Sao Tome was discovered by Portuguese explorers on 21 December 1470, whilst Principe was discovered on 17 January 1471. Once discovered, the islands were then populated with Europeans and workers from west Africa. During the late 16th century, slave ships on their journey between Africa and America would dock and refresh their supplies on Principe Island. Due to the island’s strategic location they were often visited by the English, Dutch and French, with the English becoming constant visitors between the 17th and 19th centuries. The 1940’s and 1950’s saw many Cape Verdeans emigrating to Sao Tome and Principe, to work at the cocoa plantations, with the majority remaining and settling after the island’s independence. Many of these nationalities have left their mark but it is the culture and traditions, created over the centuries mainly by the slaves and workers from Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique and the Congo basin, which remain evident today.
To truly immerse yourself in local culture and tradition Sunvil recommends travelling during August, which is known as the month of culture on the island of Principe. During this month the island hosts music events such as Dêxa (music and dance from the island); Puita, whose origins are credited to slaves from the African coast; Bulawé and Txabeta which originate from Cape Verde. August 15th sees Principe celebrate its biggest festival ‘Auto de Floripes’ with the entire population of the island getting involved. Celebrating the feast of St Lawrence, this street show re-enacts the battle between the Christians and Moors and takes place in the capital, Santo Antonio. Commencing with the theft of sacred relics carried out by the Moors, the story tells of the battle between the Moors and the Christian Knights and the love story between the maiden Floripes, daughter of the Moor Admiral Balaam, and a Christian.
Guide price based on 2-sharing includes:
- Return TAP Portugal flights from London Heathrow via Lisbon (Portugal) and Accra (Ghana) to São Tomé
- Return STP Airways inter-island flights from São Tomé to Príncipe
- 23kg per person luggage allowance with TAP and 15kg per person luggage allowance with STP Airways
- All airport transfers
- 1 night at Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel in Lisbon (BB)
- 3 nights at Omali on São Tomé (HB)
- 2 nights at Roca Sundy on Principe (HB)
- 4 nights at Bom Bom on Principe (HB)
- São Tomé City Tour
- Bombaim Plantation Tour
- Baia das Agulhas (Bay of Needles) Boat Trip on Principe
- Cocoa Route Tour on Principe
- Explore Principe Tour
Note: 1 night will be spent on board the flight from São Tomé via Accra to Lisbon (night flight)
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board
Day 1 - Day of arrival
On arrival at Lisbon Airport, you will be transferred to the Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel. A beautiful 18th century building, the hotel is ideally situated within walking distance of the lively Rossio Square and many of the city’s main attractions.
Overnight at the Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel, Lisbon
Day 2 - Flight to Sao Tome
This morning you will be transferred to Lisbon Airport for your flight to Sao Tome, via Accra (Ghana). On arrival on Sao Tome you will be met and transferred to the Omali.
A short drive from the airport, the Omali is an oasis of calm and tranquillity. Located on the coastal road, opposite a sandy beach, here you will discover, within the hotel grounds an inner garden area with a lagoon-style swimming pool and poolside bar where evening meals can be taken.
Overnight at the Omali on Sao Tome (Half Board)
Omali Lodge, Sao Tome
Day 3 - Sao Tome City tour
This morning, after breakfast, accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you will head to the capital of the island – the city of São Tomé. Named after the island itself, the capital is a short drive from the Omali. During the 4½ hour tour of the city you will discover the Fort of São Sebastião, which houses the National museum and where you will have an introduction to the colonial history of São Tomé and Principe; Nossa Senhora da Graça Cathedral (Our Lady of Grace) which is one of Africa’s oldest cathedrals; Independence Square where independence was celebrated in 1975; the municipal market and other buildings dating from Colonial times, all of which are of importance to the city. The city is filled with the fading pastel colours of colonial Portuguese architecture, allowing the visitor to become acquainted with its history. The tour ends with a traditional Santomean lunch (excluding drinks) after which you will be driven back to your hotel.
Overnight at the Omali on Sao Tome (Half Board)
Sao Tome
Day 4 - Bombaim Plantation Tour
After breakfast depart on a 4½ hour tour which takes you away from the capital of São Tomé, uphill in to the heart of the island, to the village of Trindade. Here you will visit the church of Santissima Trindade and have the opportunity to stroll around the village. The tour continues to the plantation estate of Bombaim, passing by the Santa Adelaide plantation along the way. Bombaim is situated in the valley of Rio Abade, surrounded by mountains. The journey to the estate takes you partly through secondary forest, along the Manuel Jorge river to the famous waterfall of Bombaim. Some of the journey will be completed on foot, accompanied by an English-speaking guide. A traditional Santomean meal (excluding drinks) is included, after which there will be time to wander around the estate before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at the Omali on Sao Tome (Half Board)
Tropical landscape of Sao Tome
Day 5 - Flight to Principe
Today you will transfer to São Tomé Airport for the domestic flight to Principe Island (35 minutes). On arrival in Principe you will be met and transferred to the Roça Sundy.
In 1975 São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portugal and saw the colonists leave the islands and plantations. Once thriving with cocoa production, the plantations became abandoned and dilapidated. The Roça Sundy hotel, where a local community of around 500 live, work and study, has been carefully restored using locally sourced and sustainable materials, bringing back to life the old Colonial house and the plantation house. Whether outside on the wrap-around veranda of the old Colonial house, or inside admiring its tiled floors and high ceilings, here you will gain insight into living during Colonial times. Sunvil recommends taking a stroll around the former plantation buildings which includes a small chocolate factory.
Overnight at Roca Sundy on Principe (Half Board)
Cocoa plantation
Day 6 - Cocoa Route Tour
Today Sunvil have included a 3-4 hour excursion which teaches you about the cocoa transformation process, from tree to table. During the tour you will learn how cocoa was harvested and dried at the plantations and view the old dryers used, ending with a tasting of the cocoa product.
Overnight at Roca Sundy on Principe (Half Board)
Cocoa Route Excursion
Day 7 - Transfer to Bom Bom
Today you will transfer by car from Roca Sundy to Bom Bom Resort on the north coast of the island (40 minutes).
Camouflaged by the tropical forest and set between two golden sand beaches, a stay at the Bom Bom provides you with the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a slower pace of life. Your free time at the resort can be spent as you wish – reading a book on the veranda of your bungalow, swimming, enjoying the pool bar vibe or treating yourself to a massage at the Spa.
The Spa at Bom Bom, in keeping with tradition, provides treatments inspired by the plants of São Tomé and Príncipe. Knowledge which has been gained and passed down over the years are demonstrated here, with natural products such as mango, coconut oil, coffee, hibiscus and beach sand used in the body and beauty treatments that are on offer.
Overnight at Bom Bom on Principe (Half Board)
Bom Bom Resort, Principe
Day 8 - Explore Principe Tour (Full Day)
After breakfast, depart on a 6-hour exploration of Principe which delves into the cultural history of the island. This excursion is a great way to get to know more about the island’s fascinating culture whilst enjoying outstanding scenery along the way. Along with an English-speaking guide, you will explore former plantations, the smallest capital in the world ‘Santo Antonio’ and rural communities. You will also have the opportunity to taste some of the local food products as well as visit the waste recycling co-operative in Roça Porto Real, where Bela and her team have been transforming glass into jewellery since 2016. A stop for lunch (traditional meal excluding drinks) is also included.
Overnight at Bom Bom on Principe (Half Board)
Principe
Day 9 - Boat Trip to the Bay of Needles (Baia das Agulhas)
Free morning at Bom Bom. Early afternoon (14:00) depart from Bom Bom pier on a 3-hour boat trip to the Bay of Needles. Onboard a rigid hull boat (seating either 8 or 16 people), you will depart along the north-west coast, down along the west coast to one of the most spectacular views of the island. Along the way, your guide will point out highlights of the island, its natural rugged beauty viewed from out at sea. At the Bay of Needles, so called because of the phonolite towers rising up out of the skyline, you will experience nature in its purest state. Principe is around 31 million years old and these amazing towers, also known as volcanic plugs, are what have remained after the erosion of the softer surrounding rock. Important: Pregnant women or any person suffering from back problems are not allowed on the RIB boat.
Overnight at Bom Bom on Principe (Half Board)
Bay of Needles (Baia das Agulhas), Principe
Day 10 - Free time on Principe
Free time at Bom Bom. Spend your last day relaxing at the resort; by the pool or on the beach. For a more active day why not experience snorkelling and paddle-boarding (book and pay locally). This is also the perfect opportunity to add on another excursion or activity.
Principe has a coastline dotted with golden sand beaches, a few of which are inhabited by fishing communities (some seasonal and some permanent) and two of the largest fishing communities can be found at Burras beach and Abade beach. In Colonial times it was very common for the plantations to be served by a coastal location, a place where ships could dock in order to supply products to the plantation and to whom the local fishermen would sell their fish.
Overnight at Bom Bom on Principe (Half Board)
Gardens and pool, Bom Bom Resort, Principe
Day 11 - Day of departure
After breakfast, transfer to Principe Airport for your domestic flight to Sao Tome. Upon arrival on the island of Sao Tome, you will be transferred to the Omali to wait in comfort for your flight home to the UK, via Accra (Ghana) and Lisbon (Portugal). Please note that the flight from Accra to Lisbon is an overnight flight.