Day 1 - Luanda
Arrive in Luanda and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel Ilha Mar or similar.
Day 2 - Lubango
Explore the key sights of Luanda, with impressive old colonial buildings and bustling markets, as well as the small anthropology museum if open. Later transfer to the airport and fly to Lubango, the main city in southern Angola. Set in a lush valley guarded by a statue of Christ, Lubango is rich in colonial heritage mixed with the vibrancy of local culture. Overnight Vanjul Lodge or similar. (BD)
Day 3 - Chibia – Muila village
Visit the small town of Chibia with its interesting colonial architecture, and head out into the surrounding countryside to a village belonging to the Muila people, where we meet the chief and learn a little about their culture and customs. Return to Lubango for the night. Overnight Vanjul Lodge or similar. (BD)
Day 4 - Oncocua
A full day’s drive south to Oncocua, a former Portuguese settlement in the middle of a cultural ‘island’, inhabited by three different ethnic groups – the Himba, the Mucawana and the Mutua. On the way we stop in the small town of Cahama, the site of an important battle during the long civil war. Overnight camping. (BLD)
Day 5 - Oncocua
We spend today visiting the different tribal groups that live in this area, taking time to learn about their culture and customs. This is one of the most traditional areas of Angola and visitors are rare, but the local people are friendly and welcoming. Overnight camping. (BLD)
Day 6 - Lubango
This morning we visit another tribal group nearby, the Mucuis. Return to Lubango, stopping at Ontitchau where we may be able to meet a few individuals of the Mugambue and Mudimba groups. Overnight Vanjul Lodge or similar. (BLD)
Day 7 - Mungongo – Namibe
Descend from the plateau on the famous Serra de Leba Pass, and head towards the coast. We stop en route at the oasis of Mungongo, where we can meet the Mucubal and Umbundu people. We continue to the coastal town of Namibe and explore its old colonial centre on foot. Overnight Infotour Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 8 - Tchitundo Hulo
Drive towards Virei, stopping en route at the oasis of Arco and the colonial town of Tomboua. After lunch, we drive to Tchitundo Hulo making a stop to see the prehistoric weltwishcia plants At Tchitundo Hulo discover a vast collection of prehistoric rock art, with paintings of animals, plants and men – possibly up to 20,000 years old, but no-one really knows. The area is also home to the Mucubal people, who we should be able to meet when here. Overnight camping. (BLD)
Day 9 - Namibe – Garganta – Lubango - Luanda
Retracing our steps to Lubango we drive to Namibe and then the village of Garganta. Here we meet the Nguendelengo people, who live by hunting, gathering and rearing livestock, and number just three or four hundred individuals. Continue to Lubango for an evening flight to Luanda. Overnight Hotel Ilha Mar or similar. (BL)
Day 10 - Muxima – Kwanza River
Head out of the city to the nearby town of Muxima, with its old 16th century church and Portuguese fort. We take a boat trip on the Kwanza River to visit a nearby fishing village, then return to Luanda for the night, passing through forests of baobabs. Overnight Hotel Ilha Mar or similar. (BL)
Day 11 - Luanda
Visit the old Portuguese fort, as well as Miradouro du Lua, with its interesting rock formations. On the way back to Luanda we stop at the artisans’ market, then finally transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (BL)
What's included:
Airport transfers - We include arrival and departure transfers regardless of whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you. If you're booking them yourself, then please let us know the details so that we can arrange the transfers. Please note though that if you arrive earlier than Day 1 of the tour, and leave after the final day, we may need to make an additional charge for an airport transfer.
Accommodation - Accommodation as listed in the dossier. The nature of the destinations that we operate may sometimes mean that we need to change hotels, but we'll always endeavour to keep the same standards. Please be aware that as we operate in many countries where tourism is in its infancy, hotel standards may not be the same as you're used to elsewhere.
Guides - You will be accompanied by an English speaking guide.
Meals - As listed within the itinerary / dossier (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). These will vary from trip to trip - in some areas it makes sense to include all meals while in others there is a good choice of restaurants and we feel people might like to 'do their own thing' now and again.
Entrance fees - Entrance fees are listed for those sites that we mention within the itinerary. If there are any other sites that you'd like to see, these would be at your own expense.
What's not included:
Visas - We don't arrange visas for our travellers, but if an invitation letter is necessary then we will arrange this for you. If you need any advice with visas then let us know.
Airport taxes - If there are any departure taxes to pay that are not included within the cost of your ticket, you'll need to pay these yourself.
International flights - Many of our travellers arrive from different destinations and so we don't include international flights in the cost of our tours. If however you would like us to book flights for you, then just let us know and we'll be happy to discuss your options.
Travel Insurance - If you need any assistance with this, then let us know - although we can't arrange it ourselves we can point you in the direction of a reputable provider that can assist.
