“Hiking through Obo National Park, stands of bamboo arch over paths like crashing tsunami. There are white-flowering begonias several metres tall, and trees with buttress roots the size of a small house. There were giant sunbirds and paradise flycatchers, two of 125 bird species endemic to the country”Paul Miles, travel writer and photographer
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Sao Tome and Principe holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Sao Tome and Principe holiday, personal to you.
Sao Tome and Principe tailor-made holiday highlights
São Tomé town Friendly, quiet capital with pretty colonial architecture, scenic side streets and attractive parks. Established by the Portuguese in 1485, it was a busy slave port in days gone by. The pot-holed streets and faded buildings suggest a town whose heyday has long drifted by, but if you make it down to the markets, or see the fishermen haul in their midday catch of red snapper, wahoo and marlin, it's suddenly a much more energetic place. At night the pace slows down once more, and you could easily amble through the centre and not see a living soul.
Ilhéu das Rolas Tiny islet at the southern tip of São Tomé island, which actually straddles the equator, enabling you to can stand with one leg in each hemisphere. It has some pleasant beaches and offers good diving offshore.
PríncipeSmaller of the two main islands, its main town San Antonio has some distinctive colonial architecture, while its coastal waters are good for snorkelling.
Obo National ParkProtected area of capoeiras (post-agricultural forest), dotted with abandoned plantations, set alongside pristine, ancient tropical forest at higher altitudes. There are some pleasant trails, taking in waterfalls, lakes and fine views.
Augustino NetoSão Tomé island has a number of roças, or cocao plantations, of which Agostinho Neto is the largest. It was traditionally worked by Angolans and is named after Neto, the first Angolan president. Elsewhere, at Agua Izé, visitors can tour the plantation by train.
People & place
Sao Tome And Principe facts
Capital: São Tomi
Language: Portuguese.
People: African descent (90%), Portuguese and Creole (10%).
Religion: Roman Catholic, other Christian denominations.
Size (sq km): 1001.
Population: 206,178.
Population density/sq km: 205.9
Etiquette
The colonial Portuguese, who first arrived on the islands in 1471, left a strong cultural legacy. Today, Portuguese is the official language, with a form of Creole also spoken throughout São Tomé and Príncipe. The inhabitants are mainly descendants of slaves brought from mainland Africa. In general, people are friendly and courteous. Normal social courtesies should be observed.
Shopping
There used to be a trade in sea-turtle shells, happily this has now been legally curtailed.
Food & drink
Most dishes are highly spiced, grilled meats and fish. Avocadoes, pineapples and bananas are popular. A lot of canned food is shipped from Portugal, but bakeries supply fresh bread.
International Airports
São Tomé (TMS) 5 km from the town.
Internal travel
Limited ferry service between São Tomé and Principe. Some roads are asphalt; much of the network is deteriorating. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for travelling beyond São Tomé.
Red tape
Visas
Required.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever1
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit recommended.
Reps in UK/US
UK: n/a nearest Square Montgommery, 175 Avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels, Belgium, tel (2) 734 8966, fax (2) 734 8815, email ambassade.saotome@fi.be. US: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10044, tel (212) 317 0533, fax (212) 317 0580, email stp1@attglobal.net.
UK/US reps in Sao Tome And Principe
UK: Residencia Avenida, Avenida da Independencia, CP257, São Tomé, tel (2) 21026/7, fax (2) 21372. US: The American Embassy in Libreville (see Gabon) deals with enquiries relating to São Tomé e Principe.
Currency
Dobra (Db) = 100 cêntimos.
Finance
Cards generally not accepted, limited acceptance of traveller's cheques.
Business hours
n/a.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 66.35, F 69.69.
Useful websites for travel
www.saotome.org, www.saotome.st, www.sao-tome.com, www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/sao_tome_and_principe.
Local media
Newspapers in Portuguese. One TV station, one radio station, both state owned.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Sao Tome and Principe tailor-made holiday ideas
São Tomé town
Friendly, quiet capital with pretty colonial architecture, scenic side streets and attractive parks. Established by the Portuguese in 1485, it was a busy slave port in days gone by. The pot-holed streets and faded buildings suggest a town whose heyday has long drifted by, but if you make it down to the markets, or see the fishermen haul in their midday catch of red snapper, wahoo and marlin, it's suddenly a much more energetic place. At night the pace slows down once more, and you could easily amble through the centre and not see a living soul.
Ilhéu das Rolas
Tiny islet at the southern tip of São Tomé island, which actually straddles the equator, enabling you to can stand with one leg in each hemisphere. It has some pleasant beaches and offers good diving offshore.
Príncipe
Smaller of the two main islands, its main town San Antonio has some distinctive colonial architecture, while its coastal waters are good for snorkelling.
Obo National Park
Protected area of capoeiras (post-agricultural forest), dotted with abandoned plantations, set alongside pristine, ancient tropical forest at higher altitudes. There are some pleasant trails, taking in waterfalls, lakes and fine views.
Augustino Neto
São Tomé island has a number of roças, or cocao plantations, of which Agostinho Neto is the largest. It was traditionally worked by Angolans and is named after Neto, the first Angolan president. Elsewhere, at Agua Izé, visitors can tour the plantation by train.
