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Sao Tome and Principe Tours and Travel

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YPT Tours To Sao Tome and Principe

Join one of our Sao Tome and Principe tours and discover why it is often referred to as Africa’s “heaven on Earth”. This volcanic archipelago is known for its lush rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and rich colonial history. It lays on the Equator line, East of the African continent.

With a population of just 220,372 inhabitants, the islands of Sao Tome and Príncipe gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Compared to other African nations, Sao Tome and Principe is considered a more laidback, green and clean country.

With YPT, you’ll explore the more developed island and capital city of Sao Tome, a charming town with colonial architecture, lively market and abandoned plantations. The island most famous and epic landmark is the Pico de Cao Grande, a 663-metre-high skyscraper-like volcanic peak located in the middle of the forest.

Un-touristy and underrated, Sao Tome & Principe is among the least visited countries despite having pristine beaches, unique chocolate, delicious coffee and rum.

Group Tours To Sao Tome and Principe

Currently, YPT offers one yearly group tour to Sao Tome & Principe, which starts directly after our Angola tour. The 4 days tour explores the larger and more developed island, Sao Tome. It focuses on the capital city and explores both the Northern and Southern part of this very beautiful island.

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Independent Tours
To Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome & Principe has a special place in the hearts of YPT guides thanks to its remote and untouched nature, despite a dark colonial past. The islands thrives on its natural resources and is the world’s largest producer of cocoa.

Our independent tours focuses on Sao Tome, from its colonial roots to its natural beauty. Independent tours can be combined with Angola. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Sao Tome and Principe tours.

Example Sao Tome and Principe Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Sao Tome

  • Arrive at your convenience into Sao Tome, which has regular flights from Angola, Portugal, and Ghana.
  • Go to Tamarindos or Tortue Ecolodge beach to relax.
  • Overnight stay in Sao Tome.

Day 2 – Sao Tome – Sao Joao dos Angolares – Pico Grande

  • We begin our road trip to the most southern part of the island stopping at an abandoned hospital of Roca Agua Ize. This hospital used to be one of the best hospitals in western Africa and was built for the workers at the Roca Agua Ize plantation.
  • Located nearby the plantation is the seaside cliff Boca de Inferno (Hell’s Mouth).
  • We’ll make a short stop in Sao Joao dos Angolares. This is the largest town on the southern part of the island.
  • Explore Cascata De Praia Pesqueria, a magnificent waterfall.
  • The most famous landmark of Sao Tomé & Principe is the Pico de Cao Grande. This mountain is 663 meters tall and visible all over the island.
  • We relax for a moment at Grande Beach and take in the Atlantic.
  • Overnight stay in Sao Tome.

Day 3 – São Tomé – Porto Alegre – Rolas Island

  • Visit the Post Office, the perfect place to send a unique post card back home!
  • 2-hour Drive to Porto Alegre. Stop by an old rusty tank.
  • We board a boat for a 20 minute journey to Rolas Island. This island is where the equator crosses through Sao Tomé & Principe.
  • Return drive to Sao Tome.
  • Overnight stay in Sao Tome.

Day 4 – Sao Tome – Vila Malanza

  • Start our day with a drive to the mangroves near Vila Malanza.
  • Take a boat tour through the largest mangrove reserve in São Tomé and Príncipe. It is home to diverse wildlife, including unique bird species.
  • Overnight stay in Sao Tome.

Day 5 – Sao Tome

  • This morning we move to a different hotel, this time we go back to the main town of the island.
  • Visit to the National Museum. Here you can find religious art and colonial-era artifacts.
  • The Diogo Vaz Shopping. Here you can taste incredibly unique chocolate such as chocolate with grapes macerated in cocoa alcohol, ginger, orange, pepper and coffee, as well as 100% dark chocolate.
  • Time to relax! For example: you can go to Tortue Ecolodge beach or explore a bit of the downtown on your own. It’s all up to you.
  • Overnight stay in São Tomé.

Day 6 – Sao Tome

  • Take a city tour in São Tomé.
  • Our first stop is the Coffee Museum. Sao Tome is famous for its coffee plantations, which began in 1780.
  • Begin our sightseeing of one of the oldest colonial capitals in Africa by exploring Independence Square – signifying independence gained in 1975.
  • Explore the traditional, new and fish markets of Sao Tome, a perfect way to learn more about this small nation.
  • See the Presidential Palace from outside. This unique pink 19th century Portuguese Colonial style structure houses the current president.
  • Stop by the Sao Tome Cathedral. The first church of Our Lady of Grace was built at the end of the fifteenth century.
  • Overnight stay in São Tomé.

Day 7 – Sao Tome – Roca Agostinho Neto – Santa Catarina

  • Drive to Northern Sao Tome stopping by the village of Roca Agostinho Neto – named after the first president of Angola: Agostinho Neto.
  • We visit the largest plantation in the country, which used to be the biggest cocoa producer. Nowadays the plantation is partly working and families relocated to live on the plantation.
  • Continue towards the Atlantic with a stop at the Blue Lagoon Beach. It sounds as exotic as it is!
  • We continue our drive to Lagao Azul. This is the most northern point of the country and can only be reached via the Santa Catarina Tunnel (the only tunnel in Sao Tomé and Principe).
  • Explore the fishing village of Santa Catarina.
  • Return to the capital and stop by the Monte Café Plantation, one of the most famous coffee plantations on the island.
  • Return to Sao Tome.
  • Overnight stay in Sao Tome.

Day 8 – Sao Tome

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Chance to purchase some gifts before being transfer to airport.
  • End of tour.

Bespoke Tours to Sao Tome and Principe

We can offer bespoke and independent Sao Tome & Principe tours. For more information on the following programs, or if what you are looking for not be on this list, simply get in touch and we’ll arrange it.

Nature-focused Sao Tome & Principe tours

Sao Tome & Principe tropical climate is perfect for agriculture and the vegetation. Our bespoke tours include trekking through the jungle and water activities along the many beautiful beaches.

Gastronomy tours in Sao Tome & Principe

The islands are the largest producers of cocoa, making their chocolate arguably the best! You can find delicious sea food and locally produced, coffee, rum and beer. You can visit various plantations to see how it’s cultivated from the land and sample the final product.

Principe tours

The smaller and northern island of Principe is even less frequented than Sao Tome. We can arrange bespoke tours to Principe island and explore its colonial past, wildlife and plantations.

Whale watching tours

We can create a bespoke tour taking you out to see humpback whales during their migration. Our bespoke tours also give you an opportunity to swim with the whales.

Filming in Sao Tome and Principe

Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others to film within Sao Tome & Principe from big-budget to guerrilla productions.

Frequently ask Questions about travel to Sao Tome and Principe

  • How do I get to Sao Tome and Principe?

    There are regular flights between Angola, Portugal, and Ghana. If you are joining us from our Angola group tour, we’ll let you know what flight to book.

  • Do I need a visa to visit Sao Tome and Principe?

    Sao Tome and Principe allows 55 citizens to visit visa-free for 15 days. These include passport holders from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and all people with a European Union passport. Others citizen can get a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa.

  • What currency does Sao Tome and Principe use?

    The official currency used in Sao Tome and Principe is the dobra. For the best exchange rate, we recommend exchanging USD or EUR for the local currency. The islands mostly runs on cash, bank cards are not widely accepted.

  • What should I wear in Sao Tome and Principe?

    The region has a tropical humid climate, loose breathable clothing is recommended. Please remember to bring your hat and sunglasses. For those wearing shorts and t-shirts, insect repellent is recommended.

  • Is it safe to travel to Sao Tome and Principe?

    Sao Tome and Principe is extremely safe, however be mindful of your valuables and don’t openly display them.

  • Is Sao Tome and Principe vegetarian and vegan friendly?

    Although sea food is popular, there are vegetarian dishes and vegan dishes readily available, including beans and rice. It’s also a great opportunity to try many fruits and vegetables grown on the island.

  • What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

    The main spoken language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. All our guides speak English. However if you require another language then please get in touch.

  • Do I need travel insurance to visit Sao Tome and Principe?

    We do strongly recommend that travellers to all our destinations have travel insurance. Accidents or medical conditions can happen anywhere and it’s best to be prepared. A proper travel insurance should include coverage for (medical) evacuation/repatriation costs by helicopter, plane or ship.

    You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385

  • Why travel with Young Pioneer Tours to Sao Tome and Principe?

    Sao Tome and Principe is one the worlds least visited countries, here at YPT we are your experts in these destinations. Often we’re the first to start commencing tours to these less frequented destinations.

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