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Not all African countries are on the African continent (the most notable island African country is Madagascar). One of the small tropical and idyllic island countries is São Tomé and Príncipe, located just off the coast of West Africa. The main attraction to these islands is likely to be the beaches (although the culture and abandoned colonial structures are also well worth visiting).
There are plenty of stunning tropical island destinations to discover in Africa. If one is visiting East Africa, then plan on visiting the picturesque historic island of Zanzibar in Tanzania. There is also Reunion Island (which is still part of France and the European Union and is very much worth visiting).
History & What To Know About São Tomé And Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe was once a part of the Portuguese Empire, and the official language of the country is Portuguese. Portugal was the first of the European Empires and pioneered the Age of Exploration. But whereas the vast majority of the lands found by the Europeans were already inhabited, the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were uninhabited.
Over time, the islands were gradually colonized and settled in the 16th century, and it became a center for the slave trade. The soil of the islands is rich, which made it a great place for lucrative plantations.
São Tomé and Príncipe is made up of two archipelagos and has two main islands - São Tomé and Príncipe. These islands are around 93 miles apart from each other and between 155 miles and 140 miles off the coast of mainland Africa. Today most of the population is of African descent. São Tomé and Príncipe became independent of Portugal in 1975 but is a country with a visible Portuguese influence in customs, music, and culture.
- Population: 200,000
With only 200,000 inhabitants and only a few very small islands, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second smallest and second least populated country in Africa (the smallest is the stunning tropical island African nation of Seychelles). If one is planning to visit Seychelles, take the time to budget in advance as it is not the cheapest country in the region to visit.
Top Beaches Of São Tomé and Príncipe:
- Praia Perigosa
- Praia Museu
- Praia Cafe
- Praia Pombo
- Praia Joana
- Praia Piscina
- Praia Sete Ondas
- Praia Lagarto
- Praia de Moro Peixe
- Praia Micondo
The Two Main Islands Of São Tomé And Príncipe
São Tomé
Sao Tome is 50 kilometers or 30 miles long and 30 kilometers or 20 miles wide. It is more mountainous than the other island. The highest peak is Pico de São Tomé which rises to 2,024 meters or 6,640 feet.
With around 193,000 people, this island is the main island home to around 96% of the country's population. It is located almost bang on the equator (it is only 2 kilometers or 1.25 miles north of the equator).
Príncipe
The second island is Príncipe which is around 30 kilometers or 20 miles long and 6 kilometers or 4 miles wide. The highest peak on this smaller island is Pico de Príncipe, at 948 meters or 3,110 feet.
Príncipe home to only around 8,000 inhabitants and is an autonomous region of the country. The only town on the island is Santo Antonio (sometimes called the smallest Town in the world). It is a great opportunity to escape the comparative crowds of the main island. It is the closest one will get to an untouched paradise and is a little-known island really boast unspoiled beauty and isolation. It is also home to what is considered one of the best chocolate in the world.
What To Know About Visiting São Tomé And Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe is often considered stunning ecological destination - the islands have some 135 species of birds. Visitors to São Tomé and Príncipe are greeted with pristine beaches and lush forests together with cropland. Off the coast, humpback whales, dolphins, and marine turtles frequent the shores.
The weather is tropical, with the average temperatures on the islands being around 26 °C (78.8 °F) around sea level. The rainy season is between October to May.
- Rainy Season: October to May
- Visa Policy: Generally Visa Free For Up To 15 Days
While São Tomé and Príncipe may have plenty of potential for tourism, the country remains little visited by tourists. It is visa-free for short stays of up to 15 days for Americans, all European Union citizens, British, and Canada, while Australians and New Zealanders require an eVisa to enter the country.
As of January 2023, the U.S. Department of State just advises visitors to exercise normal safety precautions while visiting.
It is possible (but difficult) to visit African countries on a budget, so consider some tips to keep the budget down.