Fogo , Island of fire dominated by the volcanic cone of Pico do Fogo

Fogo is the most volcanically active of all the islands in the Cape Verde, its majestic steaming peak rises from the ocean floor and calls out to be climbed! The highlights of a visit to Fogo include the world heritage town of São Filipe, with its lovely cobbled streets, colourful colonial houses and pretty squares and the slopes of Mt Fogo do Pico with its dramatic landscape, small farms, forests, coffee plantations and orchards. However, the greatest spectacle of all and a sight not to be missed when visiting Cape Verde is the great crater of Chã das Caldeiras with its black volcanic moonscape, monstrously contorted lava flows and great Peak of Fogo do Pico (2829m)!  Within the majestic walls of the crater two small villages exist by growing grapes, producing wine and tending to small gardens where a surprising range of exotic fruits grow in the rich volcanic ash.

One of the highlights of any visit to Cape Verde is the ascent of its highest mountain – Pico do Fogo (2829m) – the conical shaped volcano rising from the centre of the main crater. Your guide will lead you between apple trees and vines and traditional lava houses and you’ll see steam rising up from the ground. There is also a smaller peak as an easier option or there are some lovely walks down to the coast through the fertile valleys filled with coffee and sugar cane plantations. This is one of the most spectacular islands but also one of the hottest; something to bear in mind when walking.

Medical Centre in Cha das Caldeiras
It was back in 1999 that an Austrian couple first visited Cha das Caldeiras and decided to help a local couple by funding the construction of their house. Their involvement with the area increased and they became aware that a much needed medical centre had been closed in 2000 because the nurse’s wages were not paid. It was clear that for the 600-1000 people living in Cha, the road to the nearest medical service was difficult and very expensive so people who needed medical care were just not travelling to get it. They took the decision after discussions with locals and politicians to set up a Non Profit Organisation to set about funding the reopening of the Medical Centre and in 2007, the nurse started working there once more thanks to the funds raised. This is an ongoing project though and donations will be spent on :

• the wages of the nurse (around 200 euros per month)
• renovation of the medical centre. The leaking roof needs repairing and partitions are needed where people can undress privately.
• transportation of medical goods from Austria to Fogo

Sao Vicente - Cape Verde Institute for Children and Adolescents

Santo Antao - Kindergarten in a remote village

Santiago - Education project for children

Boavista - Turtle project