Cabo Verde Life: Coastline of discovery

In this edition of “Cabo Verde Life” we explore the country’s stunning coastline and discover the rich sea life, vegetation and culture in Cabo Verde.

About 500km off the coast of West Africa is a scattering of islands that together comprise a fascinating nation. Cabo Verde is a challenging place. But if you appreciate the sea, outstanding mountain landscapes with great hiking, and a convivial people with the time to strike up a mournful tune over a glass of thick red wine, then these barren lands pounded by a frothing white ocean are for you.

The dozen or so islands that make up this former Portuguese colony have become a popular destination for package holidays over the past few years. Indeed, they are easily accessible for anyone in search of winter sun. But beyond the beach hotels, Cape Verde is fascinating in terms of both culture and scenery.

Volcanic islands at various stages of erosion, they range from more than 2,800m high to as low as 390m, and this translates into extremes of landscape between the islands – from brooding volcano to flat desert, and from verdant, mist-strewn mountains to panoramic white and abandoned beaches.

Santo Antão – A place of adventure and natural wonders The island of mountains, wind and water. Many names could be given to the second-largest island of Cape Verde. With its greatly contrasting landscape and soil structures, it forms the northwestern border of the island group with a size of 779 square kilometres. Although the south and west area appear desolate and barren, the subtropical climate will surprise you with its rich vegetation. Forests of fir and pine turn the Ribeira Grande. You will also see coconut palms, mango and carob trees, as well as citrus, almond, papaya and orange trees. Maize, pineapples, coffee and manioc are cultivated in the mountains on terraced fields that consist partly of black lava soil and partly of white "pozzolana". The fragrance of eucalyptus, lavender and even lotus blossoms hangs in the air. Acacia, wild figs and dragon trees line the roads in many places.

All over the Santo Antão Island there is a lot of exceptional walking paths that the locals still use to go between the villages in the deep valeys of the island. In the northeast coast exists a steep path which follows the cliffs and results in scenic routes between the land and the Atlantic Sea.