Wild Angola: Africa's hidden natural gem

Diverse climate zones and habitats

Tropical rainforests in the north, humid savannahs in the centre and dry, desert-like regions in the south form a mosaic of ecosystems that is among the most species-rich on the African continent.

The tropical climate in northern Angola provides ideal conditions for dense rainforests. The Mayombe Forest, one of the largest rainforests in Africa, covers parts of the country. Huge trees, some up to 60 metres high, form an impressive canopy under which rare and shy animals live, including western lowland gorillas and forest elephants.

In the central regions, the forests give way to wet savannahs. In southern Angola, a dry, desert-like climate characterises the landscape, especially in the Namibe region, where the foothills of the Namib Desert extend. Along the coast, the cold Benguela Current creates foggy ecosystems and characteristic flora, including adapted desert plants such as Welwitschia mirabilis.

Natural highlights of Angola

Among Angola's most impressive natural wonders are the Kalandula Falls, which at 105 metres are the second largest waterfalls in Africa. The Miradouro da Lua, a bizarre lunar landscape south of Luanda, fascinates with its dramatic rock formations. Equally spectacular are the red rocks of Colinas do Curoca and the nearby Lagoa dos Arcos in the Namib Desert, a picturesque freshwater oasis framed by huge sandstone arches.

Wildlife

Angola is committed to restoring and protecting its wildlife populations after decades of decline due to civil war. As part of these efforts, the country is working to reintroduce and sustainably conserve the iconic ‘Big Five’ – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – in its national parks and protected areas and to conserve them sustainably. An impressive example is the reintroduction of the Angolan giraffe in Iona National Park – Angola's largest and oldest protected area – which, after decades of absence, can now be observed in its original habitat for the first time.

Angola is also home to some of Africa's rarest animal and plant species. The giant sable antelope (Palanca Negra), a highly endangered animal found exclusively in Angola, lives in Cangandala National Park and is considered one of the country's most important national symbols. Also noteworthy is the rare pink-flowering Tessmannia camoneana, a plant found only in Angola and considered an important symbol of the country's genetic heritage.

Kissama National Park, not far from the capital Luanda, was declared Angola's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in October 2025 and forms the heart of the new Quiçama Biosphere Reserve. Covering an area of almost 9,960 km², the park represents the ecological core of this biosphere. The diverse landscape includes savannahs, mangroves, estuaries, lagoons and coastal cliffs. It provides habitat for an impressive variety of species, including manatees, elephants, hippos, sea turtles, over 200 bird species and several endemic reptile species. With the recognition of the Quiçama Biosphere Reserve, Angola is now one of 785 biosphere reserves in 142 countries worldwide.