Biilong adventures

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meetcastrogetlocalCastro will take you wherever you need to go.Castro, the biker taxi driver.

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Just different! Without a doubt, that’s the best way to describe São Tomé and Príncipe, the former Portuguese colony that is nowadays the second smallest nation in Africa.

If you want to get to know an incomparable place, come and discover these two small is-lands, anchored on the equatorial line, 250 kilometres away from the African shore.Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere, enriched with evergreen idyllic landscapes. And also all the benefits an island with this features has to offer: Great weather, kind people, good food, an unparalleled biodiversity and all the virgin beaches along the shoreline.

But there’s much more... Embrace a journey to the past and discover the sublime coffee and cocoa plantations and the impressing plantations (Roças) of the colonial period. Dare to travel along the shoreline stopping in every single fishing village, from north to south.

At last and most importantly, relax and let yourself go with the flow of the “leve-leve” (local idiom for “take it easy”). Don’t forget to try the traditional drink, the palm wine and Rosema, the national beer. Let the local gastronomy delight you and dare to dance to the beat of “kizomba” and “tarrachinha”.

Taxi Square in São Tomé

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Catoni and his son Catoninho,the local coffee–farmers.

is what you get!If you come for good, you’re welcome to take a seat and have coffee with us.

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Biilong is a local project, a sort of tour operator arisen as a spontaneous result of a year of intensive experiences in São Tomé and Príncipe, assuming the responsibility of showing these two islands in the rawest way possible. From the people for the people, without any artefacts.

OUR COMPASS:

NORTH – “There is no place like home!”We may have this strange idea that the best way to travel is to feel free from all our worries. Thus, we face this way of being as one of our challenges and we work for that goal, so that in the end, you consider São Tomé your new holiday home.

EAST – Service Leadership We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

WEST – From the people for the peopleWe believe that the key to offer a commendable service passes through two approaches - enhance the local costumes with their local available resources and at the same time, with some spirit of criticism, develop and create innovative alternatives, contributing for the country’s development.

SOUTH – We face our job with Determination & Passion!We have the will to create, reinvent, criticise, and most of all, to live our offer.

what you see

biilong?

is what you get!

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Roça Abade

Roça Boa Entrada

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Cedi, the palm wine producer.

Want some palm wine?

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Dayssão Tomé são Tomé

príncipe

days&

07 14 Uncomplicated and clear-cut: you can count on the best São Tomé has to offer in 7 days, or add Principe to an adventure of 14 days.

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The 7-day-journey begins in the south. In the 1st and 2nd night you will be accommodated at the ecolodge Inhame, your starting point to begin exploring the best beaches São Tomé has to offer you. Visit the small fishing community of Porto Alegre, stroll around in a dug-out canoe with Mr. TiTi or you can go take a look at the milestone delimitating the north and the south hemisphere, on this small islet named Ilhéu das Rolas.

On day 3 it will be time to say goodbye to Porto Alegre, via Malanza and the famous mangrove. You can also stop in Ribeira Peixe and around noon you should be arriving at Roça São João, located in the small village of Angolares, characterised by its people’s kindness and by the warm flavours of São Tomé’s gastronomy.

On day 4 you can count on a detour to the interior, in a 4x4, passing Ponta Palmeiras, Java and Abade until you arrive to the small Roça of Bombaim, a former colonial house surrounded by the virgin forest. And here’s where you will spend another night, after having had dinner and tasted mangosteen, a sublime fruit that only grows in this region.

Early in the morning, by the rise of the 5th day, you’ll head norh. It is mandatory to stop at Roça Monte Café, to visit Mr. Catoni. The next one is Agostinho Neto, mother of all plantations, until we reach Neves where you will have the typical crab-spiders of São Tomé on the table. The sleepover is in Diogo Vaz, the starting point of the “open school” project.

Finally, you’ll get back to the capital for the last two nights, where the everyday organised chaos rules and you’ll be embraced by the heat of São Tomé’s night, to the beat of kizomba and tarrachinha.See you soon!

* Accommodation with breakfast included * 2 nights @ ecolodge praia Inhame * 1 night @ roça S. João de Angolares * 1 night @ roça Bombaim * 1 night @ roça Diogo Vaz * 2 nights @ capital* 1 dinner @ roça Bombaim and @ roça Diogo Vaz (drinks not included)* Tours: * Capital - Boca do Inferno - 7 Ondas – Ribeira Afonso – Praia Inhame * Praia Inhame - Porto Alegre - Ribeira Peixe - Angolares * Angolares – Água Izé - Ponta Palmeiras – Java – Abade – Bombaim * Bombaim – Monte Café – Agostinho Neto – Diogo Vaz * Diogo Vaz – Lagoa Azul – Fernão Dias – Micoló - Capital* All local transfers during the programme* 24/7 service

* Passport and visa * Gratitudes for tour guides and drivers;* Departure tax* Meals (except the ones mentioned)* Everything that is not mentioned as included in the programme.

7 days são tomé499€/person *

includes: not included (x):

* launch priceMinimum number of participants: 2 people

itinerary mapwww.biilong.com

SÃO TOMÉ

DIOGO VAZ

ANGOLARES

BOMBAIM

PRAIA INHAME

Equadorx

Jalé Beach

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The 14-day-journey begins in the south. In the 1st and 2nd night you will be accommodated at the ecolodge Inhame, your starting point to begin exploring the best beaches São Tomé has to offer you.Visit the small fishing community of Porto Alegre, stroll around in a dug-out canoe with Mr. TiTi or you can go take a look at the milestone delimitating the north and the south hemisphere, on this small islet named Ilhéu das Rolas.

On day 3 it will be time to say goodbye to Porto Alegre, passing via Malanza and the famous man-grove. You can also stop in Ribeira Peixe and around noon you should be arriving at Roça São João, located in the small village of Angolares, characterised by its people’s kindness and by the warm flavours of São Tomé’s gastronomy. Two nights will be spent here!

On day 5 you can count on a detour to the interior, in a 4x4, passing Ponta Palmeiras, Java and Abade until you arrive to the small Roça of Bombaim, a former colonial house surrounded by the virgin forest. And here’s where you will spend another night, after having had dinner and tasted mango-steen, a sublime fruit that only grows in this region.

An adventure of 2024m awaits you on the 6th day. You are expected to leave Bombaim at 6.30 pm, then pass by Trindade - the second largest city of São Tomé, followed by a quick visit to Monte Café. Leaving the comfort of the 4x4, to walk the path to “Mesa”, where you’ll spend the night in the middle of the Obô Park, well accompanied by Mr. Cabinda and his tons of stories waiting to be told.

The next day, known to be the 7th, begins at the dawn. After a good breakfast, you’ll be heading to the highest point of São Tomé – Pico, and it will only take you 30 minutes! The way back is through Ponta Figo and in Manuel Morais you’ll have the comfort of the 4x4 again until Diogo Vaz, the cradle of the “open school” project. The rest of the day is devoted to the well deserved rest.

On day 8 you’ll have the opportunity to explore the north of São Tomé and you’ll get back to the city through Fernão Dias, stopping in Micoló. You’ll stay in the capital for two nights, where the everyday organised chaos rules and you’ll be embraced by the heat of São Tomé’s night, to the beat of kizomba and tarrachinha.

Take the opportunity to give your holiday a holiday! On day 10, at 7 pm, you’ll be starting a 45 min-ute trip in a bimotor that will take you to a small island (with only 42 square kilometres) gifted with breathtaking beaches! WELLCOME TO PRÍNCIPE!The accommodations are in the city of Santo António where your host will be a Biilong tour guide who will help you plan your days.

The same bimotor brigs you back to São Tomé where, as a farewell, two nights at the Resort Club San-tana will be waiting for you. The Resort is 15 minutes away from the city and you’ll have plenty of time to relax and say goodbye to the warm waters of São Tomé.See you soon!

14 days são tomépríncipe 999€/person *

* launch price |/ Minimum number of participants: 2

SÃO TOMÉ

BOMBAIM

DIOGO VAZ

PICO

ANGOLARES

PRAIA INHAME

Equadorx

SANTANA

SANTO ANTÓNIO

itinerarymap

* Accommodation with breakfast included * 2 nights @ ecolodge praia Inhame * 2 nights @ roça S. João de Angolares * 1 night @ Bombaim * 1 night of camping (PICO) * 1 night @ roça Diogo Vaz * 2 nights @ capital * 3 nights @ Príncipe * 2 nights @ Resort Club Santana* 1 dinner @ roça Bombaim and @ roça Diogo Vaz (drinks not included)* Meals in Pico (drinks not inclued)* Tours: * Capital - Boca do Inferno - 7 Ondas – Ribeira Afonso – Praia Inhame * Praia Inhame - Porto Alegre - Ribeira Peixe - Angolares * Angolares – Água Izé - Ponta Palmeiras – Java – Abade – Bombaim * Bombaim – Monte Café – Bom Sucesso - Pico – Diogo Vaz * Diogo Vaz – Lagoa Azul – Fernão Dias – Micoló - Capital* Flight São Tomé - Príncipe - São Tomé* All local transfers during the programme* 24/7 service

* Passport and visa * Gratitudes for tour guides and drivers;* Departure tax* Meals (except the ones mentioned)* Everything that is not mentioned as included in the programme.

includes not included (x):

Santa Catarina

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Bernito, the off-road taxi driver.

Chilled atmosphere and music, a stylish tour in a Hiace.


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Água Izé

extra activities

You can always count on your legs’ strength to explore the places you will visit but you can also spice up your trip a little more by doing something like:

* Diving: since 40€* Dug-out canoe ride: 30€/person* Mangrove tour: 15€/person* Small-scale fishing: 40€/person* Sukida Tour: 15€/person* Sukida Renting: 20€/ a day* Trecking: 1/2 a day 15€/person* Trecking: 1 day 30€/person * ilhéu das rolas Tour: 25€ lunch included* ilhéu das cabras Picnic: 65€/person* são tomé city tour: 15€/person* roça-to-roça tour: 30€/person

extra activities

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On the way to Cão Grande

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getlo-

cal?

Bytel:

(+239) 98 578 80byemail:

[email protected]

byonline:

biilong.comBYfacebook:

facebook.com/biilong

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meetRATOCabindagetlocalPut your boots on and let´s go into the wild!Rato Cabinda, the bushland guide.¬


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F.A.Q.Does Biilong book flights?Actually, we do, but only domestic flights between São Tomé and Príncipe.Here are the options for international flights:

TAP: www.flytap.com | 00239 2222307STP: www.stpairways.st | 00239 2221916TAG: www.taag.com | 00239 2221160AIR NIGERIA: www.myairnigeria.com | 00239 9903973CEIBA: www.fly-ceiba.com | 00239 2223705

When is the best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?Anytime is a good time to visit these two islands. You have sunny and rainy areas all over the year. Even so, we can be a little more specific: The gravana, form June until September, is the dry season. It almost doesn’t rain and the temperatures are lower, perfect for those who love to walk.And the best season for the beach lovers is from March to May, when the morning rain turns into heat and a blue sky.

Money?The local currency is the Dobra (STD), and the exchange rates are fixed as follows: 1€ = 24.500,00 STD. There are no ATMs on the island. Bring money (euro or dollars) to exchange into dobra.

Safety?Unlike other African countries, Sao Tome has a very peaceful atmosphere, and is, for the time being, a safe place across length and breadth. It is one of the rare places where the crime is restricted to petty theft.

Telephone code: +239 / 00239

InternetIt will be easy to get connected to the World Wide Web but this access is still mostly restricted to the cities.

Visa?The visa is mandatory for everyone. Go to your country´s embassy or consulate of Sao Tome or, if you want us to take care of it, just send us and e-mail to [email protected] or call us under +239 98 578 80.

Any special health care recommended before the trip?Despite basic health care, always wash your hands before eating, don’t forget your sunscreen, do not drink tap water and avoid drinks with ice cubes.Concerning vaccination, you are advised to take the hepatitis B vaccine and malaria prevention pills for longer stays. Nevertheless, we recommend you to see your doctor before you travel to the islands.Make sure you are in good health, before you leave your country. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, take a pair of alternates with you. If you are taking a specific drug, make sure you have enough for the trip because it might not be available on the islands. To make things easier, take the prescription and composition with you (not just the name and label because it is possible that it is known under another name).

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www.biilong.comF.A.Q.Medical Kit:Don’t forget:• Painkillers and antipyritics for aches and fevers.• Antihistamines for allergies, itching caused by insect bites and travel nausea.• Medicine for nausea and vomiting.• Moisturising mix, for the tratment of diarrea, specially important if you travel with kids.• A desinfectant.• Sticking plasters, cotton, scissors (only allowed in hold luggage) and a thermometer (not that airlines do not al-low mercury thermometers)• Insect repellent, sunscreen and a lip moisturiser.• Throat pain tablets.• Syringes and needles if you being treated with an injectable medicine (only allowed in hold baggage)

Electric current: 220 V

Are there any other possibilities than 7 or 14 days?Sure, you can customise your holidays. Just send us an e-mail explaining want you want and we’ll send you a tailor-made proposal.

Can I travel by myself?Our services are designed two, but if you want to travel alone just send us an e-mail and we’ll send you a tailor-made proposal.

Can children travel with Biilong? Our trips of 7 and 14 days are not designed for under aged people, for trips with children just send us and e-mail so that we can come up with something age appropriate.

Until when can I book my trip? To guarantee your trip you should book it 15 days before travelling, but you can still do it after that.

What kind of luggage should I bring?“Leve-leve”. Restrict what you take to the essential, avoid over luggage. A camping bag of 50 litres should be enough to carry everything you need to bring for that trip to these two small islands anchored on the equatorial line.

Do I need camping material?We’ll provide everything you need for our outdoor activities, so that there is no need to bring your own stuff.

Typical crab-spiders of São Tomé

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TERMS and CONDITIONS

TERMS CONDITIONS:The right to acquire or taking part in any trips and stays in this brochure assumes the total acceptance of every single clause of the general conditions hereunder, and are automatically an integral part of the programme that is part of the travel contract.

BOOKINGS:Upon registration, the costumer should deposit 50% of the global price, paying the other half 15 days before depar-ture. If the booking takes place 25 days or less before the departure date, the trip must integrally be paid upon the booking, being this conditioned to the confirmation of the providers. The organising agency reserves the right to cancel any registrations/bookings which payment has not been carried out as mentioned.

WITHDRAWALS:The client can withdraw the reservation through written notice and has the right to be reimbursed subtracting the following expenses:

1 – Management expenses - expenses that the organising agency and the selling agency had in the attainment of the reservations of the trip and that, and that can reach a percentage up to 15% of the global price of the trip;2 – Cancellation expenses – the non refundable expenses of hotels, transportation, tours and other services.

CHANGES:The organising agency can change the order of the route, time of departures or replace any of the predicted hotels by others with similar category and localisation. If the trip has to be cancelled (by the agency) due to unplanned circu-mstances, the clients will be reimbursed for the amount paid for the tour.

PRICE CHANGES:The prices of this plan are based on the costs of the services and exchange rates standing at the time of its printing, so that they may be subject to the alterations resulting of the variations of transportation and fuel prices, taxes, rights and exchange rates fluctuations. In every increase to the tour, the traveller will immediately be informed and will be required, within a period of time set by the organiser, to agree the new price or to withdraw the booking under the application of “Impossibility of Compliance”.

The terms and conditions of this brochure may be subject of changes. Check our website to access the latest updates.

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IMPOSSIBILITY OF COMPLIANCE: If the agency can not comply with an essential service of the travel plan, even if beyond their control, the client will have the right to withdraw the trip and to be immediately reimbursed for the amount paid or to accept the changes or price variation.

REIMBURSEMENTS: After the beginning of the trip it will not be possible to reimburse the client for the non provided services. If the con-tracted services can neither be provided nor replaced (by equivalent ones), the client reserves the right to be reimbur-sed of the difference between the price of the predicted services and the ones provided.

RISK ACCEPTANCE:Before the beginning of a tour, the client may be requested to sign a participation form as follows:

DECLARATION:As defined for these purposes, I declare that I am aware that the conditions related to accommodation, health, hy-giene, transportation, safety and telecommunications (concerning the trip to São Tomé and Príncipe, organised by the company Biilong), may not be equivalent to the standard quality patterns in the so called developed countries.

Hereunder, I accept all the conditions and risk this “adventure trip” might have for my physical integrity, denying the possibility of suing Biilong for further compensations and recognising that this company will not be responsible for any material or physical damage.

____________ (client)

The terms and conditions of this brochure may be subject of changes. Check our website to access the latest updates.

TERMS and CONDITIONS

Cão Grande

São Tomé is a country of many needs. Would you be so kind and leave a space for the child foundation in your bag? We promise you will fill it back with smiles!!

EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL NEEDED:

• White and coloured chalks • Wood glue • Paint (wood, acrylic, gouache, aquarelle, etc.) • Pens, pencils, crayons, coloured pencils, crayons, paint brushes...

AND SOME PAMPERING...

• Balões • Doces

We thank you for your contribution on behalf of Biilong and the child foundation!

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Biilong adventures