Why book with a specialist Sao Tome and Principe travel agency: local team, licensed guides, small groups and private tours, prices from €800 and what to ask any agency before booking.
Looking for a Sao Tome and Principe travel agency? Choose one that knows the islands from the inside. Jaca Voyage is a specialist in Sao Tome and Principe: a licensed tour operator with its own team on the ground, official local guides, 4x4 vehicles with drivers and hotels confirmed months ahead. We run small-group departures (maximum 12 travellers) and private tailor-made trips, with guides who speak English, French and Spanish.
Most UK and international operators sell Sao Tome as one destination among hundreds, designed from an office thousands of kilometres away. In a country with very little tourist infrastructure, that distance shows. This page explains how a specialist agency works, what our trips include, what they cost and what you should ask any agency before you book.
In this article
- Why use a specialist Sao Tome and Principe travel agency
- A team on the ground
- Our Sao Tome and Principe holidays and prices
- Small group or private trip
- Luxury, the Sao Tome way
- How it works, from booking to coming home
- What to ask any travel agency before booking
- Frequently asked questions
Why use a specialist Sao Tome and Principe travel agency
Sao Tome and Principe is one of the least visited countries in the world. That is exactly its appeal — and exactly why it is easy to get wrong. There are only a few dozen places to stay in the whole country, the best ones sell out months ahead, roads in the south can be cut by rain, and the domestic flight to Principe does not run every day.
A generalist agency books what it can see in a reservation system. A specialist knows which roça has just reopened, which beach is safe to swim at in August, how long the drive to Porto Alegre really takes and what time the boat to Ilhéu das Rolas leaves. Every itinerary we sell is built from that ground knowledge, not from a catalogue.
A team on the ground, from the first day to the last
When a flight is delayed or a road is closed after heavy rain, you need someone in Sao Tome who can fix it there and then. Our travellers are met at the airport by their guide, who stays with them for the whole trip, with a driver and a 4x4 from day one. The programme is adjusted every day to the weather, the tides and the condition of the roads.
Our guides are official Santomean guides, trained among the best tourism professionals in the country. They open the doors of the cocoa plantations, know the fishermen, the cooks and the communities, and turn a trip into a real encounter with the islands.
Our Sao Tome and Principe holidays and prices
- Sao Tome private tour, 8 days: from €1,250 per person, with hotels, guide, driver and excursions (international flights not included).
- Sao Tome trekking, 8 days: from €1,450, rainforest and cocoa trails with a specialist hiking guide.
- Principe Island holiday, 9 days: from €2,800, with flights from Lisbon and the domestic flight to Principe.
- Honeymoon in Sao Tome and Principe, 9 days: from €3,000 per person, with flights from Lisbon.
- Sao Tome and Principe, 11 days across both islands: from €3,100, with TAP flights from Lisbon.
- Fly and drive: from €800, with a 4x4 and a personalised road book, for independent travellers.
On arrival in Sao Tome, the only extra charge is the tourist tax of €2.10 per person per night, paid at the airport. Travel insurance is not included and we always recommend a policy with medical assistance and repatriation. For a full breakdown, read how much a trip to Sao Tome costs.
Small group or private trip
Our group departures have fixed dates and never more than 12 travellers, which keeps the experience personal and lets us use small lodges that larger groups cannot. Private trips run on the dates you choose, at your pace, built around what you care about: nature, food, the history of the roças, beaches or hiking. Not sure which suits you? Our comparison of tours versus independent travel explains the real differences.
Luxury, the Sao Tome way
In Sao Tome, luxury is not measured in stars but in experiences: a guide who opens the doors of a century-old plantation house, a deserted beach in the south, a lunch cooked with cocoa and coffee grown a few metres away. For travellers who want more comfort, we combine the Omali in the capital with Bom Bom, Sundy Praia or Roça Belo Monte on Principe. See our guide on where to stay in Sao Tome.
Featured trip
Sao Tome Tours: 8-Day Group Trip to an Undiscovered Paradise
How it works, from booking to coming home
- Choose your trip: a group departure with fixed dates, or a tailor-made proposal based on your pace, budget and interests.
- Book: your place is secured with a deposit; the balance is paid before departure.
- Prepare: we send the document checklist, health advice (the yellow fever certificate is compulsory), baggage limits for the domestic flight and how much cash to bring.
- Travel: your guide waits for you at the airport and is with you every day, with driver and 4x4.
- Come home: we stay available for any question and always want to know how it went.
Getting to Sao Tome from the UK means flying via Lisbon; we explain the options in how to get to Sao Tome from the UK.
What to ask any Sao Tome and Principe travel agency before booking
- Is it a licensed tour operator? We are licensed by Turismo de Portugal (RNAVT 4155) and our package holidays are protected by the Portuguese travel guarantee fund.
- Does it have people on the ground? Ask who meets you at the airport and who solves problems during the trip.
- Are the hotels confirmed? In high season, the best lodges sell out months in advance.
- Is the itinerary realistic? Distances look short on the map, but roads are slow. Read how many days you need in Sao Tome.
- What is not included? Insurance, drinks and tips should be clear before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel agency for Sao Tome and Principe?
The best choice is a specialist with a team in the country, licensed guides and confirmed accommodation, rather than a generalist reselling the destination. That is how Jaca Voyage works.
Do your guides speak English?
Yes. We run trips with guides who speak English, French and Spanish, as well as Portuguese.
Are international flights included?
It depends on the trip. Some departures include flights from Lisbon; our private tours and fly and drive do not, so you can fly from wherever suits you.
Is Sao Tome and Principe safe?
Yes, it is one of the calmest countries in Africa, with no violent crime to speak of. Life happens during the day: shops close around 8 pm and there is no nightlife. More in is Sao Tome and Principe safe?
How far ahead should I book?
Several months, especially for July, August and Christmas, when flights and the small hotels fill up first.
When is the best time to go?
The dry season, from June to September, is the most popular; December to February is also good. See the best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe.
Plan your trip with a Sao Tome and Principe specialist
Tell us how you like to travel and we will design the trip with you, or join one of our small-group departures. See all our Sao Tome and Principe holidays or contact our team.