Tribal women of Angola

Angola is home to some of the most traditional tribes in all of Africa, including the pastoral Himba, with their ochre body paint and animal skin clothing.

Photo by Annie Hawkins

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Undiscovered Angola

Spectacular Landscapes and Traditional Tribes of Southern Africa

Angola is blessed with spectacular landscapes, from the magnificent Namib Desert to the wild, soaring dunes of the Atlantic. It is also home to some of the most traditional tribes in all of Africa, including the semi-nomadic Cuanhama and Modimba people, who live a traditional pastoral existence far from the modern world. Our expedition explores the southwestern corner of Angola, traveling off-road by 4WD vehicle on rugged tracks that bring us from the wild coast deep into the desert. From our remote camps in amazing wilderness settings, we savor the desert silence, and on daily hikes, meet the friendly tribal people who thrive in this remote world. The cultural encounters and pure beauty of the untouched environment make this one of the most incredible destinations in the world! Our journey ends in beautiful Namibia, where we enjoy the comforts of a delightful lodge and meet Namibia’s traditional Himba people.

Highlights

  • Meet fascinating tribal people with an ancient nomadic culture
  • Encounters with traditional Cuanhama, Mukuvale, Himba, and other tribes
  • Hike along wilderness rivers and among towering sand dunes
  • Beautiful campsites in a pure desert wilderness

Details

  • 15-day trip begins and ends in Windhoek, Namibia
  • 4 nights in hotels, 11 nights camping
  • All meals included
  • Moderate day hikes, 2-3 hours a day, 4WD travel, 4-5 hours a day, expedition-style desert camping

Tour Costs

$6095 (9-11 members)
$6795 (5-8 members)

Single supplement: $310
Internal airfare: $450 (subject to change)

Prices are for 2010 dates

Departures & Leaders

Jun 16-30, 2010

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
Undiscovered Angola route-map

Days 1-4
Windhoek, Namibia / Lubango, Angola / Iona National Park

From Windhoek, we fly to Lubango, the main town in southwest Angola’s Namibe Province. Much of Namibe Province is now designated as Iona National Park, with unique flora and spectacular topography ranging from dramatic dunes plunging to the sea to incredible rock formations, fromamazing buttes and gullies to dramatic arroyos. Boarding rugged 4WD vehicles, we head to the Atlantic Coast, and on a hike from camp we meet the Mukuvale people along the Giraul River. After a visit to the port town of Namibe, we camp in a canyon near the Curoca River, part of Iona National Park.

Days 5-6
Tombua / Baia dos Tigres

We head to the fishing town of Tombua and then across the sands of spectacular Baia dos Tigres (“Tiger Bay”), where huge multi-colored dunes rise precipitously from the Atlantic. The vast lagoons of this bay shelter an abundance of birdlife, including at least 58 species of waterfowl, along with many endemic species.

Days 7-8
Cunene River

We walk in the dunes and explore along the Cunene River, a ribbon of vibrant green in the tawny desert landscape. This perennial water source forms the natural border between Angola and Namibia.

Days 9-11
Iona / Himba, Cuanhama, and Modimba Tribes

Heading through vast savanna, we meet Mochimba (Himba) people who rarely see outsiders. The Himba live a fully traditional life, migrating seasonally with their herds of cattle and goats to different waterholes. The statuesque Himba men and women wear few clothes except for goatskin loincloths, and they adorn their bodies and long hair with an ochre-tinted resin that gives their skin a coppery appearance. We also enjoy encounters with the Cuanhama and Modimba tribes as we visit their settlements and small villages on morning hikes.

Days 12-15
Namibia / Epupa Falls / Windhoek

Crossing the border into Namibia, we drive to the delightful and remote Kunene River Lodge for an overnight. The next day we hike to Himba villages around Epupa Falls, then head to Epupa Falls Lodge, with its luxury safari-style tents on the banks of the Kunene River. It’s a wonderful place for more encounters with traditional Himba people and a chance to enjoy the spectacular desert setting. We fly to Windhoek on Day 15 and depart.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure