax. Perhaps visit Banana Beach or take an optional excursion.
Staying at Roca Belo Monte. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the coast and your luxury beach resort, opened in December 2017.
Staying at Sundy Praia. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure. On-site non-motorised activities are included all day, such as kayaking or paddle boarding. The beach offers safe swimming.
Included in your full stay is one 30-minute massage and a choice of one half-day guided tours per day as follows:
1. Cacao Route
2. Oquê Pipi Waterfall Trail
3. Ribeira Izé Lost City Trail
4. Rainforest to Beach guided walk
5. Discover Príncipe guided tour
6. Bay of Needles boat trip
7. Northeast Beaches boat trip
Staying at Sundy Praia. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day free to enjoy a half-day included excursion and/or one of the following OPTIONAL guided trips:
1.Roça Infante Trail
2. Parrot Peak Trail
3. Maria Correia Waterfall Trail
4. Turtle Watching
Staying at Sundy Praia. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Day at leisure to relax, take part in an included half-day guided excursion or opt for an optional tour.
Staying at Sundy Praia. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the airport. Fly to Sao Tome. Transfer to the hotel.
Staying at Omali Lodge. 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 before returning to the hotel to pick up your bags and transfer to the airport in the evening. Fly out.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Hotel Sundy Praia
Overview
Designed by famous French architect, Didier Le Fort, and only opened in December 2017, Sundy Praia is undoubtedly the apex of Principe accommodation options; in fact it’s the best hotel in the whole of Sao Tome & Principe and one of the world’s loveliest beachfront establishments.
A charming, beachfront boutique resort nestled in lush tropical foliage with stream, Sundy Praia boasts a dramatically designed fine dining restaurant, infinity swimming pool, lively snack bar and opulently appointed tented villas. The service is keen (although some staff don’t speak much English) and the comfort levels stratospheric.
The sea is safe for bathing with no waves or biting creatures; very family friendly. Breakfasts are delicious buffets and dinners are all superb, often taking the form of tasting menus.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
A range of room options: eight standard tented villas (not beachfront), and five double tented villas and two triple tented villas, all beachfront with private pools. Each villa has granite bathtub, double bed, fully stocked minibar, a/c,
Local Wildlife
Humpback whales can be seen offshore and turtles sometimes come ashore to lay eggs.
Many butterflies can be seen
Many birds visit the resort, including kingfisher, weaver and African grey parrot.
Mona monkeys can be seen on a waterfall tour
Optional Activities
Boat trips can be booked for diving, snorkelling and cruising the lushly forested coast.
Walks in the forest can reveal many bird species
Kayaks, pirogas (traditional African canoes) and paddle boards are available for guests to use
Various inland excursions can be enjoyed, including hiking in Obo National Park.
Omali Sao Tome
Overview
Omali is, in our opinion, the best hotel in Sao Tome town. It enjoys a beachfront location on the outskirts and very close to the airport. The air-conditioned suites are built around the swimming pool, all set within well-kept gardens which attract many birds. Snacks and drinks can be enjoyed at the Leve Leve pool bar and main meals taken in the restaurant or outside on the verandah. The restaurant serves dishes which are varied and appetising and the bar has a good range of international spirits.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, beachfront location, Wi-Fi in the common areas, 24-hour reception with safe deposit boxes and currency exchange, souvenir shop, laundry facilities, tennis courts, gym, satellite TV, swimming pool with snack bar, airport transfers, free guest car parking.
Local Wildlife
Many species of birds visit the hotel gardens
Optional Activities
A wide range of guided tours and excursions, including boat trips, can be booked at the hotel for exploration of Sao Tome island.
Roca Belo Monte
Overview
Roca Belo Monte is a historic colonial plantation house which has undergone extensive restoration along with the estate’s outbuildings, resulting in the thoroughly charming boutique hotel we see today.
The main house has three rooms, each with lounge and terrace, and also contains the restaurant, bar and drawing room. The catering is first class. There are 15 rooms in other restored buildings, including a family chalet sleeping four. In the well-tended gardens stands a museum celebrating the island’s natural and cultural histories and nearby is a small cinema showing international releases.
A helipad is on site for those who wish to arrive by air or take a helicopter tour flying over the island. Behind the museum is a swimming pool with loungers. Nearby are five fine beaches, including lovely Banana Beach, location for a famous Bacardi advertisement shot in 1991, and Praia Grande, where up to four species of sea turtle come ashore to lay their eggs.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, natural history and cultural museum, swimming pool, small cinema, helipad, pleasant gardens, air conditioning, WiFi, beach shuttle service, en suite air conditioned rooms.
Local Wildlife
Many birds visit the grounds and Praia Grande is close by for turtle watching.
Optional Activities
Choose from a list of interior tours and boat trips. Relax on Banana Beach. Visit Praia Grande for turtle viewing and the turtle museum. Take a scenic helicopter flight over the island.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Flights are with TAP via a change of planes in Lisbon and then a short stop in Accra, Ghana
Best Visited:
January to January
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.
If you wish to do the tour as a solo traveller, the price would be approximately £5987 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.
