São Tomé and Príncipe: a paradise in Africa


It was 3:15pm in Accra inside Kotoka International Airport Terminal 1 and I was getting ready to board TAP Portugal flight to Lisbon, Portugal via São Tomé and Principe.

São Tomé and Principe is an African island in the Atlantic Ocean with a population of about 192,000 people. Crime rate is generally low. You can see and feel the rich vegetation, virgin waters with safe beaches -- ideal for scuba diving.

The major language spoken is Portuguese. Some residents understand and could speak Spanish and sometimes French too.  It is the second least populated African country after Seychelles, as well as the smallest Portuguese-speaking country.

São Tomé township and its environs are simply charmed by all assortment of typical old-fashioned restaurants that offers fresh seafood and other local dishes from their rich plantations.

Townside of São Tomé

One of the typical wooden houses in São Tomé. Most of the structures in town are made of wood. They create a strong foundation and raise the building with woods. It's just so awesome because you still feel nature.


It was like wow! A few years ago, investors were excited about investing in Africa and I can now understand why the Portuguese colonised a beautiful place like São Tomé and Principe. Many have talked about Africa rising, the tourism landscape and the average/middle growing class evolving in tourism today.

There is also a lovely island called Ilhéu das Rolas at São Tomé. Ilhéu das Rolas is a small island with about 50 people living on it. You can find the equator there. On the way to the place, you will see a unique mountain that many call “the finger of God”.


A part of Ilhéu das Rolas, São Tomé, where you can also find the equator.
You need to see this “finger of God” yourself. It is just amazing. There are many waterfalls too.
When the Portuguese discovered São Tomé and Príncipe in 1470, they found the deserted islands covered in such thick jungle that flourished in the opulent volcanic soil. The settlers populated the small extensive group of islands with slaves from Angola and Cape Verde.

One of my favourite thing they cultivate here is coffee. They have two types of coffee namely cacao and Arabica. São Tomé coffee aspires to be a very high quality. Its flavour is neither aggressive nor woody, but balanced, fragrant and soft, with a delicate bitter taste as usual. 
I can bet you that anyone who travels to São Tomé and Príncipe will surely give you amazing reports.

Though there are many great places to lodge like Miramar, Praia Inhame Eco Lodge, Omali Sao Tome among others, I lodged at Pestana São Tomé Ocean Resort, a five star São Tomé and Príncipe rated hotel, on the seafront with panoramic sea view. I can tell you it is a plunge in paradise.

Myself, browsing on a tablet at the gardenside of Pestana Hotel

The relaxation poolside known as the "Infinity Pool" at Pestana Hotel.

The Infinity poolside of the Pestana Hotel


At Pestana Hotel, you can enjoy the infinity swimming pool with magnificent views overlooking the sea, a dive centre and sports fishing, Conference Room, Health Club/SPA plus a cute gym. The hotel has about 140 rooms and have elegant decor and each is equipped with a TV and free Wi-Fi.

Pestana Hotel owns Miramar lodge and has an apartment yard by name Villa Maria. Villa Maria is a fully furnished apartment rooms.

TAP Portugal have four flights between Ghana and São Tomé and Principe Island—Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. São Tomé is just 1 hour 30 minutes, with reasonably roundtrip flights rate on TAP Portugal.

Wonder whether you could carry your pet along with you on such a trip? Yes!

TAP Portugal allows the transportation of animals in the cabin or the hold, depending on the weight, size and species of the animal. All you need to do is to inform them through their contact centre in advance or your travel agent.

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