On the west coast of Africa, you will find a wonderful surprise: Two volcanic islands that have no comparison with anything in the world. In São Tomé and Príncipe you can enjoy hiking, exploring the rainforest, days of beaches and if you want some privacy, you can find completely deserted beaches, all for yourself.
São Tomé and Príncipe stand 300 kilometers off the coast. On your treks, you can spend hours walking through the rainforest and suddenly you find yourself walking on water. You will reach the Obo, the forest that covers most of the territory of São Tomé and Príncipe, it has a high altitude and around it, magnificent wildlife; flora and fauna like you’ve never seen before.
Thanks to the volcanic origin and the geographical position of the island, this place has unparalleled factors, anecdotes, and a wide diversity of species of animals and plants. Among them, you can admire large birds with a characteristic plumage, while they fly from flower to flower.
After some hiking, you will arrive at Lagoa Amelia, a fascinating volcanic crater, already extinct but full of water. In the upper part, there is a great contrast, since the vegetation allows you to walk on the water! You must be careful, maybe you will find it a bit unsteady, but you will achieve it. You can dedicate an entire day to this excursion, so you can enjoy every detail.
Now spend a day on the beach taking a trip along the east coast of São Tomé, sandy and deserted beaches, or praias as the locals call them, where you will only see a few fishermen. Go through Izie Water and observe the cocoa plantation.
You can not miss the magical landscape, the breathtaking moment in which the Atlantic waves crash into the sky in fountains of foam through a hole in Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell). But if you want something a little more historical, visit the estate of Roca de São João, where you will see a plantation house from the Portuguese colonial era, and you can admire the process of growing and processing the coffee.
Walk two days to the Peak of São Tomé, at 2,024 meters high; being the highest point of the island, it gives you the best views, so it is totally worth the climb. To end a good day, visit the waterfall near the fishing village of Ribeira Peixe, and then you can swim in Praia das Sete Ondas (Beach of the Seven Waves) before returning to the northern part.
If you get to Príncipe, do not miss Praia Banana and Baía das Agulhas, two great beaches on the west coast, where the tropical jungle descends to the shore.
When to go
For trekkting and enjoying the rich wildlife, the two dry seasons-June through September, and mid-December through February are best.
How to Find lt
TAP Air Portugal and the local STP Airways both fly between Lisbon, Portugal, and Sao Tomé Most days you can catch a flight between Sao Tomé island and Príncipe island.
Planning
Navetur in the capital Sao Tomé City, is an excellent tourist agency that will help with everything from hotel reservattions to trekking. Accommodattions include questhouses in old plantation houses (roças) and the boutique comfort of Omali Lodge on Sào Tomé and Bom Bom Island Resort on Príncipe.
If you loved this article or found it useful, don’t forget to share it with your adventurous and travel-hacking friends! If you want more post like this, follow us on Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter!