Discover Principe

INCLUDES:

• Meet & greet service at airport

• Return road transfers from Sao Tome airport to Omali Lodge

• 1 night accommodation at Omali Lodge including breakfast and in-room teas & coffee, & WiFi

• Return flights from Sao Tome to Príncipe

• Road transfer from Príncipe Airport to Roca Sundy

• 2 nights' accommodation at Roca Sundy including breakfast and dinner, house drinks over meals, teas, coffee, 1 daily half-day experience (as per experience inclusions), WiFi, private guided activities for 2 days

• Road transfer between HBD Príncipe lodges

• 4 nights' accommodation at Sundy Praia including breakfast and dinner, house drinks, teas, coffee, 1 daily experience (as per experience inclusions), 30-minute welcome massage, WiFi, private guided activities for 4 days

• Conservation & Communities Contribution
  Tourism Levies

EXCLUDES:

• International flights and departure taxes

• Excess weight charges

• Visas

• Travel and medical insurance

• All non-specified and additional activities

• Laundry

• All drinks, lunch and dinner at Omali Lodge

• Lunch, and premier and imported drinks at Roca Sundy & Sundy Praia

• Items of a personal nature

• Gratuities

On arrival at the airport in São Tomé, a friendly driver will meet and greet you and assist you with your bags, and minutes later you will be checking in at Omali Lodge.

Take a shower, rest and relax your travelling body by the pool, climb into comfy walking shoes and head out to explore the beaches and vibes of São Tomé town.

Lunch and dinner are for your account, and while you can have both at Omali Lodge, we strongly encourage you to head out and try the delicious produce and gastronomic flair of this island's restaurants. Both Omali Lodge reception and Africa Geographic will gladly recommend venues based on the taste and experience you desire.

As you lie down to sleep, let your imagination wander and let waves of excitement rock you to sleep.

Overnight at Omali Lodge

Enjoy an early breakfast in the fresh morning island air. Depending on your flight time to Príncipe, there may be time to explore the city of São Tomé this morning and enjoy lunch before you transfer to the airport for the 35-minute domestic flight to neighbouring Príncipe Island.

Glue yourself to a window and enjoy the stunning views of the bizarre topography of Príncipe as you land. Phonolith rocks, rainforests and tropical beaches await you on touchdown.

On landing, a Roça Sundy driver will be waiting for you, ready to collect your bags and whisk you off to Roça Sundy, your home for the next three nights.

Depending on your arrival time, you can opt for an afternoon activity. Your afternoon activity will take you on a cultural discovery known as the ‘Cacao Route', which showcases the arduous journey of cacao pods from tree to convenience store shelves. There’s no better way to understand Príncipe’s agricultural past than this curated experience, which vividly brings the island’s chocolate story to life. During a visit to HBD’s agroforestry plantation and small-batch chocolate factory, you’ll learn the secrets of the drying process and taste a range of delicious, cacao-packed treats.

Dinner and overnight at Roça Sundy.

Located on the edge of the Parque Natural Obô do Príncipe - and within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Bay of Needles is a place like no other. Today, shortly after breakfast, we invite you to join a boat trip and enjoy spectacular views of the reserve. This is an exciting sea voyage offering views like no other. You will spend the day swimming and snorkelling in the crisp blue waters of the Bay of Needles.

Expect the need to overcome a sensory overload as you return to Roça Sundy.

This afternoon has been kept simple, for you to rest and relax or take a walk along a local trail to enjoy the vibrant birdlife. Perhaps with a bit of luck, you can catch a glimpse of the endearing and raucous Príncipe grey parrot, dazzling Príncipe's glossy starlings, or a dashing Príncipe kingfisher.

Dinner and overnight at Roça Sundy.

Today you head to the interior of the island, so, after breakfast at Roça Sundy, strap on your walking shoes, pack your swimming costume, hat, binoculars and camera, and hit the trail towards Oquê Pipi Waterfall. The walk takes you through the verdant tropical forests of the Parque Natural do Príncipe, and en route, your guide will take every opportunity to point out the island's most popular animal and plant species. Look out for birds — such as the Príncipe speirops — and elusive civets.

Upon arrival at Oquê Pipi, the island's largest waterfall, you will need little enticing to take a dip in the natural, crystal-clear pool of this magnificent waterfall.

This afternoon find yourself a quiet spot by the pool or verandah, or walk around the old buildings of Roça Sundy to absorb the essence and historical meaning of Roça Sundy. Alternatively, enjoy a stroll through the roça, chat with community members, and partake, watch or cheer a local pick-up football game.

Check-out will be sorted this evening, in preparation for the following day's experience.

Dinner and overnight at Roça Sundy.

Start your day with a scrumptious breakfast at Roça Sundy.

After breakfast, you'll set of on a driving adventure to discover Principe. Soak up tropical scenery on a culture-packed driving adventure, which passes through many of Príncipe’s historic roças, stopping off to see local artisans at work, such as ecopreneur Bela de Pina, who crafts jewellery from glass bottles. To get to know Príncipe even better, add in lunch in Santo António, the world’s smallest capital city.

Whilst you were out exploring, your bags will have been transferred to Sundy Praia, so on your return, we will check you in.

End the afternoon with a dusk stroll along the beach and listen out for the evening birdsong.

Dinner and overnight at Sundy Praia.

Enjoy breakfast at Sundy Praia.

Afterwards, meander through historic forest before emerging at a secret, nestled beach for a specially prepared, delectable surprise. Afterwards, enjoy a dip in the ocean, before taking a stroll along the coast to Sundy Praia.

Enjoy lunch at Sundy Praia (for your own account).

This afternoon, you are free to explore some of Sundy Praia's self-guided experiences. Perhaps end the afternoon along the beach with a stroll at dusk, listening to the waves lapping the shore, enjoying the sunset colours and evening birdsong.

Dinner and overnight at Sundy Praia.

After breakfast at Sundy Praia, today’s experience will take you by boat to the secluded beaches of the northeast side of the island.

The aim is to once again expose you to the unspoilt, natural beauty of Príncipe. This time we'll be adding a human component and stop at a small fishing village where you can learn about the traditional ways of life on the island. Your fascination in this community is guaranteed to be reciprocated by local adults and kids who regard tourist interest and novelty as an exciting and welcome drift from their daily routines. Seize the moment, let your hair down. This is a great time to be curious.  Grab your camera, ask for permission to take photos and learn about the lives and culture of the local people. Afterwards, you'll head to photogenic Praia Banana and Praia Boi. Lunch is included on this experience.

Return to Sundy Praia in the late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Sundy Praia.

Start your day with a scrumptious breakfast at Sundy Praia, and later head out on a walking trail to the Lost City.

Starting from Sundy Praia, your walking trail will immerse you in a luxuriant and primal coastal forest as you approach the lost city of Ribeira Izé, where the ruins of a Catholic church may be carefully explored. The crumbling stone structures still stand, tangled between gnarled ceiba tree roots.

Afterwards amble along the beach, Praia Mocotó, and enjoy a cooling ocean swim.

Your return to the starting point is rewarded with yet another chance to take a dip in the refreshing ocean waters, before returning to Sundy Praia.

At leisure this afternoon, enjoy some self-guided experiences.

Check-out will be sorted this evening, in preparation for the following day’s departure.

Dinner and overnight at Sundy Praia.

Today is, sadly, your departure day. After breakfast at Sundy Praia, and depending on flight there, there may be time to enjoy a last morning by the pool or one of our self-guided experiences, before transferring from Sundy Praia to Príncipe Airport for the 35-minute domestic flight back to São Tomé. Otherwise, depart for the airport straight after breakfast.