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Sao Tome and Principe Family Adventure Holiday
Sao Tome and Principe is a must-visit for adventurous families wanting to explore somewhere new. Walk in the jungle one day, swim with tropical fish the next.
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Highlights
This holiday gives you a real top-to-toe overview of Sao Tome as you travel from the north, down the spectacular east coast, then across the ocean to Rolas islet in the far south.
Stand on the equator, with one foot in the north and one foot in the southern hemisphere, on Rolas islet.
Visit Sao Tome’s cocoa and coffee plantations for a glimpse into the island’s history.
Snorkel in the warm crystal clear waters and discover mesmerising shoals of colourful tropical fish.
Explore the secretive mangroves – if you’re lucky you may hear, or see, some of Sao Tome’s elusive monkeys.
Find island paradise on the gorgeous island of Principe. Enjoy deserted beaches, explore sleepy villages and meet the friendly people who live there, and discover pristine rainforests full of birds.
Our Sao Tome and Principe Family Adventure Holiday is ideal for those looking for a safe but exciting African experience for the whole family.
On these islands you can walk in the jungle one day, swim with tropical fish the next, and feel like real explorers.
This is an amazing trip for the whole family, with coffee tasting for the adults and chocolate tasting for everyone! There are water sports activities at Club Santana and Rolas island, and the chance to jump over the equator mark between the southern and northern hemispheres.
Sit back and relax in a dugout canoe and let yourself be paddled by a guide through Sao Tome’s largest mangrove forest, before flying to Principe, where your amazing approach is like a scene from Jurassic Park.
Then spend the last few days of your family adventure holiday exploring the colourful underwater world of tropical fish from Roca Belo Monte’s private beach.
Day 1
Fly from Heathrow to Lisbon. On arrival walk (5 mins) to The Tryp Hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Tryp Hotel
Day 2
Walk to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Club Santana. Please note that at certain times of the year you will be staying at Omali Lodge instead of Club Santana.
Accommodation on this day: Club Santana
Day 3
Today you have a free day to settle in at Club Santana and spend some time enjoying the pool. You can take your snorkels and see shoals of fish near the rocks in front of the hotel, or you might like to take a boat to Santana islet where you can snorkel in the deep clear waters – it takes just 10 minutes to get to the islet and the trips are free of charge. You might also like to paddle the hotels kayaks, stand up paddle boards or baby catamaran along the coast.
Accommodation on this day: Club Santana
Day 4
Today you might like to join Club Santana’s free trip to Roca Monte Café and the waterfall of Sao Nicolau (if available)
Monte Café used to be the biggest producer of coffee and now is home to hundreds of people who farm the land to produce coffee and other crops. From Monte Café you will drive through the plantation to the pretty waterfall at Sao Nicolau. The waterfall is a great place for a short rest before you are taken back to the hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Club Santana
Day 5
Transfer to Ponta Baleia – en route visit Boca do Inferno, plantation estates Agua Ize and Sao Joao, and the beach at Praia Sete Ondas. Lunch at Roca Sao Joao is included. Then it’s on to Ponta Baleia for your boat transfer to Ilheu das Rolas and stay at Pestana Equator.
Accommodation on this day: Pestana Equador
Day 6
Free day – The hotel offers various activities and you can walk to the equator monument, hire sit-on sea kayaks, go diving and take boat trips. In July and August is is possible to see whales.
Accommodation on this day: Pestana Equador
Day 7
Boat and transfer back to the mainland. On arrival, transfer to Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 8
Guided boat trip through the Malanza mangrove forest.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 9
Early morning transfer to the airport and fly to Principe. On arrival transfer to Bom Bom Island Lodge.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 10
Free day – Today you could discover the rugged interior of the island on a jeep tour.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 11
Free day – Today you could hire a fishing boat to visit some of the remote bays along the coast where it is possible to swim and snorkel.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 12
Free day – Today you might like to join a birdwatching trip, or guided walk through the rainforest.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 13
Transfer to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Omali Lodge.
Accommodation on this day: Omali Lodge
Day 14
Free day until transfer to the airport. Fly home on overnight flight via Lisbon.
Turtle Watching
Quietly observe one of the four different endangered turtle species: Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill or Leatherback nesting or hatching on the beaches between November and March.
Whale Watching
Search for magnificent humpback whales as they migrate past the islands between July and October.
Guided Birdwatching
Sao Tome and Principe has the highest density of endemic birds (birds that can't be found anywhere else) worldwide. 75 species regularly occur on the islands, with 17 being endemic to Sao Tome and 8 to Principe.
Guided Walks
There is no better way to get to know Sao Tome and Principe than to walk through the rainforest with our friendly guides who are only to happy to share the secrets of their island with you.
Plantation Visits
Discover the beating heart of Sao Tome and Principe's history on a visit to one of the many splendid old plantations.
Snorkelling
The Gulf of Guinea is one of the world’s hotpots for marine biodiversity and in terms of species present, is similar to the Caribbean. You’ll discover colourful shoals of fish as you snorkel close to your hotel.
Cycling
The roads in the north-west of Sao Tome are just fantastic to explore on two wheels. Pedal the gently-undulating palm-tree-lined coast road and you'll be rewarded by many kilometres of spectacular views.
Diving
There are several dive centres on the islands where qualified, experienced dive instructors will show you snapper, octopus, moray eels, sea horses, giant sea slugs and much more.
Tryp Hotel
The Tryp Hotel is a comfortable and convenient 4-star hotel close to Lisbon airport.
With 167 rooms ranging from singles and doubles/twins to family rooms, a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pool, gym and spa, the Tryp ticks all the boxes for a relaxing and stress-free break between flights.
It’s easy to get to being either a 5-10 minute walk from the airport, or a couple of minutes’ drive in the hotel’s shuttle bus or a private taxi. The rooms are modern with wifi, air conditioning, mini bar, digital tv, room service, safe and hairdryer. If you have time, it’s easy to nip into Lisbon on the Metro that departs from just outside the airport. Tickets into downtown Lisbon cost a couple of euros and the journey takes around 30 minutes.
Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
The Praia Inhame Eco Lodge is beautiful eco-resort located on the southern tip of Sao Tome. The twelve delightful en-suite wooden bungalows on stilts are situated on a small section of a pristine beach in a lush tropical environment. There isn’t A/C, but there are ceiling fans and you can sleep with windows open as all have mosquito nets.
The lodge offers a guided mangrove trip, a walk uphill to the old Soviet wireless station for a great view across the island, turtle watching (November to March), and a day trip to Rolas islet. The restaurant overlooks the beach and is open sided with a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other.
Pestana Equador
It feels like a real adventure to get to the Pestana Equador on Ilheu das Rolas, as it’s only accessible by boat from the main island of São Tomé. This island resort has 70 bungalows set in rows around a stunning salt water pool. All are en-suite, and come with A/C, satellite TV, safe and telephone.
There is a jacuzzi and ocean restaurant at one end of the hotel. If you are a bird watcher you’ll love the hotel’s gardens and the sea around the island is excellent for diving. From the resort it’s a short uphill walk to the Equator Mark, where you get great views of the island.
Club Santana
Set in tropical gardens and perched on a rocky cliff with easy access to the beach, Club Santana has beautiful panoramic views over the ocean and nearby Santana islet. All 31 bungalows are en-suite and have A/C, TV, phone and mini bar. Trips to Monte Café plantation and Sao Nicolau Waterfall, and a snorkelling trip to Santana Islet are free.
There is a 24-hour reception desk, dry cleaning and laundry, private beach with bar and infinity pool and small souvenir shop. The restaurant serves Santomean food with a French twist. The snorkelling equipment, paddle boards, baby catamaran and kayaks are free to use and there is a free shuttle bus from Club Santana to Sao Tome city three times a day.
Omali Lodge
Set in attractive gardens on the outskirts of Sao Tome city, boutique style hotel Omali Lodge has an outdoor pool, 30 rooms and English speaking staff. Recently refurbished, it is owned by the HBD (Here Be Dragons) company which also owns Bom Bom Island Eco Lodge on Príncipe.
All rooms are immaculate and have tea and coffee making facilities, A/C, Satellite TV, mini bar and en-suite bathrooms. It has the only tennis court on the island and is just over the road from the beach. Birdwatchers will tick off quite a few birds in the lush gardens of the lodge.
Bom Bom Island Eco Lodge
The beautiful Bom Bom Island Eco Lodge is owned by Mark Shuttleworth, the first South African to travel into space. Through his HBD foundation (Here Be Dragons) he helped turn part of this spectacular island into a Bioreserve and aims to promote sustainable and responsible travel to the islands through higher end tourism.
Bom Bom has 25 spacious, tastefully furnished chalets equipped with A/C, telephone, private bathroom, flat screen TV (satellite channels), fridge and free WIFI. Meals are taken on Bom Bom island, which is a short walk over the turquoise sea along a charming walkway. As well as eating in the restaurant, the friendly staff can also arrange a table on the marina pier or a romantic meal on your own private beach.
You’re free to use the snorkelling equipment, paddle boards and kayaks while you’re staying and a highlight is meeting Chaplin the African Grey parrot who patrols the hotel and loves to have his tummy tickled!
Where is Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe is found in the Gulf of Guinea, 250km west of Gabon on the African mainland. The two main islands sit 150km, or a 30-minute flight, apart. Combined, they have a surface area of 1,001 square km and constitute the second smallest country in Africa after the Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit?
Tropical, hot and humid all year round with maximum of 30˚C from January to April, and slightly cooler from May to September. Both islands have dry and wet seasons. June to September is cooler, with more cloud and virtually no rain, whilst March to May and October to December are considered the wettest months, when days often bring a mix of rain and clear skies.
How do I get to Sao Tome?
Options for getting to the islands are relatively limited and the best is with TAP Air Portugal, via Lisbon (with a short stopover in Accra). Low-cost airlines Easyjet and Ryanair also fly to Lisbon and we can arrange separate tickets to São Tomé from there. Flights between Sao Tome and Principe are with STP (the local island carrier). Flights are included with your holiday and your São Tomé specialist will find the best flight times and prices for you.
Do I need a visa for Sao Tome?
If you stay more than 15 days you will need a visa and we arrange this for you as part of your holiday. Visas can’t currently be paid for in advance – they are inserted into your passport on arrival at the airport in Sao Tome so you will need to pay €20 per person in cash at this stage.
Is it safe to travel in Sao Tome?
Sao Tome and Principe is a very safe holiday destination and the crime rate is very low. However, petty theft is becoming more common especially in built-up areas so we advise only carrying enough money for the day and keeping the rest in a hotel safe. Whilst there are many lovely beaches on the islands, they don’t have lifeguards. Swimming in the ocean around the islands is amazing, however we always advise that you check with the hotel where you are staying with to make sure the conditions are safe as there can be strong undertows and current on some beaches. The first rule of thumb is to check first. The second one would be that if there are large rolling breakers, then it is advisable not to go in.
Do I need vaccinations for Sao Tome?
It’s always best to check with your doctor to make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations before you travel.
Are there any wildlife hazards in Sao Tome?
The black cobra is the most dangerous and poisonous animal on Sao Tome and is most commonly found in forested areas in the south and east of the island. Like most snakes, they try to avoid contact with humans and are therefore rarely seen.
It’s also advisable to try avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers and/or wearing insect repellent with DEET, as malaria is present on Sao Tome. For comprehensive health advice on visiting Sao Tome please visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
Highlights
This holiday gives you a real top-to-toe overview of Sao Tome as you travel from the north, down the spectacular east coast, then across the ocean to Rolas islet in the far south.
Stand on the equator, with one foot in the north and one foot in the southern hemisphere, on Rolas islet.
Visit Sao Tome’s cocoa and coffee plantations for a glimpse into the island’s history.
Snorkel in the warm crystal clear waters and discover mesmerising shoals of colourful tropical fish.
Explore the secretive mangroves – if you’re lucky you may hear, or see, some of Sao Tome’s elusive monkeys.
Find island paradise on the gorgeous island of Principe. Enjoy deserted beaches, explore sleepy villages and meet the friendly people who live there, and discover pristine rainforests full of birds.
Our Sao Tome and Principe Family Adventure Holiday is ideal for those looking for a safe but exciting African experience for the whole family.
On these islands you can walk in the jungle one day, swim with tropical fish the next, and feel like real explorers.
This is an amazing trip for the whole family, with coffee tasting for the adults and chocolate tasting for everyone! There are water sports activities at Club Santana and Rolas island, and the chance to jump over the equator mark between the southern and northern hemispheres.
Sit back and relax in a dugout canoe and let yourself be paddled by a guide through Sao Tome’s largest mangrove forest, before flying to Principe, where your amazing approach is like a scene from Jurassic Park.
Then spend the last few days of your family adventure holiday exploring the colourful underwater world of tropical fish from Roca Belo Monte’s private beach.
Day 1
Fly from Heathrow to Lisbon. On arrival walk (5 mins) to The Tryp Hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Tryp Hotel
Day 2
Walk to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Club Santana. Please note that at certain times of the year you will be staying at Omali Lodge instead of Club Santana.
Accommodation on this day: Club Santana
Day 3
Today you have a free day to settle in at Club Santana and spend some time enjoying the pool. You can take your snorkels and see shoals of fish near the rocks in front of the hotel, or you might like to take a boat to Santana islet where you can snorkel in the deep clear waters – it takes just 10 minutes to get to the islet and the trips are free of charge. You might also like to paddle the hotels kayaks, stand up paddle boards or baby catamaran along the coast.
Accommodation on this day: Club Santana
Day 4
Today you might like to join Club Santana’s free trip to Roca Monte Café and the waterfall of Sao Nicolau (if available)
Monte Café used to be the biggest producer of coffee and now is home to hundreds of people who farm the land to produce coffee and other crops. From Monte Café you will drive through the plantation to the pretty waterfall at Sao Nicolau. The waterfall is a great place for a short rest before you are taken back to the hotel.
Accommodation on this day: Club Santana
Day 5
Transfer to Ponta Baleia – en route visit Boca do Inferno, plantation estates Agua Ize and Sao Joao, and the beach at Praia Sete Ondas. Lunch at Roca Sao Joao is included. Then it’s on to Ponta Baleia for your boat transfer to Ilheu das Rolas and stay at Pestana Equator.
Accommodation on this day: Pestana Equador
Day 6
Free day – The hotel offers various activities and you can walk to the equator monument, hire sit-on sea kayaks, go diving and take boat trips. In July and August is is possible to see whales.
Accommodation on this day: Pestana Equador
Day 7
Boat and transfer back to the mainland. On arrival, transfer to Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 8
Guided boat trip through the Malanza mangrove forest.
Accommodation on this day: Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
Day 9
Early morning transfer to the airport and fly to Principe. On arrival transfer to Bom Bom Island Lodge.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 10
Free day – Today you could discover the rugged interior of the island on a jeep tour.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 11
Free day – Today you could hire a fishing boat to visit some of the remote bays along the coast where it is possible to swim and snorkel.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 12
Free day – Today you might like to join a birdwatching trip, or guided walk through the rainforest.
Accommodation on this day: Roca Belo Monte
Day 13
Transfer to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Omali Lodge.
Accommodation on this day: Omali Lodge
Day 14
Free day until transfer to the airport. Fly home on overnight flight via Lisbon.
Turtle Watching
Quietly observe one of the four different endangered turtle species: Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill or Leatherback nesting or hatching on the beaches between November and March.
Whale Watching
Search for magnificent humpback whales as they migrate past the islands between July and October.
Guided Birdwatching
Sao Tome and Principe has the highest density of endemic birds (birds that can't be found anywhere else) worldwide. 75 species regularly occur on the islands, with 17 being endemic to Sao Tome and 8 to Principe.
Guided Walks
There is no better way to get to know Sao Tome and Principe than to walk through the rainforest with our friendly guides who are only to happy to share the secrets of their island with you.
Plantation Visits
Discover the beating heart of Sao Tome and Principe's history on a visit to one of the many splendid old plantations.
Snorkelling
The Gulf of Guinea is one of the world’s hotpots for marine biodiversity and in terms of species present, is similar to the Caribbean. You’ll discover colourful shoals of fish as you snorkel close to your hotel.
Cycling
The roads in the north-west of Sao Tome are just fantastic to explore on two wheels. Pedal the gently-undulating palm-tree-lined coast road and you'll be rewarded by many kilometres of spectacular views.
Diving
There are several dive centres on the islands where qualified, experienced dive instructors will show you snapper, octopus, moray eels, sea horses, giant sea slugs and much more.
Tryp Hotel
The Tryp Hotel is a comfortable and convenient 4-star hotel close to Lisbon airport.
With 167 rooms ranging from singles and doubles/twins to family rooms, a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pool, gym and spa, the Tryp ticks all the boxes for a relaxing and stress-free break between flights.
It’s easy to get to being either a 5-10 minute walk from the airport, or a couple of minutes’ drive in the hotel’s shuttle bus or a private taxi. The rooms are modern with wifi, air conditioning, mini bar, digital tv, room service, safe and hairdryer. If you have time, it’s easy to nip into Lisbon on the Metro that departs from just outside the airport. Tickets into downtown Lisbon cost a couple of euros and the journey takes around 30 minutes.
Praia Inhame Eco Lodge
The Praia Inhame Eco Lodge is beautiful eco-resort located on the southern tip of Sao Tome. The twelve delightful en-suite wooden bungalows on stilts are situated on a small section of a pristine beach in a lush tropical environment. There isn’t A/C, but there are ceiling fans and you can sleep with windows open as all have mosquito nets.
The lodge offers a guided mangrove trip, a walk uphill to the old Soviet wireless station for a great view across the island, turtle watching (November to March), and a day trip to Rolas islet. The restaurant overlooks the beach and is open sided with a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other.
Pestana Equador
It feels like a real adventure to get to the Pestana Equador on Ilheu das Rolas, as it’s only accessible by boat from the main island of São Tomé. This island resort has 70 bungalows set in rows around a stunning salt water pool. All are en-suite, and come with A/C, satellite TV, safe and telephone.
There is a jacuzzi and ocean restaurant at one end of the hotel. If you are a bird watcher you’ll love the hotel’s gardens and the sea around the island is excellent for diving. From the resort it’s a short uphill walk to the Equator Mark, where you get great views of the island.
Club Santana
Set in tropical gardens and perched on a rocky cliff with easy access to the beach, Club Santana has beautiful panoramic views over the ocean and nearby Santana islet. All 31 bungalows are en-suite and have A/C, TV, phone and mini bar. Trips to Monte Café plantation and Sao Nicolau Waterfall, and a snorkelling trip to Santana Islet are free.
There is a 24-hour reception desk, dry cleaning and laundry, private beach with bar and infinity pool and small souvenir shop. The restaurant serves Santomean food with a French twist. The snorkelling equipment, paddle boards, baby catamaran and kayaks are free to use and there is a free shuttle bus from Club Santana to Sao Tome city three times a day.
Omali Lodge
Set in attractive gardens on the outskirts of Sao Tome city, boutique style hotel Omali Lodge has an outdoor pool, 30 rooms and English speaking staff. Recently refurbished, it is owned by the HBD (Here Be Dragons) company which also owns Bom Bom Island Eco Lodge on Príncipe.
All rooms are immaculate and have tea and coffee making facilities, A/C, Satellite TV, mini bar and en-suite bathrooms. It has the only tennis court on the island and is just over the road from the beach. Birdwatchers will tick off quite a few birds in the lush gardens of the lodge.
Bom Bom Island Eco Lodge
The beautiful Bom Bom Island Eco Lodge is owned by Mark Shuttleworth, the first South African to travel into space. Through his HBD foundation (Here Be Dragons) he helped turn part of this spectacular island into a Bioreserve and aims to promote sustainable and responsible travel to the islands through higher end tourism.
Bom Bom has 25 spacious, tastefully furnished chalets equipped with A/C, telephone, private bathroom, flat screen TV (satellite channels), fridge and free WIFI. Meals are taken on Bom Bom island, which is a short walk over the turquoise sea along a charming walkway. As well as eating in the restaurant, the friendly staff can also arrange a table on the marina pier or a romantic meal on your own private beach.
You’re free to use the snorkelling equipment, paddle boards and kayaks while you’re staying and a highlight is meeting Chaplin the African Grey parrot who patrols the hotel and loves to have his tummy tickled!
Where is Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe is found in the Gulf of Guinea, 250km west of Gabon on the African mainland. The two main islands sit 150km, or a 30-minute flight, apart. Combined, they have a surface area of 1,001 square km and constitute the second smallest country in Africa after the Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit?
Tropical, hot and humid all year round with maximum of 30˚C from January to April, and slightly cooler from May to September. Both islands have dry and wet seasons. June to September is cooler, with more cloud and virtually no rain, whilst March to May and October to December are considered the wettest months, when days often bring a mix of rain and clear skies.
How do I get to Sao Tome?
Options for getting to the islands are relatively limited and the best is with TAP Air Portugal, via Lisbon (with a short stopover in Accra). Low-cost airlines Easyjet and Ryanair also fly to Lisbon and we can arrange separate tickets to São Tomé from there. Flights between Sao Tome and Principe are with STP (the local island carrier). Flights are included with your holiday and your São Tomé specialist will find the best flight times and prices for you.
Do I need a visa for Sao Tome?
If you stay more than 15 days you will need a visa and we arrange this for you as part of your holiday. Visas can’t currently be paid for in advance – they are inserted into your passport on arrival at the airport in Sao Tome so you will need to pay €20 per person in cash at this stage.
Is it safe to travel in Sao Tome?
Sao Tome and Principe is a very safe holiday destination and the crime rate is very low. However, petty theft is becoming more common especially in built-up areas so we advise only carrying enough money for the day and keeping the rest in a hotel safe. Whilst there are many lovely beaches on the islands, they don’t have lifeguards. Swimming in the ocean around the islands is amazing, however we always advise that you check with the hotel where you are staying with to make sure the conditions are safe as there can be strong undertows and current on some beaches. The first rule of thumb is to check first. The second one would be that if there are large rolling breakers, then it is advisable not to go in.
Do I need vaccinations for Sao Tome?
It’s always best to check with your doctor to make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations before you travel.
Are there any wildlife hazards in Sao Tome?
The black cobra is the most dangerous and poisonous animal on Sao Tome and is most commonly found in forested areas in the south and east of the island. Like most snakes, they try to avoid contact with humans and are therefore rarely seen.
It’s also advisable to try avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers and/or wearing insect repellent with DEET, as malaria is present on Sao Tome. For comprehensive health advice on visiting Sao Tome please visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
