Discover Holidays to São Tomé & Príncipe
Sitting on the Equator, 225 kilometres west of Gabon, the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is Africa's second smallest country after the Seychelles. Part of an extinct volcanic range, the country consists of two small archipelagos clustered around the two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe. These far-flung tropical islands are as yet hardly known, being accessible only by means of 5 flights a week via Lisbon. They offer a paradise of unexplored jungles, crystal clear waters, palm-lined beaches and delicious Portuguese-Creole cuisine. They also support an array of rare, forest-dependent life forms and thanks to its distinctive biodiversity, Principe is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Some of our Sao Tome & Principe holiday ideas
Discover Sao Tome & Principe
12 nights from £4,595 p/p
Wild São Tomé & Principe - Nature and Beach
11 nights from £3,950 p/p
Our expertise in São Tomé & Príncipe
I’d love to create your perfect destination experience to São Tomé & Príncipe . Give me a call and I’ll share my first-hand expertise so you get the most from your trip.
Travel Specialist
Derek's review
As some 'in the know' have commented, Sao Tome & Principe is an excellent example when it comes to fashionable getaways of choice for eco-conscious travellers. These far-flung tropical isles in the Gulf of Guinea will most likely never cater for the masses, given their modest infrastructure and the difficulty of access. This makes them ideal for people keen on exploring something refreshingly new. While both the islands are blessed with some beautiful, discreetly located beaches, hoteliers and guides will quickly point out that their country is 'not a beach destination' - because there is plenty to see and experience for visitors with an interest in natural history and in local culture. During a 12 day trip, you can take in magnificent scenery; hike mountain rainforest trails; observe rare birds; go turtle-watching and snorkelling; savour delicious traditional cuisine and enjoy learning about the wonderful community spirit so evident among the resident people.Derek's Top Tips
- Booking both international and domestic flights for Sao Tome & Principe holidays long in advance, is imperative to avoid disappointment - when I travelled in March 2023, all the flights were full
- An equatorial rainforest climate means being prepared for the occasional rain shower is sensible. Do take a dry-bag to protect valuables and perhaps a second pair of trainers if you're going hiking.
- For the Sao Tome section of your trip, pre-arrange activities in advance so that you're sure that in busy times, the right vehicles will be allocated for your trip.
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Quick Country Facts
Time Zone:GMT +0 hours
Capital:Sao Tome
Currency:Sao Tome and Principe Dobra
Temperature:27-32°
São Tomé & Príncipe travel guides
Why visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
A São Tomé and Príncipe holiday offers an exceptional combination of nature, beach and delicious food. There are plenty of things to do. Travel writer Nigel Tisdall has visited them many times and describes them as a "dream destination for any fan of Africa’s undiscovered corners".
Thickly forested with interesting birdlife - the 28 endemic species include some of the world's rarest and most endangered birds, such as Dwarf olive ibis, Sao Tome fiscal and Sao Tome grosbeak - these impressive volcanic islands seem impossibly remote. However, getting here is pretty straightforward thanks to TAP/ Air Portugal’s flights from Lisbon – and there’s no jet lag, making a seven - 10 day holiday there entirely manageable!
Discovered by the Portuguese in the 1470s, the islands were for many centuries given over to roças, feudal plantations growing sugar, coffee and cacao using slaves and contract workers imported from Cape Verde, Angola and Mozambique. These became the forefathers of today’s São Toméans, who now number around 220,000. The colonists left abruptly in 1975, leaving a ghostly legacy of bandstands, churches and wide, tree-lined avenidas. Portuguese remains the official language, bars sell Superbock beer, hotel rooms are priced in Euros.
Our verdict: go now, before the masses discover these delightful isles!
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Where to go in São Tomé & Príncipe
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- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
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