Luxury in Remote Principe

Arrival at Sao Tome airport after international flight. After customs and luggage collection our agent will be waiting for you to take you to the boutique hotel Omali – opposite Sao Tome’s Lagarto Beach.

Omali is a brilliant base to explore from, the National Museum, São Tomé’s southern beaches, and community-run cacao and coffee farms are all within easy reach for day trips. Omali itself is renowned for the fresh seafood feasts served at its restaurant, and for its palm-fringed swimming pool and tropical gardens.

Relax after your journey on the beach or beside the hotel pool.

Alternatively arrange for an island tour to view cacao plantations, the orchid-filled botanical gardens, mountains and waterfalls.

Enjoy a spectacular scenic flight from Sao Tome to Principe. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Roca Sunday for 3 nights in this magnificent former colonial plantation mansion.

The estate is at the heart of Principe’s chocolate history; formerly the second largest cacao plantation on the island.

It also played a key role in confirming Einstein’s theory of relativity during the solar eclipse of 1919.

Hence the 2 beautifully restored buildings have been named Eclipse House and Cacao House.

The restoration has kept the original beautiful features such as sweeping staicases to create a boutique property where you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Eclipse House was the main house of the Roca and has 6 en suite rooms, with the upper floor rooms having a private balcony and panoramic views.

Cacao House is more contemporary in style with 9 en suite rooms, some with balcony. Each building also has a honeymoon suite.

Enjoy sitting on the terrace for sundowners and the home cooked food using fresh local produce.

Explore the island on various excursions and hikes. Signature experiences include:

The Lost City Trail

Step into the pages of an H Rider Haggard novel as you walk (light hiking) through the jungle to the remains of the island’s first settlement – Ribiera Ize. The crumbing stone ruins of the catholic church are slowly being taken over by nature as gnarled ceiba tree roots grow up and around the ruins. finish off at Praia Mocoto for a cooling dip.

Boat Trip to the Northeast Beaches

A 6 hour daily boat trip to the famous and enchanting beaches for the northeast coast including Praia Banana (Bacardi Beach!) and Praia Boi. Stop at a small local fishing village to look at their home made wooden boats and learn about their way of life.

The Cacao Route

A 4-hour gentle walking tour to bring the islands chocolate stroy to life. This is a tree-to-table tour where you will visit an agroforestry planation, a small-batch chocolate factory and then taste some delicious cacao treats!

Rainforest to Beach Stroll

Starting at Roca Sunday, walk through the rainforest to a secret beach for a romantic picnic and swim.

Snorkelling

Life under the waves is spectacular in Principe with flurries of tropical fish and beautiful coral.

Tour of the Island by Car – 4 hours

Pass the historic rocas, and fabulous ‘Lost World’ scenery, see local artisans at work and lunch iin Santa Antonio – the word’s smallest capital city.

Bay of Needles Boat Trip

A 4- hour boat trip to the famous Baia das Agulhas, a geographical wonder. The bay lies within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and on the edge of the National Park. Once here you can swim and snorkel.

Oque Pipa Waterfall

A 3-hour hike to the island’s largest waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip and look out for birds including the endemic Principe speirops and elusive civets.

Longer Hikes

For keen walkers, then longer hikes (c 6 hours) to Parrot Peak (680m) can be organised for spectacular panoramas. Hiking through the jungle you will be able view birds, butterflies and colourful orchids. A hike to Roca Infante — a plantation reclaimed by the forest is also a chance to spot monkeys, birds and volcanic formations.

Turtle Watching (Seasonal)

At some times of year turtles visit to nest and hatch. Green, olive, hawksbill and leatherback turtles arrive between November and January to nest, and the eggs hatch during February and April. You can join a conservation focused trip to see these wonderful creatures.

Sunday Praia is a luxury eco-lodge where private tented villas offer sweeping views to the sea from the front and open jungle views to the rear. All features are sustainable from the wooden plank walls reminiscent of the local fishermen’s huts to the hardwood decks and each has a spacious lounge area with the three bed villas also having their own private pools.Vast sliding doors allow air to flow freely and you will loose track of time here as you wake to the sound of parrots and the noise of the waves. Like at Roca Sunday, the focus is on forest (or sea) to fork cuisine but the emphasis here is more on a totally serene calming experience.

Check out in the morning and depending what time your flight is; you can still do a small hike or just enjoy the surroundings before taking your transportation to the airport. Take your flight from Príncipe to São Tomé and travel onwards to your international flight.