SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE BIRDING TOUR In search of Atlantic Island African Endemics

São Tomé and Príncipe are two seldom visited islands close to equator in the Gulf of Guinea, Western Africa. Part of a volcanic range the islands boast stunning coral, beautiful beaches and pristine rainforest protecting an impressive 28 endemic species (depending on which list you follow).São Tomé is the larger more populated island with approximately 215,000 people living there and the smaller island of Principe having a population of just 8,000. They are both exceptionally friendly and safe to travel around and these islands are a paradise for birders with over 143 species being recorded with 40 families to date. The number of endemic bird species in São Tomé and Príncipe equals that of the much more extensive Galapagos Islands and exceeds the Seychelles. They are furthermore much easier to find than any other Island. These factors make them possibly the easiest and most concentrated group of Island endemics in the world. Most endemics can be seen in and around our hotel and guesthouse locations, however, to have a chance of seeing all the endemic species these islands protect, a few days of more difficult birding is required. With so many amazing birding locations globally and so little time and money to enjoy all of them, São Tomé and Príncipe are simply a must-go-to West African destination for birding and wildlife lovers.

We begin in São Tomé at Monte Carmo Forest for species such as São Tomé (Dwarf) Olive Ibis, São Tomé Short-tail (Bocage’s) Longbill), Giant Sunbird, São Tomé Grosbeak, São Tomé  (Newton’s) Fiscal, São Tomé Weaver, São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, Newton’s Sunbird, São Tomé White-eye, São Tomé Chestnut-winged Starling, São Tomé Prinia, São Tomé Speirops, Giant Weaver and São Tomé Seedeater. Moving on to Principe we will have 3 days to find the as yet undescribed Principe Scops Owl, Principe Drongo, Principe Kingfisher, Principe Speirops, Principe Golden Weaver, Principe Sunbird, Principe Glossy Starling, Dohrn’s Thrush Babbler and Principe Seedeater. Back on São Tomé we will spend the final couple of days mopping up the remaining endemics such as São Tomé Scops Owl,São Tomé Olive Pigeon, São Tomé Green-Pigeon, São Tomé Kingfisher,  São Tomé Oriole, São Tomé Shorttail, São Tomé Spinetail and Gulf of Guinea Thrush. This promises to be an amazing adventure.

 

Friday 15th - Saturday 23rd March 2025

KEY SPECIES

Here are just a few of the key species we will be targetting on this tour:

  • White-tailed Tropicbird
  • São Tomé Ibis
  • São Tomé Olive Pigeon
  • Island Bronze-naped Pigeon
  • São Tomé Green-Pigeon
  • São Tomé Scops Owl
  • Principe Scops Owl
  • São Tomé Spinetail
  • Timneh Parrot
  • São Tomé Oriole
  • São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher
  • São Tomé Prinia
  • Dohrn's Thrush-Babbler
  • Principe Speirops 
  • Black-capped Speirops
  • São Tomé White-eye
  • Principe Starling
  • São Tomé Thrush
  • Principe Thrush
  • Principe Sunbird
  • Newton's Sunbird
  • Giant Sunbird
  • Principe Weaver
  • Giant Weaver
  • São Tomé Weaver
  • Golden-backed Bishop
  • São Tomé Shorttail
  • Principe Seedeate
long-wattled umbrellabird
Long-wattled Umbrellabird

Leader:  Nick Bray and local guides.

Ground Price:  £3895.00 - Quito/Quito

Single supplement: £450.00

Deposit: £500.00

Group size: Maximum of 7.

Included in cost: Accommodations based on two persons sharing a two-bedded room. We select good hotels convenient to our birding destinations, but at times the only convenient accommodations may be rather simple. Expert guide service. All transportation, taxes & local fees, all group admissions and park entry fees are included in the tour price.

Not included: International airfare, laundry, personal tips, drinks, souvenirs, insurance of any kind,

Tour Code:  This is a standard birding tour with all-day birding for those that wish. Expect a variety of weather, from hot in the lowlands to cooler with some drizzle in the cloud forest and higher areas. Rubber boots/wellies may well be needed. Above all, be prepared for all eventualities!