Angola
Yes, we often talk about off the beaten track, but with this country we really hit the nail on the head. A journey through Angola is a raw experience of a part of Lusophone Africa where few travelers have gone before you. The people welcome you with a warmth and energy that is truly unparalleled. Here you’ll find rainforest, desert, and powerful waterfalls. Are you ready to take on the challenge with us?
Angola is raw, safe, and heartwarming.
A trip through Angola is a beautiful challenge in every way, and we are happy to provide some comfort and guidance along the way. We started out focusing on countries and regions where very few travelers ventured. With Angola, we are fully true to our mission again; we want to show you authentic Africa.
Angola is a country in southwest Africa where the Portuguese influence is felt not only in the language — which has its own charm, especially if you don’t speak it, as we’ve found — but also in the architecture and cultural traditions. The capital, Luanda, is vibrant and a bit hectic, but it stands in stark contrast to almost everything else you will see afterward. The country is vast and the roads are rough, but when you finally arrive somewhere, it is always overwhelming.
From the rainforests and jungle vibes in the north, you’ll definitely need a moment to catch your breath, but oh, how stunning it is. Everything here is huge and powerful — the leaves, the monkeys, the insects. The perfect scenery for hiking and wild camping.
Then you head south where the scenery does a complete 180. Here you encounter vast deserts and canyons that welcome you with their silence. Turn on your music and get lost in what feels like your laptop’s screensaver. Besides camping, you’ll also stay in cozy, small-scale lodges along the way.
The finale of the trip is tropical, and even the coastline is rugged with seasoned fishermen and tough surfers. This is a country close to our hearts, with the raw authenticity every traveler longs for. You can connect deeply with the local people who truly love having you there. When you say off the beaten track, you say Angola.
Be one of the first to experience this authentic journey!
Angola is a country where tourism is still in its infancy. That’s exactly why we are so excited about it, but how do you organize a trip there? It has so much potential: mountains, desert, beaches, and a very welcoming population. In the summer of 2025, our team spent an extended period researching the best ways to travel, where to go, and when to visit. Based on this, we designed an amazing route that you and your travel group can experience in this inaugural travel season for Angola with Charlie’s Travels.
Angola
Use the map and the information to check your favourite places.
- Hike to the Calandula Falls, one of Africa’s largest waterfalls
- Camp wild on a rugged rock formation called Pedras Negras
- Stay overnight in Kumbira Forest, a rainforest rich in bird species
- Climb Morro de Moco, the highest mountain in Angola
- Camp in the Namib Desert and among the red canyons
- Sleep in a lodge overlooking the savannah with chances to spot wildlife nearby
- Meet the local community who will take you to a cave with ancient San paintings
- Visit a mountain town with a fresh, relaxed atmosphere and colonial charm
- Spend time in a quiet coastal village known for its wide beaches and surf spots — perfect for chill vibes
Angola is not a classic safari destination. During the civil war many parks lost a large part of their wildlife. Still, there is plenty to spot and a lot of work is being done to restore the ecosystems.
Kissama National Park (Quicama) is Angola’s most famous safari park. It is close to Luanda, making it easy to reach. You can spot elephants, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes and even a few lions here.
Iona National Park lies on the border with Namibia. It is bigger, wilder and has an almost otherworldly feel. You do not visit this park primarily for the animals, but for its unforgettable landscapes and culture.
- Angola is for every traveler seeking genuine connection and purity.
- It might sound daunting, but we always felt safe. The people are incredibly grateful you’re there, and they look out for you.
- If you don’t speak Portuguese, traveling with a driver is essential, and honestly, we recommend it for everyone.
- Car travel times are long, so it might not be ideal for very young children.
- That said, wild camping is relatively safe as there isn’t much dangerous wildlife.
- In our opinion, Angola is accessible for everyone, but it might be a natural choice for travelers who have already been to Africa before.
Avoid the rainy season by traveling between May and October, with June through September being especially pleasant in terms of temperature.
Curious what a trip could look like? This is our favourite route through Angola.
- Raw, safe and heartwarming.
Raw, safe and heartwarming
Let yourself be enchanted by impressive waterfalls, dense jungles bursting with life and majestic mountains standing guard over the land.
The basics of travelling through Angola
In this blog we tell you everything you need to know about Angola and show you why this untouched country deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Avontuurlijk roadtrippen door Noord-Kenia
Rijd langs de flanken van Mount Kenya en ontdek prachtige watervallen, reis voor safari naar Samburu en eindig in alle rust aan de kust.
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I have seen a lot of Africa, but Angola was an experience I had never had before.
Anna
Travel Consultant Angola
With Charlie's Travels, you choose for fair and local travelling
Our team lives and works in Africa
We create our own routes
Your trip is completely tailor-made
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Angola is diverse, its nature rugged and abundant and its people incredibly welcoming.
I would never have dared to take on this undiscovered country on my own, but with Charlie’s Travels I felt completely at ease. Everything was well organised, with great and knowledgeable local partners, and any unexpected obstacles were solved immediately.
A truly amazing adventure.
Angola. A country in Africa that does not even have a Lonely Planet yet. So with the driven and knowledgeable local partners of Charlies Travels we set out to explore this hidden gem. Loved it.
The friendliness and rawness itself, a delightful mix of pure Africa and Portuguese influences. Stunning untouched nature, the serenity and the fantastic people. From desert to jungle, from canyons to waves crashing against the rugged coast. What a country.
Remote and truly pioneering. A big adventure, from camping in the stunning desert to creating lifelong memories with proud locals. I went home with a huge smile and cannot wait to return.
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