Embark on a private full-day Santana 4x4 Safari in Northeast Madeira. Explore cultures, landscapes, and breathtaking trails in an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep. Discover panoramic views, traditional food, and local drinks while learning about Madeira’s traditions and history. Join us for a unique and unforgettable experience!
Embark on a private full-day Santana 4x4 Safari in Northeast Madeira. Explore cultures, landscapes, and breathtaking trails in an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep. Discover panoramic views, traditional food, and local drinks while learning about Madeira’s traditions and history. Join us for a unique and unforgettable experience!
-
Funchal - The private tour kicks off with a transfer from the hotel or apartment in an UMM (an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep, equipped with a cover for all weather conditions).
Prepare to be captivated by breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the heart of nature, while discovering Madeira’s rich traditions and history.
Enjoy a leisurely…
- Funchal - The private tour kicks off with a transfer from the hotel or apartment in an UMM (an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep, equipped with a cover for all weather conditions).
Prepare to be captivated by breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the heart of nature, while discovering Madeira’s rich traditions and history.
Enjoy a leisurely safari-style tour, visiting must-see locations!
The operator will guide you off the beaten path, whenever possible, through old roads and off-road trails, in truly remote areas, hidden valleys, and mountain villages, showcasing the island’s wild beauty in a calm, safe, and relaxed manner.
Throughout the journey, there will be stops at all the best photo opportunities, on an exhilarating open jeep ride, offering various experiences that awaken all your senses.
By the end of the tour, you’ll be eager to return and spend more time in this paradise :)
- Madeira Botanical Garden - Aboard the Jeep, the journey begins from Funchal to Poiso at 1,412 meters of altitude, passing by Shoupana Hills & Montado do Pereiro (a protected Natural Area), with its stunning bay as a backdrop.
The tour takes the back roads through Funchal’s hillside, offering a hidden view of the beautiful bay as a backdrop.
Stops are made at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the beaten path.
- Choupana Hill S - After pausing at a beautiful viewpoint, the tour continues up the hill through old roads and off-road trails, all in a calm, safe, and relaxed manner, stopping at all the best photo opportunities, away from the beaten path.
- Poiso - As the ascent continues to the island’s third-highest peak, Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 meters altitude, stops are made at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the beaten path.
Often, the tour is above the clouds, offering a breathtaking landscape over the island’s south and north sides.
- Pico do Arieiro - A stop is made at Pico Do Areiro, the island’s third-highest peak, 1,811 meters above sea level. The views are typically dramatic, and ample time is spent there.
After exploring and taking pictures, the tour ventures to the island’s North side, including Ribeiro Frio and Faial, along the ancient royal footpath, where the geometry of the island’s oldest terraces captivates the eye, along the beaten tracks crossing the magnificent Laurisilva forest and the water springs that supply the trout tanks. The isolated rural nature of the villages visited will amaze you.
Stops are made at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Ribeiro Frio - As the tour passes through the magnificent Laurisilva forest and the water springs, there is time to stop at one, and for the more adventurous, to taste it, hehehe.
Following that, the tour crosses the heart of the Laurisilva forest, descending through Ribeiro Frio and observing the fauna and flora that inhabit this wonderful ancient forest, protected by UNESCO.
Stops are made at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the beaten path.
- São Roque do Faial - As the descent continues, the imposing form of the rock formation Penha d’Águia (Eagle’s Rock) can be contemplated, accompanying the climb up the mountainside.
Stops are made at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the beaten path.
- Miradouro do Cruzeiro - A stop is made at a local bar with local prices.
Following that, a spectacular off-road journey is undertaken, where wonderful scenery can be enjoyed.
- Caminho da Cova da Roda - The mountain is crossed towards Santana, requiring a spectacular off-road journey, where wonderful scenery can be enjoyed.
Stops are made at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the beaten path.
In the middle of the off-road journey, a longer stop is made to enjoy the wonderful scenery.
- Pico das Pedras - After the off-road journey, the tour arrives at Pico das Pedras, and the descent to Santana begins immediately.
This is where the traditional, authentic A-frame houses, often seen online or in guidebooks, can be found. Many agricultural terraces are seen, locals are met, and lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant to try the local cuisine.
(Lunch is an optional extra — not included in the price but highly recommended).
- Santana - In Santana, it’s time to visit a genuine Santana House, a triangle-shaped house traditional to this area of Madeira, about 240 years old, and have lunch at a local place, where some of the local traditional food, such as espetada, tuna, or Peixe-Espada, can be enjoyed.
(Lunch is an optional extra, not included in the price, and highly recommended) - €12.00
A real house typical of Madeira, not a tourist attraction, is visited.
- Faial - After that, it’s time to return via the north coast, enjoying the amazing views of Faial and Porto da Cruz, always stopping at all the best photo opportunities, always in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the beaten path.
- Porto da Cruz - If the weather permits, a walk along a section of a levada for about 30/40 minutes - 2 km (optional) is taken, stretching the legs on one of Madeira’s many unique water canals.
- Estrada dos Maroços - After completing the “Levada walk,” the return journey is made along the eastern coast, passing by Maroços and Machico (the bay where the Portuguese landed in 1419/20).
- Machico - The tour concludes with the perfect ending, enjoying the famous freshly homemade Poncha drink!
All of this is done in a very relaxed, informative, and fun way, going off-road and off the beaten path, providing a good overview of the island, cruising through the mountains in the morning, and along the sea line in the afternoon.
- Santa Cruz - This is a fun and informative trip for all ages and a great “first tour” for everyone visiting this beautiful island.
A day to remember for years to come…
Go ahead and Book Now! Spaces are limited!

- All Fees and Taxes
- All Fees and Taxes
- Lunch
- Lunch
Immerse yourself in a wealth of experiences on this tour! Delve into local culture, marvel at stunning landscapes, and embark on exhilarating hikes from the coast to the peaks of Madeira, veering off the well-trodden path.
A treat for mountain connoisseurs, winding road enthusiasts, nature trail buffs, culinary adventurers, and fans of local drinks with…
Immerse yourself in a wealth of experiences on this tour! Delve into local culture, marvel at stunning landscapes, and embark on exhilarating hikes from the coast to the peaks of Madeira, veering off the well-trodden path.
A treat for mountain connoisseurs, winding road enthusiasts, nature trail buffs, culinary adventurers, and fans of local drinks with an eagerness to explore.
Arm yourself for a visual feast of bird’s eye views and delve into the essence of nature while soaking up all there is to know about Madeira’s heritage and stories.
For your journey, I offer the perfect vehicle - an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep, UMM, equipped with a cover for various weather conditions, and a wealth of innovative ideas to guide you to must-see locales.
Come join me for a relaxed exploration and sheer fun, sans any hurry…
Should the weather be kind, we’ll take a 30/40-minute jaunt on a section of a levada.
I go above and beyond to ensure that your experience stands out as truly unforgettable.
Jeep seating arrangements: 8 seat capacity (7 Guests + Me as the Driver)
- Minimum age 3 years
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A vegetarian option is available; inform at the time of booking if necessary
- We will go up to 1800 meters high and to the north coast of the island, so it can be hot or cooler. Important to bring a jacket if necessary - dress appropriately
- On the day, who are staying in Funchal, Garajau or Caniço, can change the tour to: NorthWest, SouthWest or SouthEast
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.