Luxury Principe Island Holiday: 9 Days at Bom Bom Island Resort and Omali
Luxury and nature in São Tomé and Príncipe: 5 nights at Bom Bom Island Resort, Roça Sundy, Sundy Praia and Agulhas Bay, with the inter-island flight and private experiences. International flights not included.
The trip
Why Principe Island is different
It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: primary forest, deserted beaches, volcanic peaks and historic roças (colonial plantations), on an island with almost no tourism. Santo António is the smallest capital in the world, and at Roça Sundy in 1919 Arthur Eddington's expedition confirmed Einstein's theory of relativity.Private experiences on Principe Island every morning
- The Cocoa Route at Roça Sundy, from pod to bean, with the plantation's history.
- Agulhas Bay by boat, with swimming, snorkelling and a snack on board; dolphins, turtles and, in season, whales.
- Santo António, Nova Estrela, Terreiro Velho and Roça Abade, then the afternoon at Sundy Praia.
- From the forest to a secret beach, with an exclusive surprise waiting.
What's included (international flights not included)
The domestic flight São Tomé – Príncipe – São Tomé, 7 nights with breakfast (2 at Omali, 5 at Bom Bom), travel insurance, all private transfers, an agency representative and 4x4 with driver, and one private experience a day on Príncipe. International flights, lunches and dinners and the tourist tax are not included. We are Jaca Voyage, a local agency in São Tomé, on hand from the first day to the last.When to go
The dry season (gravana) runs from June to September; humpback whales pass from July to October and turtles nest from November to February. Perfect for a honeymoon too: read our honeymoon in São Tomé and Príncipe guide and the climate guide.Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival in São Tomé and Hotel Omali
Arrival at São Tomé airport (international flight not included; the flight from Lisbon usually lands in the late afternoon). Our representative meets you for a private transfer to the seafront Hotel Omali. Overnight.
Day 2
Flight to Principe Island and arrival at Bom Bom
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. 09:00 flight to Principe: just 35 minutes between the two islands. Transfer to Bom Bom Island Resort, your hideaway for the next five nights, between rainforest and ocean. Afternoon at leisure on the beach and the islet. Overnight.
Day 3
Cocoa Route at Roça Sundy
Morning private experience at Roça Sundy, the historic cocoa plantation where Arthur Eddington's 1919 expedition confirmed Einstein's theory of relativity: from cocoa pod to bean, with the story of the estate (about 2.5 hours, easy). Afternoon at leisure at Bom Bom. Overnight.
Day 4
Agulhas Bay by boat
Boat trip to Agulhas Bay, on the edge of Principe Natural Park, facing the volcanic peaks of the west coast. Swimming, snorkelling and a snack on board (about 4 hours). Dolphins, turtles and, in season, whales are often seen, though sightings cannot be guaranteed. Overnight at Bom Bom.
Day 5
Santo António, Roça Abade and Sundy Praia
Discover the island from north to south: Santo António, the world's smallest capital, the Nova Estrela viewpoint, Terreiro Velho, the community and Roça Abade. In the afternoon, Sundy Praia, the luxury lodge of the Príncipe Collection, to enjoy its facilities. Overnight at Bom Bom.
Day 6
From rainforest to a secret beach
Easy walk from Roça Sundy through a historic forest to a hidden beach, where a special surprise awaits you. Swim in the ocean, then stroll along the coast to Sundy Praia (about 4 hours). Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Bom Bom.
Day 7
Last morning on Principe and back to Sao Tome
Free morning for a last swim. At the scheduled time, flight to Sao Tome and transfer to Hotel Omali. Overnight.
Day 8
Free day at Hotel Omali and transfer to the airport
A whole free day for the pool and tropical garden at the Omali. At the set time, private transfer to the airport for your return flight (not included).
Day 9
End of the trip
Home again, refreshed and with a new way of looking at the world. End of our services.
What's included
- Domestic flight Sao Tome – Principe – Sao Tome including taxes
- Travel insurance
- 7 nights with breakfast: 2 at Hotel Omali and 5 at Bom Bom Island Resort
- All private transfers on Sao Tome and Principe
- Agency representative on site and 4x4 vehicle with driver
- One private experience per day on Principe: Cocoa Route, Agulhas Bay, Santo António and the secret-beach trail
What's not included
- International flights
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tourist tax of €2.10 per person per night, paid on arrival at the airport
- Connecting flight to Lisbon (we can book it)
- Anything not listed as included
Frequently asked questions
All your questions answered
First to São Tomé, usually via Lisbon (international flight not included; we can help you choose). Then a 35-minute small-plane flight to Príncipe, already included. On inter-island flights luggage is limited to 15 kg per person plus 8 kg of hand luggage.
It is a beachfront resort in the north of Principe, linked to its islet by a long wooden bridge and surrounded by quiet beaches and rainforest. It is part of the Príncipe Collection, along with Roça Sundy and Sundy Praia.
Yes. The seclusion, personal service, free afternoons and private experiences make it one of the most exclusive honeymoons in Africa. We can add special touches on request.
The dry season (gravana) runs from June to September. Humpback whales pass from July to October, and sea turtles nest from November to February.
All breakfasts. Lunches and dinners are taken at the hotel restaurants and paid locally, so you are free to choose.
Yes. We can change the dates, add nights at Bom Bom or combine your stay with Sundy Praia, on request.
EU and UK citizens can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 15 days; other nationalities should check the current rules. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
A typical local meal costs under €15 per person: grilled octopus, peixe-azeite or croaker, massada with grouper, arroz à moda da terra (rice the local way) or tuna. Grouper (cherne), the island’s most prized fish, costs over €15 per person. These are the everyday dishes, as Sao Tome cooking is mostly fresh fish. Meat is available too, but most of it is imported: if it matters to you, let us know in advance and we will arrange it.
Drinks are not included on our tours, except on a few special trips such as Christmas or the New Year’s Eve dinner. They are cheap: the local Rosema beer costs about 25 dobras (around €1) in many places, and 75 dobras or more in hotels, just over €3.
Notes
Your booking is confirmed on payment of the deposit shown on this page. Minimum 2 participants. Cancellation conditions as per contract.