Traveling to São Tomé

São Tomé Church.

Natural wonders

Before the 15th century, the two islands of São Tomé and Príncipe off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea were uninhabited. It wasn't until 1471-1472 that the Portuguese discovered them and claimed them as their own. The first inhabitants were primarily Portuguese Jews and slaves from Portuguese African colonies. They worked on plantations and in factories producing sugar, coffee, and cocoa. Following the victory of the April 25th Revolution in Portugal, the people of the two islands voted to declare independence, establishing the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Any time of year is a good time to visit São Tomé. Birdwatchers often come between December and January, as this is mating season when birds are at their most colorful. Sea turtles lay their eggs between mid-November and February. Humpback whales, orca, and dolphins pass by the island from August to October. June to August is the best time for hiking around the island.

The most famous destination in São Tomé is Obo National Park. It boasts a collection of 135 different bird species, including many rare ones such as the Príncipe's warbler, the Dohrn's warbler, the bird of paradise, and the São Tomé sunbird. Some species are native, while others migrate from West Africa and beyond. Additionally, the park is home to 109 different orchid species.

São Tomé was formed by solidified volcanic lava. The island still retains traces of its early geological features, such as Boca do Inferno (meaning "Gate of Hell") located in the south. Here, geysers erupt due to seawater flowing through an underground cave, but the lack of an outlet creates pressure that pushes the water upwards, producing a fascinating spectacle.

Pico de São Tomé, the highest peak on the island, is a challenging destination for many visitors. To conquer this 2,024m summit, climbers need two days for the round trip, with each leg of the trek lasting eight hours. Yet, along the way, visitors will never be bored. Passing through coffee and cocoa plantations at the foot of the mountain, you'll find a dense, humid tropical forest with many bizarre plant species. Midway up the mountain, there's a rest stop where visitors can camp overnight.

Pico Cão Grande (Big Dog Peak) is just as famous as Pico de São Tomé. This mountain was formed when lava erupted to a height of 370 meters and then solidified. Seafarers know they are approaching São Tomé when they see Pico Cão Grande towering like a pillar supporting the sky. Because moss grows on the sheer cliffs, only professional mountaineers dare to climb Pico Cão Grande. For many, simply standing at the foot of the mountain and looking up is enough to leave them in awe.

The most worthwhile beaches to visit in São Tomé are the trio of Micondó, Inhamé, and Jalé. All three beaches boast excellent water and sand quality. Not to mention the coral reefs growing close to shore. Visitors should spend a day snorkeling to explore the reef ecosystem with its schools of tropical fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and mysterious underwater caves.

In the evenings, conservationists patrol the beaches of São Tomé to protect the turtles. If visitors come during the right season, they can join a group to watch the giant turtles crawl ashore to lay their eggs.

The old plantations in São Tomé are called roças. Many roças have been abandoned and gradually swallowed up by nature. In recent years, locals have renovated the plantations and transformed them into tourist destinations. Agostino Neto is the oldest and largest plantation on the island. The image of the two-story building in the center of Agostino Neto was once printed on the Dobra banknote of the island nation, and it too was later abandoned. Today, it has been renovated into a small museum.

Ancient city

The capital of the island nation of São Tomé has a population of approximately 72,000, equivalent to one-third of the country's total population. Founded in 1485, the city has largely retained its original character.

The São Tomé Church in the city center was built in the 15th century. Its most significant renovation took place in 1956, transforming it into a Neo-Renaissance mixed with Neo-Romantic architecture. The São Tomé Church is located next to People's Square, a popular spot for enjoying the breeze, eating, and watching street performances.

The São Tomé National Museum is located on the site of the former São Sebastião fortress. In ancient times, this island was a crucial point in the Portuguese empire's maritime trade network. To protect São Tomé, the Portuguese built the São Sebastião fortress in 1575. After a period of abandonment, the building was renovated and converted into a museum in 2006. Many tourists choose to visit the museum in the evening to see the old lighthouse at the fortress illuminated.

São Tomé's music is a blend of both African and Portuguese influences, yet it is also full of character. The socopé rhythms and ússua dance, originating from São Tomé, have become popular in West Africa in recent years. Additionally, there is the traditional tchiloli musical theater, which combines European opera and African masked theater. Visitors can find musicians and actors performing tchiloli outdoors on weekend evenings in People's Square.

Source