Wild São Tomé & Principe - Nature and Beach

This is a fun day out: your private guide and private driver will collect you at Omali Lodge around 09h00 (time to be confirmed with you, locally). Set off in your private 4-wheel drive jeep on the approx. 2 hour journey to remote south Sao Tome. (Note that some of the roads are rough). Along the way, stop for a Mangrove boat trip. There will also be some sightseeing stops, including the chance to take the obligatory photos of Pico Caio Grande, and then proceed to the lovely Praia Inhame beach, where you can learn about Turtle conservation efforts; see the Hatchery, have a relaxed seafood lunch and enjoy a swim. In the afternoon, return to Omali Lodge.

An early start: transfer after breakfast to Sao Tome Airport for the 30 minute flight to Principe departing 09h00. On arrival into the tiny Principe Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to Roca Belo Monte, where you stay for 5 nights in a Plantation Room, with dinner and breakfast included. > Do ask us about supplements should you prefer to upgrade to one of the Suite rooms. This elegant property is much enjoyed by our clients. Rooms are comfortable, and the main house, with its swimming pool and the gorgeous views that can be enjoyed nearby, is conducive to relaxation. The hotel has access to seven beaches, which are down a twisty track but that in itself is a nice little walk - which, if you don't want to do it, worry not - the staff will come and collect you. The friendliness of the staff is also always appreciated and complimented.

Another day to enjoy beautiful Principe with Roca Belo Monte as your comfortable base. If you are there from late December through to late March, you'll be able to do as we did in 2023 and see (and assist) hatchling marine Turtles make it to the ocean! Speak to Veronica or Miles at reception to arrange one of these unforgettable experiences at nearby Praia Grande - the cost is 75 euros per person.

Enjoy two more days on remote and lovely Principe with its quiet beaches and laid-back ambience. Go hiking (very energetic guests could try taking on the trail to Parrot Peak); visit Santo Antonio, or in season enquire about Turtle and Whale watching; seek some of the endemic birds or just kick back and enjoy of the lovely beaches, such as Praia Banana. Roca Belo Monte's involvement in conservation of Principe's natural heritage, is worth elaborating on here: as part of Africa’s Eden, a sustainable tourism organization operating under the concept of ‘Tourism Pays for Conservation' the hotel aims to give travellers the opportunity to experience nature in rarely explored destinations and revenues generated through tourism are then invested in conservation projects. Africa’s Eden works in a local context to achieve sustainable protection of unique nature and facilitates employment and education opportunities. After successfully introducing this concept in Loango National Park in Gabon, Africa’s Eden expanded its activities to São Tomé and Príncipe. For years Africa’s Eden has supported the research expeditions of the California Academy of Sciences on Príncipe and also marine research and sea turtle conservation activities of the Fundaçao Príncipe Trust. Conservation activities: Príncipe has a unique biodiversity, but a lack of data and resources complicate its conservation. In 2017 Africa’s Eden founded the 'Forever Príncipe!' conservation alliance located at Belo Monte Plantation Hotel. Forever Príncipe! has set up a conservation program consisting of seven pilot projects through partnerships with renowned universities. These conservation projects have been selected for the conservation relevance by informing conservation action on current challenges on Príncipe, as well as the potential for community engagement. Forever Príncipe!’s conservation projects are as follows: Fish reproduction and maturity: Aim: Understand the life cycle of important demersal fish species in order to formulate better fishing regulations to keep these populations healthy and the food chain in balance. Campaign against unsustainable fishing and trial a seasonal closure or locally marine managed area Aim: Reduce unsustainable fishing practices and ensure improved marine conservation through the creation of a seasonal closure or a locally marine managed area. Ex situ conservation of Príncipe’s orchids Aim: Conservation of Príncipe’s orchids, with a special focus on the endemic and threatened species. Orchids have been collected and put in a shade house at Belo Monte Plantation Hotel for further research. Create a citizen science scheme on reef fish, bird and butterfly diversity Aim: Monitoring butterflies, birds and reef fish biodiversity across seasons and years within the concession through a participatory approach Ecological assessment of the endemic scops owl Aim: Understand the ecology of the scops owl on Príncipe in order to protect the species. Assess the importance of Príncipe’s rhodolith beds Aim: Assess the ecological importance of Príncipe’s rhodolith beds. Botanical and entomological assessment of Príncipe’s mountain and cloud forest Aim: Unravel the botanic and entomological diversity of Príncipe’s cloud forests, as well as their main ecosystem services.

Morning to enjoy Principe. This afternoon (time to be confirmed locally) you will be transferred back to Principe Airport to check in for the 30 minute afternoon flight, back to Sao Tome, where you are met on arrival and taken to Omali Lodge, to stay overnight in a premier double room with breakfast.

This morning at about 09h00 (time to be confirmed locally), your private guide and driver will collect you from Omali reception. Set off in your guided city highlights tour of Sao Tome today, with lunch at a carefully chosen restaurant where you might wish to try local speciality dishes such as calulu, a delicious stew containing fish and a complex combination of vegetables and herbs. Late checkout at Omali Lodge, included. In the late afternoon or evening, depending on the time of your TAP flight back to Lisbon, you will be transferred back to Xavier Nuno Airport to check in for your flights home via Lisbon after a wonderful break.

On arrival back into Lisbon this morning off the overnight TAP flight from Sao Tome, check in for the connecting TAP flight back to London or selected other UK cities.