Discover the heart of Africa

Itinerary

Sunday 22 Feb – Day 1 – Bangui (CAR)

• Arrival in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR).
• Airport pick up and drop off at the hotel.
• Overnight stay in Bangui.

Monday 23 Feb – Day 2 – Bangui – Boali Falls

• Highlight: After breakfast we leave Bangui and drive to the Boali Falls (around 50km from the capital).
• Walk around the area while we have lunch close to the falls.
• Afternoon return to Bangui.
• Boat trip on the Ubangi river, just across the river you can see the DRC.
• Overnight stay in Bangui

Tuesday 24 Feb – Day 3 – Bangui – Mbaiki

• Drive to Mbaiki, a small pygmy village just outside Bangui. Learn about life in the village, see how they do their daily routines, and enjoy a small dance.
• Return to Bangui.
• Bangui Cathedral, also known as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, is a striking example of French Gothic architecture
• Boganda National Museum, named after Barthélemy Boganda, the first Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, this museum is a treasure trove of Central African art and culture
• Central Market, Bangui’s lively marketplace is a sensory delight, offering vibrant fabrics, handcrafted treasures, fresh produce, and local delicacies a snapshot of daily life in the city.
• Overnight stay in Bangui.

Wednesday 25 Feb – Day 4 – Bangui – Libreville (Gabon)

• Airport drop off for our morning flight to Libreville (Gabon)
• 10:45 – flight to Libreville with Afrijet (arrival 12:30)
• Explore Mont Bouet Market, Gabon’s largest market.
• Enjoy a city tour of Libreville. See sights such as the Stele of Freedom statue and the Presidential Palace symbolizing political significance and modern architecture.
• Overnight stay in Libreville.

Thursday 26 Feb – Day 5 – Libreville – Pongara National Park 

• After breakfast we transfer to the quay and depart for Pongara National Park (45-minute sail).
• Upon arrival we will check in to the Pongara Lodge. 
• In the afternoon we’ll head for a safari.
• Night safari where we’ll try to spot turtles on the beach. 
• Overnight stay at our lodge in Pongara National Park.

Friday 27 Feb- Day 6 – Pongara National Park – Libreville – Okalassi

• In the morning we’ll get to enjoy the park with a hike, kayaking or beach time. 
• Afternoon return to Libreville by boat. 
• Night departure to Okalassi village, here we’ll get to experience a Bwiti-ceremony, which takes around 3 hours. 
• Return to Libreville. 
• Overnight stay in Libreville.

Saturday 28 Feb – Day 7 – Libreville – Sao Tome 

• Transfer to the airport. 
• 17:40 – flight to Sao Tome with Asky (arrival 17:40)
• Arrival in Sao Tome with airport pick up. 
• Overnight stay in Sao Tome. 

Sunday 1 March – Day 8 – Sao Tome – Southern Part

• We will begin our road trip to the most southern part of the island stopping at an abandoned hospital of Roca Agua Ize. This hospital used to be one of the best hospitals in western Africa and was built for the workers at the Roca Agua Ize plantation.
• Located nearby the plantation is the seaside cliff Boca de Inferno (Hell’s Mouth).
• We’ll make a short stop in São João dos Angolares. This is the largest town on the southern part of the island.
• Explore Cascata De Praia Pesqueria, a magnificent waterfall.
• Highlight: The most famous landmark of São Tomé and Príncipe is the Pico de Cao Grande. This mountain is 663 meters tall and visible all over the island.
• We relax for a moment at Grande Beach and take in the Atlantic.
• Stop by an old rusty tank for a group photo on top of the tank.
• Drive to Porto Alegre.
• Highlight: We board a boat for a 20 minute journey to Rolas Island. This island is where the equator crosses through São Tomé and Príncipe.
• Return drive to São Tomé.
• Overnight stay in São Tomé.

Monday 2 March – Day 9 – Sao Tome – Northern Part

• Drive to Northern São Tomé stopping by the village of Roca Agostinho Neto,  named after the first president of Angola: Agostinho Neto.
• Highlight: Visit the largest plantation in the country, which used to be the biggest cocoa producer. Nowadays the plantation is partly working and families relocated to live on the plantation.
• Continue towards the Atlantic with a stop at the Blue Lagoon Beach (Lagao Azul). It sounds as exotic as it is!
• Visit the Lagao Azul. This is the most northern point of the country and can only be reached via the Santa Catarina Tunnel (the only tunnel in São Tomé and Príncipe).
• Explore the fishing village of Santa Catarina.
• Return to the capital and stop by the Monte Café Plantation, one of the most famous coffee plantations on the island.
• Return to São Tomé.
• Overnight stay in São Tomé.

Monday – 3 March – Day 10 – Sao Tome

• Check out the Coffee Museum. Sao Tomé is famous for its coffee plantations, which began in 1780.
• Begin our sightseeing of one of the oldest colonial capitals in Africa by exploring Independence Square – signifying independence gained in 1975.
• Explore the traditional, new and fish markets of Sao Tomé, a perfect way to learn more about this small nation.
• See the Presidential Palace from outside. This unique pink 19th century Portuguese Colonial style structure houses the current president.
• Stop by the Sao Tomé Cathedral. The first church of Our Lady of Grace was built at the end of the fifteenth century.
• Visit to the National Museum. Here you can find religious art and colonial-era artifacts.
• We stop by the Diogo Vaz Shopping. Here you can taste incredibly unique chocolate such as chocolate with grapes macerated in cocoa alcohol, ginger, orange, pepper and coffee, as well as 100% dark chocolate.
• Overnight stay in São Tomé.

Tuesday – 4 March – Day 11 – Sao Tome

• Airport drop off.
• End of the tour.