Monday 15 February – Luanda

• Early arrival into Luanda Airport (if you will arrive the day before YPT can arrange that) and pick-up to head straight to our hotel
• Meet the rest of the group and your YPT tour leader as we have a pre-tour meeting before you go out to explore the capital
• Our first stop is the Fortaleza de Sao Miguel (military museum), including its famous propaganda which almost looks North Korean!
• Next you head to the Iron Palace, with the local art scene and wild stories surround the origin of the building. It was supposedly designed by Gustav Eiffel and was supposedly found on the beach.
• Visit the old colonial church of Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, built on the well-known 4 de Fevereiro Avenue.
• Make our wait to the famous Moon Viewpoint for a great view of the Atlantic Ocean
• Explore the Slavery Museum & souvenir market
• Visit to Kilamba, this used to be known as a Chinese-built ghost town, but today’s a lively area of Luanda. One of our guides lives here and he’ll happily show us around.
• Angolan dinner in the city with a nice cold beer (or juice!)
• Overnight in Luanda

Tuesday 16 February – Luanda Carnival

• After breakfast we head out to Shipwreck Beach, here you’ll find long lost forgotten ships from all over the world, extremely good for photos!
• Monument to the Kifangondo Battle, our military guide will help us understand the importance of this spot in the struggle for the independence of Angola.
• We might be in Africa, but Luanda is just as famous in Africa for its carnival as Rio is in South America! We’ll try to catch up on some of the festive around the city.
• Short visit to a concrete wall next to the highway to see some amazing street art. It’s a big thing in Luanda and often there’s a political touch to it.
• At night we’ll hit the town for some good Angolan food.
• Overnight in Luanda

Wednesday 17 February – Luanda – N‘dalatando – Kalandula Falls  

• Early wake-up (breakfast along the way) as we embark for the train station
• Today you’ll experience an Angolan train on the 7 hour journey to N‘dalatando. Along the way you’ll truly get to experience rural Angola with several stops.
• After reaching N’dalatando we will stretch our legs for a small walk around the town before we continue driving to the Kalandula Falls, one of the most stunning waterfalls in the world
• You’ll experience a campfire next to the waterfall in awesome surroundings
• Dinner and overnight at our lodge

Thursday 18 February – Kalandula Falls – Malanje

• Today you’ll wake up with a view of the Kalandula Falls, we can promise it will be one of the most amazing morning views you will ever have! One of the most famous landmarks in Angola, you’ll also take a hike towards the bottom of the falls to see them from a different perspective.
• Drive to Malanje, here you will take a walk through the city and see daily life in this part of the country.
• Along the way you will stop in a local village where you can learn more about rural Angola.
• Return to the lodge, where you can relax next to the pool, go hiking in the area or just enjoy the view of the waterfall.
• If the owner is around he will happily share his amazing stories from the civil war. This area was one of the major battle field areas.
• Dinner and overnight at our lodge

Friday 19 February – Kalandula Falls – Luanda

• After breakfast we drive back to Luanda. Along the way you will stop at abandoned houses from the independence war and the civil war.
• Stop at the Pedras Negras do Pungo Andongo. These giant black stones were a place of resistance surrounded by mystery and magic against the Portuguese colonisers.
• On arrival you check into our hotel and freshen up
• Tonight it’s the end of Group A and you will have a traditional Angolan goodbye dinner before a few drinks in town
• Overnight in Luanda.

Saturday 20 February – Luanda – Lubango – Chibia

• Free morning to chill or visit Cacuaco for a stroll around a local fishing village.
• Group A: Airport drop off based on your flight details – end of the tour
• Group B: continues, 12:00 flight to Lubango (arrival 1:30)
• After we arrive in Lubango we visit the Tundavala Gap, an amazing viewpoint on the edge of the Serra da Leba cliff.
• Drive to Chibia and here you will visit the local market and meet regional tribespeople, including one of the most famous ones: the Mumhila. We’ll take our time here so you can take photos and soak up the atmosphere in this very traditional African market
• Visit the famous Christo Rei statue. It’s not just carnival that Angola has in common with Rio!
• Dinner and overnight in our hotel in Lubango

Sunday 21 February – Lubango – Cunene Oncocua

• Today you’ll get up very early for a 4am departure to venture into the deep south of Angola, towards the province of Cunene.
• We head off in our private vehicle and in this area we’ll try to find several different tribes like the Muhimba, Macahone, Vatwa and Mundimba.
• In the afternoon we will return to Lubango after a day on the road and in the countryside
• Overnight in our hotel in Lubango

Monday 22 February – Lubango – Caraculo – Namibe 

• This morning you’ll head off on a more relaxing drive towards the great coastal city of Namibe.
• Along the way you will stop at the viewpoint of the Serra da Leba Pass. One of the famous landmarks of Angola.
• You’ll make a stop at the famous Mucubal tribe at Caraculo
• Upon arrival in Namibe we take a walking tour through the iconic art deco city centre.
• After a lot of time on the road and outside the city it’s time we got to relax at the sea side with food and a few beers, fantastic views over the sea and a chance to people watch in this unique place
• Overnight in our hotel in Namibe

Tuesday 23 February – Namibe – Luanda

• You’ve seen rainforests, cities and beaches, and today is the day you head into the Namibe desert for some sand dune adventuring
• Along the way you’ll see the pink dunes, Oasis of Arco and the Red Canyon and have ample opportunity for fantastic photos
• Head back to Namibe before going to the airport for the 17:00 flight back to Luanda
• Dinner and overnight in Luanda

Wednesday 24 February – Luanda – Cabinda

• After breakfast drive back to the airport for the morning flight to the exclave of Cabina. Cabinda is of special interest to us as both an exclave and having had an independence movement for quite some time. The area is rich in oil and is one of the wealthiest parts of the country.
• On arrival you’ll go straight onto a city tour of Cabinda, first stop is the 1^st of May Park
• You’ll also see the Church of the Immaculate Conception before going to the central market, here you can find the famous Cabinda Tree
• Photo opportunity at the Monument to the Treaty of Simulambuco
• Drive out and visit the DR Congo border. Even though we cannot cross the border, we’ll take a look here at one of the more dangerous border crossings of Africa.
• Head back into town for dinner and drinks
• Overnight in Cabinda

Thursday 25 February – Cabinda

• Morning drive to Maiombe Forest Reserve, the biggest rainforest in Angola! You’ll see what local life is like here in this tiny strip of Angola. A very interesting and unique experience, as not many tourists have ventured here!
• Along the way we pass through the villages of Cacongo and Malongo with a short stop at Buco Zau
• One of the highlights will see you take a boat trip on a lake that doesn’t even exist on google maps!
• After our time in the rainforest it’s back to Cabinda Airport for the flight to Luanda
• We’ll head for dinner on the waterfront and final drinks as we bid this huge country goodbye!
• Overnight in Luanda

Friday 26 February – Luanda

• End of the tour with airport drop offs according to your flights

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