Backpacking São Tomè for a week
Original plan was a trip first week of October with the family but due to a mishap with tickets it'll just be me and my 17 year old instead. We arrive and leave on a Saturday so we have 6,5 days to explore the island. Plan is to visit the city, Ôbo National Park with rain forest, Rolas island, other fun activities.
So far I have checked online, among others this sub and different websites such as thechocolateislands one for planning ideas and so.
Have previous experience with public transport in Africa. Thinking of this instead of a rental car/driver. For those familiar, is public transport similar to cars rapide/tatas (Senegal) or Matatu(kenya)?
Stuck on what to bring as I'm tempted to bring gear for fishing, freediving (have long fins) and photography. Have a huge luggage allowance on the plane, though doubt it's smart and we consider only 65 L backpacking bags due to ease of transport. Is it enough to bring some light fishing gear and a mask+snorkel, maybe short fins?
Plan for first two nights and the last night in São Tomé city due to the flight on Saturday evening. How would those who've been there recommend we spend the four nights in between?
Open for other recommendations on things to do, see, eat and so on.