New Expedition Camp to open in Luengue-Luiana NP, expanding access to Africa’s last great wilderness area.

Angola Tourism has welcomed the development of a new expedition-style safari camp in the remote southeast of the country, marking an important step in the gradual and sustainable opening of one of Angola’s most untouched regions to international travellers.

Located in Luengue-Luiana National Park, part of the vast Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), the project represents a new phase in Angola’s long-term tourism strategy, one that prioritises conservation, low-impact travel, and regional cooperation to unlock remote landscapes that have remained inaccessible for decades.

The new camp, developed by Luiana Plains Safaris in partnership with Angolan authorities, will provide carefully managed access to an area of extraordinary ecological importance, known for its floodplains, river systems, and the ongoing return of wildlife following years of recovery.

Opening One of Southern Africa’s Last Untouched Safari Regions

Luengue-Luiana National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the KAZA conservation landscape and plays a vital role as a water catchment feeding the Cuando and Zambezi river systems. The region’s mosaic of woodland, floodplain, and savannah habitats supports growing populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and rare antelope species, as well as exceptional birdlife.

For Angola Tourism, the opening of tourism infrastructure in this area is part of a wider strategy to develop the country as Africa’s last frontier for experience-led travellers, focusing on authenticity, scale, and wilderness rather than mass tourism.

“Angola is home to some of the most remarkable and least-visited landscapes on the continent. Our approach is to open these areas carefully, working with experienced operators and neighbouring countries to ensure tourism supports conservation, local communities, and long-term sustainability,” said Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola.

Cross-Border Access Demonstrates Regional Cooperation

Due to the extreme remoteness of the region, access to the camp will initially be provided via the Namibian Zambezi Region, allowing visitors to cross the border close to the park before travelling by 4×4 into the Angolan wilderness.

Angola Tourism views this cross-border access as a positive example of regional collaboration within the KAZA conservation area, enabling travel across southern Africa’s shared ecosystems while infrastructure continues to develop on the Angolan side.

“Tourism does not stop at borders, and cooperation with our neighbours is essential to unlocking the full potential of this region. By working with Namibia and other KAZA partners, we can make remote parts of Angola accessible while maintaining their wild character,” added the Minister.

This approach allows travellers already visiting Namibia, Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe to extend their journey into Angola experiencing landscapes that until recently were impossible to reach.

Low-Impact Tourism in a True Wilderness

Luiana Plains Expedition Camp, which opens June 2026 with full operations starting in 2027, has been designed as a small-scale, low-impact operation, offering 10 tented guest suites and two guide tents, each with private en-suite facilities, alongside a central lounge, dining and bar area. Built on strict low-impact principles, the camp is designed to allow access to this remote wilderness while minimising environmental footprint. Guests will explore the region through guided 4×4 game drives, walking safaris, boat excursions and birdwatching, in an area known for returning populations of elephant, buffalo, predators and rare antelope, as well as exceptional birdlife across the floodplains and river systems of Luengue-Luiana National Park.

Projects of this kind are central to Angola’s tourism development model, which aims to use carefully managed tourism as a tool for conservation, job creation, and regional development, a strategy outlined in the country’s national tourism plan, where the sector is seen as a key driver of economic diversification.

Angola’s Tourism Future Lies in Its Wildest Places

Over the past decade, Angola has been investing in infrastructure, conservation, and international partnerships to position tourism as a sustainable pillar of the economy, while preserving the country’s defining advantage - vast landscapes with very few visitors. From the deserts of Iona to the waterfalls of Malanje and the remote river systems of the southeast, Angola offers travellers the rare opportunity to experience Africa as it once was, open, uncrowded, and still being discovered.

The opening of tourism in Luengue-Luiana National Park signals the beginning of a new chapter for this region, and a clear message that Angola is ready to welcome travellers seeking the next great frontier.

Start planning your journey, visit www.angolatourism.com

THE PRODUCT:

Raw Adventure and "Africa at its Best" Designed as a "destination opener," the camp targets the adventurous traveler seeking the next great frontier, looking for isolation and exclusivity.

Luiana Plains Expedition Camp will offer an authentic "Expedition-style" experience, the camp balances raw adventure with essential comfort. Electrical charging point, fan and warm water will be available in each ach of the 10 Meru tents and 2 Guide tents.

Capacity: 10 Tented Suites and 2 Guide tents with private en-suite bathrooms.

Facilities: A central main area housing a lounge, dining space, and bar, acting as the social hub of the camp.

Sustainability: The camp is constructed on strict sustainable principles. The infrastructure is designed to have a minimal physical footprint, ensuring the ecosystem remains undisturbed.

The Experience: Activities include 4x4 game drives, guided nature walks, boat cruises, and birdwatching expeditions in a region known as a hotspot for raptors and waterbirds. The vibe is described as "Africa at its best" unspoilt, quiet, and free from tourist crowds.

Access and Logistics While the project brings world-class infrastructure to the region, the park remains a true wilderness. Strategic access is provided via the border crossing from the Namibian Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip). Guests will utilize a transfer via a 4x4-only road from the border (2h) to the camp, ensuring a seamless journey into this remote paradise. There are charter flight options to Kongola area via Katima Mulilo (Mpacha

airport) for clearance.

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ABOUT LUIANA PLAINS SAFARIS:

Luiana Plains Safaris is an Angolan registered and AIPEX-approved entity commitied to proving that sustainable tourism is a viable land-use model for Southeastern Angola.

Luiana Plains Safaris has been founded by the directors of leading safari operations in Namibia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This partnership unites decades of experience in high-end hospitality and remote logistical operations across the KAZA landscape. By leveraging successful track records in neighbouring nations, the team is establishing a world-class eco-tourism footprint in Angola, integrating conservation with low-impact tourism

For more information: info@luianaplains.com or see www.luianaplains.com