Discover the heart of Africa

Itinerary

Sunday 22 February – Bangui (Central African Republic)

• 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 February – 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 February – Bangui – Mbaiki

• Highlight: 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 February – Bangui – Libreville (Gabon)

• Airport drop off for our 10:45AM Afrijet flight to Libreville (Gabon). (flight not included)
• 12:30 arrival in Libreville, the capital of Gabon with an airport pick up.
• We’ll 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.
• Highlight: Night departure to Okalassi village, here we’ll get to experience a Bwiti-ceremony, which takes around 3 hours. This spiritual ritual is deeply rooted in Gabonese culture and offers insight into the country’s ancestral traditions.
• Return to Libreville.
• Overnight stay in Libreville.

Thursday 26 February – Libreville – Pongara National Park 

• Highlight: After breakfast we transfer to the quay and depart for Pongara National Park (45-minute sail). Pongara National Park is  a tranquil mix of forest, savannah and ocean shore.
• Upon arrival we will check in to the Pongara Lodge. 
• Highlight: In the afternoon we’ll head for a safari.
• Overnight stay at our lodge in Pongara National Park.

Friday 27 February – Pongara National Park – Libreville – Okalassi

• Spend the morning enjoying the natural surroundings of Pongara.
• You can either choose to hike through the coastal forest or kayak along the mangroves.
• Walk and relax on the quiet beaches.
• Later in the afternoon we return by boat to Libreville. 
• Highlight: Upon our return in Libreville we’ll head to a local neighbourhood to experience the famous Okuyi mask dance.
• Overnight stay in Libreville.

Saturday 28 February – Libreville – São Tomé (São Tomé & Príncipe) 

• After breakfast we drive to Cap Estérias for a short tour around the Mondah Forest.
• Highlight: Drive to Akanda National Park for a boat trip around the national park. 
• Transfer to the airport for the 17:40 Asky flight to São Tomé. (flight not included)  
• 17:40 (local time) arrival in São Tomé with airport pick up. 
• Overnight stay in São Tomé. 

Sunday 1 March – São Tomé – 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 – São Tomé – 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 (Lagoa Azul). It sounds as exotic as it is!
• Visit the Lagoa 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.

Tuesday 3 March – São Tomé

• Airport drop off.
• End of the tour.