THE PORTUGUESE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF CENTRAL AFRICA IS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR BUSINESS AND LEISURE

BY KEMI AROSANYIN

When you look at São Tomé and Príncipe on the globe, you’d be forgiven for assuming there wouldn’t be much to do on these remote islands. Located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of Central Africa, approximately 160 miles east of Gabon. The two-island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest country in Africa with São Tomé being the capital city and larger of the two islands.

Known as the ‘Centre of the World’, the island is the closest landmass to the point where the equator crosses the zero meridian in the Atlantic Ocean. About a six-hour flight from Lisbon, Portugal, and just two hours from major cities in Central and West Africa, São Tomé and Príncipe is a hidden gem for those seeking uncontaminated natural beauty, rich history, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Poised to become a hub for tourism, trade and logistics, the government of São Tomé and Príncipe recently introduced new incentives and programs to position the country as a preferred travel and foreign direct investment destination. With the support of Afreximbank, a leading multilateral organization driving growth and development across Africa, an investors’ forum was held in September to showcase investment opportunities to potential investors.

Hence, we decided to join a diverse group of investors, local companies, top government officials, and business executives to explore the Portuguese archipelago. Fortunately, most nationals do not need a visa when visiting São Tomé for less than 15 days. To get to São Tomé and Príncipe, the most popular route is via TAP Air Portugal. So, we flew from Miami to Lisbon with TAP, then a six-hour connecting flight to São Tomé International Airport (TMS). At 5:25pm, our plane touched down on the island, the entry process was fast, and airport transfer was smooth. With a packed business schedule, we had only 48 hours to explore this unknown paradise.

For accommodation, we stayed at Omali São Tomé, one of the charming and best hotel options on the island with elegant rooms and beautiful views. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace with sun loungers, tennis court and fitness center. The property is well located opposite the white sands of Lagarto beach, and it is only 5-minute drive from both the city and the airport, making it ideal for exploring the island.

We ate dinner in the hotel restaurant. Using fresh and natural ingredients, the resident chef creates both traditional local dishes and international specialties. As a fish lover, my favorite dish was the catch of the day — grilled fish served with a side of fried plantains and vegetables, all accompanied by refreshing passion fruit juice.

The next morning, after a buffet-style continental breakfast at the hotel, we were all fully set to begin our exploration. Eager to learn about the cultural heritage of the island, we kicked off at the São Tomé National Museum also known as Forte de São Sebastião in the city center area.

Built in 1575 by Portuguese forces, this well-preserved fortress was the first defensive building erected in São Tomé. Inside the captivating colonial building, the museum offers a fascinating look at the islands’ history, from the Portuguese colonial era to the country’s independence. We learned a lot about the sugar, cocoa, and coffee plantations where slaves from nearby African nations worked. In front of the fort stand statues of Portuguese explorers João de Santarém, Pêro Escobar, and João de Paiva, who are linked to the island’s discovery in the late 15th century.

Downtown São Tomé is small and easily walkable. With cobblestone streets and a turquoise ocean view, we strolled to the Cathedral, one of Africa’s oldest, passed the Presidential Palace next door, and visited other colorful colonial buildings, including Independence Square. The Portuguese left in 1975, but the island still bears traces of colonial-era architectural landmarks that reflect its historical ties to Portugal.

It took us about two hours to get through the tourist sites in the city center area, then headed to our next stop: a drive through rugged terrain to Roça Monte Café. Established in 1858, Monte Café is the oldest and best-preserved coffee plantation on the island.

The location was famous for cultivating substantial quantities of Arabica coffee for export. It features a small coffee museum that offers an exciting glimpse into the coffee processing chain as it was done in the 1850s, along with local coffee tastings.

A coffee trail through thick forest and plantations leads up to the São Nicolau (St. Nicholas) Waterfalls. São Tomé’s stunning landscape includes numerous waterfalls, with São Nicolau being the most popular and accessible. This tall, beautiful waterfall offers an intimate encounter with nature, providing the perfect spot for a quiet moment in the wilderness, where the only sound is the steady cascade of water. With over 100 bird species on the islands, São Nicolau Waterfall is one of the best spots on the island for a bird watching expedition.

On our way back, we stopped at Casa Museu Almada Negreiros to explore the brilliance and artistic legacy of Almada Negreiros, a renowned writer, visual artist, and influential figure in Portuguese modernism. This museum is a cultural gem in São Tomé, showcasing the evolution of Almada Negreiros’ artistry along with insights into his philosophical musings and reflections on life. In addition to promoting his work, the museum features handicrafts for sale, restaurants serving local flavors, and accommodation with stunning terrace views.

For dinner, we headed to Cacau, which offers a buffet of local dishes, lots of fish, plantains, and flavorful vegetables… Did I mention I’m a fish and plantain lover? Known for its bold use of local ingredients, Cacau blends traditional São Toméan flavors with modern culinary techniques, reflecting both African and Portuguese influences—an excellent choice for tasting local gastronomy. Cacau also has an exhibition hall where we bought locally crafted accessories, chocolates, and souvenirs.

We spent the first few hours of our last day on the island in business meetings, and by mid-day, we were ready for the day’s adventure. Known as the ‘Chocolate Islands,’ we were told that a tour of a local plantation is a must. São Tomé and Príncipe once ruled the cocoa kingdom as the world’s largest producer of fine-quality chocolate. While that’s no longer the case, companies like Italian-run Claudio Corallo continue to maintain cocoa plantations and chocolate factories on the islands. Our quick tour of the chocolate factory was both fascinating and educational, offering valuable insights into the chocolate-making process and the country’s rich chocolate heritage. And, of course, we had the pleasure of tasting some of the delicious products.

Our main goal for the day was to reach Obo Natural Park and catch a glimpse of the famous Pico Cão Grande. However, having heard so much about Roca Sao Joao de Angolares being one of the best restaurants in São Tomé, we couldn’t resist making a stop there for lunch. A historic plantation turned into a unique dining experience. The restaurant is owned by celebrity chef João Carlos Silva who has transformed São Toméan ingredients into an art form, treating visitors to a lavish feast of bold tropical flavors. The beautiful restaurant has magnificent views of the ocean and lush vegetation. It offers a perfect fusion of traditional and contemporary cuisine, with multiple exquisite courses prepared in an open kitchen using the freshest local ingredients, all presented in the most creative ways.

As we sat back to savor the freshly caught fish, prepared with native herbs, we could truly feel the soul of São Tomé in every bite. Having traveled widely around the world and enjoyed a variety of global cuisines, for sure, this is one of my best culinary experiences to date.

For the rest of the day, we marveled at the beauty of nature and eco-tourism at its finest in Obô Natural Park, about an hour drive south of São Tomé Island. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the island boasts numerous pristine beaches along the way, offering breathtaking spots for relaxation and fun activities, such as Micondó, Piscina, and Jalé beaches. However, living in Miami, beach time wasn’t our top priority.

Obô Natural Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covered with dense rainforests, waterfalls, volcanic mountains, stunning landscapes, lush greenery, mangroves, wildlife, swamps and savannah grasslands. The park is full of natural wonders, rich in biodiversity, and it is home to some of the most beautiful ecosystems in Africa. With over 100 species of unique orchids and more than 700 species of flora and fauna, there’s so much to discover, though time feels all too short to experience it fully. It’s truly a paradise for hikers, birdwatchers, divers, snorkelers, and nature lovers.

Of course, we spotted the iconic Pico Cão Grande — a towering, cone-shaped mountain formed by an active volcano around three and a half million years ago, standing in the midst of a lush rainforest. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it to Porto Alegre, the southernmost point of São Tomé Island, which is reminiscent of Key West, Florida, to witness the spectacular sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. We returned to the hotel, enjoyed a relaxing dinner by the poolside, and then departed São Tomé on an early morning flight.

With its equatorial location and tropical climate, São Tomé offers great investment opportunities in tourism, agriculture and fisheries, transport and logistics, and renewable energy. It is one of the safest countries in Africa. It offers a rich tapestry of African and European influences, and its people are warm and friendly. The country has so much more to offer, but with only 48 hours to explore, we barely scratched the surface of what this incredible destination has in store. And that doesn’t even include the twin island of Príncipe, another paradise on earth, just a 40-minute flight away.

The island is a place where time seems to slow down, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its natural beauty and simplicity. We’ll be back to explore more plantation houses, take boat trips, visit Fernão Dias, the Blue Lagoon, Roça de Água Izé, and many other hidden gems. São Tomé and Príncipe may not be a traditional tourist destination, but it offers a unique blend of business opportunities and authentic experiences for those seeking adventure, relaxation, and a deeper connection with nature.