Discover São Tomé & Príncipe with Lisbon

Duration
14 days
Price from
£3,194 pp.
Location
São Tomé and Príncipe, Africa
Principe island

Trip Highlights

  • Explore Lisbon's historic streets
  • Snorkel in the clear waters of Príncipe
  • Hike through rich rainforests

What's Included

  • Guided island tours and nature walks
  • Eco-luxury accommodation
  • Culinary experiences in Lisbon & S. Tomé

Combine these destinations to create a wonderful action packed 2 weeks away

Unlike most tropical paradise islands São Tomé & Príncipe does often need not only an introduction but also someone to point out where these islands are. As they are an ex-Portuguese colony you have to fly via Lisbon to get there. So why not make the most of this amazing city as a decompression between the UK and these lush tropical islands? Enjoy the amazing food, super views and relaxed vibe.

Once you arrive on São Tomé you will have time to discover the tiny São Tomé City as well as trek the interior forests, discovering the remains of plantations from yesteryear.

After which we drive you down to the remote southern tip to stay at a locally family run eco lodge set on a beautiful turtle beach, offering a bit of laid back island living as well as the opportunity to get to the Ilheu das Rolas and stand on the Equator.

You then head to the north of the island to stay at another eco lodge, completely built from locally sourced materials. An Italian couple own and run it so expect an absolutely delicious fusion of Italian and São Toméan cuisine.

You then head to Príncipe and have 5 nights at a recently refurbished beach hotel, located on arguably the best beach on the island.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 Fly from the UK to Lisbon.

Lisbon Tram

Touch down in Lisbon and take a shared shuttle into the heart of the city, heading straight for the cobbled charm of the Alfama District - Lisbon's oldest quarter, full of character and atmosphere. You will spend the next two nights at the stylish Memmo Alfama Boutique Hotel, staying in a standard room with breakfast included. The hotel's rooftop terrace and plunge pool offer an unbeatable panorama over the terracotta rooftops and the mouth of the Tagus River - perfect for a sunset drink after a days exploring.

We recommend a visit to the Time Out Market near Memmo Alfama, where you can try everything from freshly grilled sardines to gourmet pastel de nata!

Day 3 Fly to São Tomé

Staying at Omali Lodge

Return to the airport by shuttle and catch your onward flight to São Tomé. You will arrive this afternoon and be welcomed by a representative from your hotel for a short transfer into town. Check into Omali Lodge, a relaxed yet stylish boutique stay just outside the city centre. Spend the next two nights here in a standard room, with breakfast included.

There is a lovely garden and pool if you fancy a quiet evening after your journey.

Day 4 Explore São Tomé

Day 5 Rainforest to ocean

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive down the spine of the island to its southern tip. This private transfer takes you through dense forest, misty highlands, and past colourful fishing villages. An amazing chance to soak up some of the island's most striking scenery.

You will reach Praia Inhame Eco Lodge, a eco-retreat of wooden bungalows raised on stilts, set right on a beach. This stretch of coast is a protected nesting area of turtles (November to March), and faces the tiny island of Ilhéu das Rolas, just across the water. Stay for two nights with breakfast and dinner included.

Day 6 Ilhéu das Rolas

Day 7-8 Northern escape to Mucumbli Eco Lodge

Day 9 Off to Príncipe - barefoot luxury

Staying at Bom Bom

This morning, head to the airport for your short flight to Príncipe, São Tomé’s smaller and even more remote sister island. On arrival, a representative will transfer you to the beautiful beachfront hotel of Bom Bom,

Set below two palm-fringed beaches connected by a wooden walkway, Bom Bom is barefoot luxury at its best. You will stay here for the next five nights, with breakfast and a daily guided activity included.

Day 10-13 Discover Príncipe

Principe

Your time on Príncipe is adventurous or relaxed as you would like. Each day includes a guided experience - perhaps a boat trip to hidden beaches, a hike through virgin rainforest to a waterfall, or a visit to one of the island's cocoa plantations.

This is also the perfect place to unwind. The beaches are often completely empty, the sunsets are spectacular, and the birdlife is incredible (keep watch for the Príncipe kingfisher and flycatcher). If you have ever dreamed of feeling totally off-grid in comfort, this is your chance!

Day 14 Say your goodbyes

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When to visit São Tomé & Principe

Find out the best time to visit São Tomé & Príncipe with our month-by-month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

The short dry season continues through to March. This is a great time for exploring Obo National Park on Sao Tome, as well as scuba diving, hiking and seeing turtles nesting and hatching. Bird watching is superb for those who want to see the bright breeding plumage.

February

The dry weather continues throughout February, meaning hiking in Obo National Park on Sao Tome is particularly good, although the heat can be quite intense. Scuba divers will delight at the water clarity, whilst those down at the beach may catch the end of the turtle nesting season. Bird watchers will enjoy seeing the bright breeding plumage of local species.

March

The long wet season begins with daily rain showers and intense humidity. However the rain doesn't last all day, and the showers leave behind clear blue skies, making this an ideal time for photography. March is good for orchid spotting too.

April

The wet season continues with daily rain showers and high humidity. Hiking becomes tricky on the muddy terrain. April is actually a great time to visit as it's not quite as hot as in February and March, and the rain showers clear the clouds leaving sunny blue skies, which is ideal for photography. Orchids are flourishing at this time of year

May

May sees the end of the long wet season with daily rainfall showers and intense humidity. It's a good month for orchid spotting and photography, but hiking remains difficult on the muddy terrain.

June

The main dry season runs from June through to the beginning of September. It's the perfect time for hiking, exploring beaches and swimming in the turquoise sea. This is the hottest time of year, but the cloudy skies offer some protection from the sun.

July

July is the heart of the long dry period, defined by the absence of rain, and the presence of cloudy skies, which will give some respite from the heat. Hiking and swimming is particularly good at this time of year.

August

The dry season continues into August, an ideal time for beaches, swimming and hiking the trails around the islands. There's no rain, but no blue skies either. Humpback Whales, Killer Whales and dolphins begin migrating along the north east shores. August is a month of Saints' feast days with several cultural celebratory events where the streets come alive with open air food stalls, music and entertainment.

September

September sees the dry weather period drawing to an end. It's still a good time for hiking, walking along the beaches and taking a tip in the ocean. Temperatures are still soaring, but the cloudy skies offer some protection from the heat. It's a great time for whale and dolphin watching as they migrate along the north east shores.

October

October is a bit of a mixed bag, with the short wet season beginning in earnest. Hiking becomes more difficult but it doesn't rain all day, so it's still a good month for most island activities. The whale and dolphin migration continues along the north east coastline.

November

In recent years November has been the month with the highest rainfall, heralding the beginning of the short wet season. Skies are grey, but the bird nesting season begins which is good news for bird watchers, and from mid-November turtles start nesting on the beaches.

December

December sees the beginning of the short dry season. There's still a bit of rain around, but nothing to really disrupt activities. It's a great time for bird watching and seeing the bright breeding plumage, and the turtles continue to nest on the beaches.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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