São Tomé and Príncipe consists of two main islands and four islets. Its volcanic landscape includes Pico de São Tomé, which reaches 2,024 metres, Pico Cão Grande at 663 metres, primary lowland and montane forest, cloud forest, savanna, rivers, crater lakes, wetlands, mangroves, beaches and coastal waters. Cocoa and coffee agroforestry, where crops grow among trees, also forms a characteristic landscape. The islands contain about 1,200 plant species, including 148 endemics found naturally only in this country. They also have 109 butterfly species, 89 snail species, 28 endemic bird species, seven endemic mammals, eight amphibians and 17 reptiles. Critically threatened species include the São Tomé Ibis, Newton’s Fiscal and São Tomé Grosbeak. Four sea-turtle species use the beaches for nesting. Habitat loss, agricultural expansion, illegal logging, fires, charcoal production, invasive mammals, uncontrolled hunting and declining prey threaten this biodiversity. A protected area is a legally governed place where land or water receives special conservation rules. São Tomé and Príncipe protects 447.82 square kilometres, or 44.74% of its 1,001 square kilometres of land. The main areas are Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé, also called PNOST, covering 252.74 square kilometres, Parque Natural Obô do Príncipe, or PNP, covering 71.24 square kilometres, and 21 Reservas Especiais on São Tomé covering 123.84 square kilometres. Marine protection currently covers 93.02 square kilometres, a small share of the country’s approximately 160,000-square-kilometre exclusive economic zone, and the marine network created by Decree-Law 02/2026 and the São Tomé network under Decree-Law 03/2026 are partly under implementation. UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme recognized Ilha de São Tomé and Ilha do Príncipe together as a biosphere reserve in 2025. This designation links conservation, sustainable development and education across the state territory, but it does not automatically create a legally protected area. Ilhéus Tinhosas is also the country’s Ramsar wetland site, covering 23 hectares and designated on 21 December 2006. The Ministry of Environment, Youth and Sustainable Tourism, the Directorate of Forests and Biodiversity and the Directorate of Environment and Climate Action have national responsibilities. The Região Autónoma do Príncipe has a distinct role on Príncipe, while fisheries and other sectors involve bodies such as DPA/Fisheries and CNMC. Park and reserve management also involves municipalities, rangers, eco-guides and local communities. Law 6/2006 establishes PNOST, Law 7/2006 establishes PNP, and Decree-Law 08/2023 regulates Reservas Especiais. Decree-Law 10/2025 sets internal rules for PNOST. People use forests and coastal ecosystems for cocoa and coffee production, food crops, medicinal and ornamental plants, timber and other forest products, artisanal fishing and hunting. Aquatic foods provide more than half of the country’s protein supply. About 4,300 fishers and 2,300 traders were associated with an estimated 15,000-tonne catch in 2021. The first national Fisheries Management Plan, adopted in 2024, introduces measures involving fishing effort, co-management, catch data and surveillance. Illegal fishing, destructive gear, juvenile capture, stones used for purse seining and industrial or foreign illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing are prohibited or targeted for control. Sea-turtle capture, marketing, egg collection and bycatch are regulated under Decree-Law 8/2014. Nature activities include trekking, birdwatching, botanical visits and ecological visits. Bom Sucesso Botanical Garden and its herbarium provide a principal access point to PNOST and support environmental education, research and species conservation. Príncipe has D’OVYÔ trails, while the Malanza Mangrove can be explored by canoe, with a typical visit lasting about two hours. Trails range from moderate to very difficult; a qualified guide is recommended or locally required for remote and demanding routes, including Monte Carmo. Pico de São Tomé commonly requires a one- or two-day trip, with camping near Pico Mesa on the longer option. Park rules, zoning and management plans apply. No nationally uniform entry or permit tariff or standard advance-booking period was identified; guide, transport and booking costs vary locally. Floods, flash floods at coasts and river mouths, storms, drought, shifting intense rainfall, longer dry periods known as Gravana, landslides, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion affect habitats and livelihoods. Mangrove, beach and reef degradation, soil erosion and habitat fragmentation can increase these pressures. Conservation objectives can conflict with hunting for rural protein and income, fishing access, forest use, agriculture, hydropower, tourism and coastal development. The most workable responses combine protected-area rules with community participation, ranger and eco-guide training, monitoring, reforestation, nesting-site protection, sustainable medicinal-plant use and clearly managed access.
Nature in São Tomé and Príncipe
Nature in São Tomé and Príncipe includes volcanic mountains, rain and cloud forests, wetlands, mangroves, coastal and marine ecosystems, and landscapes shaped by cocoa and coffee agroforestry. The country has exceptional endemic biodiversity and protects 44.74% of its land area through national parks and special reserves, while marine protection is developing. Nature supports water, food, livelihoods and tourism, but hunting, habitat loss, destructive fishing and climate risks create competing protection and use needs.
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