Journey to the Equator in Sao Tome and Principe

Catch your first glimpse of this stunningly beautiful African archipelago from the plane, and marvel at the two dots of dense, tropical forest lapped by the ocean below – welcome to São Tomé and Principe! The remoteness of this two-island nation (roughly 260km off the coast of Gabon) has helped preserve its lush, biodiverse wilderness, so it's often referred to as 'Africa's Eden' or 'the African Galapagos’. Only around 30,000 tourists visit each year. Your adventure starts on the main island of São Tomé, which was uninhabited until it was discovered by the Portuguese in the late 15th century. Your host will transfer you from the airport to your hotel, centrally located in the small capital city. Head out with your guide and fellow travellers for dinner, then rest before the adventure really kicks off tomorrow!

Take a road trip along the coast and head south, getting a glimpse of the island's rich cultural heritage and some natural highlights along the way. Learn about the island's complex colonial past at Roça Agua Izé, the first cocoa plantation of São Tomé. You'll then move on to Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth), a stunning stretch of coastline with rock passages and a natural blowhole. Spot the iconic peak of Cão Grande rising 663m from the rainforest – this enormous hardened column of magma gives São Tomé a real 'lost world' vibe. Reach the remote Praia Jalé, an important sanctuary for marine turtles, then tuck into lunch before hiking along the coast from beach to beach, until you reach your secluded eco-lodge, right on the shore of Inhame Beach. Fall asleep in your wooden hut, lulled by the sound of waves.

Another day in tropical paradise awaits. Take a boat around the dreamy islet of Ilheu das Rolas (sea conditions permitting), fringed by deserted beaches, before exploring it on foot, hiking the maze of verdant jungle trails to the sound of exotic birds. Climb up a promontory, where a monument marks the equatorial line which runs through the island, then enjoy some fresh fish at Praia Café beach. Spend a few hours swimming and snorkelling the crystal clear waters – eyed peeled for sea turtles. Between November and April you'll have the chance to meet with a representative of the NGO Programa Tatô and learn about their successful sea turtle conservation project. São Tomé is an important breeding and feeding area for five of the world's seven species of sea turtle, so the chances of witnessing them nesting (Nov to Feb) or the release of baby turtles (Jan to Apr) are pretty high!

Wake early and journey to the island's virgin interior, through historic coffee plantations and a humid wilderness of jungle-covered mountains. First, stop for a boat tour in Malanza – the largest mangrove reserve in the country and richly biodiverse. Next, visit the museum in Roça Monte Café to learn about the coffee-making process as well as the history of those who were enslaved and brought to the island. Enjoy a superb lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros overlooking the verdant hillside, and stretch your legs with a short afternoon hike through nearby plantations to a waterfall.

Venture deeper into São Tomé hiking through the Obo National Park, known for its richly biodiverse, high-altitude rainforests. Begin with a visit to the Botanical Garden of Bom Sucesso – the gateway to the park, it's home to over 400 species of endemic flora and over a thousand samples of plants, including rare orchids. Continue towards Lagoa Amelia, an extinct volcanic crater surrounded by lush trees and giant begonias. You'll be accompanied by an expert naturalist guide for full immersion in the island's unique ecosystem, looking out for medicinal plants, colourful birds and giant snails. Enjoy magnificent views over the verdant valleys around the Camino Fugido trail and peek over the towering Pico of São Tomé, the highest point in the country.

If you thought São Tomé felt like a lost paradise, wait until you approach tiny Principe. As you fly in on a small propeller plane, the vastness of the ocean highlights how remote this second island really is, and also explains why many species here are endemic. Principe was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2012 and when seen from the sky, the island appears almost totally covered by lush wilderness plunging into the sea, with a magnificent topography of volcanic features. Your base for the next four nights is a local guesthouse in Santo Antonio, the world’s smallest capital! On Principe you'll have an additional guide local to the island; your main guide will act as a translator when needed, as Portuguese is the commonly spoken language. Get a taste of Principe's luxuriant rainforests as you trek to the secluded Oque Pipi, the island’s largest waterfall, and enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool. Go for a swim at Abelha Beach, then drive back to Santo Antonio for the night.

Today's adventure will take you hiking, swimming or snorkelling along Principe's picture-perfect beaches. Starting from the fascinating Belo Monte museum, hike through the lush forest to a dreamy clifftop viewpoint, before descending to sea level where you'll find the golden sands, boulders and crystal-clear waters of Praia Banana – without doubt one of the most idyllic tropical spots in the world. After a swim or a drink under the shady palm trees, continue on foot to Praia Boi, one of the island's most inaccessible (and often deserted) beaches. The final stop is Praia Grande, the biggest beach in Principe and an important spot for nesting sea turtles. Hop in a van back to head back to your guesthouse, and this evening enjoy local delicacies such as octopus with fried banana, or grilled fresh fish, in one of the family-run restaurants in town.

If you are up for a challenge, wake at sunrise and join your local guide for a hike up Papagaio Peak, the iconic volcanic landmark of Principe visible from the capital. Ascend through the steep and muddy forest trails to reach the 680m summit and be rewarded with sweeping panoramas. The trail itself ventures deep into the wildlife-rich Parque Natural do Príncipe – home to oca trees, monkeys, butterflies and colourful wild orchids. Off the trail, stop to see local artisans at work crafting jewellery from glass bottles, then grab lunch at a scenic secret spot. Enjoy a more leisurely afternoon exploring the grounds of Roça Sundy – one of the biggest cocoa plantations on the Isle of Principe – and stand in the exact same spot where astrophysicist Sir Arthur Eddington proved Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity in 1919.

Wrap up your time in Principe with a trek and boat trip along Principe's Bahia das Agulhas (Bay of Needles). Hiking from São Joaquim through dense forest, you'll reach Praia Lapa and Maria Correia, where a secluded waterfall awaits. Baía das Agulhas is a geographical wonder best seen from the water, so next you'll jump on a boat and float along this otherworldly stretch of coastline. Marvel at the prehistoric volcanic towers rising out of the ocean like something out of Jurassic Park as you journey across glittering turquoise waters, stopping for a picnic and some swimming at some of the island's most enchanting beaches. Back in Santo Antonio, head out for a delicious meal with your fellow adventurers and get some rest before you fly back to São Tomé tomorrow.

Take a short flight back to São Tomé, and (flight time permitting) stop for a visit of Roça Agostinho Neto, once the grandest cocoa plantation on the island. Next, head out for an optional swim or snorkel at Lagoa Azul, a savannah area, surrounded by baobabs and tamarind trees. This afternoon, you'll reach your secluded eco-lodge nestled in the lush foliage of the northern tip of the island. Enjoy some well-earned downtime and catch a beautiful sunset with a drink from the restaurant's panoramic terrace. Lay back in your secluded hut and listen to the rainforest come alive with the sounds of insects and nocturnal wildlife as you drift off to sleep.

International flights usually leave São Tomé in the evening, so this morning you'll have the chance to enjoy one final hike into the Rio Contador valley. Navigate a series of eerie tunnels excavated into the mountain during the colonial era which are now home to hundreds of bats, and reach the majestic Angolar Waterfall, hidden away in a cliff which forms a natural amphitheatre. Back at the lodge, you'll have some time to freshen up and grab lunch before transferring to the airport. Stop en route in São Tomé town for some free time before your flight to walk around the old town and do some last minute gift shopping or there is an (optional*) visit to a famous chocolate producer for some sublime tasting – the sweetest way to finish your epic tropical adventure!

*The tasting visit to the world-renowned Claudio Corallo Cacao & Caffe is an optional experience which needs to be pre-booked with your host and requires a minimum of four people. See Optional Extras for pricing.