The Best of Sao Tome and Principe

This itinerary works well starting on a Friday. If another start day is better for you, that's fine, we can tailor any trip to suit. Today you'll fly to Lisbon and stay in a hotel adjacent to the airport so that you are placed to catch tomorrow's morning flight to Sao Tome.

Return to the airport and fly to Sao Tome. If you are lucky you'll spot the Eye of Africa from the air, whilst crossing northern Africa. On arrival at Sao Tome you'll be met for your transfer to your hotel. We've suggested Club Santana here - the itinerary also works with a stay at Omali Lodge. You'll stay at Club Santana on a half board basis (breakfast and dinner).

Today's free so you can relax in to the pace of life on these idyllic and charming islands. You can borrow snorkels and see shoals of fish near the rocks in front of the hotel. You might also like to paddle the hotels kayaks, stand up paddle boards or baby catamaran along the coast. You can also venture into Santana village and visit the school, church and market. Santana is a bustling hub with plenty going on and will offer an insight into what life is like on the islands.

You'll be met for a guided day out, including a walk in the primary rainforest to the hidden crater of Lagoa Amelia. You’ll pass through agricultural forest land before entering the Obo National Park and the rainforest. There are many medicinal plants and trees, and endemic birds to spot as you explore. Cresting the rim, you’ll make a short descent into the volcanic crater of Lagoa Amelia and will learn the history and legends surrounding the now-dry lake. Packed lunch is included today.

Today's an adventure along the east coast road. Your guides will show you plantation houses, Portuguese colonial history, wonderful beaches and the many communities who harvest nature's abundance on the east coast. Lunch is a nine course tasting lunch at the Roca Sao Joao, with chef João Carlos Silva and his team preparing the nine individual courses in his open plan kitchen-restaurant. Later on, check in to Praia Inhame, sited right on it's own amazing beach. You'll stay at Praia Inhame on a half board basis (breakfast and dinner).

Into the mangroves - on a boat tour of the watery world. Glide through the trees and roots, watching for mudskippers rushing from your boat and listening for the calls of tropical birds. After your tour, embrace the pace of life and explore Praia Inhame's perfect beach, a sweep of sand overhung by fronds of tropical trees.

You have return transfers to the islet of Rolas, in a pirogue style boat. There are gorgeous sandy beaches to the west of the pier and explore the trails that criss-cross the islet, walking up to the Equator mark. It's fun to stand one leg either side of the equator mark!

You'll return up the east coast to the airport and cross to Principe. Viewed from the air, Principe appears to be uninhabited and untouched but as you get closer you'll spot the few houses of the sparse population. You'll be met and transferred to your accommodation. Here we've suggested the Roca Belo Monte but this itinerary also works with a stay at the Bom Bom resort, or at the exclusive Sundy Praia. Let us know your preference and we can tailor and cost the trip for you. This afternoon perhaps spend time at the private Banana Beach - made famous by the Bacardi advert of the early 90's. Your stay at the Roca Belo Monte is on a bed and breakfast basis and you can pay directly for dinner at the on-site restaurant.

It's best not to have a strict schedule on Principe but we'll outline what's possible here! Today you might like to join a Principe Explorer jeep tour visiting the Sundy Plantation, Paciencia, Abade fishing village and Nova Estrela viewpoint. The jeep tours are a great way to see real life on the island, as well as its interesting geology.

The north of the island holds many hidden secrets including deserted tropical beaches. Join a snorkelling boat tour and weave in and out of sandy bays, with plenty of chances to swim with the tropical sea life.

Take a guided walk through the jungle to ascend Pico Papagaio - one of Príncipe’s most famous mountains. Visible from the town of Santo Antonio, it is approximately 700 metres high and is formed from volcanic basalt. It's surrounded by secondary and primary rainforest, within the boundaries of the National Park. The challenging trek takes you to the top of the mountain and you’ll see monkeys, native birds, orchids and medicinal plants along the way. The views along the way and from the top are spectacular!

Perhaps you might like to join your local guide on a bird-watching walk through the forest. Principe is remarkably untouched, and its wildlife flourishes undisturbed in the primary and secondary rainforest that covers the island. You'll spend 2-3 hours looking for the beautiful tropical birds that are endemic to this special environment. Sao Tome and Principe have the highest density of endemic birds worldwide and, of the 75 species that regularly occur on the islands, 8 are endemic to Príncipe. Time spent looking for these birds is unforgettable.

You'll check out and return to Sao Tome, staying in Omali Lodge on the outskirts of the city. We'll leave today free to relax. Your stay at Omali is on a bed and breakfast basis and you can pay directly for dinner at the on-site restaurant. You can arrange transfers in to town if you would like to explore, or have dinner in a local restaurant.

Today's a private walking tour of Sao Tome city with your English-speaking guide. You'll visit the bustling old and new markets and tour the former Portuguese colonial buildings that make up the city centre. Your guide will take you to lunch at a restaurant where you can sample the local cuisine of fish, seafood, beans, maize, cooked banana, and the many tropical fruits that grow abundantly here (lunch is included). Later on we'll transfer you to Mucumbli Lodge on Sao Tome's west coast. Your stay at Mucumbli is on a bed and breakfast basis and you can pay directly for dinner at the on-site restaurant.

The Angolares waterfall is deep in the forest, accessible via paths that link to a levada passing the entrance to the waterfall gorge. You'll join your guide on a ride through the jungle to the start of the walk - then leave the jeep behind and follow a levada through the trees. Keep your wits about you as there are times where the levada path is uneven and unprotected. You'll pass through tunnels - some containing bats - before emerging at the spectacular falls.

We've included bike and helmet hire so that you can self-guide and explore. It's lovely to explore the road that takes you south from Mucumbli. You'll cycle through small villages to the little town of Santa Catarina and if you have the energy you can go all the way to the end of the road.

We'll include your room all day so you can relax and use the facilities. Later on we'll transfer you to the airport for your overnight flight to Lisbon.

Change flights in Lisbon and return to London, your heads swimming with memories of this special trip.