Check the weather city by city, starting with São Tomé.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a tiny volcanic two-island archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, on the equator: primary rainforests shrouded in mist, some of the best cocoa plantations in the world (Claudio Corallo), spectacular deserted beaches, and a unique Luso-African Creole culture. One of the least-visited countries in the world, preserved and authentic.
Pico de São Tomé (2,024m) is the island's highest point: a 2-day climb through every layer of the rainforest (dense forest, cloud forest, high-altitude moorland) with exceptional endemic biodiversity (rare birds, giant plants). An adventure in a pristine forest where Africa meets the Galápagos.
Highlights : Pico de São Tomé climb (2,024m, 2 days, guided), Cloud forest — giant endemic plant species, Waterfalls in the primary forest.
Claudio Corallo, regarded as making the best chocolate in the world, grows his cocoa on Príncipe Island in colonial plantations restored since the 1990s. Visiting his Terreiro Velho farm is a unique sensory experience: from the pod to the bar, via fermentation and sun-drying.
Highlights : Claudio Corallo farm — tasting the world's finest cocoa, Príncipe primary forest (UNESCO Biosphere), Deserted beaches of Príncipe — Baia das Agulhas.
The 'roças' are the large abandoned Portuguese colonial plantations scattered across São Tomé: Roça Agostinho Neto, Roça Monte Café (cocoa), Roça Sundy (the most beautiful, on Príncipe). These vast estates, romantically ruined, with their Art Nouveau colonial architecture and old warehouses, are the symbol of the island's history.
Highlights : Roça Agostinho Neto — former plantation capital, Roça Monte Café — cocoa and colonial railway, Roça Sundy (Príncipe) — the largest and best preserved.
São Tomé has some of the most beautiful and deserted beaches in Central Africa: Praia Lagarto, Praia Micondó, Abade Bay with its turtles. The rainier south of the island is covered in dense forest right down to the sea. Praia Grande beach in the north is the main swimming beach.
Highlights : Praia Lagarto — deserted beach in the south-west, Abade Bay — sea turtle watching, Praia Grande — main swimming beach.
São Tomé and Príncipe is relatively expensive for its size: few tourists, little competition, and reliance on imports. Príncipe is even pricier than São Tomé. Corallo cocoa and chocolate are must-buy souvenirs.