Why visit Obô
Obô means forest in the local creole. The national park, created in 2006, protects close to a third of São Tomé island — from mangroves in the south, through lowland and mountain rainforest, to mossy cloud forest on the summits — plus a separate section on Príncipe. Because the islands were never joined to the mainland, a remarkable share of what lives here is endemic.
For visitors, the gateway is Bom Sucesso, a former plantation outpost at about 1,150 metres with a small botanical garden. From it, a well-used trail leads through giant begonias and tree ferns to Lagoa Amélia, a crater filled with a floating carpet of vegetation. It is the classic half-day hike of the island.
Above it all stands Pico de São Tomé, 2,024 metres high and usually hidden in cloud. Reaching the top is a demanding guided trek, normally over two days.
How long to stay
Half a day for the garden and Lagoa Amélia; a full day if you add another trail or serious birding; two days for the summit.
Where to base yourself
Most hikers drive up from São Tomé city (about an hour) for the day. To start early, stay at a guesthouse in the hills around Monte Café.
Obô & Pico de São Tomé highlights
- The forest walk from Bom Sucesso to Lagoa Amélia
- Orchids and tree ferns in the botanical garden
- São Nicolau waterfall beside the mountain road
- Giant begonias taller than a person
- Birding for the island’s endemic species
- The two-day trek to the summit of Pico de São Tomé
