Santana – Private Full-Day – Safari 4×4 Tour – NorthEast

You’ll see Madeira faster from a jeep. This private north-east 4×4 safari is built for steep roads, hidden valleys, and viewpoint after viewpoint. You also get a real driver-guide in the ex-army Portuguese UMM, so you’re not stuck doing DIY car logistics.

What I love is the mix of off-road tracks plus structured stops, so the day feels relaxed instead of chaotic. I also like how the route includes both big-name views (hello, Pico do Arieiro) and quieter rural places (Faial, Ribeiro Frio, São Roque do Faial), with photo stops kept short and frequent.

One thing to consider: you’ll go up to about 1800 m and to the north coast, so it can be cool or even windy compared with Funchal. Bring a jacket and dress in layers.

Key things to know before you go

• Ex-army UMM 4×4 with a cover for weather, built for Madeira’s rougher back roads
• Private, small-group feel (up to 4 in your group), with an off-the-beaten-track pace
• UNESCO Laurisilva time through Ribeiro Frio and the water-spring area that feeds trout tanks
• Pico do Arieiro above the clouds potential for dramatic views over both coasts
• Santana House visit focused on a genuine A-frame property, not just the tourist show version
• Optional 2 km levada walk near Porto da Cruz, plus a traditional poncha finish

Why a private 4×4 safari fits Madeira better than renting a car

Madeira is not flat, and the north-east in particular rewards drivers who know the island’s smaller roads. This tour is designed around that reality. Instead of you trying to navigate narrow switchbacks and occasional unpaved sections, you’re in an ex-army UMM 4×4, handled by Miguel Is Here, who drives with a calm, safari-style rhythm.

That matters for two reasons. First, you actually get time at the viewpoints rather than rushing between them. Second, the “off the beaten track” parts feel like part of the day, not a detour that you resent.

This is also a good choice if you want authentic scenery without committing to a full hike. Yes, there’s an optional walking section, but the core experience is the jeep ride and the planned stops.

Getting picked up near Funchal and settling into the UMM jeep

The day starts at 9:00 am. You meet at Praia Formosa (São Martinho), 9000-250 Funchal, and the experience runs as a private activity. The description also mentions pickup from Funchal hotels/apartments, so if you’re staying in the Funchal area, confirm the exact pickup point when you book.

Your vehicle is an open classic UMM jeep (ex-army Portuguese). It has a cover for weather. Translation: you’re not trapped in a sealed bus, but you’re not at the mercy of every drizzle either.

Before you leave, pay attention to the tour’s altitude plan. You’ll climb to around 1800 m, and the north coast can feel cooler than the south. A jacket isn’t optional if the weather turns.

Stop 1: Funchal to Poiso (and the Bay views you can’t reach by luck)

The tour kicks off with a transfer out of Funchal and up toward Poiso, around 1,412 m. Along the way, you pass areas like the Choupana Hills and Montado do Pereiro (a protected natural area). You’ll also get repeated chances for bay views from hillside roads.

This early segment is about easing into the day. You’re climbing, but not racing. The guide keeps the stops timed for photo opportunities and viewpoint moments, rather than random pull-offs that break the flow.

If you like your first hour to feel scenic and easy—rather than “wait in traffic and hope you find parking”—this first climb delivers that.

Stop 2: Choupana Hill S (365) for a quick viewpoint reset

After a viewpoint stop at Choupana Hill S (365), you keep going up via older roads and off-road sections. It’s a short stop, but that’s the point: Madeira’s weather can shift fast, and the best way to catch the view is to take advantage of the moment you’re there.

Expect a calm, safe drive with lots of brief stops rather than one long “here’s a view, don’t move” session.

Stop 3: Poiso and the approach to Pico do Arieiro above the clouds

From Poiso, you ascend while making ongoing photo stops, and you’ll reach the heights associated with Pico do Arieiro (the third-highest peak on the island is repeatedly referenced around the 1811–1818 m range). This is the part of the day where cloud cover can become the view.

The tour description notes that you’re often above the clouds, looking out over both the south and north sides of the island. When it works, it’s the kind of perspective that’s hard to recreate from normal roads.

Practical note: if it’s misty, you’ll still get plenty of scenery value, but dress for cooler temperatures. Altitude adds chill even when Funchal is warm.

Stop 4: Pico do Arieiro, then the descent toward Faial and Ribeiro Frio

At Pico do Arieiro (around 1811 m), you’ll get dramatic views and enough time to explore and take pictures. Then the tour continues to the north side, heading toward places like Ribeiro Frio and Faial.

What makes this section interesting is the transition. You’re not just going from high to low. You’re moving from big viewpoint energy into the quieter, more textured world of Madeira’s older farming terraces and the Laurisilva forest area.

The description highlights an “ancient royal footpath” concept, with the sight captured by older terrace geometry, and with crossing tracks through the Laurisilva and water-spring areas that supply trout tanks. It’s one of the reasons this tour feels different from a simple viewpoint checklist.

Drawback to keep in mind: if you’re expecting a long, guided nature lecture, the emphasis is still on driving, short stops, and photo moments. The nature element is there, but in a “show you, then move on” style.

Stop 5: Ribeiro Frio in the UNESCO Laurisilva zone

In Ribeiro Frio, you pass through Laurisilva forest and water springs. The tour includes time for a stop, and the description even mentions that the more adventurous can taste something there (it’s stated as a hehehe moment, but the exact item isn’t specified).

This stop is also where the UNESCO connection feels more real, because you’re in the forest environment rather than looking at it from afar. You’ll have time to observe fauna and flora in a protected setting and then descend through Ribeiro Frio.

Best use of time here: don’t rush your photos. The forest works best when you slow down for a few minutes and let your eyes adjust.

Stop 6: São Roque do Faial and Eagle’s Rock (Penha d’Águia)

Continuing the descent, you’ll contemplate Penha d’Águia (Eagle’s Rock), which the tour description says will accompany you as you travel along the mountainside. This is one of those stops where the “thing you’ve seen in photos” suddenly has scale.

The format is consistent: viewpoint stop, short exploration time, back into the jeep.

Stop 7: Miradouro do Cruzeiro, local bar stop, then a spectacular off-road moment

At Miradouro do Cruzeiro, the tour plans a stop at a local bar with local prices. That’s a nice break because it breaks up the driving and gives you something low-pressure to do.

After that, you get a more spectacular off-road segment with scenic payoff. This is where a 4×4 earns its keep. Those rougher sections aren’t an afterthought—they’re part of why the day works as a safari-style experience.

Stop 8: Caminho da Cova da Roda and the drive toward Santana

The route then crosses the mountains toward Santana, with another off-road stretch. During this segment, you’ll make frequent photo opportunities in a relaxed atmosphere far from the main tourist loop.

In the middle of the off-road, there’s a longer stop so you can enjoy the scenery. This is a good moment to catch your breath, especially if you’ve been taking lots of pictures and not drinking enough water during the morning climb (I’d still suggest you bring small sips and stay hydrated, even though the tour data doesn’t spell that out).

Stop 9: Pico das Pedras, then down to Santana

After the off-road, you arrive at Pico das Pedras, and you start descending to Santana. Here’s the payoff: you’ll see the traditional A-frame houses that people associate with Madeira’s rural architecture.

The tour description also says you’ll see agricultural terraces, meet locals, and then lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is optional and not included in the main tour price.

The only thing to be aware of is time. The lunch moment is built into the flow, but it won’t feel like a long sit-down experience. You’re doing “eat well, keep moving.”

Stop 10: Santana and a real traditional house visit

In Santana, you’ll visit a genuine Santana House, described as a triangle-shaped traditional house from the area, about 240 years old. You’ll also have time for lunch at a local place where the description lists options like espetada, tuna, and peixe-espada.

This is one of the tour’s strongest ideas: don’t just look at Santana from a viewpoint. Step into the story with a real house visit.

Lunch price details are listed separately: the main tour info references an extra lunch fee, and the Santana meal is also listed as 12,00€ as an optional add-on. When you book, double-check which lunch option applies to your date.

Stop 11: Faial on the way back, with sea-level viewpoints

After Santana, the tour shifts toward the north coast, seeing Faial and Porto da Cruz from the roads rather than from the walking trails. There are photo stops again, keeping the same calm rhythm.

This segment also helps you appreciate how Madeira changes within a day. You’re not only in mountains. You’re already transitioning toward coast and bay views.

Stop 12: Porto da Cruz with an optional 2 km levada walk

At Porto da Cruz, the tour offers an optional walking segment: a section of a levada walk for about 30 to 40 minutes, covering roughly 2 km.

Levada walks are distinctive because they’re tied to Madeira’s water systems. In the tour description, the levadas are one of the island’s “many unique water canals,” and this walk likely gives you a closer look at that infrastructure in a manageable amount of time.

If you want to move your body without committing to a full long hike, this optional part is a nice compromise. If you’d rather just watch and take photos, you can usually skip it.

Stop 13: Estrada dos Maroços back along the east coast

After the levada walk, you return by the eastern coast, passing Maroços and Machico, described as the bay where the Portuguese landed in 1419/20.

You get a quieter sightseeing feel here: the drive is the main event, and the stops keep things scenic.

Stop 14: Machico finish with poncha

The tour ends in Machico with a freshly homemade poncha drink. This is a fun, social finish after a day that mixes altitude, forest, terraces, and sea views.

Even if you’re not a big drink person, the culture of poncha is part of Madeira’s visitor experience, and ending with it helps the day feel complete.

Price and logistics: is $493.07 per group good value?

The price is listed as $493.07 per group for up to 4 people, for a day around 8 hours. Some reviews also mention full days running closer to 10 hours, so think “most of your day,” not a short excursion.

What you get for that price:

• Private driver and an ex-army 4×4 suited to off-road tracks
• Pickup offered from Funchal hotels/apartments (for many people, that’s the big stress remover)
• All fees and taxes
• A structured route with multiple photo stops and built-in breaks

What costs extra:

• Lunch is optional, and the data gives specific pricing for lunch at Santana (listed as 12,00€) and also references a general lunch extra fee (listed as 17,00€). Don’t guess—confirm the lunch plan when booking so you know what you’re paying for.

Value math that makes sense: if you were to rent a car for a full day, you’d pay for the vehicle, fuel, and parking issues in hilly areas, plus you’d still have to choose which viewpoint roads to risk. This tour basically pays someone to remove the stress while taking you to places that are harder to reach on your own.

The price feels especially reasonable if you’re traveling as a small group of four and want the private part.

Who this Santana North-East safari tour suits best

This is a strong “first big day” on Madeira, especially if you want a broad overview without cramming your schedule.

It also fits multi-age groups. The tour data says most travelers can participate, with a minimum age of 3 years and children must be accompanied by an adult. Reviews include a range from kids to older family members, and the tone is that the experience works when the guide sets a calm pace.

Best-fit personalities:

• You like photo stops and short viewpoint breaks
• You want to see both mountains and coast in one day
• You’re curious about rural life and not just the famous scenic overlooks
• You’d rather be driven than drive yourself

The main mismatch would be if you want a long, slow walking day with hours of hiking. This is mobility-first, with optional walking.

Practical tips so your day feels smooth

• Wear layers. The tour goes up to about 1800 m, and it can be cooler near the north coast.
• Plan for a short walk option. The optional levada walk is about 2 km and 30–40 minutes.
• Bring a light jacket even if you packed for beach weather. Madeira can change fast by altitude.
• If you care about food specifics, confirm the lunch plan since lunch is optional and prices are listed separately.

Should you book this tour?

If you want a true Madeira day that combines off-road driving, real rural stops, and the signature sights of the north-east, I think this is an easy yes. It’s especially worth it if you’re staying in or near Funchal and you don’t want to figure out how to get to Pico do Arieiro, Faial, Ribeiro Frio, and Santana on your own.

I’d skip it only if you dislike altitude changes and off-road roads, or if you’re seeking a long hike-focused itinerary. Otherwise, this is the kind of tour that gives you a clear sense of the island in one go.

FAQ

How many people are in a group on this private tour?

It’s a private tour/activity, and the group size is up to 4 people.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Praia Formosa, São Martinho, 9000-250 Funchal, Portugal. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered from Funchal hotels/apartments, and the tour description also includes transfer from your hotel or apartment area in many cases.

What’s the optional walking part?

Near Porto da Cruz, there’s an optional levada walk of about 30–40 minutes, covering roughly 2 km.

What should I bring for the weather?

The tour goes up to about 1800 meters, and it can be hot or cooler. Bring a jacket and dress appropriately.