St Helena Island Discovery

DAY 1: SOUTH AFRICA - ST HELENA ISLAND

Welcome to St Helena Island! Upon arrival we will proceed through customs and immigration and collect our luggage. In the arrivals hall 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.

Later 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.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner.

About the Mantis St Helena
The luxury Mantis St Helena is located at number 1 Main Street, just a few minutes away from the seafront, restaurants, shops, and other attractions. Nestled in the valley of Jamestown, the island’s capital, on the northern and leeward side of the island. Mantis St Helena Hotel is a combination of a restored historic building and a new contemporary wing that has been built to complement the cityscape of Jamestown. There are two sets of wheelchair-friendly rooms with adapted showers, as well as inter-leading rooms. The bar, restaurant and terrace are wheelchair-friendly, and the hotel is child-friendly. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Mantis St Helena is always ready to welcome you to some of the island’s best cuisine! Expect deliciously ‘Saint’ and classically inspired dishes, reflecting the island’s cultural influences.

O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including dinner.

DAY 2: ST HELENA ISLAND

After breakfast we meet for a guided 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. A great day out full of rich island history and beautiful scenery throughout.

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

This morning, we are met and transferred to the wharf to meet our skipper.

We enjoy a half-day sightseeing boat cruise off the St Helena coastline. We will view some of the old fortifications and outposts built by the slaves and convicts during the 18th and 19th century that dot the 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 (seasonal) that call these waters home from our boat.

Enjoy a light lunch before spending the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

After an exciting day we enjoy dinner at the St Helena Coffee Shop on the wharf.

O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, 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.

Enjoy lunch in the beautiful grounds of Farm Lodge Hotel before setting of to explore the Boer War cemetery, St Pauls Cathedral and High Knoll fort in the St Pauls area.

Dinner tonight is in the courtyard at Dan’s Place.

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 a light lunch, 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 a special al fresco affair (weather-permitting).

O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, light lunch and dinner.

DAY 6: ST HELENA ISLAND

Today enjoy 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.

Later enjoy a hike to Blue Point. A great walk around the “Gates of Chaos”, Blue Point walks you through heavy erosion revealing different colours of soil, just beyond Thompson’s Wood. Walkers will enjoy views of Southwest Point, Sandy Bay, Speery Island and Castle Rocks; this is a very popular walk. You can enjoy stunning landscape views and the rehabilitation areas for island endemics. You may even be lucky and spot a whale.

Dinner tonight is at local eatery, Anne’s Place.

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 lunch at Bertrands Cottage before heading to the Millenium Forest where we will each plant an endemic tree in the forest- a restoration project that has been flourishing for 21 years.

We end 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 delicious farewell dinner.

O/N at the Mantis St Helena Hotel including breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE - SOUTH AFRICA

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 TOUR SERVICES