Adventure Hiking in Cape Verde

Nice country but poorly organised trip. First time I've left feeling disappointed after a vacation. The local supplier can do a much better job. Fogo was one of the highlights. Luckily met some great people on the tour.

Overall l very much enjoyed the trip, l thought it was well thought through and the hikes were great. Communication could have been improved at times to avoid misunderstandings. One hotel was below expectations and generally it would be advised to describe "hotels" better (regarding availability of water, power,. . . ) as they are very basic!! But overall it was a very memarable trip in many ways!

I had a great time overall. The hikes were all relatively easy and offered amazing views, with the volcano hike being the absolute highlight of the trip. Running down the sand-like surface was incredibly fun and memorable.

The only downside was the last hotel, which had several issues. Fortunately, the local tour operator did their best to help resolve them, which I appreciated.

I’d had it in the back of my mind to visit Cape Verde one day and have say this trip was a fantastic introduction. The whole Bu team made sure our trip ran smoothly and special mention to our wonderful guides Ricardo and Elton. They have a real enthusiasm for their country and kept us updated on what was happening next in our tour. Thete were two hard ish walks(volcano and next day) and two easy ones but with the heat easy is a relief. I like the way this tour has been put together with nice side trips like wine tasting and a visit to a homestead for snacks hot drinks and papaya!The main event is the volcano climb which is hard enough to be a good challenge but not so hard it’s unachievable. The accommodations are clean and generally of a very high standard. Personally I felt the first one an apartment would be better as a hotel ideally with pool…but other than that all amazing and the food is ace too 😊

Got back yesterday was my first trip with mba was amazing trip was run brilliantly by both tour guides and had lots of fun times with the small group of 3 of us. Only downside I would say is they should change the hotel you stay in in Praia as 24 hora is open 24/7 as a restaurant/ night club and loud music made it very difficult to sleep other than that well worth the money any questions feel free to ask me on instagram ljedwards_90

I've just got back from this trip and cannot recommend it enough. Ricardo and J/Elton are excellent guides, incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure everything ran smoothly - no stress!

My personal highlights: scree running on the way down from Pico de Fogo, the best papaya I've ever eaten after the last hike, and swimming at the Cuba Pool.

From some of the other reviews I was expecting this trip to maybe be slightly chaotic but everything was really well-organised throughout. Ricardo helpfully sent the next day's itinerary each day on the WhatsApp group so you knew what was going on. We also had flights instead of ferry crossings to and from Fogo, which worked well and meant we had extra time to enjoy each place. The accommodation was great too - highlights for me were staying in the funcos at Fogo, enjoying the pool in Sao Filipe and the proximity to the beach in Tarrafal.

Overall it felt like a good balance between having planned activities each day and getting some downtime to enjoy each place. Tarrafal beach in particular was lovely, and having a late flight on the final day was a bonus as we got the whole day in Tarrafal to make the most of it.

The one thing I would recommend (because I forgot) is to take hiking snacks for the volcano hike, or buy some in Praia before heading to Fogo - it's a steep climb up and it got very hot by mid-morning (we were climbing in the dry season in May). Getting to run back down the side of the volcano makes the climb worth it though!

All in all, thanks for a great holiday :)

I thought Ricardo was an excellent host. I’ve been on quite a few Much Better Adventures and Intrepid trips and I would rate him as one of the most professional. Elton too handled the big group very well on the volcano particularly the descent and he’s always has a calming nature.

The New Years meal was unexpected and unbelievably tasty.

The only negative I have and it’s a big negative was the accommodation on the final night. It was pretty much a building site in areas with people getting electric shocks from plugs. The check in was so disorganised with people waiting two hours for room which when arriving at 11pm is painful. I was given a room with one single bed to share with somebody I’d just met on the trip to find out the next morning a single person was given a room with 3 beds. They were covered in ants so maybe I was better off sharing.

Amazing experience in such a beautiful country. I loved the combination of hiking and beach time enjoying diverse landscapes on a really interesting country. The hike up to the Fogo volcano was an unforgettable experience with jaw-dropping landscapes. The group was fantastic with super friendly people and the work from Ricardo, our guide, was superb. I will definitely book another tour with you guys. Many thanks.

I would highly recommend using MBA again. This trip was very well organised, the guides were fantastic, and all but one accommodation was very good. We stayed in 4 different places, sadly the last accommodation was below standards expected but I fully expect MBA will review this and improve for future adventures. We went out each night to different local restaurants. I would strongly suggest if you are a strict vegetarian to make sure you are clear with what you do and don't eat. I ended up eating fish a few times but there were vegetarian options, although somewhat limited. This is more of a cultural thing, so I understand vegetarians can be challenging to cater for in some countries. The hikes were incredible. I would warn people that the volcano hike involves some climbing towards the end so good mobility is a must. I am scared of heights so did struggle at points, but the guides were incredibly helpful and always looking out for your safety and reassuring you along the way. This trip was unforgettable and has shown me a side of Cape Verde that you would never see if you did a package holiday.

It was a fantastic trip, beautiful scenery, great food and group of travellers. Everyone was super supportive, funny and friendly and the guides Ricardo and Elton went above and beyond. It was such a unique way to spend the New Years, in a volcano with the stars around us. Honestly it was a wonderful time.

I am beyond impressed by this trip!!! Not only was everyone super professional but we have interacted with the friendliest people on this trip! I loved how much hiking and beautiful nature we got to see! We even got to spend new years together and am so happy there were days where we negotiated our start time which was super helpful! I think the hotels we stayed at were the best of the best and was super touched by the amount of care Bu Country Tours had for us to make sure we had the best experience possible! Cabo Verde will leave a lasting impression on me! Thank you to Ricardo, Elton, Admilson and all our drivers who made sure we had everything we needed! We knew we were in safe hands and I’m so happy that we had such a great group of people on our trip as well!!!

I had a fantastic time over the new year on this trip. Santiago island and Fogo island are both incredibly scenic in contrasting ways and the locations explored on this trip are very varied. There is a good balance between walking and exploring inland and staying on the coast (towards the end of the trip. ) Fogo island and the volcano hike is a truly unique experience in a remote and wild location. Our guides Ricardo and Elton were fantastic and consistently went above and beyond the call of duty. It is an ideal trip for those who wish to have a balance between activity and rest. The only day that includes a full day hike is the hike up and down Fogo.

A fabulous trip especially Fogo Island and volcano. Thank you MBA for taking me to such a special and unique place.

A really enjoyable trip to Cape Verde with great bunch of people and lovely guides from Bu Country Tours, Ricardo and Elton. A highlight was hiking the volcano on Fogo and the decent was exhilarating. It was my first trip with MBA and would definitely use them again.

Not having done one of these types of holidays before we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. We couldn’t have been happier: Our hosts, Richardo and Elton looked after us superbly from beginning to the end and were a credit to Bu Country Tours. Always informative and knowledgeable about the area, people and culture. Walks on Fogo were the highlight of the hiking with the descent from the volcano being great fun and much easier than the regular path. Accommodation was varied and always clean. Fogo was our favourite. Food was always tasty and plenty of fish on the menu. Group varied in age but we all gelled, got on well and the dynamic was good.

An absolutely incredible trip with some jaw-dropping landscapes and once in a lifetime experiences!

Cape Verde is a wonderful country with a unique atmosphere and culture, and Santiago and Fogo remain off the beaten path compared to more touristic islands. It really feels like an adventure and Bu Country team is there to make sure you enjoy it all to the fullest. The experience on Pico do Fogo, exploring the giant caldera and sleeping below the volcano with a jaw-dropping view is one of the best experiences I ever had, along with running down the volcanic sand slopes which is simply out of this world. The Santiago island also has incredible landscapes and pieces of history to discover in the Calabaceira valley and Tarrafal.

Ricardo, our main guide, was amazing throughout, great at sharing details about the culture, history and environment/fauna/plants of the islands, and making sure we had a great time. He even stayed longer and added some visits on our last day to make sure we saw all the places we were interested in in Tarrafal!

The entire Bu Country team was super available, with Admilson responding within minutes when we had some questions in Fogo and before the trip. Even Admilson’s mother is involved with a super fun cooking class. The guides in Fogo were nice too, especially Edmar who did the Sao Felipe tour. Waldir (the other Fogo guide) shared a bit less about the island’s culture during the hikes, yet the Fogo wine tasting with him was fascinating (he makes his own wine and had some great details to share).

We did not encounter any ferry nor plane cancellations during our trip but Admilson had made sure to book both transports both days to give us peace of mind, which was really nice :)

All in all, I totally recommend this trip. It has the right balance of adventure and relaxation, and is great to understand the local culture too. The team will be there to solve any concerns, and ensure you have a great time!

Looking back at the trip, I had an amazing time with a great group of people. Its hard to comment on the itinerary as it is published, as nothing really went to plan on our trip! Due to issues with transport to Fogo we did almost everything in a different order with some extras thrown in. The time on Santiago was lovely, I particularly enjoyed swimming and picnicing at Cuba Pool, and the beach at Tarrafal was very nice. The volcanic landscape of Fogo was amazing and I am really glad we were able to go. The hike to the top was challenging but manageable and running down was a lot of fun. Our time in Fogo was moved to the end of the trip as there were issues with planes and ferries. We went over thinking everything was sorted, but we did run into more cancellations and get stuck on the island, causing some of us to miss onward flights, and a lot of stress about when and how we would get back to Praia. I would say book the trip, but be willing to be very flexible. The itinerary is an idea not set in stone. Consider booking flexible flights or allowing a bit of extra time on the island after the trip finishes. The local team were amazing and did everything they could to make sure we still enjoyed our time and made it home in the end. Big thank you to Bu Country.

What a fantastic, memorable adventure!! Beautiful country, lots of great hiking in some stunning and varied scenery (Fogo was a real highlight), fun beach / swimming time, culture, history, wine tasting – and all in the company of a truly fantastic group of people.

Ricardo, our guide, was brilliant – knowledgeable with a sense of fun. The local tour operator was excellent and we always felt we were in the best hands. They worked around the clock to manage the challenges posed by inter-island travel and to ensure we had the very best time possible. When flight cancellations meant our itinerary needed to change, we had a number of added bonuses, such as hiking to the top of Pico de Antonia (the highest mountain on Santiago) and cooking and dancing with the tour owner’s mother.

Cape Verde is wonderful, but inter-island travel can be difficult. The local tour operator went above and beyond to manage the various flight and ferry cancellations, but if you are the type of person who expects their holiday to run like clockwork and gets annoyed with any itinerary adjustments (and the occasional lack of hot water), then this is not the trip for you. If you are happy to go with the flow and make the most of what each day brings, then don’t hesitate to book this trip. We all had so much fun!! 80+ countries, but this was my first time being stranded on a volcanic island and getting rescued by a cargo ship!

Some recommendations:

• Leave yourself a bit of leeway with international connections home in case of transport issues.
• Check your travel insurance covers the cost of a new flight home if you miss your connection due to domestic flight/ferry cancellations (not all do).
• Bring plenty of Dramamine (or other strong travel sickness pills) in case you have to catch the fast ferry.

Very enjoyable trip!

Well organised, competent team with good selection of activities. Highlights were the trip to Fogo and the hikes on that island. The run down the volcano was absolutely amazing. Would argue the hike up to the village on Fogo is actually more challenging than the climb up the volcano due to the humidity! The rest of the hikes were a little more sedate, but picturesque and a lovely way to see the island. Felt like the right balance for a relaxing but active holiday.

Our overall guide was new to his position but what he lacked in experience he made up for in enthusiasm and kindness - really enjoyed spending a week with him. The other local guides were great also, although one of them only spoke French (which wasn’t a huge problem for our group as we had two fluent French speakers!)

Personally enjoyed the food offerings, but if you aren’t a fan of seafood/meat/rice you might find Cabo Verdean cuisine very limiting. Vegetarians in our group were catered to but weren’t thrilled with their choices - I suppose a risk you take with a restrictive diet on a remote island off the coast of Africa, where vegetarianism isn’t really a thing.

Accommodation sufficed but don’t expect luxury - and as my 3rd MBA trip if you’re expecting 4* then maybe not the type of trips for you - was a little rough around the edges - cold showers etc. Absolutely adored the accommodation on Fogo.

Would recommend - go, relax, embrace the island culture and don’t rush and you’ll have a ball.

Difficult to give a proper review for this trip, as the ending left a sour aftertaste. Due to a sandstorm all our flights got cancelled and most of us got food poisening at the end, from the same restaurant. Which of course isn't the organisations fault, but we also didn't hear anything/any concerns from the organisation.

Here a list with my key take aways:

• Good packed itinerary, although not always correct with timing or seasonal todo's.
• First day was a bit weird, with a very short and slow hike, lots of stops and visiting (for me) uninteresting buildings. End of the first day we went to an Italian restaurant, which for me was weird since this was our first day in Cape Verde?
• Let go of having things on time and no stress!
• Very cold or boiling hot showers. Wifi not always working in first hotel in Praia.
• Fogo island was an amazing experience! Food, wine, accommodation, swimming in the black sand ocean.
• The hikes later on in the itinerary where great, very knowledgeable french speaking guide, learned a lot about the surroundings and plants
• Wild swimming and swimming and snorkeling in the ocean at Tarafal also great authentic experiences! Tarafal beach just looks like something of a movie.

Overall:

• It is an adventure, water/wifi isn't always working. The food (for me) wasn't great, they couldn't cater to vegetarians, even though this had been indicated when booked. If you then aren't a fish lover and don't like most meats, it's not super.
• the overall guide just wasn't what you would expect, in my opinion he didn't seem to be up for the task or really enjoy/have passion for his job. We however learned this was a stand-in for the usual guide who was sick.
• Swimming here is amazing as the water is just lovely! Bring your snorkel!
• You really get the know these two islands, Fogo + Santiago and have an authentic adventureous experience!

Wonderful itinerary with a mix of nature and culture experiences. Accommodations were very reasonable and some restaurants were excellent. It's almost all included, and is very good value for money. However, if you want to make your experience better consider the following: If you have been to a mountain before, go on top of Pico de Fogo by yourself. The path is very well marked, with a little bit of scrambling at the end, and most people can make it in 1hr30min or maximum 2 hours. We went up extremely slow, taking about 3-4 hours including many long breaks. I was not allowed to go ahead despite requesting it repeatedly. We didn't go to the very top (which will require help from a guide). We didn't go inside the crater (which will require help from a guide). Going down was the only fun of the day. Make sure to visit the Concentration Camp in Tarrafal. Skip the beach, skip the boat or something else but make sure to don't skip the concentration camp.

A bit of a mix. I’m giving it 4* because in the end I had a good time, but it ended up being in a way different to what I expected and signed up for. Details below.

Positives:

• varied trip, from intense (actual adventure) hiking in Fogo, to walking through a gorgeous Avatar-like valley, to swimming in a pool formed from cooled lava. Every day was different.
• Properly saw the entirety of two islands- a real excursion.
• the owner, Admilson, was friendly and proactive, adapting to situations. Helped immediately when there were flight cancellations, helped schedule additional trips etc. The guides were friendly and generally knowledgeable (with the exception of a trainee guide who had to step in due to an illness… he was just friendly).
• Fogo… everything about those two days was fantastic- scenery, hikes, accommodation, food.
• Food was simple, natural and tasty, though the vegetarians struggled.

Cons:

• I signed up to adventure hiking but only got that on one day- the summit of Fogo. The rest was generally a gentle short walk or swimming for those who wanted it. I’d describe this as “exploring Cape Verde”, not adventure hiking. I would have wanted more, especially gove. The beauty of the nature.
• As mentioned, the main guide was sick and we ended up getting a trainee guide. He was nice and genuinely cared about us but knew nothing… and actually made stuff up that turned out wrong when we looked it up.
• Accommodation in Santiago was not great. In no room did I have both hot and cold water (in Praia it was either or, and in Tarrafal it was lukewarm), and in Praia the internet didn’t really work.

There is no doubt that this was an adventure. Some of it was much better, some of it unexpected, and the odd thing was certainly worse. I'll give it 5* because it was unforgettable, we made some great friends, and it would have been really difficult to put a trip like this together without MBA. I'd definitely do another MBA, but I might ask a few more questions before departure. Highlights: The big hikes; there could be more of these; the scenery is stunning! Our walking guide Gibril was amazing. Summiting the volcano; a great buzz! The wild swimming; dreamlike! Staying at Casa Marisa under the stars; once in a lifetime! The music at Quintal da Música in Praia, extraordinary! Lowlights: dreadful vegetarian food. The local guides had no idea what this meant, despite plentiful availability in the markets of good ingredients. We ended up writing a list of suitable options for the guide in desperation and hunger. Flights cancelled due to the Bruma Seca Saharan wind which cancelled all flights and delayed our return home by 3 days. Beware!

We also had a trainee guide who was lovely, but very inexperienced. This was due to illness of the original guide, and not their fault, but he had no idea for the first few days before getting up to speed.

We laughed and enjoyed each other's company, the great volcano wine and the beautiful scenery.

100% recommend Cape Verde hiking. A fab mini adventure full of fun.

This is a truly fantastic week of hiking in a destination few tourists get to. Fogo is wonderful and certainly one of the most unique destinations you'll ever hike in. There is a good mix of tough hikes and more genital walks.

However, on going issues with domestic flights and accommodation might mean the itinerary changes a little. But it's all absolutely worth it!

Well organised, great accommodation, local hosts were fantastic 10/10 Always a lottery when sharing a room - room mate this time was awful :(

As always with MBA, this trip did not disappoint. For anyone looking for some challenging hiking, great food, interesting wildlife and unique experiences, Cape Verde is the place to be. The trip to Fogo was definitely a once in a lifetime, the landscape and volcano hike were truly unforgettable. That being said, the hikes on Fogo proved to be more of a challenge than expected - mainly due to the heat and difficulty of the terrain. However anyone with a good level of fitness should still be able to enjoy it. Thank you so much to the hosts for making our time in Cape Verde so much fun :)

Cape Verde was superb, and a trip that I will never forget. Fogo island is best described as an "otherworldly experience". At times if felt like being on a desolate and lonely planet. Top tip for climbing Pico Do Fogo, make sure you bring a scarf for protection from the volcanic dust, and I would also recommend hiking trousers. The food throughout the trip was delicious, I ate like an "Emperor". You will be well looked after if you love seafood.

On top of this, the trip offered a variety of other experiences, such as a wild dip/swim in a lava pool, hiking through plantations and sampling fruit (that I have never seen before), and the chilled beach life in Tarrafal. An extra special mention goes out to our main man and guide Ailtom, who set the mood in our small group with his knowledge, enthusiasm, punctuality and entertainment!

This trip provided me with some core memories that will stay with me for a long time. It has so much variety, from hiking through plantations, to climbing a volcano and staying in a village on Fogo that felt like Mars, and finishing with some water activities and beach time in Tarrafal, it meant we had such a diverse trip. A word of advice, if you are travelling in a hotter month do not underestimate the challenge of the hiking on Fogo, it will test you! The guides were all wonderful, 5 stars to Ailtom who became a member of our group very quickly, we had such a laugh and with us a being a small group of 4 we were able to get to know each other very well and spend more time learning about the culture from the guides too. Would recommend this to anyone who wants to experience feeling like you've been on another planet for a week!

Amazing trip! The highlight was definitely Pico do Fogo and ‘skiing’ down the lava gravel mountain - epic experience! The hike up was definitely challenging. So many different experiences on this trip made it well rounded and we felt like we got a good glimpse into the culture & food. I highly recommend this trip.