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Places in Angola
Curóca Hills
Curóca Hills, a spectacular landscape where I slept every night for a week, wrote about it on my network, and shared breathtaking images of the desert and the improvised camping, this is the true spirit of the visit to the desert.
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Spending a night in the desert, under the starry sky, with the rocky formations that seem to touch the sky, is a unique experience offered by nature.
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The hills are close to the Curóca River bed and maintain a strong connection with the local communities, due to the extraction of salt, and date back hundreds of thousands of years of erosion and wind action, which sculpted the rocky formations that vary between 400 and 600 metres of altitude, presenting the undulating and contrasting shapes of the landscape.
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The vegetation resistant, acacias, spiritual shrubs and some endemic species, add an emotional silence of adaptation in conditions of such a rugged landscape, where the tree becomes a metaphor for resilience, thriving in a place that is only arid, but fertile in stories.
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The Curóca Hills, located on the border between the Namibe and Tômbua Municipalities, and an essential point of the southern Angolan route, combine natural beauty with ancestral cultural and religious heritage, as they are part of the Namibe Desert, one of the driest in the world.
When the sun sets, the hills dress up in a palette of golden tones, creating a spectacular backdrop that attracts occasional tourists and travellers.
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"It was one more experience lived in favour of sustainable tourism", affirms the anonymous inhabitant, who, on a recent trip with friends and colleagues, for her, the so-called magic hills not only hide the beauty of the formations, but also the historical and cultural value as a structured tourist destination.
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The Curóca Hills, known as "Vale dos Espíritos" (Valley of the Spirits), make up the same landscape: they are part of the Namibe Desert, marked by myths, rituals, and respect for nature and local communities.
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This dimension of mysticism has attracted tourists and researchers, from a spiritual economy perspective, and for a journalist and resident of the province of Namibe, it is a destination of escape and connection.
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For her, the hills were a refuge and a place of introspection, a place of connection, an experience of respect for nature and with oneself.
The magical winding road of Serra da Chela that enchants the world.
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Few roads in the world can boast of the charm and history of Serra da Chela, in the south of Angola. Between the Namibe desert and the plateau of Huíla, each curve reserves a landscape that has been carved to surprise travellers. By Edgar Silva
Serra da Chela is more than just a tourist destination, it is a place where you can find history, adrenaline, and breathtaking landscapes. In the heart of Namibe, this mountain range features mountain routes that unite the coast with the plateau.
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The main one is the Estrada Nacional EN 280, which connects Namibe to Huíla, and Serra da Chela is the place where the traveler, arriving from the coast, is faced with one of the most exciting experiences in the interior of Angola.
The Chela road, at an altitude of 1,640 meters, is classified as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The road connects the coast to the highlands, with impressive stretches carved by three levels of hairpin curves that overcome the slope of the mountains.
Arriving at the Chela road already is a unique experience. The view from the top of the mountain range, which is the gateway to the city of Namibe, about 160 kilometers from the capital of the province, gradually transforms the traveler's perspective from the green freshness of the plateau to the desert's golden dunes, which fall to the sea.
The open horizon is replaced by the imposing mountain range, obligatory for those traveling to the coast. This is where you find the iconic Serra da Chela Escarpment, a setting that easily becomes a postcard or cover of a magazine.
But Serra da Chela is not just geography. As a tourist destination, this mountain range is a mix of history and reality. It is said that this road was built by engineering ingenuity, which, on a day of inauguration, contemplated the spectacular result. The local population also tells a great history of local tradition. The Chela road is one of the most impressive structures built during the colonial era, attracting attention for the boldness and quality of the construction, and today it is an undeniable attraction for the place.
"Our land is an invaluable local tourist treasure," says a recent Angolan tourist, who returned to the region after many years and was impressed by the beauty of the place, which deserves investment and promotion. For her, the most beautiful place in Angola, besides the dunes, are the waterfalls, and most importantly, the strength of the energy to improve this memory.
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An oasis to explore in the Namibe Desert
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Hidden between the desert and the sea, the Lagoa dos Arcos (Lake of Arches), an oasis of fresh water and crystalline rocks, offers local attractions and a landscape sculpted by time. It is a place of unique beauty, with a mythical and spiritual air, that enchants visitors and inspires respect for the power of nature. By Edgar Silva
If there is a place in Angola that can be called a desert oasis, it is undoubtedly Lagoa dos Arcos, a natural jewel hidden in the heart of the Namibe desert, located between the cities of Namibe and Tômbua, on the right bank of the Curóca River, between the mountains of Caraculo and Bibala. It is one of the most impressive landscapes in Angola.
The local is known for three rock arches, which give the name to the place, thanks to the geological formations that result from centuries of erosion. The name Lagoa dos Arcos refers to the natural arches that surround the lagoon and the transformation of the desert due to its presence.
Considered by many as a landscape apart, the Lagoa dos Arcos shelters a rich fauna and flora in a habitat rich in endemic species, such as the famous Welwitschia mirabilis, and in the spring and summer the flamingos return in flocks of colour, bringing a unique atmosphere to the place.
The silence of the desert, the intense blue of the sky and the singing of the birds, form a quasi-surreal setting.
The magical scenario of the desert is combined with the deep blue of the sky, forming an almost surreal scenario. It is a difficult place to find other points of peace. In recent years, the lagoon has attracted more visitors, but the combination of its natural arches, crystalline rocks, and waters still does not have the expected visibility.
Today, the place is a destination for nature lovers, and many tourists come to immortalize their visit in photographs that are shared on social networks. Despite the infrastructure being basic, the experience requires 4x4 vehicles, but it is an accessible destination for communities. It is recommended to take water and food, which is essential to make the stay more comfortable.
It is an important tourist point, the Lagoa dos Arcos is a unique experience, a simple one, without unnecessary materialism or known commodities, but it is a fascinating and unforgettable place, which is a treasure in the Namibe desert.
The confluence of the arches, the lagoon, and the long natural arcs in the surrounding mountains offer a marvelous landscape that deserves all the attention. For those seeking an adventure, a contemplation of nature, and peace, Lagoa dos Arcos is a secret of the desert that deserves to be discovered.
Baía dos Tigres (Tiger Bay)
Tourism and life waiting to be reborn
Between the desert and the sea, there is one of the most fascinating scenarios in Angola.
The Baía dos Tigres, a ghost village marked by a history of glory and abandonment, the former fishing village now rises as a promise of tourist sustainability. A destiny where nature and memory are intertwined in perfect harmony. By Edgar Silva
In the province of Namibe, the intention is to project and make the Baía dos Tigres known to the rest of the country. The adventure only makes sense for those looking for a unique place to visit.
The bay is between the desert and the sea, with golden dunes of the desert, in a silence to be discovered by the visitor.
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From the point of view of the traveller, the intense presence of nature and the silence of the landscape, is an incredible experience.
The adventure starts by reaching the Baía dos Tigres coast, which is known for its strong waves and tides that make it an unmissable place, where nature insists on maintaining its imposing beauty.
What is now a phantom island was once a fishing village, discovered by Portuguese fishermen in 1860, and which reached its peak in the 1960s, reaching a resident population of about 5,000 inhabitants until the end of the colonial period.
The island was born because it was connected to the mainland. However, the population gradually abandoned the village, leaving it in 1974 with only the structures of a hospital, cinema, industrial and fishing area. Only the church, Catholic chapel and even the pier of the village remain, marked by the dust of time and wind, and which now give an idea of the village's decay.
They are testimonies of silence from an era when the village was a dynamic and prosperous fishing port, arousing the curiosity of tourists and researchers.
Today, the Baía dos Tigres is an immensely promising destination. But the ruins, the local energy, and the contrasts between the deep blue sea, the golden dunes and the stillness of the landscape, make the place something between reality and mirage. The silence, cut only by the gentle sound of the wind, makes the island a promising and unforgettable destination.
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Aware of its historical and tourist value, the provincial governor, Archer Mangueira, in 2020, took on the commitment to project the Baía dos Tigres as a destination to visit, after independence, highlighting its potential for recovery, even if hampered by lack of funding. The Governor has launched a plan to transform the Baía dos Tigres into a sustainable tourist destination, with the intention of proposing its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Serra da Leba
The serpentine road that connects the desert and the plateau
The Serra da Leba is one of the most iconic landscapes in Angola. It is more than just a mountain range; it is a vital route, a meeting point between the coastal desert and the Huíla plateau, at an altitude that exceeds 1,800 metres.
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The road, built with impressive engineering, features a dizzying series of hairpin bends that overcome the abrupt slope of the mountain range, making it a unique spectacle that attracts travellers and photography enthusiasts from around the world. It is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
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The panoramic view from the top of the Serra da Leba is breathtaking. On one side, the immensity of the desert that stretches to the Atlantic Ocean, and on the other, the green freshness of the Huíla plateau. The landscape changes radically as you descend or ascend the mountain, offering a spectacle of changing colors and contrasts.
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The Serra da Leba is not only a tourist attraction, but also an indispensable link for the economic and social development of the region, facilitating the movement of goods and people between the coast and the interior of the country.
A work of art in engineering
The road is a feat of engineering from the colonial era, standing out for its audacious design that was able to overcome one of the steepest slopes in the country. It is a true work of art that seamlessly integrates into the rugged topography.
The Serra da Leba is a mandatory stop for those who visit the south of Angola, offering not only a panoramic view but also an unforgettable experience. It is a symbol of Angolan engineering and a postcard of the country's natural beauty.
Local Culture and Adventure
For many, visiting the Serra da Leba is a moment of connection with nature and local history. The road itself is the main attraction, but the entire surrounding area offers opportunities for trekking, contemplation tourism, and contact with local communities.
It is a place where you can feel the rhythm of life of the south of Angola, between the arid climate of the coast and the cool climate of the plateau.
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The Tundavala Fissure - Not far from the Serra da Leba, the Tundavala Fissure is another geographical marvel that complements the visit. It is a spectacular natural chasm, with a vertical drop of over 1,000metres offering views that defy the imagination. The Serra da Leba is, therefore, a destination that combines adventure, natural beauty, and historical legacy.