Obô Natural Park Biodiversity Trail & Lagoa Amelia

At about 09h00 your private guide and private driver will collect you from Omali Lodge. (If you are keen birders let us know, as you should then depart earlier).

Set off in your private 4-Wheel drive on the drive inland past Trindade, to the Obô Natural Park office at Bom Successo. (Drive time is about 90 minutes).  After leaving the vehicle at the parking area, start your guided walk through cultivated plots until you enter the rainforest. As soon as you are in the closed forest, you'll note the presence of many endemic birds. From here, the 3.2 km hike takes you up some steep slopes along muddy trails, to the crest of the mountain (about 1,412m above sea level), where you then descend to Lagoa Amélia, a crater lake. 

 Grading of the walk is moderate: be sure to have well worn, comfortable walking footwear (a good example is Curlew hiking trainers which have a firm grip)  as well as gear and wear for the tropical sun and for inclement weather. Be sure to leave valuables in your hotel safe, because if it rains during the hike, keeping anything dry is difficult. 

After exploring the rainforest, you will be able to visit the neglected Botanical Garden adjacent to the Park office. There, along an easy 30 minute walk, your guide will point out many tropical plants, including an interesting selection of endemic Orchids; endemic Tree ferns and the impressive endemic Giant begonia. 

For those keen to seek some of Sao Tome's endemic birds, this trail is a great option. We easily found the likes of Sao Tome green pigeon; Island bronze-naped pigeon; Sao Tome oriole; Sao Tome thrush; Sao Tome weaver; the lovely Sao Tome paradise flycatcher; Black capped speirops and Newton's sunbird, among others. 

Afterwards, drive to Monte Cafe for a relaxed lunch in the restaurant at the old Roca.