Angola

Mike Stead worked for the British FCO and was based in Angola. Sean Rorison is a Canadian writer and the author of Bradt's Congo and Angola. Oscar Scafidi lives and works in Luanda.

Introduction IX

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 3, Natural history and conservation 4, History 16, Government and politics 28, Economy 32, People 38, Language 38, Education 39, Religion 40, Culture 40

Chapter 2 Practical information 47
When to visit 47, Highlights 47, Suggested itineraries 48, Tour operators 49, Red tape 50, Embassies 52, Getting there and away 54, Health 60, Safety and security 73, What to take 81, Money 81, Budgeting 84, Getting around 84, Accommodation 92, Eating and drinking 93, Public holidays 97, Shopping 98, Activities 99, Photography 103, Media and communications 104, Business 108, Living in Angola 109, Cultural etiquette 113, Travelling positively 113

PART TWO LUANDA PROVINCE 115

Chapter 3 Luanda 117
History 118, Orientation 122, Getting there and away 123, Getting around 123, Local tour operators 126, Where to stay 127, Where to eat 131, Entertainment and nightlife 138, Sports 141, Shopping 143, Other practicalities 145, What to see 147, A do-it-yourself city tour 156, Museums 159, Churches 159, Day trips from Luanda 162, Around Luanda 173

PART THREE WESTERN PROVINCES 175

Chapter 4 Bengo Province 177
History 177, Caxito 177, Ambriz 178, Barro do Dande 178, Catete 179, Sangano Beach 179, Cabo Ledo 180, Muxima 180, Kissama National Park 180

Chapter 5 Kwanza Norte Province 185
Getting there and away 185, N'dalatando 185, Golungo Alto 186, Dondo 187, Kambambe 187, Massangano 187, Lucala 188, Camabatela 188

Chapter 6 Kwanza Sul Province 189
History 189, Getting there and away 189, Sumbe 189, Porto Amboim 192, Binga Waterfalls 192, Conda 193, Seles 194, Gabela 194, Quibala 194, Calulo 195, Ebo 195, Cubal River Gorge 195, Rio Longa 195, Suggested itineraries around Kwanza Sul from Luanda 196

PART FOUR NORTHERN PROVINCES 199

Chapter 7 Uíge Province 201
History 201, Getting there and away 201, Uíge 201, Encoje 204, Beu Forest Reserve 204

Chapter 8 Zaire Province 205
Getting there and away 205, M'banza Congo 205, Soyo 208

Chapter 9 Cabinda Province 211
History 211, Getting there and away 212, Cabinda 213, Cacongo 217, Malongo 218, Maiombe Forest Reserve 218

PART FIVE SOUTHWESTERN PROVINCES 221

Chapter 10 Benguela Province 223
History 223, Getting there and away 224, Benguela 224, Around Benguela 231, Catumbela 232, Lobito 232

Chapter 11 Namibe Province 239
History 239, Getting there and away 240, Namibe 240, Tombua 244, South from Tombua 244, Arco 245, Pediva hot springs 245, Tchitundo-Hulo prehistoric rock paintings 246, Iona National Park and Namibe Reserve 246

Chapter 12 Huíla Province 247
History 247, Getting there and away 248, Lubango 248, Around Lubango 255, Bicuar National Park 258

Chapter 13 Cunene Province 259
Getting there and away 259, Ondjiva 259, Xangongo 261, Mupa National Park 261, Ruacana Falls 261, King Mandume's memorial 262

PART SIX SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES 265

Chapter 14 Huambo Province 267
Getting there and away 267, Huambo 267, Caála 273, Livongue 273, Bailundo 273, Mount Moco 274

Chapter 15 Bié Province 277
Getting there and away 277, Kuito 277, Camacupa 280, Cuemba 280, Cangala 280, Chinguar 280, Tchikala- Tcholohanga 281, Pedras Candumbo and Pedras do Alemão 281

Chapter 16 Moxico Province 283
Getting there and away 283, Luena 283, Cameia National Park and Luizavo Forest Reserve 284

Chapter 17 Kuando Kubango Province 285
Getting there and away 285, Menongue 285, Cuito Cuanavale 288, Longa 290, Caiundo and Savate 290, Missombo 290, Luiana and Mavinga Reserves 291, Nankova 291

PART SEVEN EASTERN PROVINCES 293

Chapter 18 Malanje Province 295
History 295, Getting there and away 296, Malanje 296, Capanda Dam 298, Evangelical Church at Quéssua 299, Kalandula Waterfalls 299, The Black Rocks at Pungo Andongo 302, Cangandala National Park 302

Chapter 19 Lunda Sul and Lunda Norte provinces 305
History 305, Getting there and away 306, Lunda Norte 306, Around Lunda Norte province 307, Lunda Sul 309

Appendix 1 Language 313

Appendix 2 Further Information 329

Index 335