The compact island of São Tomé packs a punch with its efficient, well-organized tour offerings. Local operators, particularly Sipson Tours, excel at delivering intimate experiences of this African paradise. Private excursions stand out as the smart choice here – they’re flexible, include home-cooked meals, and let you set the pace.
We love the Interior Tour and Coffee Road Excursion – they offer the perfect mix of culture and scenery. The monkey-watching boat trips deserve special mention for their expert guides and reliable wildlife sightings. Day trips to Rolas Island are particularly worthwhile, combining pristine beaches with excellent photo opportunities at the equator marker.
Let’s explore the best tours São Tomé has to offer.
Good To Know
- Sipson Tours offers highly recommended private, air-conditioned tours with a 99% recommendation rate, including boat trips and visits to Rolas Island.
- Private tour experiences provide immersive island exploration with private transportation, freshly cooked lunch, and flexibility for individual pacing.
- Interior tours highlight the island’s history and culture, covering coffee plantations and slavery history, with a perfect 5.0 rating.
- Coffee Road Excursion offers a journey through São Tomé’s coffee heritage, including a coffee-making process demonstration and tasting experience.
- Most tours are not wheelchair accessible, but stroller-friendly options are available for those with moderate physical fitness.
Sipson Tours Stp
The Sipson Tours Stp is a highly recommended tour operator on Sao Tome Island, offering a range of immersive experiences for visitors. With an impressive 118 reviews and a 99% recommendation rate, the company has earned a Badge of Excellence for its exceptional service.
Sipson Tours provides private, air-conditioned transportation, ensuring a comfortable journey. Excursions include a boat trip to a mangrove for monkey observation and a visit to Rolas Island, both priced at 10 euros per person. Lunch options are available at various locations, ranging from 10 to 15 euros.
The tour company offers convenient pickup from hotel receptions, with guides easily identifiable by name and photo. While not wheelchair-accessible, the tours are stroller-friendly and allow service animals. Infant seats are also available.
Read our full review: Sipson Tours Stp Review
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Private Tour On São Tomé Island
Exploring the island of São Tomé with a private tour offers travelers a captivating and immersive experience. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 19 reviews, this private tour takes visitors on a journey through the island’s natural wonders, from lush botanical gardens to cascading waterfalls.
The tour includes private transportation and a freshly cooked lunch, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free adventure. The tour isn’t recommended for those with certain medical conditions, but most travelers can participate.
The host is praised for their excellent driving skills and commitment to improvement, particularly regarding language barriers. The tour’s badge of excellence and 100% recommendation rate from travelers further attest to its quality.
With free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, this private tour on São Tomé Island provides a flexible and personalized way to explore the island’s stunning landscapes and cultural highlights.
Priced from $125.60 per person, it offers an exceptional value for the level of service and experience provided.
Read our full review: Private Tour On São Tomé Island Review
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Interior Tour
While the private tour on São Tomé Island offers a rundown of the island’s natural wonders, the interior tour provides a deep dive into the heart of the island’s history and culture.
Priced at $129.96 per person, this tour includes a water, car, guide, lunch, and alcoholic beverages, making it a well-rounded experience.
The tour’s pickup is available from any location on the island, though there may be additional charges for distant pickup points. The tour starts at 8:00 am, allowing ample time to explore the island’s interior.
However, it’s important to note that the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Plus, it’s not recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnant individuals, or those with serious medical conditions, as a moderate physical fitness level is required.
With a perfect 5.0 rating based on 5 reviews, the interior tour has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting the informative experience and the opportunity to learn about the island’s coffee plantations and historical aspects related to slavery.
Read our full review: Interior Tour Review
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Equator Tour
After exploring the island’s lush interior, visitors can embark on the Equator Tour to stand on the invisible line that divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
This private tour provides the flexibility to explore at one’s own pace, offering an immersive experience of Sao Tome Island‘s diverse landscapes and cultural attractions.
The tour includes round-trip transfers from Sao Tome, the use of scuba equipment, and a local specialty tasting of the renowned “yammi” delicacy.
With a minimum of 2 participants required, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible but is stroller-friendly and has infant seats available.
While not recommended for travelers with back problems, a moderate physical fitness level is needed.
Reviews of the Equator Tour have been positive, with praise for the guide’s English proficiency and driving skills.
With a rating of 4.7 from 3 reviewers, this tour provides a unique opportunity to experience the island’s natural wonders and stand astride the equatorial line.
Read our full review: Equator Tour Review
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Tour for Cruiser Ship in São Tomé
For travelers arriving by cruise ship to the island of São Tomé, a range of tours are available to showcase the diverse natural and cultural attractions of this vibrant destination. One such option is the “Tour for Cruiser Ship in São Tomé,” which provides a rundown of the island’s highlights.
The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, liability insurance, water, entrance to the national museum, and lunch, with gratuities also covered. Departing from the Largo das Alfandegas in São Tomé, the tour picks up guests directly from the port, and concludes back at the meeting point.
With a maximum group size of 20 travelers, the experience offers a more intimate exploration of the island.
While the tour has generally positive reviews, with praise for the scenic landscapes and knowledgeable guides, some customers have noted issues with the quality of transportation and organizational aspects, such as long wait times.
Prospective travelers should also be aware of the moderate physical fitness level required and the restrictions for those with certain medical conditions.
Read our full review: Tour for Cruiser Ship in São Tomé Review
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Tours in São Tomé
São Tomé, the enchanting island nation off the western coast of Africa, offers a diverse array of tours for visitors to explore its rich natural and cultural heritage. One of the popular options is the private tour with a starting price of €90.00 per person.
This tour includes private transportation, bottled water, and lunch options ranging from €10 to €15. Boat trips to the Ilhéu das Rolas and the Mangrove are also part of the package, with additional costs of €10 per person or €20 for solo travelers.
The tour pickup time is 8:00 am, and the location is flexible, catering to clients’ preferences, such as their hotel, inn, or guesthouse. While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, it’s stroller-friendly and allows service animals.
However, it’s not recommended for travelers with back problems. The tour has received mixed reviews, with a 3.0/5 average rating based on two reviews. The host has acknowledged the feedback and expressed a commitment to providing positive experiences on the island.
Read our full review: Tours in São Tomé Review
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Coffee Road Excursion : Plantation, Processes, Tasting and More
The Coffee Road Excursion in São Tomé Island offers a captivating journey through the island’s rich coffee heritage.
The excursion includes visits to the Museum of Coffee and the Monte Cafe plantation, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the island’s coffee industry. Participants can also enjoy a coffee activity at the Efraim workshop, where they’ll have the opportunity to witness the coffee-making process firsthand.
The tour culminates with a delightful coffee tasting experience, allowing guests to savor the unique flavors of São Tomé’s renowned coffee.
The excursion is designed for private groups, ensuring a personalized experience. Travelers will be transported in an air-conditioned vehicle and provided with bottled water and snacks. Lunch is also included, with the option to dine at the Efraim Guest House or the Almada Negreiros.
The tour is suitable for most travelers, though it’s not wheelchair accessible. Confirmation is received at the time of booking or within 48 hours for last-minute reservations, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience.
Read our full review: Coffee Road Excursion : Plantation, Processes, Tasting and More Review
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Half-Day Private Santana Islet Tour
This half-day private tour takes visitors to the captivating Santana Islet, located just off the coast of São Tomé Island. Priced from $146.53 per person, the tour includes a boat ride, transfer, lunch, scuba equipment, and a guided visit to the historic Roça Água Izé.
Guests will be picked up at 9:00 AM from their chosen location, with confirmation received at the time of booking.
The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for those with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with heart conditions or serious medical issues, as a moderate level of physical fitness is required.
However, for those able, the private tour led by a local expert promises an immersive experience exploring the natural beauty of Santana Islet.
With a perfect 5-star rating based on a single review, this tour offers an intimate and memorable way to discover the stunning landscapes and rich history of São Tomé Island.
Read our full review: Half-Day Private Santana Islet Tour Review
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The Sum Up
São Tomé Island offers a diverse array of tours that cater to various interests. From exploring the island’s interior and visiting the equator to discovering its coffee plantations and local attractions, visitors have ample opportunities to enjoy the island’s rich culture and natural beauty. Whether you’re a cruise ship passenger or a solo traveler, there’s a tour to suit your preferences and make your visit to São Tomé an unforgettable experience.