(* Pedestrian itinerary of responsible and sustainable tourism in partnership with CECAB Cooperative)
Duration: 3 h (pedestrian route)
Points of interest: Communities of Ponta Figo, Generosa and Monte Forte, organic cocoa cooperative CECAB.
Price: Contact us for your budget
Prices include: Guide, entry fee to CECAB
The organic cocoa route was one of the first sustainable and responsible tourism itineraries implemented in São Tomé. Members of the cocoa producing communities will guide you through an illustrative tour to better understand cocoa farming in all its stages, starting with the plant and ending with a finished product ready for exports.
At the same time, the itinerary promotes an insight into the social and cultural circumstances of this region as well as a discovery of the architectural and cultural heritage of São Tomé and an opportunity to share experiences with the residents of the local villages.
Starting point: Ecolodge Mucumbli, first stop: Roça Ponta Figo.
In the old warehouse we will meet some community members and learn about their day-to-day activities. The route will then continue through the cocoa plantation to reach Generosa, a small community of about 500 people, mainly from Cape Verde, whose energy and resources are devoted to cocoa as well as maize and sugar cane farming. We will climb Monte Careca from where we will enjoy a magnificent view over the city of Neves before reaching Monte Forte where the organic cocoa cooperative CECAB is based. We will learn about the organic cocoa production and processing.
Part of the profits from the cocoa route are devolved to projects aimed to improve living conditions in local communities and to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe.