Angola, located in southwest Africa, is bordered to the north and east by the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the south by Namibia and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. With a history marked by Portuguese colonization and decades of internal conflict, Angola has emerged as a nation in the process of recovery and development. Its geography ranges from coastal beaches to mountainous areas and plains, presenting a diversity of landscapes including the Namibe Desert, tropical rainforests and mighty rivers such as the Congo River. So, as you can imagine there are many fascinating places to visit on a trip to Angola.
Angola is known for its rich biodiversity, as it is home to a wide variety of wildlife species in its national parks such as Quiçama and Bicuar. Among its most important cities is Luanda, the capital and largest city, which combines elements of Portuguese colonial heritage with the modernity of a growing metropolis. Read on if you want to discover all the things to see and do in Angola!
What are the best cities and natural destinations to visit in Angola?
1. Luanda, the capital of Angola
Luanda is the capital and the political, economic and cultural center of Angola. The city is also a major tourist destination in the country because of its history and the Portuguese colonial legacy that has left its mark on the architecture of well-known buildings.
Example of this is its imposing Fortress of 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 spiritual, you can’t miss the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré. In addition, Luanda has captivating beaches, such as Santiago Beach, the most popular. And you’ll also enjoy the island of Cabo, with pristine beaches and luxury resorts. Read on here Things to see and do in Luanda.
2. Benguela, a coastal city to watch in Angola
Located on the west coast of Angola, Benguela is a city full of history and charm that you must see during your trip. Its roots are intertwined with Portuguese colonial architecture, which can be seen in its cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings. Its coastal location gives it a relaxed atmosphere, where the beaches and the sea play an important role in the daily life of its inhabitants.
Among the places to visit in this Angolan city stands out its majestic Church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo. It dates back to the 17th century, being a witness of the city’s past and present. On the other hand, the Blue Bay and Morena Beach, with its golden sands and blue waters, are two of the best places to relax and enjoy the sun and sea of Benguela. And finally, if you want to keep a precious memory of the city, you should climb Ponta do Sombreiro. It is the highest point of the city where you can observe its breathtaking views. More information at Things to see and do in Benguela?
3. Malanje and the Kalandula Falls, a unique natural environment in Angola
Another of the main destinations you must see in Angola is the Malanje region. It’s famous for its beautiful natural landscapes of lush vegetation and for hosting a beautiful city with the same name. As for the city, it was founded in the 19th century and stands out for combining African heritage with colonial touches. As a recommendation, take a look at the beautifully renovated colonial church and simply enjoy a stroll through the squares and gardens.
With respect to its natural environment, one of the main visits is to the Kalandula Falls. It is absolutely spectacular with its 107-meter fall and width of about 400 meters. Also you might find interesting the Milando Nature Reserve. It is a reserve of more than one million hectares created in 1951 and natural habitat of leopards, lions, hippos, crocodiles or the giant sable antelope. More details at Things to see and do in Malanje.
4. Kissama National Park
The Kissama National Park is located in Angola, about 110km from Luanda. It is a conservation area that is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including elephants, antelopes, birds and other animals. Among the things to do there, highlights include safaris and tours to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. In addition, the park is a good place to practice bird watching and exploration of the different ecosystems. Currently, the park is in the process of recovery from past challenges such as poaching. And to go there is an authentic experience for nature lovers and those interested in preservation.
5. Cabo Ledo, the most famous beaches to see Angola
Cabo Ledo is the most spectacular place on the coast of Angola. It is famous for its white sandy beaches and imposing cliffs towering over the Atlantic. It is located about 120 kilometers south of Luanda, and 35 kilometers from Kissama National Park. And it is a popular destination for surfers. There’s not much to see in Cabo de Ledo speaking about museums or historic buildings. But if you like water sports and discovering new landscapes, you should not miss it. Continue reading at Things to see and do in Cape Ledo.
6. Lobito, the third largest city in the country
Lobito, Angola’s third largest city, is located on the west coast of the country, about 30 kilometers south of Benguela. Noted for its seaport and laid-back atmosphere, Lobito is another of Angola’s top beach destinations. It attracts visitors with its golden sands and calm waters to practice water sports. In addition, the iconic Porto do Lobito Pier, built during the Portuguese colonial era, stands as a must-see historic building on your trip to Angola.
7. The Moon viewpoint, an amazing landscape in Angola
The Moon viewpoint, also known as “Miradouro da Lua” in Portuguese, is an iconic place in Angola that you can’t miss on your trip. Located about 40 kilometers south of Luanda, this impressive lookout offers wonderful views of a unique landscape. Erosion and wind action in this place over the years have created an unusual and fascinating landscape. The rock formations and cliffs resemble the terrain of the moon, or even Mars. With its reddish colors it creates a very striking environment.
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.
Gastronomy of Angola
Angolan gastronomy is famous for the fusion of Portuguese cuisine with indigenous African flavors that result in delicious and aromatic dishes. Although in cities like Luanda there is more variety of imported foods, in rural areas people eat their harvests and meats are reserved for special occasions.
Some of the most common ingredients of their cuisine are fish, rice, corn, cassava, gombo and beans. Here’s a list of must-try dishes to try in Angola:
- Muamba de Galinha: is a chicken stew cooked with palm oil and a blend of herbs and spices.
- Palm oil feijão: beans cooked in palm oil, served with rice and fish.
- Calulu: is a stew that combines meat, fish or seafood with vegetables such as okra and eggplant.
- Mufete: grilled meat or fish accompanied by various sauces and side dishes, such as fried plantains and rice.
In some areas it is difficult to find a place to eat. For this reason, we recommend that you inform yourself well beforehand and take water and food with you. In the Cabo Ledo area, for example, there are not many restaurants. So, it is most common to eat in the hotels and resorts in the area.
There are few drinking water points in the country, and less in rural areas, so we recommend to always drink bottled water. More information at Typical Angolan food: What and where to eat?
What should I know before a trip to 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, as they will be exempt from this requirement as it is a former colony), 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. The Angolan health system leaves much to be desired, and in case of an accident you will need to go to a private clinic. With a good insurance you will travel with peace of mind and be fully covered for possible emergencies.
- Don’t drink tap water, only bottled water.
- Travel with plenty of cash because with the exception of a few hotels and restaurants, credit cards are not commonly used nor are there many reliable ATM machines.
- The best time to travel to Luanda is between June and September, during the dry season.
- Angola is quite safe but some precautions should be taken: it is recommended to avoid walking, going out at night or visiting troubled areas.
- Book hotels well in advance to avoid exorbitant prices.
How to organize what to see 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 most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to have everything always 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 Angola.
- Enjoy your trip to 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 Angola
Angola has a diverse climate due to its vast territory. In the north, a humid tropical climate with high temperatures and abundant rainfall from October to April predominates. The center also experiences a similar climate with rainy and dry season. The south is more arid with low rainfall and moderate temperatures. Average temperatures vary between 20°C and 30°C in most regions, being cooler in inland areas and warmer in the coast and south. These climatic conditions are influenced by the cold Benguela current and wind patterns in the country.
The best time to travel to Angola is during the dry season, which spans from May to September, as rainfall is less frequent, temperatures are more moderate and it’s ideal for exploring different regions. However, weather conditions can vary, so it’s important to take regional climate differences into account when planning your trip.
The most common way to get to Angola is via international flights to 4 de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, the capital. Airlines such as TAAG Angola Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates and South African Airways offer connections from different parts of the world. Angola also has major seaports in coastal cities such as Luanda and Lobito that can occasionally receive cruise ships, offering an alternative for exploring the coast.
If you travel around the country by private vehicle, it is very important to always follow the marked routes because of the risk of anti-personnel mines. The most comfortable option for covering long distances in airplane, although it is not as economical as other means of transportation. Common ways to travel by land are by bus, with a network that works very well and connects many points of the country, and by train, although its service is more limited. On the other hand, there are other means of transportation such as the candongueiros (mini-bus) and cabs, which can be booked with the app Allo-Taxi.
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