St Helena Island Discovery
- Historical Town Walk of Jamestown
- Coffee plantation tour
- Guided tour of Plantation House
- High Knoll Fort, the Boer Cemetery, St Paul’s Cathedral, Prince’s Lodge & Deadwood Plain
- Distillery Tour for a gin, brandy and rum tasting
- Napoleon's residences, Briars Pavilion & Longwood House
- Hike to Diana's Peak
Overview
An isolated volcanic outpost in the south Atlantic Ocean, St. Helena Island is part of the British Overseas Territory, also encompassing the islands of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The island is home to a small, friendly nation known as the Saints.
Famous as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile and death, this 120-square-kilometre island is one of the most remote settled islands in the world and, until recently, also one of the most inaccessible. With the opening of St Helena’s airport, it is now possible to fly into this far-flung destination to discover a unique land of fascinating contrasts.
With Jamestown as our base, we discover centuries-old military fortifications and intriguing historical legacies on this 8-day tour from 20 to 27 January 2024. St Helena Island is truly remarkable, with a rich history dating back approximately 500 years. During this time it was an important port for the East India Company and later a prison for key British prisoners, including approximately 6,000 Boer prisoners of war during the Anglo Boer War of 1900-1902.
Besides a rich history, the island is also home to some spectacular scenery. Every road here is a mountain pass and around every corner there is a view more breath-taking than the last!
Header image courtesy of Mantis St Helena Island and Des Jacobs.
Itinerary
DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG - ST HELENA ISLAND
Welcome to St Helena Island! Upon arrival we will be met and transported to our hotel situated in Jamestown passing through some of the small villages en-route. This transfer is approximately 30 minutes in duration.
On arrival at the hotel guests will be given time to check in to their rooms followed by a brief run through of the week’s itinerary.
Spend the afternoon at leisure and later we enjoy dinner at the Mantis Hotel.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including dinner.
DAY 2: ST HELENA ISLAND
This morning we are met and transferred to the wharf to meet our skipper. We enjoy a half-day boat cruise off the St Helena coastline. If we are lucky, we will see the huge schools of Pan-Tropical, Bottlenose and Rough-Toothed dolphins, as well as turtles, Devil Rays and Whale Sharks (in season January – March) that call these waters home. We also view a few of the old fortifications and outposts built by the slaves and convicts during the 18th and 19th century.
After lunch we enjoy a leisurely historical walk through the island’s capitol of Jamestown, discovering the stories that this historically rich Georgian-styled town has to offer. We will learn more about the island, its people, and its rich history. This gentle stroll takes in the Castle, St. James Church, the oldest church in the Southern Hemisphere, view the famous Jacob’s Ladder, the Court House, and Castle Gardens. It is an opportunity to learn about this volcanic island and the lives of the people who live on this British Atlantic outpost.
Tonight, we enjoy dinner at the Mantis Hotel.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
DAY 3: ST HELENA ISLAND
After breakfast we meet for a tour of the island. Sites today include Deadwood Plain which was the camp site of Boer prisoners of war during the Anglo Boer War of 1900-1902. We also visit the Millennium Forest, the Bellstone in Levelwood, which when struck makes the sound of a bell, Sandy Bay and Sandy Bay beach.
We will drive through the heart of the island to the western district of Blue Hill with rolling hillsides and fantastic views. Making our way back to Jamestown through the St Paul’s district where we will see the St Paul’s Cathedral, Boer War cemetery and much more. The
day is full of rich island history and beautiful scenery throughout.
After an exciting day we enjoy dinner at local-style eatery, Anne’s Place.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
DAY 4: ST HELENA ISLAND
This morning we will be met for a visit to Plantation House, built in 1792, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the residence of His Excellency the Governor.
Our tour comprises the viewing of the residence, followed by a visit to the grounds to view Jonathon and friends up close. Jonathan is one of several tortoises that live on the grounds of Plantation House. Jonathan is famous because he is the oldest (approx. 190 years old) animal on the island and the oldest known living terrestrial animal in the world. Jonathan was brought to the island from the Seychelles in 1882, along with three other tortoises.
Later we will take a tour of one of the St Helena Coffee Plantations in Sandy Bay. Here you will follow the process of the 200-year-old Arabica bean, one of the world’s most sought-after coffees.
Dinner tonight is at the Blue Lantern Hotel Restaurant or similar.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
DAY 5: ST HELENA ISLAND
Today we are in for a treat. We will enjoy a unique crafting session with a local crafts person, who will teach and assist us in producing our own souvenirs using the New Zealand Flax which grows in abundance on-island.
After lunch at the Hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore at your own pace. Why not visit the very well curated Museum of St Helena which not only traces the varied history of the island, but also features artefacts from several shipwrecks that dot the coastline over the last 500 years. You may also like to take a swim in the public swimming pool that sits near the harbour and is a great place to meet local islanders.
Dinner this evening is at the Mantis Hotel.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, light lunch and dinner.
DAY 6: ST HELENA ISLAND
Today enjoy a hike through the National Park leading to Diana’s Peak, the highest point of the Island (823 m). Experience the micro and macro life in a cloud forest from the many endemic plants and invertebrate species to the breath-taking views of the island.
It is a four-hour return tour to the high central ridge. Walkers need to have a reasonable level of fitness as there is an ascent of 175 m. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the Peaks.
Later, we head to the St Helena Distillery which produces a variety of spirits and liquor using local products including the St Helena Coffee. We enjoy a tour and tasting to finish off the day’s excursion.
Dinner tonight is at Rosie’s Taste for Life restaurant.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
DAY 7: ST HELENA ISLAND
This morning we depart on our Napoleonic Tour. Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St Helena in 1815 and died on the island 6 years later. This morning we visit Briars Pavilion, Napoleon's first residence on the island. From here we head to Longwood House, owned by the French government, this is where he lived and died. It is one of the best Napoleonic museums in the world, with original furniture and over 900 artefacts.
We enjoy a picnic lunch before ending the day with a visit to the site of Napoleon’s Tomb, a 15-minute stroll down into a lush valley.
Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Mantis Hotel.
O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast enjoy some time at leisure for a last stroll around Jamestown or maybe a dare! Take the opportunity to climb the 699 steps of Jacob’s Ladder. Do you have the courage to take on this challenge before leaving the island?
Sadly, our tour has come to an end. We will be transferred back to the airport to be in time for our flight to Johannesburg. This transfer is approximately 30 minutes in duration.
Meals included: Breakfast.
END OF SERVICE
Dates
20 to 27 January 2024
Please contact us to discuss alternative options, should this group tour not suit your travel schedule. Other options include a private tour option whereby Live the Journey will compile a programme to accommodate your needs with regards to date, budget and interests.
Rates
LAND PACKAGE COST
PER PERSON SHARING: GBP 2,030 (± ZAR 46,690)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: GBP 450 (± ZAR 10,350)
Average rate of exchange used GBP 1.00/ ZAR 23.00 for Rand price indicated. Please use as a guideline only – final cost subject to rate of exchange at the time of confirmation and payment.
Included
- Meet and greet upon arrival
- Return airport transfers
- Services of a professional English-speaking St Helenian Driver-Guide
- 7 Nights hotel accommodation at the Mantis St Helena Hotel
- All meals as indicated (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners)
- Half day boat cruise
- Guided historical Jamestown walk
- Full day guided historical island tour
- Plantation House tour
- Guided Coffee Plantation tour
- Crafting session with local crafts person
- Guided walk to Diana’s Peak
- Guided visit to the St Helena distillery
- Napoleonic Tour with guided visit to the Briars Pavilion, Longwood House and Napoleon's grave.
Excluded
- International flights (booked and confirmed separately, approximate cost from R17,000 per person in economy class, subject to availability.)
- A landing tax of GBP 20 payable upon arrival
- Domestic flights within South Africa to and from Johannesburg
- All drinks and items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry etc.
- Driver-guide gratuity
- Optional Excursions, if applicable
- Visa Fees, if applicable
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
NOTES
- This tour requires a minimum of 8 guests to offer it at the quoted price.
- South African Passport Holders do not, at present, require a tourist visa to enter St. Helena for stay of up to 90 days. However, passports must be valid at least 6 months after the date of return and have sufficient blank visa pages.
- Written Proof of Medical Insurance covering aeromedical evacuation up to £175,000 is required by St Helena authorities when entering St Helena.
- Prices for sightseeing, park and entrance fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be for the traveller’s account.
Reviews
Margot Wood - 21 to 28 January 2023
"Just want to thank you again for an absolutely fabulous trip! Every single day was a pure delight!
Thanks for the perfect travel arrangements and the wonderful stay on the island. Aaron was a wonderful guide - so knowledgeable and patient! I loved the variety in the daily schedule - the trips and explorations interspersed with visits to cottage industries, historic sites and crafting - fabulous! The boat trip was amazing, the hike to the peak stunning-gosh, I can go on and on. It was such a well-designed programme. I loved the hotel and every single one of our local eating expeditions - no exceptions!! Thanks for one of the most memorable trips ever - a huge highlight!"
Reservations
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