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

Four tires beat planning every time. This private north-east Madeira 4×4 safari takes you off the main roads to viewpoints, hidden valleys, and real villages without you needing to rent a car. I especially love the hotel pickup and drop-off, and the calm, photo-friendly pace that keeps the day feeling relaxed. One real consideration: you’ll ride and walk on uneven ground, with time at elevation, so bring the right layers and expect some bumps plus optional walking.

What makes this tour click is the focus. You spend the morning climbing toward dramatic heights like Pico do Arieiro, then you shift gears into the north side of the island with UNESCO Laurisilva forest, old terraces, and small settlements most people skip. The result is a full day that feels like you are being shown Madeira by someone who cares, not dragged through a checklist.

The vehicle choice matters too. An open-top ex-army jeep with a cover for weather means you get the views and still have protection if the clouds roll in. If you want a hands-on day with real driving and real stops, this one delivers.

Key moments that make this NorthEast safari worth it

• Ex-army UMM 4×4 jeep for off-road tracks, with a weather cover
• Private full-day route for up to 4 people, no mixing with strangers
• Pico do Arieiro altitude views, often above the clouds
• Laurisilva forest (UNESCO) stops, water springs, and trout tanks area
• Santana A-frame house visit that aims for local authenticity
• Optional 2 km levada walk near Porto da Cruz, then poncha to end the day

Why an ex-army UMM 4×4 is the right ride for North-East Madeira

This tour is built around a specific kind of transportation: an open classic ex-army Portuguese UMM jeep. It is not fancy in the city-sedan way. It is practical for Madeira, which is all steep slopes, narrow roads, and shortcuts you would never guess exist.

You feel that right away. Instead of sitting in a coach while you watch the island from a safe distance, you are higher up and closer to the terrain. The jeep being open-top (with a cover for all weather conditions) means you can actually take in the air, the wind, and the sudden cloud layers. It makes the viewpoints feel immediate, not distant.

And the “private” part is not just a marketing line. Your driver plans the day for your group, and you get more control over the feel of stops. The day is described as calm, safe, and relaxed. That matters because off-road driving can make some tours feel rushed or intense. Here, the emphasis is on slow, steady progress, plus time at photo spots.

Getting on board in Funchal: pickup, timing, and what to wear

The day starts with pickup offered from Funchal hotels, and you can also meet at Praia Formosa in São Martinho (9000-250 Funchal). Start time is 9:00 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Even if you have good mobility, do yourself a favor and dress like you expect altitude and changing weather. The route goes up to around 1800 meters, and the guidance is straightforward: it can be hot or cooler, so bring a jacket if needed. This is one of those Madeira truths where the forecast for the city does not always match what you experience above the clouds.

Wear shoes you are comfortable with for uneven ground. The tour includes viewpoints with short walks and at least one optional walking segment on a levada (water-canal path). You are not doing an all-day hike, but you are not just staying seated the whole time either.

Poiso, Choupana Hill, and the route up to Pico do Arieiro

From Funchal, the drive heads toward Poiso at 1,412 meters. Along the way you pass by places like Shoupana Hills and Montado do Pereiro, noted as a protected natural area, with the bay showing behind you. This is a great “warm-up” stretch. You start with a view of the sea, then the island starts turning into hills, ridges, and cloud-level drama.

The next push is Choupana Hill S (365). At this point, you are not climbing “for exercise.” You are driving to a better angle, with old roads and off-road sections when possible. The stops here are described as relaxed and photo-focused, and that is exactly what you should want from a first half of a full-day safari.

Then comes Poiso as part of the ascent toward Pico do Arieiro. The tour notes that you may be above the clouds, giving you a landscape effect that feels different from the coastal towns. Even if clouds are there, you still get value. Madeira cloud layers create depth, and viewpoints become about shapes and layers rather than just bright skies.

Finally, you reach Pico do Arieiro around 1,811 meters to 1,818 meters. This is one of the island’s big elevation moments. The day expects dramatic views, and it also allows time up there, with a strong focus on photos. If you have ever stood on a cliff and thought, wow, the island is huge, this is the part that makes that thought automatic.

Practical tip: bring sun protection anyway. High altitude can mean bright breaks in the clouds.

From Pico do Arieiro into Laurisilva: Ribeiro Frio and Faial

After Pico do Arieiro, the route shifts to the north side of the island, including stops like Ribeiro Frio and Faial. The wording emphasizes crossing via an ancient royal footpath and moving through areas tied to Laurisilva forest.

This UNESCO forest is a big deal on Madeira for a reason. It is not just “pretty trees.” You are seeing a living forest system with old routes, water sources, and the sense that the island’s natural history is still active around you. The tour specifically points to water springs that supply trout tanks, plus the terraces and the geometry of older farmland plots.

At Ribeiro Frio, you get time to stop and, for the adventurous, taste something local. You also get a chance to see fauna and flora associated with that protected forest environment. The point here is not to speed through. It is to let the day slow down for ten minutes at a time, far from the busiest places.

Then you continue to Faial (and the surrounding area), where you get a more isolated, rural feel. The tour highlights isolated villages and the crossing of the north side, which is exactly why I like it. Many visitors stay in Funchal and a quick sweep around the south. This day gives you the north side’s quieter rhythm.

São Roque do Faial, Penha d’Águia, and the Miradouro do Cruzeiro bar stop

As you descend, you’ll hit additional viewpoint territory, including São Roque do Faial. One named highlight here is Penha d’Águia (Eagle’s Rock), described as an imposing rock formation that accompanies the ride along the mountain side.

Then you make a stop at Miradouro do Cruzeiro. The practical value of these mid-route viewpoint stops is that they break the drive into manageable pieces. You do not just jump from “high cloud world” to “lunch planning.” You have small breaks to look around, take pictures, and reset.

And yes, the tour includes a stop in a local bar with local prices. This is the kind of stop I like on Madeira: not a souvenir trap, but a chance to grab a drink and watch the local scene for a minute. It also helps keep the day feeling human, since you are not only looking at the scenery, you are interacting with local routines.

The off-road sprint toward Santana via Cova da Roda and Pico das Pedras

After Miradouro do Cruzeiro, you move into a “spectacular off-road” stretch toward Santana, including a stop along Caminho da Cova da Roda. This is where Madeira safari driving becomes the main event. The tour description points to mountain crossings, scenery, and a longer stop mid-way just to enjoy the view.

Expect more jolts here than on paved stretches. The “calm safe relaxed” promise is part of the reason I recommend this tour, because it suggests the driving intensity is controlled. Still, this is off-road, so keep your expectations realistic.

Then you arrive at Pico das Pedras, where the day begins descending toward Santana. This is also where the tour starts blending scenic moments with cultural ones. You see agricultural terraces, meet locals, and head toward lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch is optional and not included in the base price. The info you get includes a lunch extra fee listed as 17,00€, plus a separate lunch optional extra of 12,00€ mentioned around the Santana house part. The clean way to handle this on your end is simple: plan a budget for lunch and treat it as part of the day, not a surprise.

Santana A-frame houses: authentic-feeling time with a real local property

The Santana stop is the cultural anchor of the north-east day.

You visit a genuine Santana House, described as a traditional triangle A-frame style house with about 240 years. The tour also emphasizes that the stop aims to be real and not touristic. In practice, that usually means you spend time in or around a property tied to local life rather than only seeing a show house.

This is also where lunch is tied in, with local food options listed such as espetada, tuna, and peixe-espada (swordfish). If you have dietary needs, there is a vegetarian option available if you inform the operator at booking.

The guided time here matters because Santana is the kind of place where you can look at photos and think you know it. Then you see the construction style and the way the surrounding terraces and fields connect to the houses. That connection is what makes it more memorable than a quick photo stop.

Faial to Porto da Cruz: the short levada walk and coastal views

After Santana, the tour works its way back through the north coast, with viewpoint stops around Faial and Porto da Cruz. The day keeps up its “good photo opportunities” pattern, but the direction changes. You start to feel the island transitioning back toward the sea.

At Porto da Cruz, the tour may include a levada walk if the weather permits. It is described as a section of levada for about 30 to 40 minutes, around 2 km, and it is marked as optional. This is a smart addition because it gives you a different kind of Madeira feeling. You are not only driving from viewpoint to viewpoint, you are walking along the island’s long-running water systems.

Also, you stretch the legs before the final long return drive.

Estrada dos Maroços and Machico poncha: the day’s practical ending

After the levada segment, you head back along the eastern coast via Estrada dos Maroços, passing Maroços and Machico, described as the bay where the Portuguese landed in 1419 to 1420. Even if you are not a history nut, that framing gives the coastal drive context. You are not just returning, you are moving through a part of Madeira with deep time behind it.

The final stop is Machico, where the tour ends with a freshly homemade poncha drink. Poncha is a Madeira classic, and ending the day with something local and warm-feeling is a good way to close. You finish the driving, you get a local taste, and you head back with the kind of “we did it” energy that makes full-day tours worth it.

Price and value for a private group of up to 4

At $493.07 per group (up to 4), this tour is priced like a private experience, not like a per-person bus ticket.

Here is why it can be good value. You are paying for more than transport. You are paying for:

• a private driver and private vehicle for a full day (about 8 hours)
• off-road-capable 4×4 driving that is harder to replicate on your own
• multiple guided stops, including Pico do Arieiro and a visit inside a Santana house
• optional walking and an optional levada segment, plus time at bars and local food stops
• pickup offered from Funchal hotels, with a route designed to take you away from the busiest spots

If you only have two people, the per-person cost can still feel fair because you are not splitting the jeep among a random bus crowd. If you have a small family or a group of friends, the value jumps. You get a true private day without paying for a bigger vehicle than you need.

Lunch is extra, and the Santana house admission is specifically marked as not included. But that also means you can decide what kind of food day you want. If you want the full local meal experience, budget for lunch and enjoy it.

Who this safari is best for (and who should think twice)

This Santana NorthEast safari fits best if you want three things:

• lots of viewpoints and photos, including high altitude like Pico do Arieiro
• off-road driving in a 4×4 with a calm guide who controls the pace
• a mix of nature and culture, not just one or the other

It also seems to work for wide age ranges. One of the best clues is that the day is described as suitable for all ages, and multiple groups referenced mixed ages in their private setting. That does not mean it is effortless for everyone, but the structure is built around short stops rather than long hikes.

Think twice if you dislike uneven ground or if walking is a major concern. The day includes optional walking segments, including a 2 km levada walk near Porto da Cruz if the weather permits. Also, you are riding in an open vehicle. There is a cover, but you still feel the elements more than you would in a fully enclosed van.

Should you book this NorthEast 4×4 safari?

If your goal is to see the north-east side of Madeira in one day without complicated logistics, I think this is a smart booking. The best reason is simple: you get high-elevation views, UNESCO Laurisilva context, Santana cultural time, and a coastal finish with poncha. That is a lot to pack in, and it is done with stops that feel paced, not frantic.

Book it if you:

• want a private day for up to 4
• like off-road driving and scenic breaks
• care about seeing both sides of the island, south views early and north-side forest and villages later

Skip it if you:

• want a mostly paved, low-motion day
• would rather spend more time in one area than do a full circuit

If you go, do one thing that helps immediately: pack layers for elevation and choose shoes you can trust on uneven ground. Then sit back, let Miguel handle the route, and enjoy the kind of Madeira day that feels personal, not packaged.

FAQ

What vehicle do we use on the safari?

You ride in an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep (UMM) with a cover for all weather conditions.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Is pickup from Funchal hotels included?

Pickup is offered from Funchal hotels (and the tour also has a listed meeting point at Praia Formosa, São Martinho, 9000-250 Funchal).

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is private, with only your group participating, up to 4 people.

What admission costs are included?

All fees and taxes are included, but admission for the Santana house is not included, and lunch is an extra.

Do we get to ride through the Laurisilva forest?

Yes. The route includes time crossing areas associated with Laurisilva forest (UNESCO) and stops around Ribeiro Frio and the north side.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is optional and costs extra. The information lists lunch as an extra fee (17,00€) and also mentions 12,00€ for the Santana lunch option.

Is there a levada walk?

There can be an optional levada walk near Porto da Cruz if the weather permits, about 30 to 40 minutes for roughly 2 km.

What should I wear or bring?

The route goes up to around 1800 meters, so bring a jacket for cooler weather. Wear practical footwear for uneven ground.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.