The Galapagos of Africa, these two islands host a treasure-chest of striking endemic birds; more than 25 species are found here only. Few birders have ventured to São Tomé e Príncipe, a friendly, laid-back and rather unusual country. São Tomé, by far the larger of the two islands, has a more diverse avifauna with most of the endemics. In the beautiful volcanic highlands, we will search for São Tomé Olive Pigeon, São Tomé Speirops and a host of other endemics. We will also launch a mini-expedition to the remote southern lowlands, where enticing species include Dwarf Olive Ibis, São Tomé Short-tail, Giant Sunbird, and, if we are very fortunate, the Critically Endangered São Tomé Grosbeak or São Tomé Fiscal. Príncipe, still more laid back, has six of its own endemics, including the unusual Dohrn’s Thrush Babbler.

Our 7-night tour is run at a relaxed pace, although the expedition to the south of São Tomé is quite demanding. In addition to seeing most of the endemics, there will also be the opportunity to soak up some of the relaxed atmosphere.

STANDARD ITINERARY: SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
(8 days; Libreville (Gabon)-Libreville)

1. Fly from Libreville to Sao Tome
2. Day trip to Sao Tome Highlands
3. Expedition to Southern Sao Tome
4. Expedition to Southern Sao Tome
5. Fly to Principe
6. Full day birding on Principe
7. Return flight to Sao Tome
8. Fly to Libreville, Gabon.

See a more detailed itinerary.

Please see the African Tour Schedule

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• August-September 2004
  (Michael Mills and Callan Cohen)

DETAILED ITINERARY: SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

DAY 1: We meet in Libreville and commence the tour with an afternoon flight to São Tomé. Arriving just before sunset we will transfer to our accommodation, to dream of what the following day has in stall. [Note: those who wish can fly directly from Lisbon in Portugal to São Tomé, and join the tour there]

DAY 2: From the town of São Tomé we will make an early departure to the centre of the island, winding our way up into the highlands. After less than an hour we will reach Bom Successo, from where we will walk the various trails in the Lagao Amelia area of Obo National Park for the rest of the day. If the weather plays along we should see our first São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, São Tomé Green Pigeon, São Tomé Spinetail, São Tomé Prinia, Principe Seed-eater, São Tomé Sunbird, São Tomé White-eye, São Tomé Speirops, São Tomé Weaver and São Tomé Oriole. More luck will be required for São Tomé Bronze-naped and São Tomé Olive Pigeons and Giant Sunbird and Giant Weaver.

DAYS 3-4: We have two days to explore the lowlands of São Tomé, where the rarest endemics occur. We will make a concerted effort to find Dwarf Olive Ibis and São Tomé Fiscal, São Tomé Thrush, São Tomé Scops Owl, São Tomé Short-tail and São Tomé Grosbeak. The Grosbeak and the Fiscal are extremely rare, and have only ever been seen a handful of times. Conditions will be challenging as we will be camping and will have to be completely self-reliant.

DAY 5: Today we fly to Príncipe, just a short island-hop to the north. Príncipe is a most unusual place, with hardly any infrastructure. We will explore the tiny island mostly on foot, with all the endemics occurring within 2km of our hotel in Santo Antonio town. If we are greeted by favourable weather, we will seize the opportunity to track down some of the endemics, although we will have the whole of the next day on the island.

DAY 6: Adopting the laid-back attitude of Príncipe’s inhabitants, we have a full day to stroll around the island and track down its endemics. Although bird diversity is low, we can look forward to the unusual Dohrn’s Thrush-Babbler and other island endemics, Príncipe Sunbird, Príncipe Speirops, Príncipe Golden Weaver, Príncipe Starling and Príncipe Drongo.

DAY 7: Some early morning birding should enable us to find any missing species before crossing back to São Tomé. In the afternoon we will visit the northern savannas, where we should find São Tomé Bronze-naped Pigeon.

DAY 8: If we are still missing any species we may return to the Lagoa Amelia area for the morning, before our flight to Libreville in the afternoon.