Summary
Sundy Praia on Principe is the focus of this break. Stay in Omali Lodge on Sao Tome before and after to see the culture and beauty of Principe's larger island-sibling.
Highlights
- Sundy Praia is a world-class luxury rainforest and beach retreat.
- Explore Principe's primary forest with guided tours
- Take a boat trip to see the jaw-dropping view into the Bay of Needles
The Details
The island of Principe is the epitome of a paradise island and Sundy Praia is a fantastic place to stay. The lodges are built entirely from wood and canvas, immersing you in your tropical surroundings. Awaken to the sound of bird song, and drift of to the dulcet tones of the ocean. Sundy Praia was listed in the National Geographic‘s ‘Unique Lodges of the World’ and you’ll understand why when you arrive!
This holiday has been carefully crafted to maximise your time on the island. You’ll start your tropical journey on the main island of Sao Tome, staying at Omali Lodge. This lovely boutique hotel is set in tropical gardens and sits on the outskirts of Sao Tome City. You can sit by the pool in the gardens and dine at the excellent in-house restaurant.
From Sao Tome, you take the short forty-minute flight across the ocean to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Principe. The paradise island of Principe is the jewel in the crown, with impossibly turquoise waters, tropical forest, and golden sands.
On Principe you’ll spend five unforgettable nights at Sundy Praia where you’ll be treated to a tension-releasing massage. Enjoy a gentle guided walk through the rain forest to Ribeira Izé, Principe’s first capital. Perhaps visit a cacao plantation, or take a boat journey. The choice is yours and there are plenty of excursions to choose from. The lodge has snorkels and stand up paddleboards that you can use, and you can explore the deserted beaches and warm waters at your leisure.
You dine under a bamboo canopy, where locally sourced products are cooked over an open fire. Freshly caught fish and organic produce from their own gardens will be your daily staple. The talented chefs will create dishes that are both good for you, and mouth-wateringly delicious. When you want to relax, you simply step onto the beach, or laze in the infinity pool.
Suggested Itinerary
Sao Tome and Principe is best experienced during a fourteen or a ten day trip - but if time is short for you, this week is designed to get under the skin of this tropical paradise as efficiently as possible, staying in the exclusive Sundy Praia. Today you'll fly to Lisbon to stay in a hotel adjacent to the terminals, in order to catch tomorrow morning's Sao Tome flight.
Return to the terminals and cross Africa to reach Sao Tome. On arrival you'll be met for your transfer to Omali Lodge on the ocean front, on the outskirts of Sao Tome city. Enjoy dinner (included) at Omali's restaurant tonight.
This morning you'll transfer to the airport and fly to Principe. On arrival you'll be met for your transfer to Sundy Praia. The transfer is where your adventure starts as you wind through the jungle on unsealed tracks, before coming upon the entrance lodges to Sundy Praia. You'll meet the hospitality and guiding team and settle into your villa. You might like to have your complimentary massage this afternoon, and do some snorkelling and stand up paddle boarding. As you're staying for five nights on a full-board basis, dinner tonight is in the stunningly-designed dining hall of Sundy Praia.
You can chat with the guiding team on arrival about what activities you'd like to do during your stay. There's a range of included activities, and some others you might like to choose for which you can pay a supplement whilst you're there. Today you could take a boat trip to see the famous Bay of Needles (Baía das Agulhas). Swim and snorkel in the equatorial waters, with the stupendous backdrop of Principe's rainforest-clad rock spires.
Free day to relax and enjoy Sundy Praia and the island of Principe. Why not join a guided 4x4 tour of the north of the island, including the world's smallest capital city Santo Antonio. Enjoy visiting plantations and local craftspeople,
Free day to relax and enjoy Sundy Praia and the island of Principe. You might add a private guided bird watching tour. Time spent looking for Principe's endemic species in the company of a local is unforgettable.
Free day to relax and enjoy Sundy Praia and the island of Principe. Take a guided walk to the hidden falls of Oque Pipi, within the protected primary rainforest of the Parque Natural Obô do Príncipe. Remember your swimwear as you can take a dip here in this rainforest paradise!
You'll check out and say goodbye to Principe. Transfer to the airport and fly back to Sao Tome. Tonight you have one last night in the Omali Lodge. Dinner's included but let us know if you'd prefer to venture into Sao Tome city to find your own meal tonight.
The homebound flights depart in the late afternoon - you have the day to relax in your lodge before your afternoon airport transfer. We'll include a day room for you so you can use all the hotel facilities. There's time for a guided city tour if you'd like to add one. Later on, you'll transfer to the airport for your overnight flights back to Heathrow via Lisbon.
You'll change planes in Lisbon early this morning to catch your flight back to the UK.
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
Sundy Praia Principe Island
Sundy Praia is a luxury tented villa resort nestled in tropical rainforest on a private beach
Retreat
Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
Omali Lodge
Comfortable boutique style hotel set in tranquil tropical gardens
Boutique HotelsGallery
From £6,850 per person
The guide price is based on two people sharing a twin or a double room, activities and board as described and includes flights from the UK. Local hotel and tourist taxes are included within the guide price.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
