ANGOLA

Overview

What we will witness:
– Tundavala Canyon
– the winding road of Serra da Leba
– Colinas Canyon with its mirific formations
– Namib desert and Iona National park, where the dunes kiss the Atlantic Ocean
– The Mwila, Mucubal tribes, and possible a few others
– The stunning Kalandula waterfall, one of Africa’s top waterfalls

Planned itinerary

DAY Aug 21. ARRIVAL IN LUANDA
After arrival in Luanda, based on your arrival time we might do a small city tour (if you come with morning international flight)
Accommodation Hotel

Day Aug 22. LUANDA- KALANDULA FALL- MALANJE

Today we have quite a long drive to reach the magnificent Kalandula Waterfalls – one of the largest waterfalls by volume in Africa and a highlight of any visit to Angola. We will arrive at the waterfalls in the early afternoon and spend about an hour or two enjoying the spectacular view. The waterfalls have an impressive drop of approximately 105 meters (344 feet), making them taller than the famous Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. The width of the falls spans around 400 meters (1,312 feet), contributing to the grandeur of the site. Arriving in Kalandula, we visit the first side of the waterfalls, then drive to the other side to spend the night in the hotel front the waterfalls. Accommodation in Tent

Day Aug 23. KALANDULA- PEDRAS NEGRA-LUANDA

In the morning we are heading to the waterfalls once again and will stop at another viewpoint to see them from the other side. Our next stop will be the impressive rock formation of Pedras Negras (The Black Stones). These hard sedimentary stones remain a geological mystery since they do not fit with the surrounding topography. The region was once the capital of The Kingdom of Ndongo – an African kingdom that existed between the 16th and the 20th century. It is believed that the footprints of King Ngola Kiluanji and Queen Ginga that lived in the 17th century and ruled that kingdom are embedded in the rocks. We will arrive in Luanda in the evening. Hotel accommodation

Day Aug 24 Luanda, Valle de la Luna and Flight to Lubango

Luanda is a lively city, full of contrasts. It is the country’s main port and economic center, and was founded in 1576 by the Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais. Even though Luanda has been regarded in the past as one of the most expensive cities in the world, this is not the present reality. It is now aiming to be a model of progress, which is leaving behind a 30-year-long civil war. Strolling around some of the districts with their colonial architecture is a pleasant experience. In the evening we will catch our flight to Lubango. Hotel accommodation in Lubango

DAY Aug 25. LUBANGO CITY TOUR-CHIBIA-MUCUMA MARKET-CAMUCUVI-MARKET
Our first day here is dedicated to exploring the city of Lubango and its surrounding. It is the second most populous city in the country after the capital and is famous for its picturesque landscapes, including rolling hills, valleys, and the iconic Christ the King statue that overlooks the city. Some of the highlights of the city include the historical Lubango Train Station, The cathedral of Lubango (Catedral de São José), the Huila Regional Museum and others. We will head outside the city to the Tundavala Gap viewpoint. This geographical wonder is characterized by a dramatic escarpment that offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. we drive to Chibia Municipality, where we will visit the community of the Mwila tribe. The Mwila are one of the most distinctive tribes in the region. They are known for their rich cultural heritage that Includes, traditional practices, crafts, jewelry, and body decorations. The women in particular have become quite famous for their jewelry and dreads, known as nontombi. To create this unique hairstyle, women mix ochre or crushed red stone with cow dung, herbs, oils and others. The women’s hairstyles and jewelry are used not only for decoration but also to show their status in the community. In the afternoon we will visit the Camukuvi market to meet the plain Mwuila then we head back to Lubango for Lunch. At afternoon, we will visit the symbol of Lubango – Christ the King Statue. The 30-meter-tall marble statue was built in 1957 and was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Accommodation Hotel

Day Aug 26. LUBANGO –SERRA DA LEBA – MANGUEIRAS –GARGANTA- Garganta-Baia Das Pipas
Today we are heading southwest to the coastal city of Namibe. We will drive through the picturesque Sierra de Leba mountain range and follow the famous Sierra de Leba road, also known as the Estrada Nacional 280 (EN280). It is one of the most famous hairpin roads in the world and has become a symbol of Angola. The road was opened in the 1970s and according to the legend was named after a Portuguese woman who designed it and passed away on the day that it was finished. We will have a short stop in one of the local market of Manguieras to get some rest and experience a bit of the local way of life before. Continue our driving to Bibala. Garganta and munhino to meet the Ngendelengo tribes. We arrive at Baia Pipas coast with unique beach. The region Namib is characterized by its diverse landscapes, which include coastal areas, desert regions, and mountainous terrain, which we will get the chance to explore. Accommodation Hotel

DAY Aug 27: Into the Namibe desert
Today you begin your adventure into the great Namibe Desert. The road takes you through long stretches of golden dunes, rocky plains, and narrow paths where the ocean meets the sand. You’ll see how the landscape changes , sometimes dry and silent, other times full of shapes made by the wind. In the evening, you’ll set up camp in the middle of the desert. As night falls, enjoy a peaceful dinner around the fire and watch the sky fill with thousands of bright stars. The calm and silence of the desert will be your music before you fall asleep. (Camping in the dunes, Iona national park)

Day Aug 28 Desert Majesty: ARCHES, HILLS & ANCIENT PLANTS
After breakfast we will continue our journey across the high dunes. On the way, stop to admire nature’s wonders, giant stone arches shaped by the wind, colorful hills painted with shades of red and yellow, and the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a unique plant that can live for more than 1,000 years.
Your guide will share the story of this ancient desert survivor, found only in Angola and Namibia. In the afternoon, reach the coast and spend some relaxing time on a quiet beach. Walk barefoot on the sand, enjoy the ocean air, and celebrate the beauty and peace of Namibe before ending your desert journey.
After dinner, rest for the night or prepare for your flight back to Luanda the next day, carrying with you the unforgettable spirit of Namibe, where the desert meets the sea. Hotel accommodation

DAY Aug 29. NAMIBE-LUANDA
Free morning to explore the Namibe city tour, before transfer to the airport in Lubango to catch a flight to Luanda. Hotel accommodation

DAY Aug 30: LUANDA or Departure

DAY Aug 31: Departure

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What is included? 

Accommodations as listed above
Local ground transportation
Domestic flights
Meals as listed above
Local guides

What is not included?