Best 9 things to do in Angola

Last updated June 16th, 2023.

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Angola has had a tough time of it since independence from Portugal in 1975. Not least because its people and landscapes were forced to endure a civil war lasting 27 years. But since 2002 the country has undergone a slow renaissance. Stability has seen the steady trickle of money into a country with boundless potential. A nascent tourist industry is also taking form. All this begs the question, what are the best 9 things to do in Angola? Here’s my personal list.

1. Fortaleza de São Miguel, Luanda

The Angolan capital of Luanda has a commanding position on the Atlantic Ocean. It’s along the ocean-front that you’ll find many of Luanda’s most interesting buildings. They range from ornate colonial-era structures to modernist mid-century constructions and modern skyscrapers.

Overlooking them from its hilltop position is Fortaleza de São Miguel. One of the earliest European projects south of the equator, it was first built in 1576.

Once off-limits as the all powerful army’s headquarters, today the fort’s ancient walls contain the Museum of the Armed Forces. It’s well worth the uphill trek, if only to touch its ancient walls.

2. Benguela

Three hundred and forty miles (540 km) south of Luanda, Benguela is short on major attractions but big on atmosphere.

It offers a much more authentic Angolan ambience than it’s possible to get from the capital. Benguela also has an attractive centre dotted with plazas recently refurbished with shady palms and plenty of seating.

They fill in the space between some beautiful examples of Portuguese-era architecture. These include the pastel pink shades of the town hall and southern European form of Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Populo.

Our Lady of Populo was built in 1748. It was used to forcefully baptise the people of the region before they were shipped to Brazil as slaves.

3. Cabinda

When’s Angola not Angola? When it’s Cabinda, the exclave artificially separated from the rest of Angola by an area of the Democratic Republic of Congo just 40 miles wide.

Isolated from Angola proper since around 1885, the province has developed its own unique way of life. To the extent separatists are seeking independence – check the latest safety information before travelling.

Considered something of a troublesome younger brother, its main city (also called Cabinda, or Chioua) is home to half a million people.

It has an attractive beach in Praia de Missão, as well as a unique set of customs. These are perhaps best exemplified by the bakamas rites. They seek to unify the worlds of the living and the dead.

4. Lubango

Although its name might rarely hit the headlines internationally, inland Lubango is Angola’s second-largest city.

The main bulk of the city lies on a wide valley floor, surrounded by attractive hills. One of these hills is summitted by a statue of Jesus. It bears more than a passing resemblance to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

If you’re travelling independently you might well end up spending a night here, since all roads seem to lead to Lubango. So why not make the most of your stay with the short hike to the statue?

5. Iona National Park

Wedged into the far southwestern corner of the country is Iona National Park. Marking a distinct change in landscape from the more tropical north, it can be considered an extension of the Namib Desert.

But as well as expansive plains of scrubby grasses and slowly moving sand dunes, Iona has an impressive selection of species.

Perhaps the easiest to spot are the giant baobab trees, though you should keep an eye out for rare and intriguing ‘living fossil’ the welwitschia too.

What’s more, cheetah were spotted here for the first time in decades in 2010. Even more recently, the operation of the park was taken over by charity African Parks. Their aim is to repopulate Iona with wildlife that would have once inhabited the region, which included elephant and rhino.

Though these species of megafauna are yet to make a reappearance, cheetah, leopard, brown hyena, oryx, zebra and springbok are all present.

6. Ilha do Cabo, Luanda

Back in the national capital, Ilha do Cabo is one of those places best saved for the weekend. It’s then that Luandans come out to enjoy their coast in huge numbers.

It’s a narrow finger of land that hardly even rises above the waters of the Atlantic. But it has become the favourite place of people looking to enjoy the sand, play a game of beach football, or dine in some of the city’s best restaurants.

Other tempting attractions include the flea markets that pop up here (almost entirely devoid of tourist tat), and the sailing club.

7. Namibe/Moçâmedes

This city in southwest Angola has changed its name twice during my lifetime. From Moçâmedes to Namibe and then back again.

Whatever you choose to call it, this city perhaps represents the way the rest of Angola is going. Heavily industrial historically, with a large port servicing the country’s iron ore mines, it’s now turning to more relaxing pursuits.

Its beaches are developing to provide the sorts of facilities the average visitor needs. Meanwhile, the laid-back city streets have a fine array of structures.

Try not to miss the modern ‘stack of boxes’ provincial government building, or the small slightly Disneyfied fort.

8. Luengue-Luiana National Park

Visited by Prince Harry in 2019, this national park in the far southeast of the country is at the forefront of Angola’s renewed effort at conserving its species.

Formed shortly after the millennium out of historic areas of hunting concession, the park is part of a larger transfrontier conservation area. This takes in parks in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

One of the best places in Angola for traditional safaris, the park has populations of bush elephant, hippo, giraffe and black rhino, as well as leopard.

9. Malanje

Deep in the Angolan hinterland, but connected to Luanda by rail, Malanje is something of a pleasant surprise given its wealth of attractions.

Stumbling off the train from the capital, you’re first port of call should probably be the tomb of Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande. She was queen of much of northern Angola on the arrival of the Portuguese, in a reign lasting 37 years.

Not too far from the city you’ll also find the dramatic Calandula Waterfalls (best just after the rains), and the black rocks of Pungo Andongo.

Best 9 things to do in Angola

From the historic structures of the capital to the wilds of Iona and Luengue-Luiana National Parks, Angola has a great many things for the visitor to explore and enjoy. In fact, in a country so large it would be easy to write more than the best 9 things to do in Angola. So forget your assumptions about the country, pick up your Portuguese phrase book, and prepare for an unforgettable experience.