Carnival in Africa: Angola Tour - Pioneer Adventure Travel

Angola Avante! And so shall you. This treasure of Africa has been closed off to tourism for many years and has been infamous as an incredibly difficult and expensive destination. Recently, Angola’s visa policy has changed drastically and we are here to make your unique trip less of a headache at an incredibly competitive price.

Group	Start Date	End Date	Days	Price
Group A: Luanda & Kalandula Falls	February 15th	February 20th	6 days	€2145
Group B: Luanda, Kalandula Falls, Lubango, Chibia, Oncocua & Namibe	February 15th	February 27th	13 days	€4395

The tour begins in the capital Luanda. This coastal city of 2.5 million, one of the oldest colonial cities of Africa, has had its fair share of turbulent history from the Portuguese colonial times to the mandate of José Eduardo dos Santos, who was the second-longest-serving president in Africa by the time he stepped down in 2017. In Luanda, you’ll see the military museum, including its DPRK-like propaganda, the local famous Iron Palace, and how the city is developing rapidly thanks to the oil revenue. We’ll take a stroll along the waterfront, enjoy the nightlife in the Miramar neighbourhood, and sample Angolan cuisine, which is a delicious blend of African, Portuguese, and Brazilian influences.

Buckle up for an unforgettable experience as we join the largest carnival thrown in Africa! The Luanda Carnaval is the greatest celebration in Angola. Expect vibrant colours, exquisite costumes, live music, beers, endless dancing on the streets, and a contagious energy that’s sure to sweep you up! It also has its own Sambadrome and a massive parade attended by the eminent personalities.

We’ll then take you to one of the most famous landmarks in not just Angola, but the whole of Africa: Kalandula Falls. 105 metres-high (344 feet) high and spanning 400 meters (1,300 feet) wide, they are among the largest waterfalls by volume in Africa. We’ll spend an evening at a lodge overlooking directly over the waterfall, for a stunning and otherworldly experience!

On the way, we’ll be stopping at N’dalatando (formally known as Vila Salazar, honouring the Portuguese dictator Salazar) as well as exploring the rapids of the Kwanza River and overnighting in Malanje, one of the African continent’s fastest growing cities.

You can extend your stay in Angola on our Group B option to further grasp how diverse and incredible both the scenery and people are in Angola. You’ll board a domestic flight and head south to Lubango, a city nested amongst the mountains – one of the most spectacular destinations you’ve never heard of. This charming city boasts a cooler climate due to its elevation and offers a different perspective on Angola.

We’ll then head further south towards the border with Namibia, and stop in Chibia and Oncocua where we’ll blend into the Mumhila and Mucubalin tribes. We’ll camp in the desert and prepare a campfire dinner for you and the elders of the tribes.

We’ll then take you down the Serra da Leba Pass, one of the most breathtaking roadways of Angola through the desert and to the coastal town of Namibe. We’ll then return to Luanda, to ensure we haven’t missed out any of the must-see sights as the tour concludes.

Our Angola tour can be combined with our São Tomé and Príncipe Tour. Make the most out of your visit to Africa and combine both tours!cipe Tour. Make the most out of your visit to Africa and combine both tours!

Sunday 15th February – Luanda

Arrive at your convenience into Luanda, the largest and capital city of Angola which is well connected from many countries within Africa and most of Europe.
Meet your local guide at arrival and transfer to our hotel to relax and freshen up.
Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
We’ll head out for dinner at a lively local restaurant which serves delicious sea food.
Overnight stay in Luanda.

Monday 16th February – Luanda – Carnival Day

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel before we explore Fortaleza de Sao Miguel. Built during the Dutch Loango-Angola era, the fortress now serves as a military museum consisting of Angolan military hardware and destroyed South African armoured trucks and helicopters from the civil war.
We’ll take an epic group photo at the gateway of the fortress which looks a lot like Soviet or North Korean mosaics.
Independence Square, where the first president of Angola declared independence from the Portuguese. There’s massive statue of Antonio Augustinho Neto with mosaics depicting Angola’s road to freedom.
Visit the Iron Palace, locally known as Palácio de Ferro. The wild history surrounding the origin of the building is still unclear, as no officials records exists. It was supposedly designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel tower. The pre-built palace was found on a grounded ship off the Angolan coast.
Visit a concrete wall located by the highway to catch some amazing street art. The art scene is a big deal in Luanda and there is often a political touch to it favouring the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
Drive through the government area, which was reserved for the politically elite and military.

Afternoon

Lunch in town . You can try the freshly caught grilled fish, alongside beans and rice.
Visit the Old Colonial Church of Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, built on the 4 de Fevereiro Avenue.
Luanda is just as famous in Africa for its carnival as Rio de Janeiro is in South America! We’ll get involved as much as possible and partake in the festivities around the city.
Hit the town for a good feed and explore the vibrant nightlife on this special day.
Overnight stay in Lunda.

Tuesday 17th February – Luanda – N‘dalatando – Kalandula Falls

Morning

Early morning start with breakfast at the hotel before we check out.
We’ll begin our scenic road trip to Kalandula Falls, one of the most stunning waterfalls in the world. This horseshoe shaped waterfall, 105-metre-high and 400-metre-wide, is one of the largest in volume on the continent.
On the way, you’ll truly get a sense of rural Angola as we take rest stops in small villages to break up the journey.

Afternoon

Stop at N’dalatando for lunch and to stretch our legs.
Continue driving along the scenic journey to Kalandula Falls.
On arrival, we’ll check you into what we believe to be one of the most amazing lodges in the whole of Africa.
We’ll head straight out to explore the small town which boasts amazing street art, a perfect opportunity to take some awesome pictures.
We’ll take a short drive to Kalandula Falls and spend some time there to appreciate the spectacular natural wonder.
Dinner and much deserved drinks at our lodge after a long day.
Overnight stay in Kalandula Falls.

Wednesday 18th February – Kalandula Falls – Kwanza River – Malanje

Morning

Breakfast at the lodge.
This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to admire Kalandula Falls from another view. We’ll take a hike through the foliage down to the base of the waterfall, where you’ll really be able to appreciate its splendour and power.
We’ll drive to the rapids of the Kwanza River. The Angolan currency name derives from this mighty river.
We’ll walk around the village, meet the locals and learn more about how rural life in Angola is and how they survive with what the river provides them.
If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to see tribal dancing, something that was almost wiped out with the introduction of Christianity.
We’ll then drive back to our lodge.

Thursday 19th February – Kalandula Falls – Luanda

Morning

Breakfast at hotel before we check out.
We’ll begin our epic road trip back to the heart and capital of Angola, stopping along the way for photo opportunities.
We’ll visit the Pedras Negras de Pungo Andongo. These giant black stones were a place of resistance surrounded by mystery and magic against the Portuguese colonizers.

Afternoon

Arrive into Luanda. Freshen up at our hotel before we head out for dinner and to explore the nightlife. We highly recommend trying the local specialty moamba de galinha, also known as muamba chicken.
Overnight stay in Luanda

Friday 20th February – Luanda – Lubango

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel.
Group A members: tour concludes with airport transfer. YPT can arrange additional nights in Luanda or advice on ongoing transport.
Group B members: we’ll continue exploring the capital before heading to the second most populous city in Angola, Lubango.
Explore the Mausoleum of Antonio Augustinho Neto. Neto served as Angola’s first president from 1975 until his death in1979, after Angola secured its independence from the Portuguese. Built in 2012, it occupies the centre of Luanda taking up 4,633 square miles. This beautiful brutalist architecture towers over the capital and is said to reference a spaceship, which the locals jokingly refer to as “Sputnik”. However, the deeper connection is to Neto’s poem “The Path of Stars”.

Afternoon

Lunch at our favourite bbq restaurant which serves the best piri-piri chicken in Luanda. There are also vegetarian options available.
We’ll make our way to the airport and board our afternoon flight heading south to Lubango.
On arrival, we’ll head straight out to explore the second largest city in Angola.
Visit the Tundavala Gap, an amazing viewpoint on the edge of the Serra da Leba cliff. The escarpment marks the most western limit of Bié Plateau.
Visit the local famous Christo Rei Statue. It’s not just carnival that Angola has in common with Rio! Built in 1957, it stands 30 metres tall and is one of only four in the world.
We’ll hit the town for dinner and a few refreshing drinks.
Overnight stay in a Lubango.

Saturday 21st February – Lubango – Chibia – Oncocua

Morning

Early morning start with breakfast.
Off road adventure deep into Southern Angola, towards the province of Cunene.
Along the way, we’ll stop for rest breaks before we arrive into Chibia. Here you may explore the local market and meet regional tribespeople, including one of the most famous Mumhila tribe. We’ll take our time here so you may soak up the atmosphere of this very traditional African market.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local restaurant.
Along the journey we’ll stop at a modest monument shaped as a plane commemorating the Cuban An-26 which was accidentally shot down by anti-aircraft gun, losing high ranking military personal.
Continue our drive down to Oncocua. On our evening arrival, we’ll be greeted by the Soba (the elders) who’ll give us permission to enter and show us their area and help us familiarize our surroundings.
The entry into the tribal ground is met with singing and dancing, an unforgettable and unique experience.
Prepare our tents and campsite for the night and explore the rural village.
Dinner will be prepared for us before we head to the campfire for singing and stories from the Soba.
Overnight camping in tents in Oncocua.

Sunday 22nd February – Oncocua – Lubango

Morning

Wake up to a gorgeous sunrise and breakfast.
Today will be mostly spent with the locals to meet and interact with different ethnic tribes: Muhimba, Muhacaona, Dimba and Vatua. Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty and feel free to provide assistance with the daily chores in the area, that’s the best way to get to know people and break the ice! We kindly ask you to be respectful when taking pictures and interacting with the local tribes.
We’ll tag along with a herder escorting their cattle to the local watering hole.

Afternoon

We’ll be invited to our lunch with the locals before we making our way back to Lubango.
On arrival, we’ll check in and have a shower before heading for dinner.
Dinner at the hotel where we can relax and enjoy the evening.
Overnight stay in Lubango.

Monday 23rd February – Lubango – Namibe

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel.
We’ll begin a more relaxing drive to the great coastal city of Namibe.
Along the way, we’ll stop at the viewpoint of the Serra da Leba Pass, one of the most breathtaking landmarks of Angola.

Afternoon

We’ll have picnic lunch, overlooking the stunning Serra da Leba.
Upon arrival in Namibe, we’ll take a walking tour through the iconic art deco city centre, full of beautiful architecture.
We’ll head out to meet the Nguendelengo tribe. What makes this particular tribe worth meeting is that the women are famous for their unique bun shaped hair style. It’s also not unusual to see powdered red stone mixed with butter applied to their shoulders.
After a lot of time on the road and outside the city, it’s time we get to relax at the seaside with a few beers, fantastic views over the ocean and a chance to watch people in this unique place.
Grab some dinner at our favourite restaurant.
Overnight stay at in Namibe.

Tuesday 24th February – Namibe – Tombua – Namibe

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel.
We’ll head off to Tombua, formally known as Porto Alexandre during the Portuguese colonisation. We’ll explore the charming city and see the fishermen carry out their tasks. Off the coast is the mysterious Tigres Island.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local restaurant in Tombua.
Now that you’ve experienced rainforests and cities of Angola, it’s time to head to the Namibe desert. Most of those who visit this desert do it from the Namibia side, but from our experience the Angolan side is much more rustic!
During our drive, we’ll stop and take photos of the pink dunes, the Oasis of Arco, and the Red Canyon.
We’ll head back to Namibe and begin our walking tour. The city has a distinct feel compared to the modern capital Luanda.
Dinner at a local restaurant. For those inclined can head to a bar in the city.
Overnight stay in Tombua.

Wednesday 25th February – Namibe – Luanda

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel.
We’ll check out Namibe’s beautiful architecture one last time, heading to the old cinema. The modernist cinema was designed by Botelho Vasconcelos but was never completed due to the civil war.
Before we head to the airport, we’ll stop at a large store where you can pick supplies for your journey.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local restaurant.
We’ll then make our way to Namibe airport and board our flight returning to the capital, Luanda.
On arrival we’ll straight to the hotel before having dinner and drinks.
Overnight stay at Luanda.

Thursday 26th February – Luanda

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the Monument to the Kifangondo Battle, that sealed the fate of Angola. Our local military guide will explain the importance of this spot in the struggle for the independence of Angola.
You’ll have time to visit the museum and ask questions. This is a very important and emotional site for Angolans and Cubans, where delegates come to place flowers.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local restaurant.
We’ll take the scenic route towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Drop by the striking natural phenomenon born from thousands of years of erosion, Miradouro da Lua, which translate to, Viewpoint of the Moon.
We’ll head to the Slavery Museum, where countless slaves were baptised before being transported to the Americas – a dark stain on Portuguese history.
For those wishing to pick up a few souvenir, we’ll head to the craft market.
Farewell dinner and beers at our favourite restaurant popular with locals.
Overnight stay in Luanda.

Friday 27th February – Luanda

Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – YPT are also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for ongoing flights.
Group members part of our São Tomé and Príncipe board TAAG Angola Airlines on flight no. DT510 departing at 10:50am to Sao Tome. Flight not included in tour price.