African Parks opens stunning new camp inside Iona National Park

African Parks has opened Gruta do Leão Camp (Lion's Cave Camp) in Iona National Park. Created around the boulders and caves of one of Iona’s most iconic rock formations, this purpose-built safari camp opened in November 2026 and offers all-inclusive, catered accommodation for up to 15 guests in five en-suite tented units,

"Gruta do Leão Camp is not your average accommodation in Africa. Set within an ancient cave deep in Iona National Park, one of Africa's most remote regions, is a unique, remote, wild place unlike any other" says Ruth Westrick, Tourism & Commercial Manager for Iona National Park at African Parks.

Managed by African Parks in collaboration with the Angolan Government,  Gruta do Leão is an intimate, exclusive desert camp with just 5 tents and 10 beds, using the natural features of the cave to create a beautiful setting.

See the camp for yourself by watching 'The Iona Line' on Opposite Lock's YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@OppositeLockAfrica

Accommodation: En-suite tents, each with a double and a single bed, with a solar-heated shower, a flush loo, charging points and open desert and sunset views.

Communal area: Set within the cave itself, under a soaring canopy of rock.

Around the camp: Hiking to the top of the rock formation, birdwatching at the waterhole in front of the camp, and viewing and hearing wildlife by day and night.

Activities: Self-guided desert drives, stargazing.

Food and drink: Bottled water is provided, with meals prepared by the onsite chef.

Services: Laundry service, solar power, limited Wi-Fi connectivity.

Included: All meals, soft drinks, local beer and wine.

Experiences on offer at Gruta do Leão Camp

Cultural Visits

Discover the traditions, history, and daily life of the communities who have made this desert their home for generations. Cultural visits are conducted with mutual respect and consent; you are requested to seek permission before taking photographs and pay a small fee for this.

4 x 4 Driving

Iona’s gravel and sand tracks offer a rewarding challenge for 4 x 4 self-drivers, with sudden changes in vegetation and landscape making each kilometre a new experience.

Camping under the stars

Thanks to the almost complete absence of light pollution, Iona offers exceptional star-gazing, adding an extra layer of magic to evenings around the campfire and nights under canvas.

Birdwatching

The diversity of habitats found within Iona National Park is reflected in the variety of birds found here, including pelagic and inshore species on the coast, and desert-adapted birds further inland.

Geology

Iona features a remarkable degree of geological diversity, with shifting sand dunes, gravel plains and ancient mountain escarpments. It’s a geologist’s – and a photographer’s – dream, with shifting shadows, lucid light, and organic shapes of every description.

How to Get There

Gruta do Leão Camp is approximately 65 km / 4 hours from Salondjamba Gate on rocky and sandy roads. Camp coordinates: 16°49’00.8”S, 12°20’26.2”E

For more information, contact Ruth Westrick via ruthw@africanparks.org See https://visitiona.org/