Kissama National Park in Angola is a huge nature reserve of no less than almost one million hectares located about 70 km away from Luanda. It was founded in 1951 and especially during the last years a great work to protect Angola’s biodiversity and to fight against poaching that practically devastated the park years ago has been carried out there. Among the species that it houses and that you can observe are giraffes, elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, ostriches, as well as other unique plant species.
A trip to Kissama National Park, whether it is a one-day excursion from Luanda, or the opportunity to explore it in more depth and discover areas such as Cabo Ledo and its beaches, is a unique experience that you should not miss on your trip to Angola. In this post we will give you the best recommendations to visit the park.
Things to do in Kissama National Park in Angola
1. Take a Safari through the park
The main activity of the Kissama National Park tours are the safaris. And if you are interested in ecotourism, you certainly can’t miss it, as it is the best option to experience the local nature.
Safaris in Kissama National Park in Angola offer the thrill of observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Guided by local experts, you can explore the park in all-terrain vehicles designed for observation, while enjoying beautiful views and valuable information about the park and the species that inhabit it. Tours are scheduled at key times of the day to maximize sightings of animal species and experience the thrill of seeing elephants, antelopes and exotic birds.
2. Visit Cabo Ledo
Cabo Ledo is not only one of the main points to visit in the huge Kissama National Park, but also one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Angola. This bay famous for its white sandy beaches and amazing cliffs towering over the Atlantic, is a very popular destination among lovers of surfing. There is not much to see in Cabo de Ledo in terms of museums or historical buildings, but if you like water sports and discovering new landscapes, you can’t miss it. Read more about it here Things to see and do in Cape Ledo.
3. Climb to the Viewing Point
The Moon Viewing Point, also known as “Miradouro da Lua” in Portuguese, is an iconic place Kissama National Park that you can’t miss on your trip. This stunning viewpoint offers wonderful views of a unique landscape. Erosion and wind action in this place over the years have created an unusual and fascinating landscape. It is a rock formations and cliffs resembling the lunar terrain, or even that of Mars for its reddish color, creating a very striking environment. The Moon Viewing Point is a must-see for those who want to contemplate a natural beauty and scenic unusual in Angola. It often seems as if it is from another world.
4. Boat ride on the Cuanza River
The Cuanza River is one of the main rivers in Angola, as well as the longest. And it borders the the Kissama National Park. For this reason, many organized tours include the fabulous experience of taking a boat ride on this river that meanders through mangroves, wetlands and lush forests. This is one of the best ways to explore the park’s environment and to contemplate the diverse species of birds and aquatic life, as well as the exuberant vegetation. This is certainly one of the most beautiful experiences in Angola. And we suggest you include it in your tour of Kissama National Park.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see near Kissama National Park in Angola
1. Luanda
Luanda is the capital and the political, economic and cultural center of Angola. And it is located just 70km from Kissama National Park, so it is usually the starting point for excursions. The city is also a major tourist destination in the country because of its history and the Portuguese colonial legacy. It has left its mark on the architecture of the buildings.
Example of this is the imposing Fortaleza de São Miguel, a historic military structure and symbol of the city. Today it houses the Museum of Military History. Another important museum is the National Museum of Anthropology, which offers an in-depth look at Angola’s cultural diversity. And if you are interested in spirituality, you cannot miss the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré. In addition, Luanda has captivating beaches, such as the Santiago Beach, the most popular, and the Ilha do Cabo, with pristine beaches and luxury resorts. Read on here Things to see and do in Luanda
Where to stay in Kissama National Park
The first thing you should know is that it is not easy to find a place to stay in the Kissama National Park. It is a nature reserve and a protected area, so there are not many accommodations. Being 70km from Luanda, the most common thing is to make a day tour and return to Luanda and sleep there. However, here are some options:
- Kissama-Kurica Safari Lodge: This is one of the few possible sleeping options in Kissama National Park. It is a set of humble cabins, but with everything necessary to rest after a long day touring this natural area. It has a bar and a swimming pool.
- InterContinental Luanda Miramar: this 5-star hotel is a perfect luxury option to enjoy a vacation in style in Luanda. The rooms are perfectly equipped and it has common areas such as a garden, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar. The price per night starts at 300€ and breakfast costs 23€.
- Carpe Diem Resort Tropical: is a nice resort perfect to enjoy the beach in Cabo Ledo. It has Wifi, a garden with a swimming pool and a restaurant. It is a nice, quiet and simple place. The price is slightly higher than in the surrounding accommodations.
Where to eat in Kissama National Park?
As with accommodation, there are not many options where to eat in Kissama National Park in Angola. If you hire an organized tour of the park, the company will not only pick you up, but also provide food at one of the few restaurants there. However, if you are traveling on your own, we suggest that you always carry some food and water with you, as you will not have access to it at all times and it is important to stay hydrated. Our recommendation for lunch in the park is Chilala, a nice rustic-style floating restaurant where you can try Mufete, the national fish-based dish.
In Cabo Ledo the most common way is to eat in one of the resorts on the beach, since there is not much choice of restaurants awaybfrom the hotels. To eat in Cabo Ledo we suggest Restaurante 120 na Braza, a nice restaurant on the beach where you can eat grilled fish and seafood for a very affordable price.
What should I know before a trip to Kissama National Park in Angola
- The Angolan Kwanza is the official currency of Angola. However, US dollars are generally accepted in the same manner.
- It is illegal to take currency out of the country, you must exchange before arriving at the airport if you don’t want to be penalized or even detained.
- The documentation required to travel to Angola is the passport (which must have at least six months validity when you enter the country), visa (except for people who have Portuguese nationality), and international vaccination certificate.
- The international vaccination certificate is very important when traveling to Angola and must include the yellow fever vaccine. However, it is also advisable to have received other vaccinations such as hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid, polio and meningitis C, although these are not compulsory.
- The official language of Angola is Portuguese. But more than 40 Bantu languages are spoken in the country.
- Hedge yourself against possible risks: travel insured.
- Do not drink tap water, only bottled water.
- Travel with plenty ofcash because with the exception of a few hotels and restaurants, credit cards are not in very common use nor are there many reliable ATMs.
- Angola is quite safe but some precautions should be taken. We recommend to avoid walking, going out at night or visiting troubled areas.
- Book hotels well in advance to avoid exorbitant prices.
- The presence of wildlife, including elephants and other wild animals, can pose risks. Always follow safety guidelines and the directions of the guides to avoid dangerous encounters and avoid restricted areas.
- Practice responsible tourism and minimize your environmental impact. Don’t leave litter and respect the local flora and fauna.
How to organize what to see at Kissama National Park in Angola
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips and recommendations on places to see in Kissama National Park in Angola.
- Enjoy your trip to Kissama National Park in Angola!
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post. How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Kissama National Park in Angola?
Kissama National Park in Angola experiences a tropical climate, with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. During the wet season, there is abundant rainfall and warm temperatures. The dry season brings more moderate temperatures and less rainfall. Average temperatures vary between 20°C and 30°C. The park, which extends from the coast to the inland hills, can show climatic variations due to its diversity of habitats.
The best time to visit Kissama National Park in Angola is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During these months, rainfall is less frequent, temperatures are more moderate and vegetation is less dense, making it easier to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Animals tend to congregate near water sources, which improves the chances of sightings.
Kissama National Park is located about 70km from Luanda, but the drive takes about two hours. Although there is an option to go by bus from the capital, the most comfortable and common way is to hire an excursion from Luana that includes round trip transportation, as well as all the activities and explanations about the reserve, its fauna and flora.
The most common way to move around Kissama National Park is in the off-road vehicles offered by organized tours. However, it is also possible to move around in a private vehicle, but always following the marked trails and respecting the restricted areas.
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