New São Tomé & Príncipe Birding Trip
Guide: Nick Buys
This weeklong birding trip to São Tomé and Príncipe focused on seeing all the endemic species and subspecies of these stunning islands. The scenery is breathtaking — from remote beaches and crystal-clear waters to dramatic mountains, waterfalls, and unique rock formations. The islands are home to friendly locals, excellent seafood, and a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly guesthouses to higher-end beach resorts. São Tomé and Príncipe make a fantastic standalone trip or a memorable extension to an African safari, with opportunities to relax afterward.
We began our adventure on São Tomé, exploring both the northern and southern regions. In the drier northern areas, we encountered many common endemics and introduced species, including Cattle Egrets, Yellow-billed Kites, São Tomé Spinetail, African Palm Swift, Little Swift, and several São Tomé Pigeons during their breeding season. Grassy areas and thickets revealed Black-winged Bishop, Golden-backed Bishop, White-winged Widowbird, Common Waxbill, Yellow-fronted Canary, Bronze Mannikin, and Southern Cordonbleu. Highlights included displaying São Tomé Prinias, Giant Weavers, São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, and Red-headed Lovebirds, while we also spotted Noack’s Leaf-nosed Bat — a new mammal for the trip.
The following day, we tackled Monte Carmo, the highlight of any São Tomé birding tour. This trail is home to several endemics, with our main targets being the São Tomé Short-tail, São Tomé Ibis, São Tomé Grosbeak, and Newton’s Fiscal. Despite challenging trails, we were rewarded with incredible views of all targets, including Sao Tome Ibis, Newton’s Fiscal, and Grosbeak, as well as bonus sightings of São Tomé Scops Owl. Guests celebrated a successful day with dinner and drinks in the cooler highlands.
The next morning was more relaxed, allowing us to enjoy species we had missed or wanted better views of, such as São Tomé White-eye, Chestnut-winged Starling, Maroon Pigeon, São Tomé Green Pigeon, African Emerald Cuckoo, São Tomé Spinetail, São Tomé Prinia, Black-capped Speirops, São Tomé Thrush, Principe Seedeater, Newton’s Sunbird, São Tomé Sunbird, and São Tomé Paradise-Flycatcher. We also enjoyed a brief sighting of an introduced Least Weasel. A climb higher up the mountain rewarded us with excellent views of São Tomé Scops Owl.
A pelagic excursion added further excitement, with sightings of Brown Booby, White-tailed Tropicbird, Black and Brown Noddy, Bridled and Sooty Terns, Cory’s Shearwater, and Gulf-of-Guinea Storm-Petrel. The trip was rounded off with a playful group of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.
Next, we flew to Príncipe, where our focus shifted to the island’s endemic species. Highlights included Principe Weaver, Principe Speirops, Malachite Kingfisher (Principe form), Principe Seedeater, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Gray Parrot, Principe and Splendid Starling, Principe Sunbird, Dohrn’s Thrush-Babbler, and the Principe subspecies of Velvet-mantled Drongo. A short hike brought us close to the endangered Principe Scops Owl, which performed brilliantly.
On our second day on Príncipe, we explored the remote northern beaches and successfully located the final two endemics for the trip: Principe White-eye and Principe Thrush, achieving a full house of endemics and endemic subspecies. A few additional pelagic species were an exciting bonus.
This was an incredible journey combining unique endemic birding, pristine scenery, and unforgettable wildlife experiences. São Tomé and Príncipe are truly bucket-list destinations for any serious birder.