Plan
Getting between places in Angola
Angola is big, and the distances are the single thing that most often breaks a first itinerary. These 12 routes cover the connections between the places we have written guides for: how far apart they are, roughly how long the drive takes, whether there is a domestic flight, and which we would choose.
Distances are rounded indications and driving times are calculated as a band at 50 to 70 km/h, because road surface and season vary a lot. Treat them as planning figures, not as a schedule.
- Luanda to CabindaFlyabout 1 hour 10 minutes no practical roadCabinda is an exclave. Going overland means crossing two other countries and their borders, so effectively everyone flies.
- Luanda to Kissama National ParkDrive about 2 hours each wayThe most realistic wildlife day trip from the capital, and close enough that you can leave after breakfast.
- Luanda to Namibe (Mocamedes)Fly 1200 km by road 17 h to 24 hflight availableThe longest domestic run in the country and usually routed via Lubango. Almost nobody drives it in one go by choice.
- Luanda to LubangoFly 1000 km by road 14 h to 20 habout 1 hour 35 minutesA thousand kilometres is two long days of driving each way. On a trip of two weeks or less, flying buys you back three or four days.
- Luanda to HuamboFly 600 km by road 9 h to 12 habout 1 hour 25 minutesA long day of driving up onto the central plateau, for a city most travellers pass through rather than linger in. The flight is the better use of a short trip.
- Luanda to BenguelaEither works 540 km by road 8 h to 11 hflight availableDriveable in a long day, and the coastal road is genuinely part of the trip. Flying into Catumbela makes sense if your time is short.
- Benguela to LubangoDrive 470 km by road 7 h to 9 hThe natural inland link if you are working your way south along the coast and then turning into the highlands.
- Huambo to LubangoDrive 410 km by road 6 h to 8 hA plateau route between the two highland cities, useful if you are looping the interior rather than sticking to the coast.
- Luanda to MalanjeDrive 380 km by road 5 h to 8 hThe shortest of the long inland runs and the standard way to reach the Kalandula Falls. Malanje is not on the scheduled domestic network, so driving is the practical option.
- Benguela to HuamboDrive 330 km by road 5 h to 7 hThe classic climb from the coast up to the central plateau, and the shortest way onto the highlands from the Benguela coast.
- Lubango to Namibe (Mocamedes)Drive 190 km by road 3 h to 4 hShort, spectacular and the reason many people come south at all. This is a drive you plan the day around, not a transfer you rush.
- Benguela to LobitoDrive 35 km by road about 30 minA short hop between two coastal cities. Treat them as a pair rather than as separate destinations.