Monday 28th February – Luanda

Morning

• Arrive at your convenience into Luanda – the capital city of Angola which is well connected from many countries within Africa and most of Europe.
• Airport transfer to our hotel, check in and freshen up
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.

Afternoon

• Lunch in town and try a local famous dish of Moamba de galinha
• Explore Fortaleza de Sao Miguel – a military museum consisting of mostly propaganda which resembles a lot to the USSR and North Korea
• Visit the Iron Palace – local art scene with a wild history surrounding 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
• Drop by the scenic spot of Moon Viewpoint for a great view of the Atlantic Ocean
• Explore the Slavery Museum & local market spot
• Visit 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.
• Dinner at a local Angolan joint popular with locals
• Overnight at hotel

Tuesday 1st March – Luanda Carnival

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive out to Shipwreck Beach – an incredible spot to discover long lost forgotten ships from all over the world
• Visit the Monument to the Kifangondo Battle – our local military guide will explain understand the importance of this spot in the struggle for the independence of Angola.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a restaurant most popular with the locals for its Kizaka dish.
• We might be in Africa, but Luanda is just as famous in Africa for its carnival as Rio is in South America! We’ll get involved as much as possible and partake in the festivities around the city.
• Visit a concrete wall located by the highway to catch some amazing street art – it’s a big deal in Luanda and often there’s a political touch to it.
• Hit the town for a good feed and explore the nightlife.
• Overnight in Luanda

Wednesday 2nd March – Luanda – N‘dalatando – Kalandula Falls  

Morning

• Early wake up and head to the railway station stopping for breakfast along the way
• Board an Angolan train for a 7 hour journey to N‘dalatando – a small town located centrally in Angola
• During your unique train journey you’ll truly get a sense of rural Angola with several stops and lunch onboard

Afternoon

• Arrive in N’dalatando and go for a short walk to stretch our legs
• Drive to Kalandula Falls – one of the most stunning waterfalls in the world
• We’ll set up a campfire located by the falls and take in the surroundings
• Dinner and overnight at our nearby lodge

Thursday 3rd March – Kalandula Falls – Malanje – Kalandula Falls

Morning

• This morning you’ll wae up with a view of the Kalandula Falls – we gaurentee it will be one of the most amazing morning views you’ll ever have!
• Breakfast at our lodging and head out for a hike towards the bottom of the falls to see them from a different perspective.
• Drive two hours east to the city of Malanje

Afternoon

• Lunch at Malanje followed by a walking tour around the city
• On our return back to Kalandula Falls we’ll stop by a rural village where you can learn more about rural Angola life
• Arrive back at your lodge – feel free to relax by the pool, go for a hike, or have a cold beer and take in the views. Previously we’ve had luck meeting the owner who is usually very happy to share his incredible stories from the civil war. A large battle took place in the very spot.
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Friday 4th March – Kalandula Falls – Luanda

Morning

• Breakfast at lodge
• Begin your journey back by road to the capital along the way stopping at abandoned houses from both the independence war and civil war.

Afternoon

• Explore Pedras Negras do Pungo Andongo – These giant black stones were a place of resistance surrounded by mystery and magic against the Portuguese colonisers. They are a series of mysterious rock formations, which many are shaped in the form of animals standing high above the flat African Savanna.
• Arrive in Luanda and check into hotel to freshen up
• Traditional Angolan farewell dinner and drinks for Group A members in town
• Overnight in Luanda

Saturday 5th March – Luanda – Lubango – Chibia – Lubango

Morning

• Group A members – airport drop off will be arranged according to your flight schedule – depart Luanda and tour concludes
• Group B members continue on to visit Cacuaco for a stroll around the local fishing village then depart at 12:00pm arriving in Lubango at 1:30pm – the second largest city in Angola.

Afternoon

• Lunch in Lubango and eat Muamba de galinha or simply known as chicken muamba
• 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.
• Drive one hour south to Chibia – you may explore the local market and meet regional tribespeople, including one of the most famous ones: the Mumhila. We’ll take our time here so you may take photos and soak up the atmosphere in this very traditional African market.
• 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 meters tall and is one of only four in the world.
• Return to Lubango, dinner and overnight at hotel

Sunday 6th March – Lubango – Cunene Oncocua

Morning

• Very early wake up around 4:00am and begin your adventure deep south of Angola towards the province of Cunene.
• Along the way we’ll stop for breakfast but the ultimate experience is seeking out several different tribes such as the Muhimba, Macahone, Vatwa and Mundimba.

Afternoon

• A rural lunch at a small village we’ll encounter along the way
• Return to Lubango for dinner and overnight

Monday 7th March – Lubango – Caraculo – Namibe 

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and 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.
• Stop by and meet the Mucubal tribe at Caraculo

Afternoon

• 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 ocean and a chance to people watch in this unique place
• Overnight at hotel in Namibe

Tuesday 8th March – Namibe – Luanda

Morning

• Now that you’ve experienced rainforests, cities and beaches. Today you’ll head to the Namibe desert for sand dune adventuring.
• During our drive we’ll stop and take photos of the pink dunes, the Oasis of Arco, and the Red Canyon.

Afternoon

• Return to Namibe, board our 5:00pm flight back to Luanda
• Dinner and overnight in Luanda

Wednesday 9th March – Luanda – Cabinda

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Head to the airport and board our 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.

Afternoon

• On arrival you’ll go straight onto a city tour of Cabinda, first stop is the 1^st of May Park
• Lunch in town, then visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception before going to the central market, here you can find the local famous Cabinda Tree
• Photo opportunity at the Monument to the Treaty of Simulambuco
• Drive out and visit the DR Congo border. Although we can’t cross the border, we’ll take a look here at one of the most dangerous border crossings of Africa.
• Head back into town for dinner and drinks
• Overnight in Cabinda

Thursday 10th March – Cabinda – Luanda

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Maiombe Forest Reserve – the largest rainforest in Angola. A great opportunity to experience rural life within this tiny strip of Angola. A very interesting and unique experience, as not many tourists have ventured out this far!

Afternoon

• Along the way we pass through the villages of Cacongo and Malongo with a short stop at Buco Zau for lunch
• One of the highlights of today is taking a boat ride on a lake that doesn’t exist on google maps
• To conclude our time in the rainforest, we’ll head back to Cabinda Airport for the flight back to Luanda
• We’ll head for dinner on the waterfront and final drinks as we bid this huge country farewell
• Overnight in Luanda

Friday 11th March – Luanda

• Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights.
• Group members apart of our Sao Tome & Principe Tour board flight to Sao Tome – flight not included in tour price

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