Paradise in Sao Tome and Principe Roca Sundy

The remoteness of this two-island nation (roughly 260km off the coast of Gabon) has helped preserve its lush, biodiverse wilderness, so it’s often referred to as ‘Africa’s Eden’ or ‘the African Galapagos’.

The remoteness of this archipelago has helped preserve its lush, biodiverse wilderness – definitely one of the biggest highlights of the destination.

São Tomé and Príncipe is home to more endemic species per square mile than the Galapagos Islands. Species evolved in splendid isolation over the course of 30 million years, the skies are studded with over 25 endemic species of bird and 25 endemic species of butterfly, while the sea abounds with cetaceans and rare tropical fish.

Only around 30,000 tourists visit each year. Your adventure is on the main island of São Tomé, which was uninhabited until it was discovered by the Portuguese in the late 15th century.

It’s not every day that you stand on the equator, with one foot in the northern and the other in the southern hemisphere. But it’s possible when exploring the paradisiac Rolas Island, a tiny islet off the southern tip of São Tomé. Rolas Island  is located a mere 6 degrees longitude of the Prime Meridian line, making it the nearest landmass to the coordinates 00N 00E – this means you are almost standing in the centre of the Earth.

History is brought to life when visiting the old grandiose plantations (roças) such as Roça Agua Izé. A few of these old farms still function after being restored and nationalised whilst the others are now abandoned, with vegetation slowly reclaiming the land.

Contemporary São Tomé and Príncipe has a unique culture combining Portuguese and West African cultural traits. They infuse everything from music, dance, and cuisine as well as creative artworks displayed everywhere around the island.

Principe is everything you hope a tiny, remote island in the middle of the ocean will be. Lofty mountain peaks and staggering rock towers are carpeted in dense tropical rainforest. Almost everywhere you look around the coast there are beautiful golden sandy beaches, fringed lazily with palm trees, lapped by the warm and inviting ocean.

Wonderfully untouched, the island receives few foreign visitors and has a local population of less than 8,500 people. Since independence from the Portuguese in 1975, the islanders have mainly lead subsistence livelihoods in agriculture and fishing, taking life day by day and having little formal employment. Principeans consider themselves a different nationality to Santomeans. Their impact on the biodiversity of the island has been minimal and, when visiting, you genuinely have a sense of escape from globalisation, the digital world and the pace of Western life.

UNESCO established Principe and its surrounding uninhabited islets as a Biosphere Reserve in 2012. Since then its development, including tourism, has been carefully managed under the Man and Biosphere Programme that (amongst other great things) aims to improve human livelihoods and sharing of benefits and protect natural and managed ecosystems. The islanders are proud of their biosphere status and it’s something that unites locals and visitors. There are some amazing projects underway, and if this interests you we’ll make sure you have the opportunity to learn about these during your holiday.

Your Accommodations:

Principe

1st Accommodation (3 nights): Roca Sundy, stay in the heart of Principe’s chocolate story at this roça with guest rooms, once the island’s largest cacao plantation. The 18th and 19th-century buildings date from a time of Portuguese rule and have been restored using historic techniques, with sweeping staircases made from local marapiao wood alongside columned verandahs and patterned tiles. The result is a characterful, boutique property with a step-back-in-time feel.

As well as learning about how this tiny island was, for a time, the world’s largest exporter of cacao, and its scientific importance—Einstein’s general theory of relativity was proven here in 1919.

Provides accommodation, a garden and a bar. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, full-day security and free WiFi.

The country house will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Some units have a terrace and/or a balcony with sea views and outdoor furniture. At the country house, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels.

Buffet and continental breakfast options with local specialties, fresh pastries and pancakes are available daily at the country house. At Hotel Roca Sundy, the restaurant is open for dinner and lunch and serves African cuisine.

You have access to the facilities of Sundy Beach 5 start hotel.

€ 25 per guest per day is donated by the accommodation to support local Principe conservation NGO and local initiatives toward heritage preservation and small business development.

Sao Tome

2nd Accommodation (4 nights): Praia Inhame in the south of Sao Tome, is a paradise on earth, a perfect symbiosis between nature and the pure pleasure of well-being, surrounded by everything you always dreamed of having close by. In the midst of luxuriant vegetation and on the sea of tropical temperatures, bungalows of various types with private toilets await you, in a place where reality surpasses dream.

The bungalows, surrounded by lush landscapes are built with local wood, have a natural and comfortable environment for those looking for a few days of rest. Equipped with private toilets and usually consisting of 2 beds, they are equipped with all the comfort you need to make your stay as pleasant and unforgettable.

3rd Accommodation (4 nights): Club Santana is located in Santana, Cantagalo, 15 km from the city of Sao Tome, the resort is inserted in a property of lush vegetation surrounded by the equatorial forest and comprises 31 bungalows with sea views. It has a private beach and a variety of quality products and services that meet different motivations and needs – leisure, beach, nature. Kayaking, snorkelling, paddle, infinite pool, free wi-fi, beach towels, sunbeds, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath.

The resort offers Bungalows with sea views, surrounded by the lush Sao Tome equatorial forest.

All the bungalows are equipped for the maximum comfort of the guests with air conditioning, 220V electrical supply, IPTV TV (26 channels), individual safe, mini-bar, coffee machine, hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers, extendable rope for drying clothes and private covered balcony.

Activities Included in Package:

Santo Antonio (Principe Capital) – Explore the city with colonialist architecture, discover local restaurants and the genuine kind, gentle and happy people. Have a truly immersive food experience, tasting the rich local cuisine. Did you know Santo Antonio is the smallest capital in the world, according to the World Record Book?

Explore the Principe Rocas (old plantations) – Explore the history of Principe, old and new, engage with the locals, immerse in the traditions and heritage of the Island, influenced by different origin countries of the people.

Boat trip to Principe’s paradise Beaches – Spend most of the day in a boat, admiring the island from the sea, exploring unexplored beaches, snorkelling and having a picnic on a pristine beach.

Sao Tome city (Capital) – Explore the city with colonialist architecture, visit the vibrant local market, discover the exuberant tropical local fruits, the sounds, colours and the genuine kind, gentle and happy people. Have a truly immersive food experience, tasting the rich local cuisine. (Lunch included)

Sao Tome Chocolate route – This experience takes you to the plantation to see and learn the several stages of growing cacao and transforming it into amazing chocolate. After you will visit the producer shop in Sao Tome city, where you can taste what is rated as the best chocolate in the world!

Sao Tome Coffee route – Another incredible experience in a coffee plantation where you also see and learn the several stages of growing coffee and transforming it into the roasted final product. You will visit the coffee museum and at the end indulge yourself with a taste of an incredible cup of coffee.

Explore Sao Tome’s Rocas (old plantations) – Explore the history of Sao Tome, old and new, engage with the locals, immerse in the traditions and heritage of the Island, influenced by different origin countries of the people. (Lunch included)

Sao Tome Waterfalls – explore the luxuriant rainforest and discover beautiful waterfalls, watch the many different bird species and untouched and pure settings.

Sao Tome Beaches – discover pristine beaches along the route to the south of the island. Don’t be surprised to be alone in most of them! (Lunch included)

Sao Tome Turtles conservation – visit the local Turtle conservation NGO facilities. São Tomé receives every year the visit of five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, Chelonia mydas (green turtle), Lepidochelys olivacea (olive ridley), Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill), Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback) and Caretta caretta (loggerhead). From November to January you will have a high chance of seeing these turtles laying their eggs and from January to the end of March you might be lucky enough to see hatchlings making their way to the ocean for the first time. During this period with the NGO you witness them either collecting the eggs to protect them or releasing the little turtles to their first walk to the sea. Did you know only 1/1000 will reach adult life?

Boat trip to Ilheu das Rolas – not only you will discover another paradise, uncovering more pristine beaches, but you will also, on this tiny island, be able to be at the centre of the world, at the coordinates 00N 00E, having one foot in each hemisphere!

Boat trip from Inhame to Santana – Spend most of the day in a boat, admiring the island from the sea, exploring unexplored beaches, snorkelling and having a picnic on a pristine beach. (picnic included)