Quissama

Kissama national park

Unspoiled nature

The Kissama National Park is located about 75 km south of Luanda. It stretches over almost 10,000 square meters and is probably the best known national park in Angola.

In the north and south it is bounded by the rivers Cuanza and Longa. The western border forms the Atlantic coast over a length of approx. 120 km. In the east, the park is bordered by high thickets.

The Kissama National Park is characterized by its diverse landscapes with impressive tree savannas, open grasslands, lush river meadows on the Cuanza and thickets to the beaches of the Atlantic coast.

As varied as the vegetation is, so rich is the biodiversity. In addition to elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, crocodiles, cheetahs, rhinos, hippos, sea turtles, various gazelles and monkeys species, there are also rarer species such as dwarf-buffalo.

The nature park was founded in 1957. It was badly damaged during the civil war years. Most animal species in this region were almost eradicated or greatly minimized. In 2001, elephants from Botswana and South Africa were successfully resettled and have been steadily increasing their numbers ever since.

As a result, the animal population is recovering slowly. Please note that Kissama National Park is not a private animal reserve, as is often seen in Tanzania or South Africa. The animals live there free and go their own way. Therefore, sightings of individual species cannot be guaranteed.

Already the flora and fauna, as well as the access road from the bustling Luanda are worth the trip. Take a day off and experience the biodiversity of the country, not far from the capital.

The Trip

Pick-up at the hotel or pick-up point in Luanda at 6 a.m.

We drive about 1 1/2 hours to Kissama National Park in a private, air-conditioned car.

After the wildlife safari, we board a boat to explore the surroundings of Kissama Park and experience the terrain from a different perspective.

Then we visit Calumbo with its famous pilgrimage church. A short stop at the local market is also possible here.

On the way back to Luanda we stop at the Miradouro da Lua before visiting the slave museum and the nearby handicraft market where the well-known Angolan wooden figures and other handicrafts can be purchased. Then we drive back to your starting point in Luanda.