Complete Angola Birding Tour: Angola: Rare Endemics and More
June 2026/2027

Since Angola’s three-decade-long civil war ended in 2002, the country has enjoyed peace and stability, along with a massive surge in infrastructural advancements, opening the country up to tourism (much to the delight of birders, who want to see its 1,000+ bird species, including many endemics and other speciality species). 

Swierstra’s Spurfowl is one of Angola’s more challenging-to-find endemic birds.

During the initial post-war years, Angola was deemed to be a country only for ‘hard-core’ tourists, and even the few birding tours available were typically overland camping adventures. Fortunately, this has changed dramatically. While a sense of adventure is still required, an ever-improving road network makes this country easier to traverse and, with suitable accommodation options available along the entire route, this tour has no overland camping. Angola is, without a doubt, one of the finest birding countries in Africa and a destination not to be missed by any world birder.

The spectacular Kalandula Falls are a sight to behold, and conveniently offer some excellent birding nearby!

This comprehensive tour takes us through the western parts of the country and to all the key birding areas. Beginning in the capital, Luanda, we venture to the remote scarp forests in the north of the country, where we will try for our first endemic, the handsome Braun’s Bushshrike. A visit to the spectacular Kalandula Falls and their exciting swamp forests follows, before calling in at the dry woodlands of the Kissama National Park outside Luanda. We progressively make our way southwards through the country, visiting the disappearing forests of Kumbira and Mount Moco, along with the disappearing miombo woodland between them. We end up in the southern city, Lubango, which opens up the stunning Tundavala Escarpment and its host of endemics, along with the nearby Namib Desert (hosting almost all of the Namibia near-endemics we get on our Namibian tours as well). Working our way up the west coast, we return to Luanda, where this tour comes to an end.

This well-designed and efficient route gives us a chance for all the country’s endemics, near-endemics, and specials, including such rare and poorly known species as Gabela and Monteiro’s Bushshrikes, Gabela Helmetshrike, White-headed Robin-Chat, Swierstra’s Spurfowl, Red-crested Turaco, White-fronted Wattle-eye, Pulitzer’s Longbill, Angola Slaty Flycatcher, Angola Cave Chat, Gabela Akalat, Bocage’s Sunbird and Angola Waxbill.

Angola’s national bird is the endemic Red-crested Turaco – while it can be difficult to find at times, we have several chances to see this handsome species.

Many other more widespread species are also best sought within Angola and include the likes of Anchieta’s Barbet, Margaret’s Batis, Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Angola Lark, Black-and-rufous Swallow, Black-necked Eremomela, Black-collared Bulbul, Falkenstein’s Greenbul, Bubbling Cisticola, Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush and Dusky Twinspot. Not to mention all the more typical Namibian near-endemics, which can also be expected.

This tour can be combined with our São Tomé and Príncipe birding tour immediately after, as there are direct flights from Luanda to these endemic-rich islands.

Itinerary (17 days/16 nights)

Day 0. Arrival into Luanda

As we begin the tour early on Day 1, we require you to be in Luanda this day (the day before). *Please note that we do include the hotel room cost, airport transfer and dinner for this evening, in the tour cost (to make this easy for all tour participants) but nothing else. We will aim to meet up this evening for dinner.

This day is not part of the tour cost generally, we will not have access to the tour vehicle, no birding is included, and the tour leader will only be arriving for the evening dinner.

Overnight: Luanda

Day 1. Luanda to Uige

We have an early start, as we venture north out of this bustling city, bound for the remote northern forests near to Uige. This drive will take several hours, and we will break it up with several birding stops along the route, giving us our first birds. Our first stop is likely to be a segment of dry woodland, which is home to our first endemics, such as Monteiro’s Bushshrike, Gabela Helmetshrike and White-fronted Wattle-eye, amongst many others. This will be somewhat similar to our birding around Muxima in a few days’ time. We will also search for the strange local race of Forest Swallow along the route.

The main reason for venturing to these northern forests, which hold a wide range of more typical equatorial African species, is that this is the only locality where the rare endemic Braun’s Bushshrike can be found. We anticipate having our first try for this species in the forest edge fragments it prefers this afternoon, though we do have the entire Day 2 available to search for this species (and the many others that can be found here).

Overnight: Uige

Braun’s Bushshrike is a poorly known endemic restricted to the far north of the country.

Day 2. Braun’s Bushshrike and the northern scarp forests

We have a full day at our disposal, where we will explore the remaining tracts of northern scarp forest. Foremost of our targets here will be the beautiful, but incredibly localized, endemic Braun’s Bushshrike. This rare and poorly known species is one of Angola’s most sought-after birds and will have the bulk of our time and effort being dedicated toward seeing it.

While exploring these forests the mournful hoots of Afep Pigeons are never far away; however, as is customary, it takes some time and patience to track them down. Blue-throated Rollers perch in the open above the canopy, and massive Black-casqued Hornbills flap noisily between perches, while Red-fronted Parrots commute overhead in the mornings and evenings and Yellow-crested Woodpeckers drum from the massive trees. The calls of Grey-headed and White-breasted Nigritas ring out regularly, while large and boisterous Guinea Turacos bound in the treetops. Not to be outdone, the massive Great Blue Turaco occurs in the area as well and never fails to impress. Black Bee-eater flits overhead, and this spectacular bird is fortunately a regular sight in the area. However, the highly prized Chocolate-backed Kingfisher is more difficult to locate, but both will be targeted. Piping and African Pied Hornbills are often heard before being seen, as is true with the many Barbets occurring here, such as Naked-faced, the strange Bristle-nosed, Hairy-breasted, and Yellow-billed, along with Speckled and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds. A number of Starlings occur in these forests, and we’ll be on the lookout for Splendid, Chestnut-winged, and Narrow-tailed, all regularly attending fruiting trees. Sunbirds are also many and diverse, with Little Green, Grey-chinned, Collared, Green-headed, Blue-throated Brown, Olive, Olive-bellied, and the beautiful Superb all occurring.

Black Bee-eater is a truly stunning member of this usually-gorgeous family – and one of its most coveted. We stand a good chance of seeing this species in the northern forests.

Rolling grassy hills (though often burnt at this time of the year) surround these scarp forests and play host to many other interesting species, top of them being the unique Black-collared Bulbul. Not to be forgotten are species such as Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Moustached GrassWarbler, African Yellow Warbler, Black-winged Red Bishop, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Red-headed Quelea, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Black-and-white Mannikin and the snazzy Brown Twinspot.

Overnight: Uige

Day 3. Transfer to Kalandula

We will have a final morning of birding in a different segment of remaining forest, searching for some of the above-mentioned species we may not yet have seen. After some great birding in the northern scarp forests we depart this area, bound for another fantastic birding zone, the greater Kalandula area. This will likely be quite a long drive, as sections of the road are very slow (though changing every year) – we anticipate arrival in the afternoon.

The town of Kalandula is named for one of Angola’s greatest natural wonders, the spectacular Kalandula Falls – we will be sure to include a visit to these falls during our stay here.

Overnight: Kalandula

The massive White-headed Robin-Chat is a sought-after bird occurring in the dense swamp forests around the Kalandula Falls.

Day 4. Kinjila birding – searching for the mega White-headed Robin-Chat

Today will be another exciting day, as we head into the swamp forests near Kalandula for, primarily, the sought-after White-headed Robin-Chat. This rare, localized, poorly known, yet spectacular bird is another one of the major avian drawcards on this tour! Initially thought to be extinct, this species was only rediscovered as recently as the 1990s, and it is now known from a handful of scattered locations in otherwise inaccessible areas. While this will be our main target, there are a host of other tantalizing species occurring in these swamp forests and their surroundings as well. The diminutive White-spotted Flufftail frequents these swampy areas, while the vocal Ross’s Turaco bounds through the treetops. Angola’s national bird, the endemic Red-crested Turaco, occurs as well but is uncommon here and best searched for elsewhere on the trip. The upper reaches also play host to the shy Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Honeyguide Greenbul, and Brown-headed Apalis, while the denser reaches lower down host Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Cabanis’s Greenbul, and Black-throated Wattle-eye.

Stands of miombo-type woodland surround the swamp forests, and we will be spending some time slowly working our way through these woodlands as well. This is arguably the best place in the world for the sought-after Anchieta’s Barbet, while some other key targets in these woodlands will be Thick-billed Cuckoo, Black-backed Barbet, Pale-billed Hornbill, Black Scimitarbill, White-winged Black Tit, Miombo Wren-Warbler, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Sharp-tailed Starling, Miombo Scrub Robin and Orange-winged Pytilia amongst others. Miombo woodland birding isn’t always the easiest, as it is often quiet for long periods of time, as the birds frequent ‘feeding parties’ – large mixed groupings of birds moving through the woodland feeding – and there is usually only activity when you encounter one of these parties.

The difficult Anchieta’s Barbet is an uncommon bird throughout its range – though best seen in Angola, and specifically in the miombo woodlands around Kalandula.

Nearby rivers host colonies of Red-throated Cliff Swallows, while the surrounding reeds and damp grasslands can host the likes of Marsh Tchagra, Moustached Grass Warbler and Fülleborn’s Longclaw. Even the smallest of bushes near these rivers host the noisy Yellow-throated Leaflove. African Scops Owl is easily found here at night, and we will try for Fiery-necked and, if we’re lucky, the spectacular Pennant-winged Nightjars as well.

Overnight: Kalandula

Day 5. Transfer to Muxima

A long drive awaits us, as we depart the fabulous Kalandula area, bound for the drier woodlands around Muxima, in a forgotten corner of the Kissama National Park. We may start our first birding around our comfortable lodge late this evening, where we can seek out the near-endemic Bubbling Cisticola amongst more widespread species.

Overnight: Muxima

Gabela Helmetshrike is one of several key endemics to be found around Muxima.

Day 6. Endemic birding around Muxima

We have a full day to explore this area and will take a few specific tracks deep into the area, as we target several endemics which occur in these dry woodlands. An early morning start along these quiet roads is our best chance of finding the shy Grey-striped Francolin – as they come out to the roadside edge to feed. While nearby thickets and woodlands are home to the difficult Monteiro’s Bushshrike and Gabela Helmetshrike, White-fronted Wattle-eye occur more widely and, with enough effort, we should be able to find all these. Some other sought-after birds occurring here are Angola Batis, Swamp Boubou, Pale-olive Greenbul, Bubbling Cisticola, Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush, Golden-backed Bishop and Hartet’s Camaroptera, amongst many others. We will also be sure to watch the skies for both Böhm’s and Mottled Spinetails, along with Mosque Swallow, all of which breed in the many baobabs strung throughout the area. The mighty Kwanza River can also be accessed at Muxima and, while the water level is usually high at this time of year, we will search hard to find the monotypic Egyptian Plover – a Sahel specialty that was only recently found to occur this far south (though is unlikely on the tour).

Overnight: Muxima

Day 7. Transfer to Conda

Another long drive awaits us, as we venture southwards following the escarpment. We will make several birding stops along the route, as usual, and anticipate arriving at our comfortable guesthouse later in the afternoon. Conda is the gateway to access what little remains of the once vast Kumbira Forest. Unfortunately, this forest has been rapidly cleared, and now only small fragments remain – putting the few critical endemics that call these forests home, on the edge.

Overnight: Conda

The jewel-like Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye is a forest special to be seen in the Kumbira Forest.

Days 8 – 9. Endemic birding at Kumbira, and exploring the miombo

We will undertake a day trip to reach all the various small tracts of forest that still remain. The early stages of the bumpy track hosts one of the key targets of the area, the endemic Pulitzer’s Longbill. This rare and difficult-to-find species is always tricky to pin down as it skulks in thicker vegetation, making it difficult to see. Before long we enter the first of the degraded ‘forest’ patches, and this is where the bulk of our time will be spent as we explore the roadside vegetation, along with a few trails venturing deeper into the area. Usually first up in the forested areas are some of the more common species such as Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Green-backed Woodpecker, Angola Batis, Pink-footed Puffback, Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher, Green Crombec, Buff-throated Apalis, and Black-necked Weaver.

We should also start encountering the first of the many specials of the area, such as the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, snazzy African Broadbill, vocal Yellow-throated Nicator, and the sought-after Falkenstein’s Greenbul. The spectacular Black-throated Apalis keeps to the high canopies, while the unusual local subspecies of Southern Hyliota typically moves about a bit lower down, with Fraser’s Rufous Thrush sitting silently in the undergrowth. The deep booms of Gabon Coucal ring from the small clearings in the forest, while the soft, melodic calls of Forest Scrub Robin are never far away. If we’re lucky, we’ll hopefully find the local race of Naked-faced Barbet, known as Pale-throated Barbet (and a good candidate for a future split). Of the main specials, however, this is the best site for the country’s national bird, Red-crested Turaco, and their loud calls give away their presence as they clamber surprisingly agilely in the canopy. The dainty and endemic Gabela Akalat frequents the dense tangles lower down and requires a quick eye to pick up on its rapid movements in these low-light areas. Other specials to be found in the area are Brown-chested Alethe and Brown Illadopsis, and patience is the name of the game to see these reclusive species.

Gabela Akalat, like all other members of this African family, are shy and elusive and keep to the deep dark thickets – occasionally we get lucky and find a confiding bird, like in this photo.

Arguably the trickiest special here (and the bird that seems to be declining the most) is the rare endemic Gabela Bushshrike. Similar to its cousin further north in the country, Braun’s Bushshrike, this species has a distinctive ‘croaking’ call which carries some distance and for which we’ll be on high alert. While searching for all these birds we’re likely to also come across a range of other more widespread species, and everything from Tambourine Dove to Superb Sunbird and Grey Waxbill is possible.

Depending on how the birding unfolds at Kumbira Forest, we will likely have our second full day here to explore the wider surrounds. This zone supports some of the best miombo woodland patches in this central part of the country – though they are still fragmented. Here we will be after some of the core miombo specials like African Spotted Creeper, Black-necked Eremomela, White-breasted Cuckooshrike and Anchieta’s Sunbird. Feeding flocks are the order of business in this habitat, and we’ll be looking out and listening carefully for leaders of such flocks, like Rufous-bellied and Miombo Tits and Green-capped Eremomela – all of which are usually good indications of feeding flocks. We also hope to find a great many other miombo specialists as we go about our birding, with the likes of Souza’s Shrike, Miombo Scrub Robin, Miombo Rock Thrush, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Wood Pipit and more on the cards.

More open grassy areas surround the remaining miombo woodland and support some excellent birds. Rare and difficult birds like Bocage’s Sunbird, Angola Lark, Brazza’s Martin and Bocage’s Weaver will be high on our lists. Others like Black-collared Bulbul, Black-and-rufous Swallow, Fülleborn’s Longclaw and Marsh Widowbird can also be seen.

Overnight: Conda

Black-necked Eremomela is a snazzy-looking miombo bird we’ll be trying hard to find.

Day 10. Transfer to Mount Moco

We have a long day in store as we transfer to the Mount Moco region. We will be passing through similar areas to where we would likely have birded the day before in the miombo and more open areas, and as such, have second chances for many of these species (see above). Ultimately, much of the day is spent driving, as the roads are slow going, and we anticipate arriving to our comfortable hotel in Bailundo in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Bailundo

Day 11. Mount Moco birding

The forests of the nearby Mount Moco massif have been greatly diminished over the years, but this is the site of some success as the local villages have undertaken a ‘reforesting’ project on the mountain. This has been on the go for some time, and the rewards are starting to come in, with much revegetation and some birds starting to return. It will no doubt still be some time before the true forest specials return, though. Nonetheless, we will be seeking out the likes of Schalow’s Turaco, Western Tinkerbird, Bocage’s Akalat and Black-chinned Weaver. The edges still hold small numbers of the prized Swierstra’s Spurfowl (unlikely to be seen here though) along with other endemics like Huambo Cisticola, Angola Waxbill and Angola Slaty Flycatcher, and the unique Black-collared Bulbul and elusive Dusky Twinspot.

Fragmented sections of miombo and floodplain habitats remain on the lower slopes of the massif, and we can search these in the afternoon for any of the species we may still be missing.

Overnight: Bailundo

The unique local race of Western Tinkerbird has cause for separation and is a target on the tour – like many other species with their unique local races found in Angola.

Day 12. Transfer to Lubango

A long travel day awaits, as we depart the bird-rich central parts of Angola, bound for the large southern city of Lubango. As usual, our drive will be broken up with several birding stops, where we can try for some miombo birds, alongside more widespread species – but we anticipate arriving at our comfortable lodge late in the afternoon.

Overnight: Casper Lodge, Lubango

The Tundavala Escarpment offers superb birding in a scenic setting.

Day 13. Birding Tundavala

Our day will be dedicated to birding the Tundavala escarpment, on the edge of the city. Another of Angola’s more famous natural sites, the Tundavala Gap affords spectacular views over the escarpment as it rapidly drops from the high plateau down to the coastal plain, more than 3,300 feet (1,000 m) below.

While taking in the spectacular views, we have a chance for several aerial species, of which Bradfield’s Swift should form the bulk of the numbers. Alpine Swift, Rock Martin, and Black Saw-wing should also feature, and we will keep an eye out for raptors, including Augur Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, and Booted Eagle. The open rocky areas themselves are home to Short-toed Rock Thrush and Striped Pipit along with two of the main specials here, Rockrunner and Angola Cave Chat. The latter two species typically require some work to track down as they slink through gaps in the rocks, and we will be sure to put in some time to track them down. The rare Swierstra’s Spurfowl occurs in these areas as well and will be another key target.

Where the forest-type habitat begins we’ll be on the lookout for Grey Apalis, Angola Slaty Flycatcher, Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird, and Angola Waxbill, while species such as Western Tinkerbird and even Bocage’s Akalat are possible as well. The scrubby plains on the lower slopes are good for smaller seedeaters and the endemic Red-backed Mousebird. The recently discovered (and very isolated) population of White-headed Barbet occurs rarely in a remote valley, and should we have time, we will undertake the journey out to try for these special birds.

Overnight: Casper Lodge, Lubango

Angola Cave Chat is a striking species we should see at the incredible Tundavala Escarpment.

Day 14. Namibe birding – and most of Namibia’s near-endemics

We have the morning available to try for any outstanding targets we may still be searching for in the Tundavala mountains. Following which, we will transfer down the escarpment to the dry coastal plain via the incredible Leba Pass. Our main birding, however, will only start once we have descended to the plains below, from where we will initially explore some of the dry, deciduous woodland, riverbeds, and acacia thornveld – host to a completely new set of birds. The nomadic Cinderella Waxbill is a main target, but it is highly unpredictable in the area at this time of year, and notoriously difficult to find. We will also be on the lookout for other specials like Rüppell’s Parrot, Monteiro’s Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, Carp’s Tit and Meves’s Starling.

Transferring further west toward the coast the habitat rapidly changes and becomes increasingly drier. Stands of acacia thornveld in these dry zones host many species more characteristic of further south (like Namibia), such as Common Scimitarbill, Pririt Batis, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Ashy Tit, Barred Wren-Warbler, Chestnut-vented Warbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Dusky Sunbird, Scaly-feathered Weaver, Red-headed Finch, and White-throated and Yellow Canaries.

Continuing further we enter the barren Namib Desert, and the dry gravel plains here host another suite of exciting species. The sought-after Rüppell’s Korhaan strides through the open plains, and we will search carefully for Benguela Long-billed Lark. Not to be outdone is the ghostly white Tractrac Chat, its close cousin, Karoo Chat, and the puzzling Chat Flycatcher. Lark-like Bunting can be present in large numbers, while we’ll need to keep an eye out for Pale-winged Starling as they roam the plains. Pale Chanting Goshawk is often easily seen perched atop roadside poles, as is the western race of Southern Fiscal.

Overnight: Namibe/ Moçâmedes area

Day 15. Birding to Benguela

Following an exciting few days birding in the south of Angola, we gradually start our journey back northwards to the capital city, Luanda. Today, we transfer as far as the Benguela region, on the coast. The rocky hills near the coast offer us excellent chances of finding the reclusive Hartlaub’s Spurfowl. Their loud, duetting call rings out from all parts of the hills and persistent scanning of exposed rocks is the order of the day. The surrounding areas play host to some of the same more typical Namibian specials, like Rüppell’s Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Carp’s Tit, and Bare-cheeked Babbler, Rockrunner and White-tailed Shrike – presenting us with a convenient backup should we have missed any of these. Closer to the coast, dry plains reminiscent of the Namib Desert occasionally host the likes of Double-banded Courser and Stark’s Lark, while the scrubby vegetation can be birded for the likes of Cape Penduline Tit.

Overnight: Benguela

The strange White-tailed Shrike is always a group favorite.

Day 16. Birding to the Kwanza River

The penultimate day of the tour sees us spending the morning birding coastal wetlands and salt pans around Benguela and Lobito, before making our way up to the Kwanza River mouth – lying just south of Luanda, and our end point of the tour. A good array of wetland species will likely include Cape Teal, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, African Spoonbill, Great White Pelican, Reed and White-breasted Cormorant, and more tropical species like African Pygmy Goose and African Openbill, along with many others.

We will arrive at the lovely Kwanza River, south of Luanda, in the late afternoon, where we will relax and settle in, following what is sure to be an exciting tour.

Overnight: Mangais Resort, Kwanza River

Day 17. Final morning birding, and departure from Luanda

This is the departure day, and we will have a final morning of birding available to us. The mangroves around the Kwanza River mouth hold the tricky Mangrove Sunbird, amongst others, while the Kwanza River mouth holds a good selection of waterbirds – what is sure to be a fitting way to end the tour.

Note that the lodge we make use of is well outside Luanda city, and we advise participants to book their departure flights back home (or to our linking São Tomé and Príncipe birding tour), only in the afternoon from 4pm onwards.

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes have to use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

ANGOLA:
GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

Angola has a rather unfortunate history, and has only fairly recently opened up to tourism (basically since the 2000s). As such, Angola has long been perceived to be a “difficult” destination, with birding sites and suitable accommodations tricky to access, making for a logistically-challenging trip. This is rapidly changing, however, and every year, there are regular improvements to infrastructure, with new and better roads making travel easier and quicker. Importantly, our tour to Angola does not include any camping, and suitable accommodations are used throughout. This tour begins and ends in the capital city, Luanda (in the north of the country). There is a wide mix of habitats encountered, ranging from forested areas, to mixed woodland and open desert environments. The birding on this tour is generally not particularly challenging, with birding mostly from roadside edges and the occasional foray into the surrounding woodland/forest/area. We do, however, undertake a couple strenuous birding walks at Mount Moco, and possibly Tundavala and elsewhere (see more below under ‘WALKING’). As always, forest birding can be difficult with brief views of skulking birds in a dark environment, or high up int the canopy as they flit about. Photographic opportunities are usually very poor in the forests, though are better in the more open areas It needs to be stressed that this is a tour for more serious and dedicated birders. The tour is focused on finding Angola’s endemic and special birds, and every effort is made to accomplish this. There is little down time envisioned on this tour, and full days out are expected throughout. Much time is spent in the vehicles, as we travel to and from birding sites, and bird from the vehicles. Travel is also slow in this rural African country, and there are several long travel days with little birding possible.

PASSPORT AND VISA

Your passport must be valid for a period of at least six months after the date of your arrival in Angola. Please make sure that there is at least one full empty page available in your passport. Please ensure that you also bring a photocopy of your passport, to be kept in a different location from your passport, in case of loss. Visa entry regulations to Angola changes rapidly, and it is the responsibility of each client to verify whether they need a visa to travel, or not. As recently as 2020, virtually every nationality needed a visa to travel to Angola, however, this is not the case anymore, and many countries (with more routinely being added) no longer need a visa, and can easily travel to Angola. Please make sure you find out accordingly, and well in advance of your tour. Birding Ecotours can assist in providing documentation to confirm your participation on the tour, in support of your visa application, and generally help with this process, should it be required. However, the onus is on you, as a client, to secure your visa to travel here.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We require (see Birding Tours Terms and Conditions – Birding Ecotours) that you purchase trip cancellation insurance in case you have to cancel due to illness just prior to the tour departure date, to protect yourself against accidents, medical, illness, loss of valuables, luggage etc. and travel interruptions or delays of all kinds. Allianz Travel and Generali Global Assistance are two options to consider.

HEALTH/MALARIA

Please carefully read the Center for Disease Control (CDC) information for travelers to Angola (or your government’s equivalent health travel advice for Angola). Below we have mentioned a couple of specific items but first and foremost kindly be advised by the updated information at the above link. Required immunizations for travel to Angola: Yellow Fever vaccine. Please note that Angola accepts that Yellow Fever inoculation is now acknowledged as a lifetime vaccine (but of course you still need to produce the certificate, even if it shows as a technically expired date). It is recommended that you are up to date with all routine vaccines, such as polio and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Additionally, it is also recommended getting vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid. Please keep in mind that if you have not had any of these, one should make sure that you have been inoculated at least six weeks prior to your trip, for the vaccine to take full effect.

Malaria

We strongly recommend anti-malaria drugs for travel to Angola. Please consult with your doctor accordingly. Mosquito repellant, long trousers/jeans and long-sleeved shirts, particularly at night when malaria (Anopheles) mosquitos bite, are advised, in addition to the drugs.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Please make sure that you are covered with medical insurance in case of an emergency while on this trip. Without insurance the cost of medical care can be extremely high. Please notify us at the time of registering for the tour of any medical conditions you think we should know about (including allergies, heart conditions, epilepsy, etc.). This will greatly help us to cater to your needs.

WATER / FOOD

We provide unlimited bottled water in the tour vehicles, and you are welcome to take water from the vehicles for evenings when not provided in the hotel rooms. More expensive bottled water at restaurants is excluded from the tour cost and is for your account, but (again) you can take water from our tour vehicles whenever you want. Dinners will virtually always be enjoyed at our hotels and lodges, with breakfasts and lunches mostly packed meals in the field (though occasionally may be enjoyed at our hotels). As always, please do inform us if you have any food allergies or other dietary requirements. Kindly note, that we cannot guarantee that these can be accommodated throughout the tour. If you have special requirements/allergies, we kindly ask if you can bring along appropriate/replacement foods. Meals in Angola are generally more basic and consistent with other parts of rural Africa–typically with lots of starch, and limited vegetables and protein choices. Chicken and fish meals are available widely. We do ask for your understanding in not expecting excellent and varied food, routinely, and to ensure your expectations are consistent with the destination (rural Africa).

CURRENCY AND MONEY

The Angolan kwanza (Kz) is the official currency, and it is suggested to ensure you have sufficient cash in local currency to cover expenses such as drinks, tips, and for other items of a personal nature (such as gifts). Credit cards are not widely accepted for payment. You will be able to exchange or draw money at the airport upon our arrival. Note that exchanging money is only easily possible at the airport on your arrival – it is very time-consuming (and not possible) to do so during the tour. Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted for drawing cash from ATMs, though some banks may decline transactions on international bank cards – it is important to notify your bank that you will be traveling abroad. Note: US and Canadian dollars, pound sterling and euros cannot be used for purchases.   WEATHER    Conditions will generally be comfortable, but note that some areas in the highlands may be cool and windy, especially in the mornings or evenings, and some areas are likely to be warm and humid (especially in the north). We do not anticipate extreme heat or humidity, nor very cold conditions. As always, it is good practice to ensure you have some warmer clothes, as some people may feel the need for a jersey/jacket in the evenings, and a raincoat. Although we visit during the dry season, unseasonal rain is not impossible.

ELECTRICITY

The standard voltage is 220 V. If you intend to recharge camera batteries etc. in your hotel room you will need an international adapter. Note that in Angola, the power plug sockets generally make use of Type C (see link). It is always good practice to bring an international adapter along, as hotels and lodgings occasionally differ. All of our hotels/lodges will have access to electricity throughout the day/night, and will have at least one outlet available for chargers and laptops etc. Remember, this is rural Africa, and sometimes the electricity is cut off. While we cannot control such aspects of the tour, we will always try our best to ensure backup options are possible/used, if needed. A good torch is also advised, which can be used if joining a night walk, and/or, should the power go out, and light is needed in the room.

INTERNET/WIFI

Wi-Fi internet will be intermittently available at our lodges and hotels on this trip. Kindly note that in many places, this is not accessible from your rooms, but only the main reception area/dining area. Should you wish to stay connected more regularly, we advise you to:

• Purchase a local sim card at the airport, on your arrival. Kindly use “Unitel”, and not other cell companies which have very poor coverage.

LENGTH OF DRIVES

Kindly note that this tour takes place in a third-world country, and roads are often narrow, potholed and very busy. Do not expect highways and quick travel between destinations. Unfortunately, this does mean we will spend quite a bit of time in vehicles, traveling to and from birding sites, and transiting between destinations. Additionally, there are a few days with particularly long drives. Most of the birding sites are accessed from/birding along, gravel roads leading to remaining areas of natural habitat. These are usually in a bad condition and very bumpy. Some roads can be dusty so please consider bringing a scarf (or other measures) in case you are birding along an unpaved road and a car goes past putting up dust.

WALKING

Although we spend a lot of time in the vehicles, there is still a fair bit of walking needed on this tour. Many of our birding sites require birding from foot, as opposed to birding from vehicles, and will require us being on our feet for several hours at a time. Despite this, the distances walked are often not very far, and the taxing aspect comes from simply being on one’s feet. While most of the walking is generally easy and either along roads, or roadside edges, we do occasionally venture off the road, and “bushwhack” into forest/woodland/similar. Participants should be able to manage these conditions, and be comfortable on their feet, with comfortable shoes, for several hours at a time etc. The following is noteworthy:

1. The birding on the slopes of Mount Moco is extremely difficult and challenging. We will go as far as possible with the vehicle, though a final point will be reached, from which we will need to ascend the rest of the way on foot – via rough, steep trails, on rocky and loose ground, to reach the lower forested slopes. While we don’t get anywhere near the summit, this is still extremely challenging.

PACE OF TOUR

This is an intense tour, with long days out in the field, virtually every day. We will generally start the days off early pre-dawn, with an early breakfast at the hotel, before departing for our day birding, usually still while dark. After arriving, and some birding, we will have short breaks for morning breakfast/coffee and lunch (these are usually out in the field). Note that many of the birding sites are far from our accommodation, and we will spend the full day out birding, only returning to our accommodation later in the afternoon/evening. There is little down time expected. There will be occasional evening forays to look for nocturnal birds (and mammals), but this is not a daily activity. It is possible to opt out of some activities, should you not feel up for it, but this generally won’t be possible on the days where we transit between overnight accommodations. In some instances, it may be possible to stay with the vehicles should you be unable/unwilling to join the group.

ACCOMMODATION

Please note that most of the accommodation places used on this tour are considered to be of a “good/standard” quality, though some places are “basic” (and below the standard we use on our southern/East Africa tours). En-suite bathroom facilities are available throughout the tour, though in some places, hot water can be an issue and may not always available. Furthermore, maintenance can be an issue at some places, with electrical points, lights etc. not working – or easily repairable. As the tourism industry is still new in Angola, many of the birding sites lie far from available accommodation establishments and thus a drive to and from is necessary in the mornings and evenings.

FLIGHTS

This tour starts and ends in the capital city, Luanda, that has an international airport serviced by various airlines (often routing through Europe). *The tour begins early on Day 1, and it is best for all participants to arrive a day (or two) prior to the tour beginning. *The final night of the tour sees us staying well outside the capital city, Luanda, and to ensure smooth logistics, we kindly ask all clients to only book outbound flights departing Angola, from 4pm or later that afternoon. Please kindly check in with the Birding Ecotours office before booking any flights.

WHAT TO BRING                                  

Clothing – Casual and informal dress is fine in the hotels and lodges. Loose lightweight field clothing works best, with a warm fleece or jacket for cooler weather. As mentioned before, it is good practice to bring some warmer clothing, certainly a minimum of a warm fleece and a rain jacket. While unlikely, rain is always a possibility, so an umbrella and or rain gear is always useful to have.

Laundry can be done at most establishments throughout the tour (at your expense) – but please note that a lead time of at least one day is needed (it is therefore impossible to get laundry done if we stay at a hotel/lodge for only a single night – but is possible if we have two nights or longer). Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen (rated SPF 30 or higher) are essential. A pair of trousers or a long skirt, and a long-sleeved shirt should be included to help protect against forest vegetation and the sun. We would recommend lightweight walking boots for when out on foot, and bringing a second pair is often useful. Please ensure that whatever footwear you bring, that it is comfortable, as much time is spent on your feet on this tour. You might like to consider sandals/tevas as well, for use around the hotels/lodges. Do not forget – BINOCULARS, prescription drugs (also bring the generic names for these drugs), toiletries, prescription glasses (and a spare pair), insect repellant, camera, flashlight, batteries (for electronic equipment and chargers for the re-chargeable batteries), plug adaptors, alarm clock, mosquito repellant, money pouch, field guide(s), a soft-sided duffle-style luggage bag is recommended (hard-sided luggage is not always ideal), daypack/backpack, and your favorite road snacks!

Key documents and cash – Passports, your travel or health insurance cards (you can send us copies to file in case of emergency), credit cards – Mastercard (and to a lesser extent VISA) are best – see above, US dollars, euro or pounds can be exchanged for local currency at the airport as you arrive into the country (if you prefer not to simply draw from ATMs), cash for drinks, gifts, tips, items of a personal nature etc.

Luggage – Due to limited luggage space in the vehicles, please pack as lightly as possible. A medium-sized, soft-sided duffle bag (not the hard-sided cases) works best for packing in the vehicles. This allows us to better fit the bags. Please bring a daypack to keep items that you wish to use or need on a daily basis.

Angola General Information