Summary
Escape to a world of golden sandy beaches, tropical adventure, and gorgeous sunsets.
Highlights
- Swim and snorkel from Banana Beach then relax on the golden sands.
- Enjoy luxury accommodation in a grand post-colonial manor house.
- Join your guides to explore the wider island.
The Details
Roca Belo Monte is grand location: a tastefully-converted country house with extensive grounds and a stunning private beach made famous by the 1991 Bacardi Rum advert. Here you can spend your time relaxing in the luxurious grounds or by exploring the island on one of our fascinating guided tours.
Join your guides on a walk through the primary forests of Principe. Borrow snorkel equipment and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Take a guided kayak journey around Principe’s remote northern beaches. Return to Belo Monte’s promontory and relax with a cocktail before dinner on the terrace. Watch bats play around the house and trees as the sun sets.
It takes a little effort to travel to the islands of Sao Tome and Principe, however if you’re prepared to do this the rewards will speak for themselves. The islands hold a quiet charm of days gone by and yet if you take a closer look you’ll be surprised by what you find, especially on the island of Principe.
Suggested Itinerary
Fly from Heathrow to Lisbon. On arrival transfer Solar do Castelo, which is the only hotel situated inside the walls of the Castle of Sao Joao in Lisbon (30mins).
Transfer to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Omali Lodge (10 mins).
Tour of Sao Tome City visiting the Fortress of Sao Sebastian, Independence Square, Cathedral Nossa Senhora da Graca, old and new markets and Cacao Gallery. You will have lunch at a local restaurant.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Principe. On arrival transfer to the Roca Belo Monte (10 mins). In the afternoon you could go snorkelling from the hotel's private beach (masks, snorkels and fins can be borrowed from the hotel).
Free day - Today you might like to take an exploratory a jeep tour of the island.
Free day - Today you might like to have a boat trip along the coast and visit the yellow sandy bays where you can swim and snorkel in the clear water.
Free day - Today you might like to venture into the rainforest on a guided walk, or spend some time with a bird-watching guide.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. On arrival transfer to Omali Lodge.
Free day until it's time for your late afternoon transfer to the airport. Depart and fly back home overnight via Lisbon.
Best time to go
The tropical Islands of Sao Tome and Principe can be enjoyed during any month of the year. The most optimum months to visit are perhaps during the short dry season, between December and February, because this is a good time to see the turtles coming to shore to nest. The long dry season, between June and September, is the most settled. During the dry seasons the weather is usually warm and predominantly dry, but you can get some short downpours, and high humidity does mean that the skies are often overcast.
If you enjoy the intensity of short tropical downpours followed by clear blue skies, and an abundance of tropical foliage, then visit during the wetter months: October and November, and March to May.
Turtle nesting season runs from mid-November through to early February, with hatching generally occurring during March. October through to March are the optimum months for bird watching enthusiasts and there are a range of bird watching walks and excursions on offer. Humpback whale watching season is between late July and October, most of which falls in the long dry season, with the exception of October which is the wettest month on Sao Tome and Principe.
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Suggested places to stay
Principe, Sao Tome and Principe
Roca Belo Monte Hotel
Exclusive boutique hotel with five private beaches including the renowned Banana Beach.
Boutique Hotels
Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
Omali Lodge
Comfortable boutique style hotel set in tranquil tropical gardens
Boutique HotelsGallery
From £5,050 per person
The price is based on two people sharing a twin or a double room, activities as described and includes flights from the UK. Local tourist taxes are included in the guide price.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
