Namibe Angola Safaris

The ocean, desert, and savannah meet in the province of Namibe, providing breathtaking scenery and probably the best climate on the Angolan coast.  Namibe has a cool, dry climate, and an average temperature of 21˚C.  The Namibe Desert provides a great opportunity to see wildlife, whilst the coast provides spectacular beaches.  A unique destination, Namibe provides beauty, history and open sense of space that is hard to find.

The Portuguese first arrived in the area of Namibe in 1485, when the region was named Mocamedes, and it was the first district to be created in southern Angola. The arrival of the first Brazilian settlers brought an organized exploitation of the region's natural resources in 1849.  They met with the African tribes, creating an interesting cultural diversity.  The tribes who inhabit the Namibe region are the Koysan and Negro.  The most widely spoken language is Portuguese.

Namibe is the third most important harbour in Angola, and it is one of the best areas to go shore fishing. Today the Namibe harbour is mostly used for the exportation of fish caught in the waters off the coast as well as for agricultural goods grown in neighbouring Huila province.  There are also excellent beaches in Namibe. Known as one of the cleanest and the best kept towns in the country, Namibe has asphalt roads that link the capital to Tombwa, Lucira and Lubango.  Between Namibe and Tombwa one can find the Welvitchia mirabilis, a unique desert plant estimated to live up to 2000 years.

The most spectacular aspect of Namibe is Iona National Park.  Within the Iona National Park, you can visit the district of Espinheira and watch the various wild species such as oryx, zebra, gazelle and ostrich.  Close to the mouth of the river Cunene you will find some constructions of unknown origin, and admire desert scenery of rare beauty.  The ocean itself contains various wildlife species, ranging from turtles, dolphins, sharks, pelicans and flamingos.

What to see:

Many churches: Including Igreja de Santo Adriao, the Quipola Chapel (in the area of Benfica) and the Praia Amelia Chapel (just two km from the city of Namibe).

Many fortresses: Including Sao Fernando Fortress (presently occupied by the Navy) and Kapangombe Fortress (in Bibala, presently occupied by the Army) where the slaves were congregated before embarking for the Americas.

Namibe Desert: The desert is one of the main tourist attractions of the province, where you will find incomparable beauty in the sand dunes, as well as the ancient welwitchia mirabilis plants.

Iona National Park: Founded in 1964, it covers an area f 15,150 square km, and keeps numerous animals, including ostrich, black rhino, mountain zebra, meercat and guelengue.

Namibe Special Reserve: Founded in 1957, it covers an area of 4,450 square km, and has several animals, including ostrich, black rhino, mountain zebra, meercat and guelengue.

• The Final Frontier
• Foz do Cunene
• Iona National Park
• Lubango
• Cunene
• Baia Dos Tigres
• Flamingo Camp
• Leba Mountain Pass
• Lake Arco
• Dorsland Trekkers