Journey to the Equator in Sao Tome and Principe

This trip was the perfect blend of history, geography, and biology all rolled into one immersive experience. We explored the jungles and beaches of São Tomé and Príncipe, learning about the islands’ dark colonial past and the inspiring efforts of local communities to protect their unique wildlife through sustainable tourism. Make no mistake — this is not a relaxing beach holiday. There’s little time for cocktails or lounging if you want to fully experience everything the islands have to offer. What you get instead is unforgettable: from trekking through rainforests and hiking in the crater of an extinct volcano, to and standing on the equator at Rolas Island. The museum and information rooms at Roça Sundy are an absolute must — a fantastic place to learn about the islands’ history and culture. I recommend taking photos of the exhibits, as they provide context for many of the sites you’ll visit during the trip. Personal highlights included watching turtles nest on Praia Inhame, visiting the art gallery at Roça Água-Izé, and seeing nature slowly reclaim old colonial buildings, rusted vehicles, and machinery. I also loved the countless opportunities to sample the islands’ coffee and chocolate from the cooperative farms — make sure to stock up before you leave! There’s a great selection available on the final day and even at the airport shop if you don’t want to carry it during the trip. Walking through villages and having local children take our hands and cheerfully guide us around their communities was one of the most heartwarming parts of the journey - the local people generally were very keen to welcome us. The food was an adventure in itself and best experienced with an open mind. There is a mix of trendy restaurants offering 5 courses of expertly-crafted sample dishes, and homely local restaurants with fresh seafood. I never thought I’d enjoy sea snail, but it ended up being one of the most memorable dishes of the trip. We also had fresh octopus almost every night, caught that day by local spearfishermen we’d seen out in the water earlier. The landscapes are breathtaking, and though the hikes can be exhausting, every one is worth it. Don't miss the "coat man trail" from Praia Jale to Praia Inhame - we did this hike at sunset, after a full week of activity, with a steep vertical climb, but the views were bucket-list worthy. Additional bonus tip: arrive a day early or stay an extra night if you can. I treated myself to a night at Omali Lodge, just a short drive from the STP airport.

Advice for anyone thinking about booking this trip:

1. This trip is best suited for experienced to very-experienced travellers, and anyone who has visited Africa before.
2. Do plenty of research (read the reviews on this website, watch travel vlogs about Sao Tome, and follow @kuatelanon and @authentic_traveling on instagram).
3. If you only speak English - Learn some basic words and phrases in Portuguese as English is not widely-spoken.
4. Pack UV-protect clothing as the equatorial sun is serious and you will need to cover arms and shoulders pretty much all day every day.
5. If you experience mosquito bites frequently, make sure to pack double what you usually use because jungle hikes are in areas with persistent mosquitos and the accomodation does not include mosquito nets. Also pack anti-histamine medication and creams, and pre- and post- malaria exposure medication because medical facilities are few and far between.
6. Plan your flights and pack your luggage assuming that your checked-in luggage may potentially get lost, and pack as if you may fall into mud or water on Day 1 (it happens). Make sure to read the trip information regarding the 15kg limit for the internal flight and bring a spare bag to leave in Sao Tome if neccessary.
7. Itinerary is subject to change even during activities, so I would recommend to pack your backpack for the day assuming all activities will take place - gaiters, waterproofs, a 15L daybag with reef shoes, swimsuit, mask & snorkel, travel towel, etc is advised.
8. Ensure your fitness level is suitable for 5-10hrs intense activity in a challenging environment.
9. If you wear glasses, start trying contact lenses because the humidity will hinder you greatly.
10. It’s important to always check with your guide before taking photos of people — some individuals living in abandoned buildings are experiencing homelessness and prefer not to be photographed, so it’s best to respect their privacy.
11. Pack a durable power bank and a chargeable fan, as the power is not 24/7 in Principe. This was a life-saver for me.
12. If you're keen on wildlife, bring a good camera and pair of travel binoculars because the wildlife is small and elusive - in particular the monkeys at Malanza Mangrove, which are small and furry and look exactly like the coconuts in the trees.

When I first heard about São Tomé and Príncipe I realised that I wanted to get there and see it before it was changed by mass tourism. Of course, I realise that I am part of the beginning of that. I arrived a few days before the trip was to start so that I could 'get my bearings' and see the town itself as that is not a part of the trip. It doesn't actually take long to see Sao Tome. The Cathedral is lovely, the museum(which is the old town fort) has nothing in the way of descriptions or explanations for the, frankly, a bit sad exhibits but is still worth the 50Dbs(2 Euro) entry. What I did enjoy was buying a drink at one of the town centre cafes and sitting watching the world go by. There is such an energy here. The trip itself was excellent but there are issues. I think the most disappointing aspect was that we didn't actually see a great deal of wildlife. I especially was looking forward to seeing turtles, but it seems we were unlucky. Our tour around the mangroves elicited nothing more than some mud skippers and a duck. We did see a pair of monkeys but strangely these were on the roof of a building at one of the guesthouses where we were staying. We saw snakes and the odd parrot in the jungle. The snorkelling was good at two or three places where we did see eels and some sea snakes. One of the most difficult aspects of the trip was really how the organisers rated the difficulty of the hikes. I notice that the trip has recently been changed from an 'Easy' to a 'Moderate' but the difficulty really lies in that some of the hikes are easy and some of them really do necessitate a deal of strength, agility and stamina. To rate all the hikes independently would be far too long winded especially as the difficulty would change with the weather. Some hikes were simply a solid walk in great surroundings with the sounds of the tropical birds all around, others, like Pico Papagaio required a much higher level of fitness. Add to this the fact that some people are much more capable than others and you have a potentially frustrating situation. Something I thought was fantastic was that everyone was willing to share their photographs with everybody else in the group which meant that there was a great mix and some really fabulous photographs that I couldn't have taken myself. Sipson, our guide was enthusiastic even though he was thwarted occasionally. Some of the other drivers were great fun especially Vadu whom everybody seemed to know and who knew everybody. All in all a great trip, but you may need luck to see any wildlife.

Just back and wanted to share a few things that future travelers might find helpful:

• Bring snacks! Packaged snacks aren’t readily available for purchase on the islands, so if you need something to fuel up between meals, bring your own.

• Bottled water is available for purchase, so there’s no need to bring purification tablets—though doing so could help reduce plastic waste.

• Ask questions about your daily itinerary. Don’t assume you’ll be given all the details upfront. On our first hike in Principe, we expected to have lunch at a location where we could buy more water. Instead, we were given packed lunches, but no extra water—and by then, we had already finished our morning supply. On top of that, dietary restrictions weren’t followed, so three of us didn’t have anything to eat and had already gone through our snacks. That first lunch was a bit sad, but we learned to ask for every detail in advance to be better prepared.

• Keep an eye on your group! Our guide was focused on getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, sometimes leaving people behind—even losing some members at one point. We had to look out for each other and ask our guide to wait when necessary.

• Be prepared for tricky trails. Our guide didn’t offer much advice on navigating the terrain, which could be slippery and often required climbing over fallen trees. We relied on each other for support and guidance. If you’re a less confident hiker, consider finding a buddy.

• Accommodations are basic, as expected, but the second ecolodge had gaps in the floorboards, making it very much "one with nature. " We all had slugs and spiders in our rooms, and one person even had rats! We gave feedback to our guide that future trips might consider alternative lodging options.

• The final lodge is the best one! If you’re thinking about extending your stay, this would be a great place to do so.

• The last-day hike to the waterfall involves wading through knee-deep water in aqueducts—five stretches of tunnels with low ceilings and bats. Bring shorts for this (most other hikes are better in pants due to the brush/vegetation) and shoes that can handle water. One of our group members had hiking shoes designed for water and was way ahead of the rest of us, who had to keep switching shoes.

• Pack light! You’ll mostly need hiking clothes. Save yourself from overpacking and bring just one "normal" outfit for dinners.

• The optional chocolate tour at the end is worth it. It was much more in-depth than I expected and really interesting to see the process firsthand.

That said, I really enjoyed exploring these islands. They are lush and green, and I felt safe walking around the towns alone. The kids eagerly shouted "hola!" every time they saw us, flashing huge grins. The snorkeling was fantastic, which made up for the lack of other wildlife (though, in hindsight, we should have researched that better). The beaches and flora were stunning.

I would have loved for our guide to share more about the culture, but we managed to pull some insights out of him with our questions. To be candid, this trip could use a little finesse to match other MBA trip standards, but I had a fantastic time with an amazing group of people.

And if you think you’ve experienced humidity—just wait until you visit Principe!

As expected São Tomé and Príncipe is a wonderful location and our guide, Amaro, was impeccable.

The experience was however dampened by the accommodation which at two of the locations was very poor. I can cope with the infestation of slugs, several cockroaches and enormous spiders, but the poor cleanliness was unforgivable. The food also left much to be desired, particularly the lunches which in two occasions did not cater for three out of seven guests dietary needs.

Could be a truly magical experience, but a little more attention to detail is required.

São Tome is an incredible destination that needs to be visited before everyone else finds out about it. It's a bit rough around the edges in places with some hotels seeming unfinished and frequent power cuts on Principe but these are minor inconveniences that don't really detract from the beauty of the islands.

This trip is all about the attitude, you can either be miserable or have the best time of your life!

We had superb weather through out and some of the hikes that were rated moderate or difficult were quite easy due to weather conditions. If it rains, I’m sure they’ll be lot harder and more demanding. The terrain can be slippery cause of the roots and stones.

Food is excellent and I felt like we had lot of variety and options to choose from. Lunches are fixed and I thought the sandwich and fruit lunches were enough on the days we had them. Only time I needed snacks was on the two longer hikes.

You’ll be sweaty most of the time and your clothes will feel moist. Quick dry stuff is the best and linen, you’ll feel dirty once you put a fresh shirt on, so might keep that in mind when packing. There’s an option to do laundry in Principe.

The accomodation varies, I really enjoyed Principe - the place we stayed was super nice.

Travelled with hand luggage only and that was enough, note that they’ll weight your carry ons when you depart ST. Glad I had made friends during the trip, so they carried my excess weight aka coffee through security!

Amaro, our guide 10/10! Such a fun and helpfull guy. He’ll tell you what ever you want to know if you ask.

Just remember, it’s an island, imported stuff is scarce. Don’t worry. Leve, leve.

Winter Sun – Off The Beaten Track: São Tomé and Príncipe I don’t know about you, but ever since I discovered the joy of feeling the sun’s warmth on my skin during the cold, wet, and grey winter months, I’ve become a firm believer in topping up my depleted Vitamin D reserves abroad. This year’s trip was a significant departure from my usual winter escapes. While my professional network packed their sunblock and skis for the slopes of the French and Italian Alps—a place where I’ve had many climbing adventures—I was stuffing my single pair of shorts and a bottle of jungle formula into my bag, preparing for a long-haul journey to a pair of islands in the Atlantic Ocean that few have ever heard of: São Tomé & Príncipe. You may wonder what could possibly possess someone to travel to a place I hadn’t even heard of a year ago—nearly 4,000 miles away, with a population of just 237,000, only two flights a week, and barely any tourists. While my wife-to-be is extraordinarily persuasive, the truth is that, as a land surveyor and outdoor enthusiast, I’ve always wanted to stand on the equator and see which way a compass pointed. A simple reason, I know, but curiosity is a defining trait of mine, and once an idea takes root, I have to see it through. Arriving in São Tomé, I was instantly hit with a blast of 30°C heat and 82% humidity—so much so that my camera lens fogged up the moment I pulled it from my bag. Having left behind the sub-zero temperatures of Manchester, the contrast was striking. Our smiling guide, who would be with us for the next 11 days, greeted us warmly and led us to our first night’s accommodation. As we walked freely down the middle of the capital’s main road, the lack of traffic and the introduction to the local cuisine (a far cry from tartiflette and schnapps) made it clear that this trip was going to be different. Heading south on roads that redefined my understanding of ‘rough terrain’ (I’ll never complain about potholes again), we arrived at the base of Pico Cão Grande. This dramatic volcanic spire dominates the skyline, jutting out from the jungle canopy like a giant finger pointing toward the sun. The whole landscape felt like something out of a lost world, and I half-expected Kong to stride through the ochre trees at any moment. Trekking through the jungle along the coastline, we watched monkeys leap through the trees, startling parrots and kites as we sweated our way along the narrow path. The effort was more than worth it when we finally emerged onto a pristine golden beach, completely untouched by human presence. With crystal-clear waters at a balmy 27°C, we wasted no time diving in. We stayed at Inhame Beach, an important turtle sanctuary, where we witnessed firsthand the incredible conservation efforts aimed at protecting these vulnerable creatures. Under the brilliance of the Milky Way, we watched baby turtles hatch and make their brave journey to the sea. The contrast between night and day, however, was stark. At dawn, we saw another group emerge—only this time, the predatory kites were waiting. I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say nature can be as brutal as it is beautiful. You don’t often see that side of things on nature documentaries. As we made our way back to the airport to fly to Príncipe, we passed cocoa and coffee plantations, a lasting reminder of the islands’ colonial past. Once the world’s largest producer of cocoa, São Tomé thrived under Portuguese rule, but at a heavy cost. The wealth of its natural resources was extracted through the labour of enslaved people, with little benefit to the island’s inhabitants. The colonial period eventually saw the construction of hospitals and schools, but today, many are in a state of disrepair—a reality reflected in the island’s average life expectancy of just 67, nearly 20 years behind much of the Western world. And yet, the people of São Tomé and Príncipe exude a warmth and resilience that is truly inspiring. Their philosophy of “leve leve” (slowly, slowly) is reflected in their easy-going smiles and laughter as they pick fruit, salt fish, and prepare coconuts. As far as travel experiences go, this trip was something truly special. My compass may have pointed north when I stood on the equator—a slight disappointment, as I secretly hoped it would spin unpredictably—but understanding the Earth’s magnetic field gave me the scientific explanation I needed. More importantly, though, the journey opened my eyes to a way of life so different from my own, a world untouched by mass tourism, and a people who, despite challenges, embrace life with open arms. If you have an adventurous spirit, I can wholeheartedly recommend swapping the ski slopes or the crowded beaches of the Canaries for a piece of paradise in the Atlantic.

If you crave adventure beyond the ordinary, São Tomé & Príncipe is the paradise you’ve been dreaming of. This isn’t just a hike - it’s a journey into a world frozen in time. Every step reveals something new. And if you're lucky enough to join a group of passionate adventurers, the memories will last forever.

The landscapes will steal your breath. Imagine trekking through lush rainforests, the distant sound of waterfalls pulling you deeper into the wild. Trails lead to extinct volcanic craters, sweeping ocean views, secret beaches - untouched beauty at every turn.

The hikes are moderate but could alter depending on the season. The heat is intense in December, and the mosquitoes are looking for a feast. But trust me, every drop of sweat is worth it. Pack long sleeves, sturdy waterproof shoes, and repellent are essential.

Keep it simple when packing. Internal flights have strict baggage limits, so a small duffle or cabin-sized carry-on is all you need for the entire trip. Wear your hiking boots and pack essential hiking gear in your hand luggage. São Tomé offers little opportunity for last-minute shopping. Two fellow hikers did not receive their luggage for eight days, but their positivity reminded us that true adventure is about embracing the unexpected.

Accommodation is basic but comfortable. Príncipe has no electricity, running water, or air-conditioning from 11:30 pm to 6 am (give or take). Wi-Fi is available at every accommodation.

If you love fresh fish, you're in for a treat. It’s served at every meal. Don’t miss the pizza shack in Príncipe - surprisingly tasty pizza in the heart of the town! Just don’t forget your hiking snacks. Shops are few and far between in STP.

Meals average €10, with drinks ranging from €2-5. Cash is king. Exchange your money in São Tomé, as AMEX and MasterCard aren’t accepted. For dinners not included on the itinerary are pre-booked with set menus. If you prefer flexibility, speak to your guide ahead of time.

Our guide was kind, but language barriers and occasional miscommunication about the itinerary led to some frustration.

If you’re a nature lover, an adventurer, or simply seeking an untouched paradise, visit now—before the crowds arrive and strip the island of its beauty. Enjoy!

The Good: Beautiful islands (particularly Principe), lovely people, some great activities and experiences, all very much off the beaten track and away from the hustle and bustle of my everyday life. Accommodation is fine with a few standout locations. The hikes we did were straightforward enough but prepare for them to feel more challenging than they are as it's hot, sweaty and muddy!

Before I continue, let me be absolutely clear. If you're interested in the islands and you're relatively experienced / relaxed about travelling, please go. You won't regret it and the experience is worth it, particularly while it remains relatively unknown.

The rest of this review is intended to provide additional insight for those interested and therefore focuses on the less positive aspects of the trip.

The "Rough around the Edges": The islands felt fairly immature in terms of capacity to cater for group tourism. Expect set meals with little variety (if you don't eat or like fish then you'll struggle here), longer travel times due to roads being basic and plans to change occasionally. If you're in a larger group (we were 13 with a few "single occupancies") then you will more than likely find yourselves split across accommodations in Principe. Whilst not ideal, it worked fine for our group and we even had a pizza party for dinner instead of going out for dinner one night as one accommodation had a large enough social space and big table (shout out to the next door pizza shack for a meal that was NOT FISH)!

If you're particularly interested in the history and culture of the islands then it might be worth trying to do some research / reading up beforehand as there wasn't much depth in terms of explanations given by our guide and you won't find much literature available at the different cultural experiences.

Many of the slightly "rough around the edges" moments could have been smoothed over with clearer communication. My view is that enjoying this trip benefits from a relaxed approach and appreciating the adventure when things aren't quite what you expected. If you need things to be extremely organised and efficient then this may not be the one for you.

The Observations: Packing list - I'd strongly recommend bringing more hiking / walking clothes than you think you need. I found that I sweated through / dirtied everything I wore more quickly than I expected. There was also less downtime than I was expecting, so the balance of my active vs non-active packing was a little off. I'd also recommend packing water shoes that you can walk in for (parts of) some of the hikes. Also, don't underestimate the mosquitos.

Itinerary - our itinerary was changed around due to the Principe flight schedule (outside of the MBA / local tour operator's control) and the resulting schedule felt a little rushed at times. We often found ourselves without much time to appreciate the surroundings on hikes and on beaches. Similarly on some days we didn't stop for lunch until late afternoon so definitely bring snacks with you!

Principe guiding - the guide on Principe didn't speak much English at all so we were reliant on our main guide to translate for us. It also often felt like the Principe guide wasn't particularly interested in showing us things, simply doing the bare minimum to satisfy the itinerary and get us back to our accommodation.

Our trip to São Tomé & Principe was very unique as the islands are not ‘set up’ for tourists in the way most places are nowadays. I think it gave us a better glimpse into the actual lifestyle of the natives because of that. The hiking was interesting although not very challenging - so no worries if you are concerned about long difficult hikes.

The food was amazing and the people are very friendly. It was a safe environment and we had a great guide. The beaches are simply stunning and, I guess since there are so many of them, we were typically the only ones on each beach.

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São Tomé and Principe are incredible and I highly recommend a visit. With so few tourists, most of the time you genuinely feel like you are the only ones exploring this beautiful place, and are discovering things for the very first time. Each day you think you've seen the most breath-taking thing these islands have to offer, only to be equally stunned by something else on the next. The islands are very unspoilt compared to so many places these days, particularly on Principe and the tiny Rolas Island. I sincerely hope they can remain that way, but I'd still advise seeing them sooner rather than later - eventually the masses will discover this hidden gem!

What to expect: Accommodation, mostly quite basic, but most had wi-fi, hot showers, flushing toilets, and even AC in some cases, which honestly was more than I expected. Expect the odd power/ water outage, particularly on Principe where they do not yet have a 24 hour supply of electricity. Food: the food is very tasty, but gets a little repetitive, expect a lot of fish, banana chips, rice, eggs and fruit. If you have dietary requirements then you might find this a little challenging, so if that's the case, definitely do your research, and perhaps take extra snacks/ food with you. Roads: the main roads aren't too bad, but there aren't many of them! Once you're off those, the roads are fairly rough, but didn't feel unsafe, just a little bouncy, and the cars we travelled in generally seemed safe enough. As these are small islands, its rare you have to travel more than a couple of hours anyway.

The itinerary provides a good mix of active and less active days. I generally agree with the easy rating, when compared to other tours MBA offer, as anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do this itinerary and there's no real previous experience required. The hikes are at most a few hours long, and a decent few of the more difficult bits were optional, so you can customise to your own level to a certain extent. That said, we went during the dry season, and even then there were some parts that were quite slippery and a little challenging. I could well imagine some of the narrower, steeper paths being much trickier when wetter, and in some cases potentially a little dangerous where they get slippy, so if you're not going in the dry season you may have a different experience!

Our guide Hilário was great fun, and seemed just as in love with the beauty of these islands as we were. Hilário and the team also deserve a special shout out for helping when almost the entire group's return flight home was cancelled last minute. Even though our trip was officially over, the team gave up their free time and went out of their way to ensure we got the best place to stay, and were well looked after until our re-arranged flight 2 days later.

There were a few areas where a bit more organisation and communication would have been useful - this is Africa, and a part not used to handling lots of tourists, so I didn't expect everything to work out and run like clockwork, but there were a few things that perhaps could have been controlled that would have made things smoother. For example, there were a few days where we ended up not eating lunch until 3 or 4pm, which is fine, but it would have been helpful to be briefed that could be the case the night before, so we could prepare correctly. Sometimes there were slightly mixed messages about what we needed each day, leading to times where people didn't have correct footwear, gear etc. There were also some cases where things were closed or closing when we arrived, or no guides available. Simply checking times and availability ahead probably could avoid these issues, or at least mean we could find out in advance.

A couple of pieces of feedback on the itinerary itself: It would be nice to include a bit more time spent at Mucumbli towards the end of the trip - this is a really lovely place for a relaxing final day or two, but if you follow the itinerary then you end up spending very little time there! One possibility would be scheduling the chocolate tasting to later in the afternoon so that you could at least enjoy it for a few hours after the final day hike. On Principe the group was split into 2 different hotels across the town from each other, would be nice to all be able to stay in 1 place as you end up separated for several days, which hurts the dynamic of the group a bit, but appreciate with how small Principe is that this might not always be feasible (also on Principe, some of the group were not so happy with one of the chosen hotels - but this was not the one I stayed in so can't comment further). On Day 3 there is supposedly a meeting with an NGO on the sea turtle conservation, that we did not receive. Whilst we went outside of sea turtle season, it was not clear from the itinerary if the talk itself is only done seasonally, so this should be clarified. Some of the timings probably need a little finessing (appreciate this might be tricky as every group will move at a different rate), but for example on the last day if you did both the waterfall and the chocolate tasting then there was essentially no time to get lunch in between. Sometimes we ended up quite rushed, for example at beaches where people wanted to spend some time, we instead were having to leave quite quickly to get to the next place. In some cases it might be better to start earlier to ensure timings for the rest of the day work out and give more time to enjoy the destinations without having to rush.

Finally, just a little shout out to our group. We were a group of 12, with a mix of backgrounds, nationalities and ages, but I can honestly say I got on so well with every single one of them, they truly made the trip for me. Just a bunch of absolutely wonderful people.

Overall, I think MBA has put together a trip with great potential - particularly for those who want to have some adventure, escape the usual tourist-filled destinations, and go somewhere truly unique, but I think there's still just a bit of fine-tuning to be done to make this trip perfect. I was torn between 4 or 5 stars overall. I have gone for 5, as for me personally, I had an amazing time, and don't think a few organisational things should put anyone off booking this trip. However, I do hope MBA pays attention to the feedback myself (and likely others in my group) give, so that future groups can have an even (much?) better adventure. Léve Léve!

I loved these islands: jungle, snorkeling and tropical beaches, waterfalls (another opportunity to swim)... especially my time om Principe: after one day was San Antonio so familiar (my own small neighbourhood, friendly people), no traffic jam, ebthousiastic children, a remote fisherman village appeared to be paradise... A diverse group of people with one common goal: exploring this hidden authentic African gem. Big thumbs up for our enthousiastic guide Hilario who put so much effort in giving us what what we needed and dealing with the unforseen problems (cancellation of our flight). Coming home was interesting i guess the first week, I was still thinking of what feeled more as my natural home: Principe.

Remarks: 1) hikes are easiest in dry season, but some of wildlife you can only see in wet season. 2) Some overnight places are rather basic, while others were more the opposit. Roads are often not so good, but that's part of the adventure.

The trip was great. The guides were fun, friendly and professional. The scenery was exceptional and the history/culture rich. Definitely recommended for the curious adventurous traveler who wants more than just a beautiful beach

Sao Tome and in particular Principe were absolutely stunning and I’m pleased that I’ve visited. The itinerary meant that we saw lots of both islands and the variety of different landscapes. Some of the hikes didn’t feel like they fitted in the ‘easy’ category, and I would encourage MBA to look again at how they are categorising their trips so they take more account of the difficulty of the hike not just the duration. The guiding on Principe didn’t work too well - our main guide had come with us from Sao Tome, but wasn’t really leading the trip for this portion and the guide who was in charge didn’t speak any English so it feels like we missed out on some information (particularly the history of the plantations) or things were lost in translation (eg that we were not going to have lunch until after a hike and boat ride - after 3pm). In a couple of places the accomodation wasn’t the place that was advertised, and didn’t look to be of the same standard. My flight home was cancelled (along with most of the group) and the local tour company really came into their own here, staying with us at the airport to make sure we had accommodation sorted and transferring us to it. If you’re thinking of booking this trip, it would be worth learning some Portuguese ahead of time.

São Tomé and Principe is a fantastic travel destination - I say go now before they get to touristed especially Principe as it’s a hidden gem of unspoilt beauty.

However I was a little dissapointed in Much Better Adventures compared to other companies I have travelled with there needs to be improvements (my tour with MBA came at the end of a 4.5 month trip to Africa on tours with other operators)

Firstly splitting the group up in Principe is not good for group dynamic - especially not when half the group ended up in sub par accomodation (I am used to roughing it but this was a bit soul destroying and moral went down).

Secondly the accomodation we stayed in wasn’t always what was indicated on the MBA marketing info - what we had looked a comparatively lower standard in the photos.

Thirdly one of the reasons I booked the tour was to learn more about STP the biosphere, sustainability , history etc. in Principe the information was lacking and the guide was suorised when I wanted to look around the grounds of Roca Sunday even though it was in the itinerary for the day. So I give general information a low score. In general. Although it improved on the last day as I had expressed my concerns to the guide about this.

Fourth there was general confusion in what was going on some days with a lack of clear instruction.

Fifth I think H&S needs to be reviewed the trip is marketed as easy but it’s very steep and slippery at times and I didn’t necessarily feel a sense of confidence in the activity operator explaining the reality of what each hike may entail. Also the life jackets were sub par on the first boat ride.

Sixth I feel that the itinerary was space filled you could probably knock at least a day off. Sometimes we hiked between beach’s on uninspiring jungle hikes when time would have been better spent on the beaches which we were often rushed through.

There were positives macumbli was amazing and as I say the country is fantastic.

Overall value for money I could have done this much better as an independent traveller and not endured the accomodation in principle. It’s my first much better adventure trip and not really sure I would book another although other people on the trip who are regulars did say don’t let it cloud your judgement as MBA trips are normally much better.

Sao Tome and Principe is a beautiful, remote place to visit. The jungles hold all sorts of wonders, the beaches are breathtaking. Principe in particular has the most amazing beaches with barely any people to be seen. Of course this IS Africa, you can't expect everything to run to plan all the time. There will be hiccups and stressful moments, but that's part of the adventure and makes for great stories afterwards. The humidity makes some of the treks tough going, be prepared to sweat! If you are up for an adventure in a beautiful part of the world (and you are willing to explain geography to every person who asks where you're going!) then I would very much recommend booking this trip.

Superb trip, brilliant adventure, great guide, unspoiled islands. Sao Tome and Principe may just be one of the jewels of Africa, that hardly anyone knows about. Go with an open mind, manage your expectations and you will encounter a trip of a lifetime.

Just returned from June the trip to Sao Tome and Principe and without doubt it was a unique experience. Not the most straight forward of journeys either to or around either island but tour guide Sipson and his trusty drivers ensure that despite the condition of the roads, all destinations are reached. The trip is well paced and each beach, waterfall and destination is hand picked. It is an honour to be one both isalnds but Principe is particularly special.

The humidity, incline and terrain combine to make this MBA trip one that borders easy and moderate.

The biggest challenge is the lack of diversity of food, especially for vegetarians, let alone vegans.

Sleep can also be a challenge due to the proximity of livestock and in particular, roosters! The accommodation is basic, and does not include a mosquito net, so bring DEET 50!!! The flight between Sao Tome is via a 19 seater aeroplane which is exciting. The boat trips between islands can be very choppy and MBA need to ensure that life jackets are always provided! The excursions to the coffee and chocolate planations are fantastic and well worth visiting. I would definetly encourage people to go on this adventure but would caution research before committing.

I checked before booking that it would be okay on an old knee injury (ACL & meniscus repair 5 years ago) and was assured it was easy. Unfortunately, the meniscus was torn again, and I’m waiting for a surgical review.

Despite its current rating, don’t book thinking this is a walk in the park. It’s extremely hot and humid, there’s scrambling as well as walking and it can be muddy, steep, slippery and precarious with sheer drop offs. There were lots of falls by many in the group. It’s harder when it rains, to the point a couple of people didn’t do any more walks after it did and stuck to the beach.

Expect creepy crawlies, snakes, power and water cuts (especially on Principe) and to be hot and sweaty most of the time.

Having said that, the islands are lovely. Sipson was great and did his best to accommodate everyone’s needs, the people are super friendly, the views stunning and the beaches divine. The itinerary is packed but you can opt out of what you want to.

Gave a 4 as there were a couple of organisational issues with rooms and things closed when we turned up, and sometimes it was hard to get information with just one guide and a large group. Other than that, it was an enjoyable trip and a real adventure.

Tips: not many places take credit cards, and then only Visa, so take enough cash.

Sealable plastic bags are useful when it rains.

Needs mozzie spray in the day for the rainforest.

Glasses are impossible in the rain, heat and humidity - you just steam up. Wear contacts on the walks if you have that option.

You need ear plugs when staying in town, it gets noisy at night.

We often didn’t eat until 3pm so take snacks.

Swim at your own risk.

Don’t forget malaria tablets and vaccinations.

Any knee issues, you may want to give this one a miss.

I’m amazed that a place like this can still exist, on such an overpopulated and experience hungry planet. I had imagined that emerging onto a pristine empty beach with golden sand and turquoise sea after a short hike through virgin jungle would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, this happened on most days, and sometimes several times a day. At lunch stops, the local guides would climb a tree and get everyone a fresh coconut. We saw baby turtles dashing to the surf, endemic kingfishers in the mangroves and sunbirds in the forest.

The decaying colonial heritage, being reclaimed in equal measure by the local people and the jungle itself, is fascinating to experience. Sao Tomeans are incredibly friendly and we always felt welcome, un-hassled and safe. The small children just want to hold your hand as you explore. There is real poverty here, but hopefully an increase in sustainable tourism can address this without detracting from the unique character and charm of the islands.

Roads outside the main towns are atrocious, but the spectacular viewpoints and waterfall bathing pools that they make accessible mean all the bumps and judders are worthwhile. The varied accommodation was generally good and had beach access, jungle views, swimming pools, air conditioning and comfy beds (but just not all at once).

You will get soaking wet, you will get very muddy, you may (like us) get briefly lost in the jungle; you won’t care. Take good boots, lots of bug spray and a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Sipson was an excellent tour leader, but he also said that we were the nicest group he'd hosted so far, so we'll call that evens.

A most highly recommended adventure.

A very special adventure! You get to experience a range of what the islands have to offer through various accommodations - beaches, rainforest, eco-lodge, city/town. At the end, I felt I'd really explored both islands quite thoroughly, in a way I never could have done on my own.

I really felt that human development had hardly made a mark on the immense natural environment across both islands, and particularly in Principe. Some of the views are truly stunning, especially of the various bays and beaches across both islands. I loved the laid-back vibe everywhere, and always felt very safe and welcome.

The dynamic in our group of 10 was ideal and our guide, Sipson, added to it too. He was great - always positive, fun and always seeming relaxed. I always had the confidence he had everything under control. He was flexible with adapting plans and welcomed feedback.

My highlights were:

-The whole time in Principe, and particularly the beach hopping. It felt like such a relaxed place, with fewer people and even more untouched nature and wildlife to explore, and beaches that felt somehow even more beautiful than those on Sao Tome. -The lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros, partly because of the food and the cosy layout and partly because the rainforest views were incredible. It was raining very heavily while we were there and it felt very cosy and special. -Hiking Pico de Sao Tome - the Lagoa Amelia was an unusual natural phenomenon to experience and I found it very peaceful and special to hike (for part of it) close to the local guide we had for that hike. I also enjoyed hiking Pico Papagaio as I found the scrambling fun and challenging in a good way.

The accommodation everywhere was clean but mostly not luxurious, though there some stand-out places. Make sure you bring earplugs, as there is almost always a lot of background noise. Do generally expect one or two things not to work here and there, the odd power cut (more frequent in Principe), and for there not to be 24 hours of electricity in Principe. I was able to fully charge my phone and get wifi at every accommodation each day/night. You can get your laundry done at the guesthouse in Principe for a small fee. We all loved the accommodation for the final night, and the Inhame beach eco-lodge on nights 2 and 3. The accommodation for nights 4 and 5 has a lovely garden and rainforest views.

The activity level was ideal for me, as a fit and active person. We all agreed though that the activity level should be moved to moderate. There is a lot of hiking throughout and it's certainly challenging, with intense humidity, scrambling at times, and plenty of elevation and inclines.

The food was great. I really enjoyed all the perfectly cooked fish, crispy plantain, chilli sauce, tropical fruit... etc and I always had enough to eat even with the relatively high activity level and being someone who needs to eat a lot generally. The lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros especially, and also at the restaurant we went to for lunch on day 10, was delicious and felt like a special treat. However, many of us felt that on a few of the days in Principe, the sandwich and fruit for lunch was not enough to fill us up. Also, there was no alternative to the sandwich for the celiac person in our group. I believe that the plan is rectify both of these things going forwards.

If you have appropriate expectations and this trip appeals to you, I'm sure you'll have an amazing experience like all of us did!

A stunning country to visit, it sometimes feels like you have the whole island to yourself. A great tour with plenty of hikes and beaches led by a great chap, in our case, Sipson who was great company throughout and kept everything running smoothly. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy visiting Africa.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in what has been referred to as one of the least visited countries on earth. However, the baffling lack of tourists only made for a more enriching experience where the slow pace of life must be embraced to find solitude on idyllic sandy beaches and whilst hiking in tropical rainforests. Our tour leader, Sipson, was first class and demonstrated both passion and energy to ensure everyone had a positive experience despite one or two minor hiccups. His patience is to be commended given some of the challenges that were presented to him and always endeavoured to find a solution. The food and accommodation often exceeded my expectations especially lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros, but it should be noted that infrastructure is somewhat basic in São Tomé and Príncipe i.e., you may not have 24 hours of electricity on Príncipe Island, the roads are bumpy and some of the paths are tricky to navigate especially when wet. It's not an easy trip but if you like a bit of adventure and come with an open mind - you'll love it!

I thoroughly enjoyed my mini adventure to two of the Islands that make up Sao Tome & Principe.  Getting off the beaten track to a slower pace of life.  Sipson the Tour Leader, was fantastic, passionate, energetic and very patient with the group of 13. He quickly pivoted to come up with suggestions to try and ensure all had a great experience in his home country.  The treks were of an easyish grade, but you do require reasonable fitness, good balance and be prepared for changing conditions, from beach walks to steep inclines through uneven forest. High humidity mixed with tropical downpours.  Some fabulous lunch stops, be they a cooked picnic on the beach, or terraced restaurant over looking the forest. Some meals with locally sourced food presented in fantastic creative ways, with great flavour. Predominant food is fish. Limited food choice if you do not eat fish and meat. There are options but limit expectations. Mixed accommodation, from waking up listening to the sounds of the forest or the waves of the ocean to city center basic. Be prepared for night time electrical outage in Principe. Just go on and Book it.

Beautiful beaches and enchanting rainforests are just a couple of highlights of this trip. Include genuine, friendly people, good food, chocolate and local beer, and we are almost there. Sipson was a perfect guide who went above and beyond to make everyone happy. I wound personally like some longer hikes (overnight if possible ;) in the forest for it to be top marks. But all in all a truly enjoyable winter escape with a happy group of people.

Beautiful place, our guide Sipson was wonderful and very accommodating with all the group, for example making other plans for people having a day off hiking. Some beautiful accommodations and great food Activity rating definitely needs to be increased - many hikes are long and steep, all on rough terrain in intense heat and humidity