In this episode of Majlis, Ahmed sits with Bastien Loloum, an ecotourism builder whose path led him from Brazil’s early eco-lodges to a life rooted in São Tomé.

What began as a one-year volunteer mission turned into decades of living, working, and building alongside nature and community — from sea turtle conservation and national parks to farming, vanilla, and quiet tourism far from the beaten path.

A conversation about patience, responsibility, and what it really means to grow with a place rather than extract from it.

Pull up a seat — you’re welcome in the Majlis.

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Leaving Home With No Plan

03:33 Brazil Changed My Life

09:45 When Tourism Destroys Paradise

13:48 Why I Rejected a Normal Career

16:15 The Country I Didn’t Know Existed

21:00 Building Tourism Before Tourists

28:55 Inside a Hidden Ecosystem

38:00 One Year Became a Lifetime

40:45 A small Deal That Changed Everything

57:40 What Most Travelers Get Wrong About Ecotourism

Stay on Bastien’s Farm

VANHA Plantation Bungalow
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/684077743332900612

VANHA Cottage at the Farm
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/567012024464664974

The Jams

Delícias das Ilhas — Jams, spices & local products from São Tomé
https://deliciasdasilhas.weebly.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Support São Tomé’s NGOs

Programa Tatô — Sea turtle conservation and community engagement across São Tomé
https://en.programatato.org/

Fundação Príncipe (Príncipe Trust) — Biodiversity conservation and sustainable development on Príncipe Island
https://www.programmeppi.org/en/beneficiaire/fpt-fundacao-principe-trust/

More Reading

Ahmed’s blog post: São Tomé, January 2026
https://ahmedwarreth.com/travel-log/the-island-you-probably-never-heard-aboutsonbsptom