Luanda, Angola

The Angolan capital, Luanda is a large city home to a growing population (currently at 2.5 million) with a good number of waterfront views, an expansive market, colorful districts, and some of the best museums in the region. Congestion surely takes away from what would otherwise be a splendid tourist town, but if you're into busy street life and fit in quite naturally with incessant auditory signals (i.e. car horns), Luanda is certainly built to please. Museum geeks will enjoy the capital's selection of history-packed establishments. From the exemplary military museum to the National Museum of Anthropology, you'll find plenty to see and love. Also, the sights by Luanda's coastline are seemingly tropical in nature, though the nation itself is more equatorial and less attuned to temperate seasons than the continent's southernmost territories. Luanda's position at the edge of Angola's northwestern sector doesn't help matters much either. The heat can be battled by occasional journeys into nearby Kissama National Park, a 50-mile drive from downtown Luanda. Here, plenty of foliage shades an abundant supply of hiking paths, and with lots of surprises along one's trek in the way of both curious and shy wildlife in all directions, it's no wonder why this reserve is quite popular among visitors to the capital. It is important to point out that Angola has for quite some time experienced an unsteady civilian circle, where crime is still an all too common sight and market-borne thievery is a top concern among local and foreign do-gooders. Whenever you decide to come to Luanda, keeping a good hold on your possessions isn't a bad idea.

When to go

Considering the excessive heat that finds its way to Central Africa's countryside, it's good to know Luanda has the blessing of the Atlantic at its doorstep. Oftentimes when extensive high-temp stints wallow within the Angolan atmosphere, Luanda - or at least its waterfront districts - receives a steady supply of breeze. It's location can also lead to its being sodden for long periods and thus leaving the capital with humidity levels that are unbearable to anyone unaccustomed to the regional climate.

Getting there and around

Only 4km from the capital, Luanda's airport is as well-connected to the world as just about any other international flight center within Central and Southern Africa, with the exception of the always-popular Johannesburg terminal. Flights from Europe arrive in Angola on a regular basis, though don't expect dozens of daily flights to/from your home town. Lots of sites within Luanda are purposely kept close together, though a few notable establishments have escaped the tight bounds the majority reside within to ensure travelers don't ignore the broader metropolitan area.

Travel

ing by bus around the capital is risky business when it comes to retaining ownership of your belongings. Hiring a taxi will do better for you in terms of safety and security, though there are no guarantees however you go about your days here.

Attractions

If you've shot enough photos of the majestic elephants in Kissama National Park, and are somewhat fazed by the quantities of artifacts within the city's National Museum of Anthropology, perhaps the vast Roque Santeiro will raise your eyebrows a bit. An outdoor market known for its selection of produce, wares, and thieves, it's a great place to spend an afternoon - though you may wish to keep that large fold of currency back in your room before heading out to the stalls.