We organise bespoke holidays to Africa's best kept secret islands, São Tomé and Príncipe; the dream destination for those seeking somewhere safe & undiscovered
You are here: Home > Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe is considered to be Africa’s Galapagos, due to the rare endemic species that inhabit the islands. First discovered by Portuguese explorers in the late 15th century, these tropical islands offer a warm welcome, with spectacular beaches and a range of activities.
The females start arriving on the beaches in November and can be seen laying eggs right through to February. Late January through to the end of March is when you can see hatchlings heading for the ocean. You can join a conservation effort and quietly observe these pre-Jurassic sea creatures.
Search for magnificent humpback whales as they migrate past the islands between July and October.
Sao Tome and Principe has the highest density of endemic birds worldwide. 75 species can be regularly seen on the islands; 17 of these are endemic to Sao Tome, and 8 to Principe. We can organise a guide to take you to the best bird watching locations.
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.
Discover the beating heart of Sao Tome and Principe's history on a visit to one of the many splendid old plantations.
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.
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.
There are several dive centres on the islands where qualified, experienced dive instructors will guide you to snapper, octopus, moray eels, sea horses, giant sea slugs and much more.
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 are a 30-minute flight apart. They are the second smallest country in Africa after the Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit?
Tropical, hot and humid all year round with a maximum of 30˚C . There are two dry seasons. December through to February is dry and hot, then June to September dry, cool, with more cloud and virtually no rain. March to May and October & November 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). Flights between Sao Tome and Principe are with STP (the local island carrier) and are included with your holiday.
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 low. However, petty theft is becoming more common in built-up areas, so we advise only carrying enough money for the day and keeping the rest in a hotel safe.
Is it safe to swim in the sea?
Whilst there are many lovely beaches on the islands, they don’t have lifeguards. Swimming in the ocean around the islands is amazing but 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. 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.
Should I bring insect repellent?
Try to avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers, and/or wear 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.
In our experience these are the best times of the year to visit Sao Tome and Principe:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Tropical, hot and humid all year round with a maximum of 30˚C . There are two dry seasons. December through to February is dry and hot, then June to September dry, cool, with more cloud and virtually no rain. March to May and October & November are considered the wettest months, when days often bring a mix of rain and clear skies.
January through to March is the best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe, as its the driest time of year and the temperatures are pleasant, not too hot. It’s also the best time to witness the turtle hatchlings making a bid for the ocean.
Bird watching is one of the great pleasures of visiting between October and March, when a chorus of exotic birdsong fills the air.
Humpback Whales arrive into the seas surrounding Sao Tome and Principe in July, and depart around October time.
Sao Tome and Principe is considered to be Africa’s Galapagos, due to the rare endemic species that inhabit the islands. First discovered by Portuguese explorers in the late 15th century, these tropical islands offer a warm welcome, with spectacular beaches and a range of activities.
The females start arriving on the beaches in November and can be seen laying eggs right through to February. Late January through to the end of March is when you can see hatchlings heading for the ocean. You can join a conservation effort and quietly observe these pre-Jurassic sea creatures.
Search for magnificent humpback whales as they migrate past the islands between July and October.
Sao Tome and Principe has the highest density of endemic birds worldwide. 75 species can be regularly seen on the islands; 17 of these are endemic to Sao Tome, and 8 to Principe. We can organise a guide to take you to the best bird watching locations.
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.
Discover the beating heart of Sao Tome and Principe's history on a visit to one of the many splendid old plantations.
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.
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.
There are several dive centres on the islands where qualified, experienced dive instructors will guide you to snapper, octopus, moray eels, sea horses, giant sea slugs and much more.
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 are a 30-minute flight apart. They are the second smallest country in Africa after the Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit?
Tropical, hot and humid all year round with a maximum of 30˚C . There are two dry seasons. December through to February is dry and hot, then June to September dry, cool, with more cloud and virtually no rain. March to May and October & November 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). Flights between Sao Tome and Principe are with STP (the local island carrier) and are included with your holiday.
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 low. However, petty theft is becoming more common in built-up areas, so we advise only carrying enough money for the day and keeping the rest in a hotel safe.
Is it safe to swim in the sea?
Whilst there are many lovely beaches on the islands, they don’t have lifeguards. Swimming in the ocean around the islands is amazing but 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. 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.
Should I bring insect repellent?
Try to avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers, and/or wear 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.
In our experience these are the best times of the year to visit Sao Tome and Principe:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Tropical, hot and humid all year round with a maximum of 30˚C . There are two dry seasons. December through to February is dry and hot, then June to September dry, cool, with more cloud and virtually no rain. March to May and October & November are considered the wettest months, when days often bring a mix of rain and clear skies.
January through to March is the best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe, as its the driest time of year and the temperatures are pleasant, not too hot. It’s also the best time to witness the turtle hatchlings making a bid for the ocean.
Bird watching is one of the great pleasures of visiting between October and March, when a chorus of exotic birdsong fills the air.
Humpback Whales arrive into the seas surrounding Sao Tome and Principe in July, and depart around October time.