Discover mystic Angola

Itinerary

Sunday 15 February – Luanda – arrival

• Welcome to Luanda, Angola’s bustling capital and one of the fastest-developing cities in Africa. Once a small colonial port, today it’s a dynamic mix of modern high-rises, seaside promenades and remnants of Portuguese architecture. At the airport, you’ll be welcomed by our team and transferred to the hotel to relax after your journey.
• In the evening, meet your fellow travellers and local guide for a briefing about the upcoming adventure and an introduction to Angolan culture.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Luanda.

Monday 16 February – Luanda – Carnival

• Start the day at the Fortaleza de São Miguel, a 16th-century fortress overlooking the bay. Once built by the Portuguese, it now serves as a military museum displaying equipment from Angola’s civil war and remarkable murals reminiscent of North Korean-style propaganda art.
• Continue to the Iron Palace (Palácio de Ferro), an architectural mystery believed by many to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel. The pre-built building was found on a stranded ship off the coast; it remains one of Luanda’s most intriguing landmarks.
• Visit to the colonial Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré church, beautifully perched along Avenida 4 de Fevereiro.
• We’ll pass Independence Square (Praça da Independência), marked by a grand statue of Angola’s first president, António Agostinho Neto and incredible mosaics.
• Close to the highway through the city, admire Luanda’s impressive street art wall, where murals depict social and political themes, often celebrating the spirit of independence.
• Highlight: Carnival time! Luanda’s carnival is one of Africa’s biggest. Join the festivities as dancers, musicians and colourful floats take over the streets in a vibrant celebration of Angolan culture.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Luanda.

Tuesday 17 February – Luanda – N’dalatando – Kalandula Falls

• We leave Luanda early and head inland towards the green highlands of Angola. The journey takes us through small rural villages offering an authentic glimpse of daily life in the countryside.
• We’ll pause in N’dalatando, once an important colonial trading post, for a short walk through town before continuing to the spectacular Kalandula Falls. 
• Highlight: Upon arrival we’ll check in to our amazing lodge, located right next to the falls. At 105 metres high and 400 metres wide, they are among Africa’s largest waterfalls and one of the country’s proudest natural landmarks.
• As evening sets in, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of our lodge overlooking the falls, with sounds of rushing water in the background.
• Overnight stay in a lodge next to the Kalandula Falls.

Wednesday 18 February – Kalandula Falls – Kwanza River – Malanje

• Highlight: Wake to the sound of thundering water and take a hike to the base of Kalandula Falls for a completely new perspective on their power and scale.
• Later, we drive to the Kwanza River, Angola’s lifeline and namesake of its currency. Visit a nearby village to see how locals use the river for daily life with washing, fishing, and farming along its banks.
• Return to the lodge for time to relax, swim, or enjoy the tranquil setting.
• Overnight stay in a lodge next to the Kalandula Falls.

Thursday 19 February – Kalandula Falls – Luanda

• We begin our journey back to Luanda across the plains of Angola. 
• Highlight: Along the way we’ll be stopping at the Pedras Negras de Pungo Andongo, enormous black rock formations that dominate the landscape. Legend says they were once the footprints of Queen Nzinga, the 17th-century warrior who resisted Portuguese rule. It’s a fascinating site combining history, mystery, and natural beauty, one of Angola’s most spiritual landscapes. 
• Continue through small towns and open savannah as we head back to Luanda, arriving by evening.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Luanda.

Friday 20 February – Luanda – Lubango

• For Group A, the tour ends today with an airport transfer.
• Group B continues: visit the futuristic Mausoleum of António Agostinho Neto, Angola’s first president and a national hero. Built in bold brutalist style, locals affectionately call it “Sputnik” because of its rocket-like shape.
• We will head to the airport for our flight south to Lubango, the gateway to Angola’s tribal area. 
• Highlight: On arrival, visit the breathtaking Tundavala Gap located on the cliff of the Serra da Leba cliff, a vast escarpment dropping dramatically from the plateau. 
• Next is the Cristo Rei statue, Angola’s own version of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer, built in 1957.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Lubano.

Saturday 21 February – Lubango – Chibia – Oncocua

• Depart early for an adventurous drive into Angola’s remote south. The road gradually turns to gravel as we head deeper into tribal territory.
• Highlight: Stop in Chibia, a lively market town where many ethnic groups gather to trade goods and socialise. It’s a wonderful place to meet members of the Mumhila community, known for their colourful clothing, intricate jewellery, and traditional hairstyles. 
• From here, continue to Oncocua, one of Angola’s most isolated regions. Upon arrival, we’ll be greeted by the Soba (village chief), who welcomes us to the community. Spend the evening around the village. If we’re lucky we might experience traditional music and dance around the campfire under the stars.
• Overnight camping in Oncocua.

Sunday 22 February – Oncocua – Lubango

• Highlight: Today is dedicated to exploring the tribal communities of Oncocua. Meet and interact with groups such as the Muhimba, Muhacaona, Dimba, and Vatua. Learn about their traditions, crafts, and way of life, from herding cattle and building homes to daily rituals.
  Since most of the tribes are nomadic, we’ll never know which ones we’ll meet during the tour. 
• Join a local herder guiding livestock to water, and if you wish, lend a hand with small chores, a meaningful way to connect and communicate across cultures. 
• In the afternoon, we return to Lubango, reflecting on one of the most authentic cultural encounters in Angola.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Lubango.

Monday 23 February – Lubango – Namibe

• After breakfast, we travel west towards Namibe, where the highlands meet the Atlantic Ocean.
• Highlight: Stop at the famous Serra da Leba Pass, one of Angola’s most iconic landmarks. Its hairpin curves and breathtaking views have made it a national symbol as it’s even featured on Angolan currency.
• Descending from the mountains, the scenery transforms dramatically into desert landscapes. On the way, we might meet the Nguendelengo tribe, recognised for their distinctive hairstyles and red ochre decorations. 
• Arrive in Namibe, a coastal city known for its relaxed atmosphere, Art Deco buildings, and palm-lined boulevards.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Namibe.

Tuesday 24 February – Namibe – Tombua – Namibe

• Today we explore the contrasts of Angola’s desert coast. Drive to Tombua, once a bustling Portuguese fishing port known as Porto Alexandre. Here, we meet local fishermen returning with their catch and learn about the region’s strong maritime heritage.
• Highlight: From Tombua, venture into the Namibe Desert, an otherworldly landscape of dunes and canyons. Visit the Curoca Oasis, a rare green refuge in the sand, and admire the striking Red Canyon and Arco rock formation, perfect for photography.
• Return to Namibe for a relaxed evening by the coast, soaking in the mix of colonial architecture and ocean breeze.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Namibe.

Wednesday 25 February – Namibe – Lubango – Luanda

• Enjoy a slow morning exploring Namibe’s quiet streets and distinctive architecture. Visit the unfinished modernist cinema, a striking reminder of Angola’s pre-war ambitions and artistic flair. If time allows, stop by a local craft shop or market before our drive to the airport of Lubango.
  While Namibe has a local airport, most flights are often cancelled and infrequent so we chose to use the one in Lubango. 
• Catch an afternoon flight back to Luanda. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and enjoy your final evening in the city.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Luanda.

Thursday 26 February – Luanda

• Start the day at the Kifangondo Battle Monument, a key site from Angola’s war of independence. Here, you’ll learn how this decisive battle shaped the nation’s future and strengthened its ties with Cuba.
• Highlight: Visit the Moon Viewpoint (Miradouro da Lua), a dramatic landscape of eroded cliffs resembling the surface of the moon. Afterwards, explore the Slavery Museum, located in a former chapel where enslaved Africans were baptised before being shipped to the Americas, a solemn but important reminder of Angola’s past.
• End the day at Luanda’s lively souvenir market, ideal for handmade crafts and local art.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Luanda.

Friday 27 February – Luanda – Departure

• Transfer to the airport for your international departure.
• Optional extension: Continue your adventure to São Tomé & Príncipe (27 February – 3 March 2026).
• End of tour.