São Tomé & Príncipé
Discover these hotspots of endemism off the west coast of Africa with 28+ exciting endemics. We have natural selection to thank for conjuring everything from Giant Sunbird down to Dwarf Ibis in the “Galápagos of Africa”. This itinerary is designed to target every specialty and, aside from two nights of camping, will be based at luxurious resorts operated by HBD Príncipé.
Next Dates
14 June - 22 June 2026 (9 days)
Leaders:
Chris Venetz
Group Size Limit:
6
Single Room Supplement: $
700 USD
Deposit: $
750 USD
Price: $
4300 USD
Add a Title
Leaders:
Chris Venetz
Group Size Limit:
Add a Title
Single Room Supplement: $
TBD
Deposit: $
TBD
Price: $
TBD
Add a Title
We will spend two nights camping in primary forest on São Tomé to maximise our chances for all the endemics. While it is possible to run this tour without camping, we believe our method gives the best chance of seeing every species at the most reliable site.
Camping is no longer required on Príncipe, but we have two full days on the island to make sure that backup attempts at the thrush and owl are possible in the event of bad weather. We visit the best site for the thrush at a remote southern forest, not the less-reliable beach on the west coast.
Accommodation:
Extremely luxurious hotels with superb food, truly a major highlight of this special tour. Two nights of very basic camping on São Tomé.
Walking difficulty:
Several consecutive days of fairly strenuous and steep hikes on slippery/rocky/muddy trails to reach the upper forests, but we will take them slow. Moderate for the remainder.
Tour cost includes:
All accommodation, main meals, drinking water, internal flights (as stated in itinerary), overland transport, tips to local drivers and guides, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees.
Tour cost excludes:
Flights before and after the tour start/end, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks, and other items of a personal nature.
Day 1: Arrivals into São Tomé Airport (TMS); the easiest flight route is from Lisbon with TAP.
Day 2: Today, we take a short flight over the Gulf of Guinea to neighbouring Príncipe, hopefully arriving in time for some initial birding. We will have our first attempt tonight for Príncipe Scops Owl.
Day 3-4: Most of the endemic species and subspecies on Príncipe are easily seen. Príncipe Glossy Starling, Príncipe Sunbird, Príncipe Speirops, Príncipe Weaver, Príncipe Kingfisher, Príncipe Drongo, and the strange Dohrn’s Warbler (now thought to be an aberrant Sylvia!) are our key targets near the hotel. Offshore, White-tailed Tropicbirds and Brown Boobies are quite common. We will have to hike for a few hours to search out three more difficult endemics – the recently-discovered and still undescribed Príncipe Scops Owl, the beautiful and often confiding Príncipe Thrush, plus the rare but unassuming Príncipe White-eye. Nights at HBD Roça Sundy Resort.
Note that it is very unlikely the ocean will be calm enough to visit an offshore island hosting the very range-restricted subspecies of Principé Seedeater (this taxon is unlikely to be split, but has novelty as probably the most range-restricted bird in the entire world!). However, we do stress that our arrangements include access to the southern-most edge of the island, where the thrush is easiest.
Day 5: Flight back to São Tomé, where we will spend the afternoon in some coastal grassland. While searching for the endemic Harlequin Quail subspecies, we will also hopefully find the introduced Angolan endemic Golden-backed Bishops. Night at HBD Omali Resort.
Day 6-7-8: Leaving early on Day 6, we will make our way to Monte Carmo in the south for our two-night expedition. Here, we will walk up to a remote campsite which is the best place to see the four most difficult endemics. The São Tomé Ibis (Critically Endangered and still declining; more commonly referred to as the Dwarf Ibis), São Tomé Shorttail (actually a rainforest-dwelling pipit), São Tomé Fiscal (a black-and-yellow rainforest-dwelling shrike), and the elusive São Tomé Grosbeak. All unique and evocative species! These two nights will be basic, but a really worthwhile adventure!
During our exploration, we will have many sightings of other specialties like the beautiful São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, São Tomé Scops Owl, São Tomé Olive Pigeon, São Tomé Green Pigeon, “São Tomé” Lemon Dove, Island Bronze-naped Pigeon, São Tomé Thrush, São Tomé Oriole, Black-capped Speirops, São Tomé Weaver, Príncipe Seedeater (found on both islands), and, of course, the extraordinary Giant Sunbird. The somewhat tricky São Tomé White-eye and stunning Giant Weaver will be searched for on the forest edge during our ascent and descent. We will be returning to our comfortable lodgings at Omali on the afternoon of Day 8 for a much needed hot shower, likely stopping off at a bridge where “São Tomé” Malachite Kingfisher can be easily seen. Spotlighting tonight will give us our best chance for “São Tomé” Western Barn Owl.
Day 9: Our final morning will be spent taking a mini-pelagic offshore to see the breeding endemic São Tomé Storm-Petrel, which is abundant in the surrounding waters at this time of year. We will return to the hotel for a late lunch and transfer to the airport for evening flights off the island.
Read our past trip reports!