Whoa! How time flies, summer is here again. It is about that time of the year, when you want to while away a couple of days or even weeks in a hide-out, laze on the soft white sand under palm and coconut trees, swim in the warm azure ocean, go safari or explore city breaks.
If you have been dreaming of a wonder island to rest your head or pamper your aching body this summer, and you cannot afford fun on the pockets of islands on the Caribbean, I guess you need to look inwards to discover Sao Tome, a seeming Africa’s best kept secret.
With the near perfect nature, enabling leisure facilities, and very friendly people, the little-known small island paradise on the west coast lying 600, 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres off the coast of Gabon, Cameroun and Nigeria, respectively, has good reason to lay claim to the prestigious title of “Africa’s best kept secret.” It is the adventure that truly awaits you on arrival.
With a combined surface area of 1,000 square kilometres and a population of about 200,000, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is Africa’s smallest state. Situated in the Gulf of Guinea below the bulge of West Africa, the country consists of two volcanic islands that were discovered and colonised by Portugal in the late 15th Century.
The flight from Libreville, Duala and Lagos via Libreville to Sao Tome is nothing more than a short hop from the mainland, but it opened the doors to a largely unknown island nation boasting a great climate and incredible natural beauty.
Besides Madagascar, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Seychelles, and Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe is one of the island nations lying off the coast of Africa, that is often overlooked by tourists until they discover how beautiful nature is in that part of the world.
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The exotic and beautiful islands look forward to welcoming you to their unspoilt nature this summer. Like no other islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Sao Tome seems to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the south pacific. The atmosphere here is palpably luxury and it is an intoxicating blend of sunlight, sea, air and fantastically abundant vegetation.
This Africa’s smallest state is a jungle full of fruits and the ocean is full of fish, so the people and even you do not have to worry about running out of food. There are no dangerous animals like tigers, lions, deadly snakes or spiders in the jungle. The most dangerous one is probably the mosquito that can give you malaria if you do not protect yourself.
It is one of the most beautiful places to be this summer with visitors marvelling at the array of activities that will keep them busy, active and leave them with a lingering experience.
The beautiful beaches are far from the crowd and yet, also very safe. You might see a fisherman going out into the sea, but that is about it. If you like to have a beach to yourself, this is the right place for you.
You cannot afford to overlook bird watching. The islands are not only pleasant places for tourist, but also for a lot of birds. Specialists have sighted over 135 species in 40 families on the islands. Most variety of birds will be found in the southern part of Sao Tome Island, but also on the island of Principe where parrots still lives free in the jungle.
Take a day to explore the beautiful coastline by boat. Both sailing boats and speed boats are available. Along the way you may see dolphins playing around the boat and even whales.
The waters are filled with fish of different kinds. Here you can get your chance to catch a 1,000-pound marlin or a really aggressive sailfish. For a swell fishing trip and experience, the local travelling agency or any of the international hotels are all at your request.
It will also be one swell of experience to take a couple of days to see the different plantation houses that was used during the colonial past. Many of them are now run as small hotels and cafés where you can spend the night and relax on the big verandas.
A couple of miles up in the mountains you will find Cascata São Nicolãu (Saint Nikolaus waterfall). It is a beautiful waterfall that seems to come right out of the wall of the jungle.
A couple of miles south, you will find Boca de Inferno (Hells mouth), a natural phenomenon caused when the waves find their way in to a narrow ravine that ends in a cave with a hole in the roof. The water is then forced up through the hole and creates a cascade of water that shoots up into the air. It is a very dramatic scene when the big waves hit the black cliffs.
On the south edge of the São Tomé Island you will find Praia Jalé, a beach where giant sea turtles climb up in the morning hours to lay their eggs in the sand. It is possible to stay the night on the beach in small huts without electricity. The beach is guarded, and if the turtles come in the morning you can ask the guards to wake you up to experience the extraordinary procedure.
There is yet a small beautiful island situated south of the Sao Tome Island. On the island you will find very beautiful beaches and a monument physically pointing out the equator that is crossing the island.
You can advance further to an old fortress located in the harbour of São Tomé.
The fortress is now used as a museum and hosts a religious art collection and artefacts from the colonial times. One of the strangest things is the remains of one of the cacao kings stored in a box under his painting.
From the roof of the museum you have a good view over the ocean and the light house is still in use today. Climb from sea level up to 2,024 metres through the exotic jungle. From the top of the old volcano you will get a fantastic view.
You can access world-class accommodation options at Roca de Sao Joao, Roca de Monteforte, Rolas Island Beach Resort, among others, from $100 per room a night. What then do you need? Make the best of summer holiday in this nature’s fine abode.
Getting there
The Island nation can be accessed from Lagos through Arik Air that connects flights to the island from Libreville in Gabon or Duala in Cameroun.
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