Sao Tome and Principe is a two-island country off Africa’s west coast, and is part of a volcanic chain. But despite its stunning beaches, huge jungles, and amazing weather, not many tourists visit
Holiday-seekers looking beyond the well-trodden paths to Africa’s beautiful islands often think of Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Zanzibar, with their sun-soaked beaches and azure waters. Yet, there’s a hidden gem off West Africa’s coast that remains off the radar for most: Sao Tome and Principe.
This equatorial paradise, part of a volcanic archipelago, boasts stunning beaches, expansive jungles, and idyllic weather. Despite its allure, it only sees around 15,000 visitors annually, standing as one of the world’s most obscure travel spots. In 2017, a tour operator told the Telegraph, “It’s not forgotten. It’s never been discovered.”
Setting it apart from some of its neighbours, Sao Tome and Principe shines as a beacon of peace and democracy within Africa. Luis Miguel, a Sao Tome tour guide, described it to CNN in 2020 as “heaven on Earth.” Lonely Planet has compared its splendour to the Seychelles, while others have dubbed it the “Galapagos of Africa.”, reports the Express.
UNESCO recognizes its jungles as a biosphere reserve, teeming with exotic fruits and distinctive wildlife. The islands’ secluded nature means tranquil, unspoiled beaches await adventurous travellers. However, despite the lack of tourists, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy. These include hiking, diving, snorkelling, trekking, and a visit to the iconic Pico Cao Grande a towering volcanic rock that stands at 1,213 feet tall.
It comes as a ramped-up tourism effort hopes to encourage more visitors to three countries – and offers an alternative to crowded destinations. The new tourism initiative, named TRILAND, has been launched by three southern African countries – Mozambique, South Africa (Mpumalanga province) and Eswatini. The project aims to promote tourism and sustainable development within the industry.
The goal of TRILAND is to create a tourism corridor that integrates the natural, cultural and historical destinations of the three countries, encouraging cross-border visitation. The initiative also seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and position Southern Africa as a top holiday destination. South Africa has seen the most visitors in recent years, with 2.4 million tourists in the first quarter of 2024. Mozambique attracted the second-largest number of holidaymakers, with just over 1.1 million in 2023, a significant decrease from the average of 2 million between 2016 and 2019.
Eswatini, while smaller than its TRILAND counterparts at just 17,000 km compared to South Africa’s 1.22 million square km, welcomed 842,441 tourists last year. Brits looking to explore these southern African countries can catch direct flights from London, with a travel time of nearly 11 hours and 30 minutes.
Southern Africa is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural diversity, with numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 20 National Parks offering a wildlife paradise for intrepid explorers.
