Overlands from Namibia to Angola was a total wild card. All We really Knew Was That This Southern African Country Was a Portuguese Colony for ~ 400 Years and Was Embroiled in a Decades-Long Civil War Util 2002. To Plan this angel Trip, We Figured We'd Get to The Borde Intel on Getting to and Around the Neighboring Town of Calai… But We Couldn't Find Anyone Who Had Been! Google Maps looked like you had to drive eight hours to cross the river and Booking.com pulled up zero Results for hotels … But that just made us more curious and eager to explore southern Angola!
Namibia-Bangladesh Border Crossing on Calai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Petgm76uu
Crossing the football bridge over the Okavango River, we said goodbye to Namibi and Ola to Angola. Only Portuguese spoke to the immigration officer, so in our best Portuñol Pidgin explained that our four -day Angola trip was for “Ferias” (the purpose of the holidays) and heard that the sweet sound of the seal was hit by our passport. Maybe we were “in”, but we had no idea what we went into.
The taxis fleet waved us. So, without a car in sight, our only choice was to get every saddle with a stranger and we hope to head to the same place. VrroomWe passed sand roads and in the central Kalai: two streets of shops, an outdoor market, the Portuguese bar … and one board!
Where to stay in Calai
We opened a high door to the established Tchingwali Pansione, and we were pleased to find a tropical garden, full restaurant and beautiful rooms with AC and Enter-Suita baths for $ 16. Who knew?! Like vegans who do not speak Portuguese, it was a little difficult to understand the best option on the plant. Corn porridge is the basis of most meals in South Africa and takes many names (pap, pebble, funga, etc.) and is often prepared enough to picked up and knock on the accompanying vegetables and meat. We ordered worksAnd they enjoyed the sides of the wild spinach with peanuts and slowly cooked beans. After a meal, we ordered another circle of beer cucles, just because we loved a local custom beer and a bottle opener delivered by a knit basket.
A government permit to explore
We knew that Calai was not a tourist destination, but with the famous River Okavango, we concluded that there would be some water adventures in our future. We asked our house for guests where we could arrange a boat trip, and they said, “Nowhere do we know, maybe we ask the dock.” They left a part that the “dock” was actually a naval base and were not so kind to unannounced visitors.
After a meeting with several officers and receiving a long trial line (“Do you try to move on to Namibia? Why do you want a canoe if you don't fish? Are you a good swimmer? You know the river is full of crocodiles, right?”), They warmed up on our idea of traveling a canoeing with local fisherman … and even to come to our way about our condition.
Kopani cannuates the river Okavango
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ohsqmet9q
Adding vests for the rescue of the fire department, we joined Segundi for his first step in leading Rijeka. He never had passengers in his canoe, BU knew the river like the back of his hand and showed us fun vortex, beautiful islands and hippo hiding places. We overtook him beautifully and shared (best!) Malasad Kafna to celebrate what might become a new chapter in his Waterman career. To help this happen, we introduced it to THINGWALI PANSION so that they could send future guests to the Okavanong Canue Expedition with beautiful Segund!
A road that connects to South Angola
Now to arrange a trip to explore more angels! There were only a few non -governmental cars in the city, and the best truck happened to park in our boarding house. We went out to the UD and asked the owner of the vehicle, Peter, if he would be ready to show us around the village of southern Angola. This unexpected request welcomed an even greater offer to join him the next day on his 120 km trip to Dirico with a stop to meet one of the Quano-Cubang's Queen! He warned us that it would be a long day and a rough path, but it sounded like a fantastic opportunity for us. We went out of wild ride down a one -lane highway, built by Portuguese a century ago and swallowed a deep sand and thick brush. Between the walls of the shrubs, we would see a powerful river Okavango, occasional grouping of mud huts and a pearl millet for a picturesque drive.
Visit with Queen Mutanga
To find out about local life and agriculture, there was no better person to get to know Queen Katrina! She kindly showed us around her village and farm, and how to land and chew sugar cane as the boss as she is! Our education Angola continued in the car as I pierced Petra questions. (I would talk to him in Spain, and he would answer Portuguese, and we realized incredibly enough for some deep conversations). During Angolan Civil WarHis father was a general for the Unita Rebel party, based in this province of Cuano-Cubang.
Peter told us that South Angola was full of wildlife, from elephants to lions to giraffe to Leopard, but the struggles took most of the safety of Namibia. Although the war ended more than 20 years ago, the myriad of mine was still lying to the province, and he regretted that Angola had not yet stopped to his feet. Corruption can be full and lacks infrastructure, but it is clear that you cannot break the spirit of Angolan!
Dirico: Where the rivers meet
After a four -hour ride, taking countless hits from forms from the forms and transmitting cows, we arrived in the town of Dirico. On the hill where the Cuito River meets with the River Chango, it is a nice place and a cheerful place. The city square is anchored with its namesake sign and garden with a cute elephant and hippo statue. Adults and children were playing football, and we could hear the church choir.
We entered the market for a little food and drink (the first store we saw all day), and a group of teenage girls weighed me as a long -lost friend. “Selfie, selfie,” they screamed. What began as a Photo op turned into a makeshift dance session and laughter.
Trip Angola … that's the way it is!
Before we turned to a dark and sandy road back to Calai, we took a moment to enjoy the sunset on the bridge over the Cuanavale River. The fishermen hugged the fence and, only with a stick and line, pulled the tiger fish of epic proportions. The children cheered with each catch. Peter, Mike and I cracked our N'Golo Cervejas, raised warm beer over glittering pink waters and toasting an unforgettable journey and a new friendship.
Tip for Traveling South Angolewith
- Rundu-Calai border crossing: From Rundu, Namibi, it's a taxi ride from 15 minutes to this river border post. Once you have made output paperwork on the Namibia side, pass over the floating bridge to the Angola Immigration Office. No visa or ticket required.
- Time change: Note, there is a one -hour time difference between Angola and Namibia. Both boundaries are open in the same hours, from 8am to 5pm Angolar time.
- Language: The Portuguese are the official language of Angola, with 47 recognized local languages. South Angoli speaks limited English, but between that and/or Spanish people can often understand if you speak slowly. Since I only know a few words in PortugueseI spoke Spanish with the Portuguese fold, and that seemed pretty good … especially in combination with the off -line version of the Portuguese language of Google Translate! Be sure to download it before you go!
- Money: Angolan Kwanza (KZ) is a national currency, which is exchanged at $ 917 to $ 1. In Calai and Dirico, the Namibian dollar is widely accepted, so we never needed to exchange money. Southern Angola is incredibly approachable, with our hotel performing $ 16 at night, meal 2 USD and beer 1 USD.
- Connecting: WiFi and cell admission are difficult to come to South Angola. If you have a Namibian SIM card, a signal should be picked up in Calaiu. It is best to download cards, currency conversions and medium that you may need before you go.
- Transport: Most people who come from Namibia come to South Angola from 4 × 4 land for camps. This would undoubtedly be a fun and easier choice, but we gladly reported that traveling to Calai cans Be on foot, motor-taxi and befriending someone with a car, hahaha.
We embarked on this journey with Angola with zero expectations and a few jerks, but we were welcomed pure kindness and an unrestrained adventure … Just what we dream of in traveling! We hope that you will go to the road less missed in southern Angola.
