Until 1975, Angola had developed a certain tourist tradition that was successively canceled by the war. Few know the great tourist potential of this territory that has remained closed to the world for decades.
Tourism, like other riches in the country, is still only a “potential” factor, but certainly Angola offers many opportunities in this sense, thanks to its vast and extremely varied territory from the point of view of climate, agriculture and landscape, still unknown by the tourism. Some South African and Namibian entrepreneurs are already successfully exploiting this potential.
It may seem an excess of optimism to talk about tourism in a country that has just come out of a 27-year-long civil war, with its infrastructure destroyed, but that is exactly what makes Angola a particularly interesting case for this sector too. In addition to the areas of difficult access in the country’s interior, there are many areas that already offer interesting possibilities for investments in the tourism sector. Of course, it is also a tourism oriented to an entrepreneurial market niche and less demanding in terms of comfort. The virgin territory is very suitable for ecological tourism, sustainable, respectful of the environment, especially in the areas characterized by a more delicate environmental balance.
Angola has the capacity to become a new frontier of 21st century tourism. Taking all necessary precautions to travel safely, including from a sanitary point of view, tourists discover vast unexplored territories, which have been isolated from the world for many years and for the first time open to foreigners.
Angola has a huge potential for tourism development, and the Angolan Government created the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism to boost this important area. The charms of Angola are numerous and diversified, since, an unusual natural magnificence is combined with fabulous cuisine, not forgetting its ethnic wealth, which are excellent conditions for the development of the tourism sector.
As a result, Angola’s resources allow the development of environmental tourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, coastal tourism or eco-tourism. It may seem excessively optimistic to talk about tourism in a country that has just come out of a civil war, with its infrastructure destroyed, but that is exactly what makes Angola a particularly interesting case for this sector. In addition to the areas that are difficult to reach in the interior of the country, there are many areas that already offer interesting possibilities for investment in the tourism sector. Of course, it is also a tourism oriented to an entrepreneurial market and less demanding in terms of comfort. The virgin territory is very suitable for ecological tourism, sustainable, respectful of the environment,
Three examples of investment in the tourism sector: the tropical beaches between Luanda and Benguela, with enchanting panoramas and within reach of the contemporary tourist; the Namibe desert (which marks the beginning of the nameless desert Namibia), as beautiful as Namibia in terms of natural beauties and cultural interest; the breathtaking mountains of the Huila Plateau.
There is already a growing tourism that discovers the Angolan beauties. With the increase in domestic demand and the potential of foreign tourism, which has already registered the first signs of interest after three years of the end of the war (investments in the hotel and tourism sector are gaining increasing interest. Besides the natural beauties, the country is attractive especially to our compatriots, due to the presence of a culture that, in many ways, is close to that Italian due to the common Neolatina matrix.
Interesting places
Museums In Luanda there are many places to visit, for example, the fort, which is currently the headquarters of the Museum of the Armed Forces or the National Museum of Anthropology.
Natural Park of Kissama. It is located 70 kilometers south of Luanda and is home to hundreds of animal species. As for the possibility of staying in that area there are bungalows in the middle of the park although the food should be taken by us. The Park, like many others in Africa, is closed during the rainy season.
The Kalandula Falls. Located in the Malange area, they make an impressive sight especially when the flow has grown after the rainy season.
Market of Roque Santeiro. It is very interesting but the authorities do not recommend visiting it. People in Angola say that it is the largest outdoor market in all of Africa. Located on the outskirts of Luanda, it costs 100 Kwanzas to get to the center of the capital but, some say, it can go much more expensive: the Angolans themselves do not dare to go.
Names like Kalandula, in the impetuous liquid beauty of their falls. Tundavala in the vertigo of an abyss of more than a thousand meters, which window opened to the immensity. Kwanza, the mythical river that gave its name to the national currency and kisses the feet of Senhora da Muxima, the most venerated of the Angolan sisters. The river Cunene, born in the heart of Angola and that a thousand kilometers later plunges into the Ruacaná in a jump of more than 120 meters or spreads in enigmatic serenity when, at the mouth, it blends with the blue of the Atlantic sea. Natural parks where wildlife abounds … Kissama, right on the doorstep of Luanda, Cangandala habitat of the famous Royal Black Palanca, unique in the world or the Iona Park of sands dotted by the unique, exclusive welvitschia mirabilis, the enigmatic plant of the Namibe desert that can live more than a thousand years. Go through the mysterious Namibe with its sands of sand, an abode of snakes, majestic lions, snazzy hyenas, bouncing gazelles, fast cheetahs, curious meerkats, a living world that fills the eyes and enchants the spirits. The Maiombe, the inscrutable forest, one of the largest natural reserves in the world in the immensity of its two thousand kilometers. And the sea. Of golden beaches and warm waters.
And the music. The dance. The rhythms. The sounds. The colors. The suits. The unique sunsets. The voice of the silences that fill us when away from the cities. The song of the wind in the endless lands. The rain that smells the wet earth smell that, they say, unique and unforgettable. The mornings of cacimbo this light and white curtain that transforms reality into sphincteric silhouettes.
Angola. Open doors to the world. Pallet of a thousand colors, charm for the eyes of all who want to know and see with love.
Luanda
The city of Luanda is big and with a lot of cars and people. Many street vendors spread to fruit and food sales. The Angolan people are incredibly welcoming, always open for conversation. The cuisine of Angola is influenced by Portuguese and Mozambican, they taste exotic.
Lubango
Starting with the statue of Christ on the top of the city, the view is simply spectacular, at night you can see the immensity lit up. The Serra da Leba is another breathtaking spot for any visitor, separate time and feel admire the view and if you are explorer, with security and local guide, explore the beautiful trails. Through low paths, there are waterfalls – but access is only possible with connoisseurs of the region. Tundavala is a heap of mountains with a breathtaking valley. The landscape is exuberant. Going to Angola and not going to Tundavala is like going to Rio de Janeiro and not visiting the Cristo Redentor. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places one can ever seen. The city of Lubango is packed with fine restaurants, food trucks, and tents selling handcrafted items to street foods. The mall is a very interesting place to spend some free time, there is exhibition of local arts and interaction with visitor.
Huambo
The beautiful city of Huambo, known as Nova Lisboa. The Portuguese architecture is present everywhere, there are many trees and the streets are wide and well organized. There is a park in the center of the city where students gather for studies and meetings. The marks of the war are also visible in the city: there are still buildings marked by bullets. It is possible to see abandoned war tanks and monuments to the war dead. Many flags are hoisted representing the dominance of the two main parties in Angola.
There is a friends project that has become the first park with recycled materials in the region, it is beautiful to see the ecological intervention and the awakening to the impact of sustainable practices in the life of the population. Unlike other cities, Huambo has a cleaner look. It is good to walk around the city. The population interacts with tourists and makes the visit even more enjoyable.
Bailundo e Mungo
Bailundo, a city and municipality of Huambo province, located in the central high plateau. Beautiful place and for history lovers. The tip is to enjoy the spot with a local guide. Set aside time and interact with the story. It is worth visiting the local museum and the monument of the city center.
Travel in a 4 × 4 vehicle to Mungo region, where one can have the great pleasure of being welcomed in the rural community of Kalungo – the roads deserve attention and small vehicles have difficulty in traveling.
