The most scenic drive in Sao Tome is that to the Equator

My second day in Sao Tome was Crazzzzzzyyyyy! Believe me I do not use this words for nothing.  I doubt I have actually ever used it. On day 2, partly for cost reasons and partly because I had heard enough portugese conversations to last me my entire trip. I decided to do car pooling with some Ghanaians who were headed to the South of Sao Tome. To sum it up, It was lit.

This day, we went on one of the most scenic drives I have ever been on. It is till date, my best group adventure ever. From vibing to Nigerian and Ghanaian songs, to gist about all the things you can imagine, it was a nice time out and I really rook forward to a next time. Anyways back to the story. The scenic drive was through the south of Sao Tome and all the way up to the equator.

We set out at about 9am, had breakfast, got gas and headed to the South of Sao Tome. Just as we were out of town, we were greeted by some of the most amazing scenery and architecture I have seen. We stopped almost every 15minutes to take pictures.

With landscape so gorgeous, we were never tired.

We made a quick stop by at  Hell’s mouth.

Further South we found one of the most impressive rock formations on the island – the Pico Cao Grande. The needle shaped volcanic plug, located in the South of Sao Tome Island in São Tomé and Príncipe is an over 2,175 feet extinct volcano. I had seen pictures on Instagram but it looked nothing like seeing the real thing. We made several stops just to have a nice view but the haze, clouds and vegetation kept messing with us, we took some pictures and left.

Just when we were about giving up, we saw the whole peak in all its might albeit a distance away and as usual we made a stop promising ourselves that this was the last.

After about 30 Minutes away from our last stop, We got to Ponta Baleia Pier where we were to take a boat to Ilheu das Rolas – the islet where the Equator is located. After making enquires, we were informed that it would cost us €35 each for a return trip to the island, we thought this was expensive and decided to explore the other option. We drove 5 minutes down to Porto Alegre from where we were transported to the islet by a fisherman boat. We were charged €10 each which could have been less if we bargained. After being handed a life jacket, we got on board and headed to Ilheu das Rolas.

Touch down Ilheu das Rolas, we were approached by a local who offered to take to the equator. Let no one device you, the journey from the bank to get up to the equator is by no means a small feat, it was pretty much a bit of hiking and a tiring one. All I can say is brace yourselves! After about 20 Minutes of walking through the village ,encountering more pigs than I have ever seen and a bit of hiking, we were faced with the equator – one of the thirteen points where the earth is divided into the northern and the southern hemisphere.

The route to the south of Sao Tome is one with a lot of curves and sharp bends. I would recommend that you be careful if you are unfamiliar with this route or rather hire a driver. A friend who was there before us hired a motorbike to do the trip and paid €20.

I totally enjoyed my time in to the South of Sao Tome and it is highly recommended.