Lubango in 48 Hours: A Weekend Escape from Luanda
Are you searching for a tranquil trip from the non-stop buzz of Luanda? Let me recommend you a Lubango weekend escape. Nestled comfortably in the heart of Huila Province, Lubango is a small city that’s big on charm and serenity, where only 250,000 souls are fortunate enough to call it home. It’s a special place where the streets are laid out with care, the buildings exude quality, and you can take a leisurely walk feeling the reassuring embrace of safety—a stark, soothing contrast to the lively hustle and bustle of Luanda’s urban jungle.
When planning your Lubango weekend getaway, consider giving yourself the gift of time. While a swift two-day trip can be exciting and packed with activities, stretching your stay to three or four days can transform your visit into an immersive experience. Savor the slower pace, where you can leisurely engage with the local culture and let the unique vibe of Lubango sink into your bones. Begin your journey with the sunrise on a Saturday morning, and you could be back in Luanda by Sunday night, refreshed and invigorated.
Be savvy with your booking—starting your search with ‘Lubango weekend escape’ well in advance can lead to significant savings, avoiding those pesky last-minute fare spikes. It also ensures that you secure the most comfortable and inviting accommodations to make your stay in this delightful city a true pleasure.
Flight Booking Tips for Your Lubango Adventure
Heading to Lubango from Luanda? Let’s talk travel options. While driving might be the wallet-friendly choice, it’s a hefty 12-hour journey – not really something I’d recommend. If you can swing it, flying is your best bet from Luanda.
Currently, the only airline that offers domestic flights within Angola is TAAG. You may find information about other airlines like Fly Angola, but they have recently ceased operations in the country.
Pro Tip 1: For the best deals, hit up the airline’s official website directly. Skip those familiar travel portals like eDreams, Booking, or Skyscanner – they’re not the go-to here. Dive straight into the airline’s site and scout out the best option for you.
Pro tip 2: Flight schedule changes are pretty standard in Angola, so don’t be surprised if your flight time shifts around during the week. Stay alert and, if in doubt, give them a call to negotiate a more convenient date and time. I’ve booked three flights in Angola, and two had last-minute changes!
Hotel Booking and Transfer Tips in Lubango
When it comes to booking a hotel in Angola, forget those globally known booking platforms. Here, it’s all about word-of-mouth and phone calls. My advice? Dial up the hotel directly to secure your reservation. Another option is to use local platforms like Hoteis Angola. I haven’t personally used it yet, but I’ve heard reliable reviews about its trustworthiness.
Once you touch down in Lubango, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the airport. It’s modern, well-maintained, and far less chaotic than Luanda’s airport. For getting to your hotel, you’ve got a couple of choices. You can either arrange a guide or taxi in advance to whisk you from the airport to your hotel, or you could reach out to Pululukwa and use their hotel transport service. This pre-planning can make your arrival in Lubango smooth and hassle-free.
Day 1
Hotel Arrival and Stay in Lubango
Lubango’s hotel scene has something for everyone, and I found my slice of paradise at the Pululukwa Resort. This place isn’t just any resort – it’s a collection of charming villages where you get to stay in a luxurious yet cozy wooden cabin. It’s like having all the modern comforts wrapped up in the enchanting experience of a cabin stay.
The resort is not only welcoming and well-maintained but also offers a wild touch – imagine stepping outside to a family of zebras by your cabin, or spotting deer and exotic birds strolling around. Some animals, like caimans, leopards, and impalas, are kept in enclosures or protected areas for obvious reasons.
While Pululukwa doesn’t have a pool, it boasts a SPA that I was eager to try out but didn’t get the chance, as it’s not widely advertised. The on-site restaurant overlooks a beautifully lit lake at night, adding to the ambiance.
The hotel’s restaurant deserves a special mention. For around 20 to 30 dollars per person, you get top-notch meats and homemade delights like ice cream. Sometimes, they even have live music!
After a satisfying dinner, let’s dive into a two-day itinerary in Lubango:
Buffet Breakfast at Pululukwa
Kickstart your day with the hotel’s delicious buffet breakfast, included in the room price. The setting is beautiful, and the quality is top-notch.
Touring the Huila Waterfalls
The adventure kicked off with a visit to the Huila waterfalls, about a half-hour drive away. There are three waterfalls in Huila, where you can also stumble upon a quaint bar and locals performing traditional dances in their typical attire.
To be honest, it might not be a must-see, especially if there hasn’t been much rain and the waterfalls are less than spectacular. However, it’s a unique, very local spot where you can even see women washing clothes in the river.
The local efforts to turn the Huila waterfalls into a tourist attraction are evident, but in my view, it still has some way to go before it can compete with the area’s other attractions.
Cafe do Monte: A Culinary Oasis in Lubango with a Vibrant Atmosphere
Cafe do Monte in Lubango is a charming spot with quality dishes and a great vibe. Everything we ordered was spot-on – delicious pizzas, succulent meats, tasty Tex-Mex, and all at reasonable prices with a reasonable wait time.
It’s the perfect place for a quick stop during your Lubango exploration or for a lively evening filled with music and cocktails. The ambiance sets the right tone for a delightful dining experience.
Visiting the Mumuila Tribe in Angola
Angola, largely unexplored, holds an allure that’s hard to find elsewhere. The country’s turbulent past, marked by a 30-year civil war and inflation, has limited its exposure to tourism. This means many locals aren’t used to seeing foreigners, making it a unique destination.
Angola stands out in Africa for its original tribes that live isolated from the modern world, preserving their customs. We were fortunate enough to visit a Mumuila tribe, thanks to our guide who knew a member. This visit was unlike any other I’ve experienced; it was clear they were unaccustomed to visitors. The tribe members, especially the children, were cautious and curious about us, maintaining their distance and observing us intently.
Coincidentally, our visit aligned with a celebration of a 15th birthday in the tribe. It was a fascinating experience. Unlike other tourist-targeted performances, this was authentic – they danced for their celebration, not for tourists. It allowed us a glimpse into an authentic and rare cultural experience.
Sapore Nostry: Discover Lubango’s Premier Ice Cream Experience
Strolling through Lubango’s orderly streets is a breath of fresh air, especially if you’re coming from bustling Luanda. The well-paved sidewalks, quality buildings, and grid-like street layout add to the city’s calm and safe atmosphere.
A delightful find was Sapore Nostry, a charming ice cream shop in the heart of the city. Despite general health advisories against consuming ice cream in countries like Angola, Sapore Nostry adheres to strict cold chain and hygiene standards. I liked it so much that I visited again with no issues. On a quirky note, I’ve started rating places based on their coffee quality – and Sapore Nostry gets a solid ‘three coffees’ out of three!
Plus, it’s budget-friendly for foreigners (2000 kwanzas per ice cream, which is less than 2 dollars), and the place is spotlessly clean.
Kimbo do Soba: Savour the Signature Grilled Delights in Lubango
Our day wouldn’t be complete without sampling the famed grilled meat at Kimbo do Soba, which doubles as a hotel and restaurant. The unique part about this place is you pick your meat as you enter, and they cook it to perfection for you to enjoy at your table. Sometimes, they even have live performances.
The price is quite reasonable – I didn’t spend more than 20 dollars for a hearty dinner. It’s a spot that offers both a culinary delight and a taste of local culture.
Day 2
Embark on a Mini Safari at Pululukwa: Discovering Lubango’s Wildlife
After indulging in a delicious breakfast, I recommend embarking on the mini safari within the Pululukwa resort. It’s an affordable way to see all the animals and explore the facility’s lookouts. At about 6 dollars per person, it’s a great value for an activity that lasts under an hour. This experience is sure to set a positive tone for the rest of your day!
Tundavala Lookout: Lubango’s Breathtaking Panoramic Views
A visit to Lubango isn’t complete without experiencing the breathtaking views from the Tundavala lookout. This spectacular spot offers panoramic views of the mountain’s slopes and the city of Lubango. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
Le Chalet: Artisanal Cheeses and Gourmet Delights in the Heart of Lubango
Le Chalet is a delightful restaurant known for making its own cheeses, yogurts, and cured meats. The ambiance is cozy and well-maintained, and the food is tasty. You can also buy their homemade cheeses and dairy products, as well as locally-sourced coffee beans from the Tundavala region.
Keep in mind, their cheese board features only one type of cheese, so adjust your expectations accordingly. While the service can be incredibly slow, the wait is well worth it for the quality of food and unique local flavors.
Alto do Bimbo: A Breathtaking Journey to Lubango’s Secluded Paradise
This part of the journey was my absolute favorite. Our guide drove for quite some time on a signal-less road, leading us to a plateau dotted with huts. The scenery here is breathtaking and feels untouched, like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Along the way, we passed several interesting estates and found roadside fruit stalls selling fresh strawberries, lemons, and mangos. The effort to reach this destination was well worth it. We arrived at a cliff offering the most stunning views of the entire trip. There, our guide popped open a bottle of champagne, allowing us to toast to the scenic beauty surrounding us.
Serra da Leba: Captivating Sunsets at Angola’s Legendary Viewpoint
Serra da Leba is one of Angola’s most iconic tourist spots, even featured on the 2000 Kwanza note. It offers several viewpoints perfect for watching the sunset on the edge of a precipice.
Nearby, you’ll find giant letters reminiscent of the Hollywood sign – a fun spot for a quirky photo op.
Cristo Rey of Lubango: A Soaring Symbol of Angola’s Portuguese Heritage
Did you know Lubango is home to a Christ statue similar to the ones in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon? Standing at 2100 meters above sea level and 14 meters tall, Cristo Rey is a monumental reminder of the Portuguese arrival in southern Angola in the late 19th century. Visiting this statue is a must-do when in Lubango, offering not just historical significance but also an impressive view.
Enjoying a Night Out
Lubango’s nightlife might not be bustling like a big city, but it still has its own charm. Remember, it’s not the capital and has a population of less than a million. If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxed evening with a drink, I highly recommend the terrace at Casper Lodge. The drinks are priced at around 8 euros each, but the experience is absolutely worth it. Casper Lodge isn’t just great for a nightcap; it also offers a nice stay with amenities like a pool, well-maintained surroundings, and even free-roaming animals.
Pro Tip: If you plan to head out at night for drinks, please be extra cautious on the roads. Driving in Angola can be risky, and it gets even more dangerous at night and on weekends. Traffic rules, such as respecting crossings and traffic lights (if present), are often disregarded. Even in a seemingly peaceful place like Lubango, it’s easy to let your guard down. So, stay alert and prioritize safety, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the local driving conditions.
Alternative Itinerary: Namibe Visit and Humpata Waterfalls
Extending Your Trip to Namibe
If you have the luxury of 4 or 5 days, I highly recommend adding Namibe to your itinerary. It’s about a two-hour journey from Lubango, and the landscapes are nothing short of spectacular. Stay tuned for another post where I’ll dive deeper into the Namibe visit.
Exploring the Humpata Waterfalls
These falls are located near Lubango, in the town of Humpata. They are considerably more impressive than the Huila waterfalls but are trickier to access.
Pro Tip: I suggest visiting them only when you’re certain there will be enough water flow to truly appreciate their beauty.
Thank you for joining me on this journey! If my experiences and insights have sparked your interest, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below. For a dose of sun and sand, click here to uncover Luanda’s finest beaches. Curious to learn more about me? Click here for my story. And if you’re looking to connect or have questions, feel free to reach out here. Your engagement and feedback inspire me to craft more thrilling content. Safe travels!
