ANGOLA

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

2. VIDEO COMPILATION

 

 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Angola a journey that didn’t quite go to plan.

Angola is one of those countries that feels like an adventure before you even arrive. Stretching along the Atlantic coast of southwest Africa, it is a land of striking contrasts: bustling cities, Portuguese colonial history, vast savannahs, dramatic mountains, desert landscapes and a surprisingly rich variety of wildlife.

Our plans, however, came with an unexpected complication. At the time of our planned visit, the border between Namibia and Angola was closed, due to political unrest, meaning that our intended overland route could not go ahead.

A country with a complicated past

Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after almost five centuries of Portuguese rule. Independence was followed by a devastating civil war that lasted until 2002, leaving a deep mark on the country and its people. Today Angola is rebuilding and developing rapidly, although political and economic tensions remain part of the country’s story.

Political unrest and demonstrations have occurred in Angola, particularly around economic hardship, living costs and political grievances.

Yet it would be a mistake to see Angola only through the lens of its political history. There is another side to the country—one of extraordinary landscapes, fascinating cultures and places that remain relatively undiscovered by international tourists.

The highlights we hoped to see

Luanda, the capital, the city combines Portuguese colonial architecture with modern high-rises, busy markets and a lively Atlantic waterfront. The Fortaleza de São Miguel, Ilha de Luanda and the Marginal waterfront are among the places worth exploring.

Further inland lies Kalandula Falls, one of Angola’s great natural attractions. The falls plunge around 105 metres and stretch roughly 400 metres across the landscape.

In the south, near Lubango, Tundavala Gap offers spectacular views from the edge of the Huíla plateau, while the winding Serra da Leba road provides one of the country’s most memorable drives.

Kissama National Park, offers lots of opportunities for bush camping and to see elephants, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife. Further south, Iona National Park provides a completely different experience, where desert landscapes meet the Atlantic Ocean.

For us, the closed Namibia–Angola border meant that Angola remained tantalisingly out of reach on this particular journey. Perhaps that is part of the appeal. Angola in 2010 was still something of a frontier destination, a country with enormous landscapes, a fascinating history and plenty of places that had not yet become crowded tourist attractions.

The disappointment of having to change our plans was real, but it also left us with a good reason to return to southern Africa. Angola has gone onto the list of places still waiting to be explored—and next time, hopefully, the border will be open.

 

2. VIDEO COMPILATION

A. AFRICA