Angola, a former Portuguese colony located on the southwest coast of Africa, isn’t really known for its tourist sights and even less so for its mountains. The bureaucratic hassles of getting a visa and the logistics of visiting a country that has very little in terms of touristic infrastructure keeps the masses away. It’s a shame, because Angola has so much to offer! The central highlands around Huambo are fantastic for hiking, and even better for exploring countless unknown and unnamed peaks and ridges. Many areas have now been cleared of landmines, a relic of the brutal civil war that ravaged the country from 1975 to 2002. Today, amazing adventures await for those with an open mind, lots of flexibility, and some spare time on their hands in case things don’t work out right away (they won’t!).
I was lucky to be able to visit this fascinating country in January 2018 for a few weeks. During my trip I had the opportunity to hike Mount Moco, Angola’s highest mountain at 2620 m, and explore a few other lesser known peaks. Some were highly enjoyable short outings with excellent hands-on scrambling, others tedious bushwhacks through thorny African shrubs. The biggest challenge other than checking for landmines was getting local information on these peaks, which in the absence of hiking maps tends to be very hard to find. In fact, the whole concept of hiking or climbing a mountain “for fun” is non-existent in almost all of Angola – quite understandably so, given the recent history of the country and the daily struggles that most Angolans face to get through their day. Most people are poor, but amazingly friendly and welcoming to outsiders.
Important notes for those interested in hiking in Angola:
- Things in this part of the world can change quickly, so it’s important to check the current security situation before travelling to Angola.
- Angola may be rich in natural resources, but the vast majority of its population is poor. Violent crime is rare, but does occur. Remember the more affluent you appear, the more likely you’ll be targeted by criminals.
- Before going for a hike, particularly off the beaten track, ALWAYS verify that the area is free of landmines. Ask the locals and check with official organizations such as the HALO Trust. If in doubt, don’t go!