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When to go

Best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe

Despite Google weather forecasts showing rain and thunderstorms for much of the year in São Tomé and Príncipe, this certainly isn’t the case! It does of course rain at certain times but if you’re looking to avoid any showers, try visiting from June to September. The skies are a little cloudier and it’s cooler (great for hiking and exploring) and the humpback whales can be seen on the north-east coast during August and September. In October, the short rains start but the sun still shines and it’s also the beginning of the turtle nesting season that lasts until February. January is a dry month and the temperature rises before the rains start falling again in February up until around April. Both April and May are ‘mix and match’ months with both rain and sunny intervals, but also a little cooler which makes hiking and trekking much more enjoyable.

August and September are a unique and special time to be in São Tome and Príncipe! You have the opportunity to spot humpbacks and killer whales off the coast, and it’s an amazing time for bird-watching and great hiking."
Jenna

Jenna Coiley

São Tomé and Príncipe Travel Specialist

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Based on 1008 Feefo Reviews

An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel
Matt
An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel
October 2026
11 nights in Kenya and Tanzania
We recently returned from an incredible safari through Kenya and Tanzania, and we couldn't be happier with our experience working with Timbuktu Travel. Joanna and her team were wonderful from start to finish. They listened to what we wanted from our safari and designed an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. They helped us prepare for every aspect of the trip, answered our questions along the way, and made sure everything ran seamlessly once we arrived in Africa. From the accommodations and guides to the transfers and overall coordination, everything was exceptionally well organized. We were also celebrating a milestone anniversary, and Joanna and her team went above and beyond to make it special. They arranged anniversary surprises at every stop, including cakes, traditional celebration songs, and even a private dinner. These thoughtful touches made an already amazing trip even more memorable. We also want to recognize Joachim, our private guide for the final four days of our safari. He was friendly, patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and an absolute pleasure to spend time with. He made the final part of our journey particularly enjoyable. The entire experience exceeded our expectations. We saw incredible wildlife, stayed at wonderful camps, and never had to worry about the logistics. Timbuktu took care of everything, allowing us to simply enjoy the adventure. We can't thank Joanna, Joachim, and the entire Timbuktu team enough for creating such an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend Timbuktu Travel to anyone planning an African safari.

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