ANGOLA - Guided
Safari (AGS004)
8
Days / 7 Nights - Benguela Coastal Safari
Routing Highlights:
Luanda - Sumbe - Lobito - Benguela
- Sumbe - Cabo Ledo - Luanda
This comfortable fully accommodated 8 day safari hugs the stunning coastline south
of the vibrant capital, Luanda. Travellers will have the chance to discover
deserted beaches, stunning landscapes, charming colonial towns and traditional
cultural villages.
Experience the red tone of the land, the blue of the sky and sea and the
green here and there that gives colour to the semi-arid areas, enchant the
senses with the unusual and unexpected beauty.
Tour Information:
Departure Date: Any date of your choice
Departure Location:
Luanda
Tour Ends:
Luanda
Transport:
4x4 Vehicles |
click the map to enlarge ...
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Please contact us for advice & information on how to reach Luanda to
begin this safari and how to continue…
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ITINERARY:
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DAY |
ROUTE |
ACCOMMODATION |
ATTRACTIONS |
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1 |
Luanda |
As
available (3 or 4 Star accommodation) |
City
Tour |
|
2 |
Luanda -
Sumbe |
Hotel 3
star |
Via
Cachoeiras Falls, Beach, River Views, Seafood |
|
3 |
Sumbe -
Lobito |
Hotel as
available |
River
Views, Landscape, Lobito City Tour, Local Lifestyles |
|
4 |
Lobito -
Catumbela - Benguela - South Beaches |
Hotel as
available |
Flamingos,
Beaches, Fishing Villages |
|
5 |
South
Beaches - Day at leisure |
Hotel as
available |
Beaches,
Lifestyles, Birds, Seafood, Fishing, Snorkelling |
|
6 |
Benguela -
Sumbe - Cabo Ledo |
Cabo
Ledo Beach Cabanas |
Beach,
River Views, Seafood |
|
7 |
Cabo Ledo -
Luanda |
As
available (3 or 4 Star accommodation) |
Via Beach,
River Views, Coastal Views |
|
8 |
Luanda -
Departure |
|
Time at
Leisure & Transfer to Airport |
Luanda:
Luanda (formerly called Loanda) is the largest city and capital of Angola.
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, it is both Angola's chief seaport and
administrative centre. It has a population of approximately 4.5 million (UN
2004 estimates), and is the capital city of Luanda Province. The inhabitants
of Luanda are primarily members of African ethnic groups, including the
Ovimbundu, Kimbundu and Bakongo tribes. The official and the most spoken
language is Portuguese, although many Bantu-related indigenous languages are
spoken. There is a very small population of European origin.
Luanda is divided into two parts, the baixa de luanda (old city) and the
cidade alta (new part). The baixa de luanda is situated next to the port and
has narrow streets and old colonial buildings.
Restaurants: Luanda has a strong cooking tradition, great number of
good chefs, good variety of and quality of fish and shellfish, good meat,
strong spices and a lot of restaurants make Luanda a place where eating is a
pleasure. One should try some restaurants such as the "Farol Velho",
"Coconuts" and "São Jorge" in the Mussulo island, "O Chinês" in Chicala, "Clube
dos Empresários", "Pinto's", "Zero" and "Tamarindo" and "Marginal" in
downtown, "Cine Loanda" a little further and "Arco-Iris" in the Mussulo quay.
The Ilha de Luanda is where Luanda's elite go to dine and have fun.
Entertainment: Night life was always intense in Luanda. Today that
tendency becomes stronger: discos, nightclubs, American bars, pubs,
esplanades, etc... The heat of the music, the sensuality of the dance, the
temperature of the air, the good shellfish, the cold drink together with
experts on having fun give to the nights of Luanda a very special strength.
Everything shows that at last in times of peace, Luanda is preparing to be in
the continent the Queen of Night.
Curiosities: Luanda is full of beautiful monuments: The National Bank
of Angola building - an amazing example of colonial architecture. In front of
it the splendorous bay and the island. Going to the craft works market in
Benfica is the best opportunity to buy quality items of many origins. There
are several African market in Luanda such as Sao Paulo, Kinaxixi but the Roque
Santeiro is the biggest of Angola and indeed, one of the biggest of all
Africa. Located at open sky, everything is sold and everything can be bought.
Sumbe:
The town of Sumbe is the administrative capital of Cuanza Sul Province and
known for its excellent beaches and amazing surfing spots.
Lobito:
The construction of the Benguela Railway and the Lobito harbour were the
genesis of the city of Lobito. By order of 28 November 1902 the great
statesman and council president, Teixeira de Sousa, in the name of the
Portuguese government, granted to Sir Robert Williams, the contract of
concession to construct and explore for 99 years the railway road that would
ultimately link Lobito to the highlands. Construction began in March 1903 and
the city and harbour of Lobito were born. By the Right of Administration of 17
November 1948, Lobito became a city and an urbanization plan was approved for
the area. Lobito's harbour measures approximately 5 kilometres in length and
has an entry of 600 meters, the wider part measures 1.5 kilometres with depths
between 15 and 36 meters . The first phase of harbour construction was
completed in January 1928. In 1957 the quay was enlarged to 1,122 meters. A
shipyard was also built at that time. The shipyard known by its acronym
"estalnave" and is the largest shipyard in Angola
Catumbela:
Originally called Quitumbela, the city was named for a "soba" or traditional
leader in the area. Catumbela provided excellent water and a much friendlier
climate than Benguela and at one point in 1650 there was talk of moving the
provincial capital from Benguela to Catumbela for these reasons. Catumbela
grew out of the profitable inland trade that mushroomed following the opening
of the road to Bailundo and Bie. Large-scale trade in rubber began in 1888 and
was the basis for Catumbela's quick development. As the rubber trade boomed
Catumbela grew in importance, reaching its peak in the last two decades of the
19th century.
Benguela:
Benguela sits 700 km south of the Angolan capital of Luanda. It was founded by
the Portuguese in 1617 and is a former slave port and the erstwhile terminus
of the cross-continental Benguela Railway. Spared the worst of a bloody civil
war that reduced other inland towns to piles of smouldering rubble, Angola's
second city and self-appointed cultural capital is a charming muddle of
low-rise apartment blocks and sputtering motorcycles that weave deftly between
Benguela's famous crimson acacia trees. Benguela is surrounded by the
most interesting Angolan beaches such as Baía-Azul (Blue Bay), Praia Morena
(Brunet Beach).
African traditions are strong in Benguela, and the sense of history is
palpable, but the real highlight of this diminutive regional capital is not
its paint-peeled colonial architecture nor its spectacular beaches but,
rather, the Benguelans themselves. They are open and gregarious, with an
infectious spirit.
Cabo Ledo: (leading Cape), boasts with the oldest lighthouse on the
Angolan Atlantic Coast.
Includes:
• Accommodation
• All Meals
• Experienced Multi-Lingual Guides
• Fully Equipped 4x4 Vehicles with Air Conditioning
• Recovery Equipment
• Satellite Phone
• Medical Kits
• Park Fees
Excludes:
• Flights
• Drinks
• Insurance
• Visas
• Items of a personal nature
Our
safaris are merely suggested itineraries and therefore can be
tailor-made
to suit your specific needs:
- Routes can be amended
according to your preference
- Accommodation can be
changed to suit your style and budget
- Accommodation meal
basis can be booked according
to your requirements
- Extra nights can be added
depending on your arrival and departure flight times and the
pace that you want to travel
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