Journey to the Equator in Sao Tome and Principe

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São Tomé and Principe are incredible and I highly recommend a visit. With so few tourists, most of the time you genuinely feel like you are the only ones exploring this beautiful place, and are discovering things for the very first time. Each day you think you've seen the most breath-taking thing these islands have to offer, only to be equally stunned by something else on the next. The islands are very unspoilt compared to so many places these days, particularly on Principe and the tiny Rolas Island. I sincerely hope they can remain that way, but I'd still advise seeing them sooner rather than later - eventually the masses will discover this hidden gem!

What to expect: Accommodation, mostly quite basic, but most had wi-fi, hot showers, flushing toilets, and even AC in some cases, which honestly was more than I expected. Expect the odd power/ water outage, particularly on Principe where they do not yet have a 24 hour supply of electricity. Food: the food is very tasty, but gets a little repetitive, expect a lot of fish, banana chips, rice, eggs and fruit. If you have dietary requirements then you might find this a little challenging, so if that's the case, definitely do your research, and perhaps take extra snacks/ food with you. Roads: the main roads aren't too bad, but there aren't many of them! Once you're off those, the roads are fairly rough, but didn't feel unsafe, just a little bouncy, and the cars we travelled in generally seemed safe enough. As these are small islands, its rare you have to travel more than a couple of hours anyway.

The itinerary provides a good mix of active and less active days. I generally agree with the easy rating, when compared to other tours MBA offer, as anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do this itinerary and there's no real previous experience required. The hikes are at most a few hours long, and a decent few of the more difficult bits were optional, so you can customise to your own level to a certain extent. That said, we went during the dry season, and even then there were some parts that were quite slippery and a little challenging. I could well imagine some of the narrower, steeper paths being much trickier when wetter, and in some cases potentially a little dangerous where they get slippy, so if you're not going in the dry season you may have a different experience!

Our guide Hilário was great fun, and seemed just as in love with the beauty of these islands as we were. Hilário and the team also deserve a special shout out for helping when almost the entire group's return flight home was cancelled last minute. Even though our trip was officially over, the team gave up their free time and went out of their way to ensure we got the best place to stay, and were well looked after until our re-arranged flight 2 days later.

There were a few areas where a bit more organisation and communication would have been useful - this is Africa, and a part not used to handling lots of tourists, so I didn't expect everything to work out and run like clockwork, but there were a few things that perhaps could have been controlled that would have made things smoother. For example, there were a few days where we ended up not eating lunch until 3 or 4pm, which is fine, but it would have been helpful to be briefed that could be the case the night before, so we could prepare correctly. Sometimes there were slightly mixed messages about what we needed each day, leading to times where people didn't have correct footwear, gear etc. There were also some cases where things were closed or closing when we arrived, or no guides available. Simply checking times and availability ahead probably could avoid these issues, or at least mean we could find out in advance.

A couple of pieces of feedback on the itinerary itself: It would be nice to include a bit more time spent at Mucumbli towards the end of the trip - this is a really lovely place for a relaxing final day or two, but if you follow the itinerary then you end up spending very little time there! One possibility would be scheduling the chocolate tasting to later in the afternoon so that you could at least enjoy it for a few hours after the final day hike. On Principe the group was split into 2 different hotels across the town from each other, would be nice to all be able to stay in 1 place as you end up separated for several days, which hurts the dynamic of the group a bit, but appreciate with how small Principe is that this might not always be feasible (also on Principe, some of the group were not so happy with one of the chosen hotels - but this was not the one I stayed in so can't comment further). On Day 3 there is supposedly a meeting with an NGO on the sea turtle conservation, that we did not receive. Whilst we went outside of sea turtle season, it was not clear from the itinerary if the talk itself is only done seasonally, so this should be clarified. Some of the timings probably need a little finessing (appreciate this might be tricky as every group will move at a different rate), but for example on the last day if you did both the waterfall and the chocolate tasting then there was essentially no time to get lunch in between. Sometimes we ended up quite rushed, for example at beaches where people wanted to spend some time, we instead were having to leave quite quickly to get to the next place. In some cases it might be better to start earlier to ensure timings for the rest of the day work out and give more time to enjoy the destinations without having to rush.

Finally, just a little shout out to our group. We were a group of 12, with a mix of backgrounds, nationalities and ages, but I can honestly say I got on so well with every single one of them, they truly made the trip for me. Just a bunch of absolutely wonderful people.

Overall, I think MBA has put together a trip with great potential - particularly for those who want to have some adventure, escape the usual tourist-filled destinations, and go somewhere truly unique, but I think there's still just a bit of fine-tuning to be done to make this trip perfect. I was torn between 4 or 5 stars overall. I have gone for 5, as for me personally, I had an amazing time, and don't think a few organisational things should put anyone off booking this trip. However, I do hope MBA pays attention to the feedback myself (and likely others in my group) give, so that future groups can have an even (much?) better adventure. Léve Léve!

I loved these islands: jungle, snorkeling and tropical beaches, waterfalls (another opportunity to swim)... especially my time om Principe: after one day was San Antonio so familiar (my own small neighbourhood, friendly people), no traffic jam, ebthousiastic children, a remote fisherman village appeared to be paradise... A diverse group of people with one common goal: exploring this hidden authentic African gem. Big thumbs up for our enthousiastic guide Hilario who put so much effort in giving us what what we needed and dealing with the unforseen problems (cancellation of our flight). Coming home was interesting i guess the first week, I was still thinking of what feeled more as my natural home: Principe.

Remarks: 1) hikes are easiest in dry season, but some of wildlife you can only see in wet season. 2) Some overnight places are rather basic, while others were more the opposit. Roads are often not so good, but that's part of the adventure.

The trip was great. The guides were fun, friendly and professional. The scenery was exceptional and the history/culture rich. Definitely recommended for the curious adventurous traveler who wants more than just a beautiful beach

Sao Tome and in particular Principe were absolutely stunning and I’m pleased that I’ve visited. The itinerary meant that we saw lots of both islands and the variety of different landscapes. Some of the hikes didn’t feel like they fitted in the ‘easy’ category, and I would encourage MBA to look again at how they are categorising their trips so they take more account of the difficulty of the hike not just the duration. The guiding on Principe didn’t work too well - our main guide had come with us from Sao Tome, but wasn’t really leading the trip for this portion and the guide who was in charge didn’t speak any English so it feels like we missed out on some information (particularly the history of the plantations) or things were lost in translation (eg that we were not going to have lunch until after a hike and boat ride - after 3pm). In a couple of places the accomodation wasn’t the place that was advertised, and didn’t look to be of the same standard. My flight home was cancelled (along with most of the group) and the local tour company really came into their own here, staying with us at the airport to make sure we had accommodation sorted and transferring us to it. If you’re thinking of booking this trip, it would be worth learning some Portuguese ahead of time.

São Tomé and Principe is a fantastic travel destination - I say go now before they get to touristed especially Principe as it’s a hidden gem of unspoilt beauty.

However I was a little dissapointed in Much Better Adventures compared to other companies I have travelled with there needs to be improvements (my tour with MBA came at the end of a 4.5 month trip to Africa on tours with other operators)

Firstly splitting the group up in Principe is not good for group dynamic - especially not when half the group ended up in sub par accomodation (I am used to roughing it but this was a bit soul destroying and moral went down).

Secondly the accomodation we stayed in wasn’t always what was indicated on the MBA marketing info - what we had looked a comparatively lower standard in the photos.

Thirdly one of the reasons I booked the tour was to learn more about STP the biosphere, sustainability , history etc. in Principe the information was lacking and the guide was suorised when I wanted to look around the grounds of Roca Sunday even though it was in the itinerary for the day. So I give general information a low score. In general. Although it improved on the last day as I had expressed my concerns to the guide about this.

Fourth there was general confusion in what was going on some days with a lack of clear instruction.

Fifth I think H&S needs to be reviewed the trip is marketed as easy but it’s very steep and slippery at times and I didn’t necessarily feel a sense of confidence in the activity operator explaining the reality of what each hike may entail. Also the life jackets were sub par on the first boat ride.

Sixth I feel that the itinerary was space filled you could probably knock at least a day off. Sometimes we hiked between beach’s on uninspiring jungle hikes when time would have been better spent on the beaches which we were often rushed through.

There were positives macumbli was amazing and as I say the country is fantastic.

Overall value for money I could have done this much better as an independent traveller and not endured the accomodation in principle. It’s my first much better adventure trip and not really sure I would book another although other people on the trip who are regulars did say don’t let it cloud your judgement as MBA trips are normally much better.

Sao Tome and Principe is a beautiful, remote place to visit. The jungles hold all sorts of wonders, the beaches are breathtaking. Principe in particular has the most amazing beaches with barely any people to be seen. Of course this IS Africa, you can't expect everything to run to plan all the time. There will be hiccups and stressful moments, but that's part of the adventure and makes for great stories afterwards. The humidity makes some of the treks tough going, be prepared to sweat! If you are up for an adventure in a beautiful part of the world (and you are willing to explain geography to every person who asks where you're going!) then I would very much recommend booking this trip.

Superb trip, brilliant adventure, great guide, unspoiled islands. Sao Tome and Principe may just be one of the jewels of Africa, that hardly anyone knows about. Go with an open mind, manage your expectations and you will encounter a trip of a lifetime.

Just returned from June the trip to Sao Tome and Principe and without doubt it was a unique experience. Not the most straight forward of journeys either to or around either island but tour guide Sipson and his trusty drivers ensure that despite the condition of the roads, all destinations are reached. The trip is well paced and each beach, waterfall and destination is hand picked. It is an honour to be one both isalnds but Principe is particularly special.

The humidity, incline and terrain combine to make this MBA trip one that borders easy and moderate.

The biggest challenge is the lack of diversity of food, especially for vegetarians, let alone vegans.

Sleep can also be a challenge due to the proximity of livestock and in particular, roosters! The accommodation is basic, and does not include a mosquito net, so bring DEET 50!!! The flight between Sao Tome is via a 19 seater aeroplane which is exciting. The boat trips between islands can be very choppy and MBA need to ensure that life jackets are always provided! The excursions to the coffee and chocolate planations are fantastic and well worth visiting. I would definetly encourage people to go on this adventure but would caution research before committing.

I checked before booking that it would be okay on an old knee injury (ACL & meniscus repair 5 years ago) and was assured it was easy. Unfortunately, the meniscus was torn again, and I’m waiting for a surgical review.

Despite its current rating, don’t book thinking this is a walk in the park. It’s extremely hot and humid, there’s scrambling as well as walking and it can be muddy, steep, slippery and precarious with sheer drop offs. There were lots of falls by many in the group. It’s harder when it rains, to the point a couple of people didn’t do any more walks after it did and stuck to the beach.

Expect creepy crawlies, snakes, power and water cuts (especially on Principe) and to be hot and sweaty most of the time.

Having said that, the islands are lovely. Sipson was great and did his best to accommodate everyone’s needs, the people are super friendly, the views stunning and the beaches divine. The itinerary is packed but you can opt out of what you want to.

Gave a 4 as there were a couple of organisational issues with rooms and things closed when we turned up, and sometimes it was hard to get information with just one guide and a large group. Other than that, it was an enjoyable trip and a real adventure.

Tips: not many places take credit cards, and then only Visa, so take enough cash.

Sealable plastic bags are useful when it rains.

Needs mozzie spray in the day for the rainforest.

Glasses are impossible in the rain, heat and humidity - you just steam up. Wear contacts on the walks if you have that option.

You need ear plugs when staying in town, it gets noisy at night.

We often didn’t eat until 3pm so take snacks.

Swim at your own risk.

Don’t forget malaria tablets and vaccinations.

Any knee issues, you may want to give this one a miss.

I’m amazed that a place like this can still exist, on such an overpopulated and experience hungry planet. I had imagined that emerging onto a pristine empty beach with golden sand and turquoise sea after a short hike through virgin jungle would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, this happened on most days, and sometimes several times a day. At lunch stops, the local guides would climb a tree and get everyone a fresh coconut. We saw baby turtles dashing to the surf, endemic kingfishers in the mangroves and sunbirds in the forest.

The decaying colonial heritage, being reclaimed in equal measure by the local people and the jungle itself, is fascinating to experience. Sao Tomeans are incredibly friendly and we always felt welcome, un-hassled and safe. The small children just want to hold your hand as you explore. There is real poverty here, but hopefully an increase in sustainable tourism can address this without detracting from the unique character and charm of the islands.

Roads outside the main towns are atrocious, but the spectacular viewpoints and waterfall bathing pools that they make accessible mean all the bumps and judders are worthwhile. The varied accommodation was generally good and had beach access, jungle views, swimming pools, air conditioning and comfy beds (but just not all at once).

You will get soaking wet, you will get very muddy, you may (like us) get briefly lost in the jungle; you won’t care. Take good boots, lots of bug spray and a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Sipson was an excellent tour leader, but he also said that we were the nicest group he'd hosted so far, so we'll call that evens.

A most highly recommended adventure.

A very special adventure! You get to experience a range of what the islands have to offer through various accommodations - beaches, rainforest, eco-lodge, city/town. At the end, I felt I'd really explored both islands quite thoroughly, in a way I never could have done on my own.

I really felt that human development had hardly made a mark on the immense natural environment across both islands, and particularly in Principe. Some of the views are truly stunning, especially of the various bays and beaches across both islands. I loved the laid-back vibe everywhere, and always felt very safe and welcome.

The dynamic in our group of 10 was ideal and our guide, Sipson, added to it too. He was great - always positive, fun and always seeming relaxed. I always had the confidence he had everything under control. He was flexible with adapting plans and welcomed feedback.

My highlights were:

-The whole time in Principe, and particularly the beach hopping. It felt like such a relaxed place, with fewer people and even more untouched nature and wildlife to explore, and beaches that felt somehow even more beautiful than those on Sao Tome. -The lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros, partly because of the food and the cosy layout and partly because the rainforest views were incredible. It was raining very heavily while we were there and it felt very cosy and special. -Hiking Pico de Sao Tome - the Lagoa Amelia was an unusual natural phenomenon to experience and I found it very peaceful and special to hike (for part of it) close to the local guide we had for that hike. I also enjoyed hiking Pico Papagaio as I found the scrambling fun and challenging in a good way.

The accommodation everywhere was clean but mostly not luxurious, though there some stand-out places. Make sure you bring earplugs, as there is almost always a lot of background noise. Do generally expect one or two things not to work here and there, the odd power cut (more frequent in Principe), and for there not to be 24 hours of electricity in Principe. I was able to fully charge my phone and get wifi at every accommodation each day/night. You can get your laundry done at the guesthouse in Principe for a small fee. We all loved the accommodation for the final night, and the Inhame beach eco-lodge on nights 2 and 3. The accommodation for nights 4 and 5 has a lovely garden and rainforest views.

The activity level was ideal for me, as a fit and active person. We all agreed though that the activity level should be moved to moderate. There is a lot of hiking throughout and it's certainly challenging, with intense humidity, scrambling at times, and plenty of elevation and inclines.

The food was great. I really enjoyed all the perfectly cooked fish, crispy plantain, chilli sauce, tropical fruit... etc and I always had enough to eat even with the relatively high activity level and being someone who needs to eat a lot generally. The lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros especially, and also at the restaurant we went to for lunch on day 10, was delicious and felt like a special treat. However, many of us felt that on a few of the days in Principe, the sandwich and fruit for lunch was not enough to fill us up. Also, there was no alternative to the sandwich for the celiac person in our group. I believe that the plan is rectify both of these things going forwards.

If you have appropriate expectations and this trip appeals to you, I'm sure you'll have an amazing experience like all of us did!

A stunning country to visit, it sometimes feels like you have the whole island to yourself. A great tour with plenty of hikes and beaches led by a great chap, in our case, Sipson who was great company throughout and kept everything running smoothly. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy visiting Africa.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in what has been referred to as one of the least visited countries on earth. However, the baffling lack of tourists only made for a more enriching experience where the slow pace of life must be embraced to find solitude on idyllic sandy beaches and whilst hiking in tropical rainforests. Our tour leader, Sipson, was first class and demonstrated both passion and energy to ensure everyone had a positive experience despite one or two minor hiccups. His patience is to be commended given some of the challenges that were presented to him and always endeavoured to find a solution. The food and accommodation often exceeded my expectations especially lunch at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros, but it should be noted that infrastructure is somewhat basic in São Tomé and Príncipe i.e., you may not have 24 hours of electricity on Príncipe Island, the roads are bumpy and some of the paths are tricky to navigate especially when wet. It's not an easy trip but if you like a bit of adventure and come with an open mind - you'll love it!

I thoroughly enjoyed my mini adventure to two of the Islands that make up Sao Tome & Principe.  Getting off the beaten track to a slower pace of life.  Sipson the Tour Leader, was fantastic, passionate, energetic and very patient with the group of 13. He quickly pivoted to come up with suggestions to try and ensure all had a great experience in his home country.  The treks were of an easyish grade, but you do require reasonable fitness, good balance and be prepared for changing conditions, from beach walks to steep inclines through uneven forest. High humidity mixed with tropical downpours.  Some fabulous lunch stops, be they a cooked picnic on the beach, or terraced restaurant over looking the forest. Some meals with locally sourced food presented in fantastic creative ways, with great flavour. Predominant food is fish. Limited food choice if you do not eat fish and meat. There are options but limit expectations. Mixed accommodation, from waking up listening to the sounds of the forest or the waves of the ocean to city center basic. Be prepared for night time electrical outage in Principe. Just go on and Book it.

Beautiful beaches and enchanting rainforests are just a couple of highlights of this trip. Include genuine, friendly people, good food, chocolate and local beer, and we are almost there. Sipson was a perfect guide who went above and beyond to make everyone happy. I wound personally like some longer hikes (overnight if possible ;) in the forest for it to be top marks. But all in all a truly enjoyable winter escape with a happy group of people.

Beautiful place, our guide Sipson was wonderful and very accommodating with all the group, for example making other plans for people having a day off hiking. Some beautiful accommodations and great food Activity rating definitely needs to be increased - many hikes are long and steep, all on rough terrain in intense heat and humidity