WHERE IS SANTO ANTÃO?
Santo Antão is officially the westernmost point of Africa. Nearly 1,000 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean, it is quarter of the way to Brazil and the final dry land before South America. Part of the islands of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) and with a population of less than 40,000, Santo Antão is like approaching a real life Jurassic Park, with prehistoric mountains and lush green valleys.
WHY SANTO ANTÃO?
If you long to go off the beaten track, why not try somewhere that's unlike anywhere you've ever been?
Magical experiences up above the clouds
Breathtaking walks down ancient mountain trails
Spectacular hotels, guest houses and sea views
Small towns with historic Portuguese architecture
HOW TO GET TO SANTO ANTÃO?
Fly from the UK with only one change*, either daily via Lisbon or weekly via Amsterdam, to São Vicente Island, from where it is just a 1 hour ferry to the imposing mountains of Santo Antão. From the port, take a taxi or a shared "colectivo" along the stunning mountain or coastal routes to the green North of the island - and the unforgettable landscapes which await.
*it is also possible to fly direct from the UK to the Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) island of Sal with package holiday operators, from where you may obtain an internal flight to São Vicente, however these routes are infrequent and scheduling harder.
Formed out of an improbable tangle of mountains and volcanos arching straight out of the ocean, Santo Antão is an island where flat ground is rare. Ancient paths, homes and even villages cling to sheer rock formations, and from the sea, weaving routes go higher, and higher, and keep on going.
Narrow mountain crossings above canyons and valleys converge into sublime routes that loop still further through the clouds and forests before finally revealing trails back down through other valleys.
The forests of Santo Antão defy belief. Magical, other-worldly places up above the clouds where pine forests cling to steep slopes and sunlight bounces through a wooded canopy. The Cova national park provides a peaceful, cooling adventure for visitors amid year round 20-degree plus heat.
Pick your way through remote forests and near zero visibility mist, then emerge into endless sky blue vistas, sun-beaten ocean horizons and seemingly impossible vertical drops down to the valleys.
The North of the island is divided by cavernous, snaking river valleys known as "Ribeiras". Such is the climate of Santo Antão, only a few of these rivers run year round, and often little more than a shallow stream - yet each valley manages to maintain an abundance of green, tropical vegetation.
The beating heart of the island, they are framed by carefully stepped terraces of sugar cane farming built up either steep bank, leading down to echoing villages woven around the old route of the river.
The Atlantic Ocean batters almost every side of Santo Antão. Crashing waves splatter endlessly into a dark, boulder-strewn shore. It's easy to see how at least 3000 miles of open sea to the west creates a chaotic energy and spray that will deter all but the most confident of swimmers. This is not a resort.
Intrepid fisherman venture only short distances from land. Exhilarating ancient coastal paths carve through cliff faces. A few sandy beaches exist but the sea is more spectacular than it is seductive.
Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) is a country rich in culture and Santo Antão is no exception. In the few small towns like Ribeira Grande or Ponta de Sol, and even tucked away deep in the valleys, live guitar folk music abounds in the local Morna style, Portuguese Fado, or even played to Samba and Salsa beats.
The creole word Morabeza describes Cape Verde's famous relaxed, friendly hospitality. On this island it is everywhere - in locally farmed dishes and generous servings of local sugarcane rum ("grogue").
Once you've seen the sun set over a horizon beyond which the next land is South America, you'll understand the spectacular feeling of remoteness staying on Santo Antão - living carved into a rock face in the Atlantic Ocean.
A travel company specialising in introducing the UK to the world's best kept secret - a fantasy, once in a lifetime island, only a short-haul distance away.