BOM BOM ISLAND RESORT

PRINCIPE ISLAND, WEST AFRICA

Bom Bom Island Resort.. is situated on the north coast of the magnificent island of Principe , 230 kms from Gabon and 150 kms north of Sao Tome Island. Collectively known as the " Democratic Republic of SAO TOME & PRINCIPE". Sao Tome was discovered in 1470 by Portugese sailors and for the next 500 years, the Portugese controlled the islands, exporting cocoa and sugar. A strong Portugese influence remains as the official language, with french, English and the local Creole dialect also spoken.

Bom Bom Resort, right on the Equator and one of the most remote, luxurious fishing spots in the world. Rainy season (Feb to Apr and Oct to mid Dec) - short storms alternate with sunny skies. Dry Season (Jul/Aug) - the islands enjoy a 10 to 25 knot southern breeze, with moderate temperatures. July to December is the peak fishing time, when grander blue marlin are present, along with vast numbers of sailfish and lesser gamefish.

Bom Bom has three 9,5 metre Blackfin boats at US $650 per day, plus one 8,5 metre Blackfin and similar Bertram, at US $450 per day, all carrying Penn tackle of 30, 50 and 80 lb. Chief skipper is Alan Myburgh from Durban, who has been there for five years. Guests are required to take their own spinning plugs for surf fishing also to bring own light tackle, including fly-tackle and flyrods.

Charles visited Bom Bom when the resort, set on a tropical beach and surrounded by dense rainforest, opened six years ago. Since then Bom Bom has notched up seven IGFA world records for various species, and last October Pretoria's Micheal Viljoen took second place in a four-day INTER-AFRICA BILLFISH INVITATIONAL fished out of Bom Bom, which produced 37 billfish.

That tournament is to be repeated from the 27th Sept to the 4th October 1998, with entries expected from South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Gabon, Cameroun, Sao Tome and possibly Nigeria and Ghana. Only marlin over 320 kg and sailfish of potential world record class may be boated; any lesser marlin killed, or sailfish more than 10% below a world record, will incur penalty points.

The winning team earn a week's accommodation at Bom Bom for each angler, plus three fishing days. Add the Jnb- Libreville tickets offered by Air Gabon, and that becomes quite a prize. In addition, the best marlin over 320 kg is worth another week at either Bom Bom or the Metropole Hotel in Cape Town, while an IGFA world record blue marlin, in any line class, is worth US $10 000.

Accommodation is in air-conditioned twin bedded bungalows, with private lounge with bar, video, safe and phone. Bungalows are sea facing,e ach with its own private beach. The restaurant serves healthy meals with lots of freshly caught fish.

SCUBA DIVING: The reefs are made largely of hard corals and interesting rock formations. A large variety of marine life exists including bright red soldiers, snapper, goat fish, barracuda, turtles, eels, lazy nurse sharks, stony coral, gorgonian sea fans and volcanic boulders coated in anemone like hard corals of vibrant orange/red and yellow colours.

Most dive sites are 20 min by boat from the resort. Many the reefs lie at 10m but deep dives to 30 plus metres are possible. During Feb and Mar, storms occasionally churn the sea making diving unpleasant. During the rainy seasons the diving can still be good. In Jun and Jul the sea is slightly choppy while the sunniest period is from Nov to end Mar. Scuba diving is not recommended from March to mid May due to the rivers emptying into the sea. Dive prices range from $35 to $55 for single dives. Dive packages are discounted.

Air Bom Bom can charter on the first night from Libreville direct to Bom Bom, the charter flight is expensive therefore is determined on the number of pax to make it feasible. Therefore there will be six nights at the resort.

PACKAGE COSTS

A) 5 nights Bom Bom, 2 nights Libreville (using Air Gabon and Air Sao Tome) = R7 745 pps or R8 930 single (Wed to Wed)

B) 5 nights Bom Bom, 2 nights Libreville (using Air Gabon and Air Bom Bom) = R8 215 pps or R9 400 per single (Wed to Wed)

C) 6 nights Bom Bom, 1 night Libreville (using Air Gabon and Air Bom Bom) = R9 214 pps or R10 438 single (Sun to Sun)

INCLUDES: return flights ex Jhb, SA departure tax, shared accommodation, all meals at Bom Bom, bed & breakfast at The Intercontinental Hotel in Libreville on first night, wind surfing, snorkelling equipment, 2% local tax, use of gym and swimming pool, laundry facilities, airport/hotel transfers in Gabon.

EXCLUDES: travel insurance, drinks, Sao Tome and Principe dep tax ($20 when using Air Sao Tome), airport/hotel transfers in Sao Tome where applicable ($5 each way), Visa.

WHAT TO TAKE

1.The islands are situated on the equator with average temp around 30', but the weather can sometimes be unpredictable so it is advisable to take rain gear.

2. Strong walking shoes for "jungle trekking"

3. Casual clothing, shorts & tackies for day wear and smart/casual clothes for dinner. Laundry facilities are available. Long sleeve shirts and trousers are recommended for early evening as protection against mosquitos

4. Malaria precautions (tablets and anti mosi sprays/creams etc)

NOTES

1)The resort has a water purification system but bottled mineral water is available in the chalets for drinking and brushing teeth.

2) All major credit cards are accepted. If taking cash, US dollars are recommended

3) All rooms have a hair dryer

4) Travel insurance should be considered a necessity

5) South African passport holders require a visa, which can be obtained in Cape Town or on arrival in Gabon ($60).

6) A yellow fever inoculation is required and malaria precautions are essential.

Price are subject to change without notice. $ Currency Exchange $