Kissama National Park, a phoenix of Angola

[María José]

The story of the southwest African country of Angola‘s only remaining nature and wildlife park, along the Atlantic coast just 70 kilometres (42 miles) south of capital Luanda, is an extraordinary one – a story of birth, death, and rebirth that can sirve as an inspiration in these increasingly environmentally fraught times. 

The game-hunting reserve originally founded in 1938 under the then colonial administration of Portugal, the 9,960 square km (3,845 sq. mi.) that in 1957 was converted into Kissama (aka Quiçama) Natural Park , and was one of the most fecund in all of Africa – with large populations of elephants; antelope such as the endangered giant sable; and the continent’s single largest concentration of African water buffalo...


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[Eco Tur Angola]

For sure ! we are there most weekends - see teh tours page at our website eco-tur com

Here more info from a typical day or two day trip there -> 

Here follows some more info on our safari trip to Kissama & Kwanza River.

Timings - Once we have details of all the guests joining the trip we will confirm more accurate pick up times and guide details (this will happen typically quite late on the previous afternoon). However, in general terms we will be picking up in Luanda City between 05h45 and 06h15 and in Luanda Sul / Talatona at around 06h30.  The guides will ring you a few minutes before they arrive so you can meet us outside your building / house / condominium.  We aim to get back to Luanda by around 19h30, but this can depend on traffic as we get back into the city, on a two day trip we hope to get back a little earlier (around 17h30 / 18h00).

H.S.E Issues

Seat belts are provided in the cars.

Please keep doors locked when in Luanda city (not necessary in rural areas). 

There will be a fire extinguisher inside the vehicle

Also a comprehensive first aid kit (large blue bag) on board.  Important note - for passenger comfort, the first aid kit will be located in the rear of the vehicle, in this case, it may be necessary to open up the rear swing away spare wheels to gain access, this is not difficult and uses simple levers below the spare wheels.

Air con – the a/c in the cars can struggle a little when it is particularly hot. So when out of town it is often preferable for the last two seat row occupants to open the windows (the front and first row are normally OK).

We have VHF radio so we are able to communicate between all cars.

Miradouro da Lua ("Lunar Viewpoint") – this is our first stop, care should be taken (especially with the younger ones) when we stop at this viewpoint above the beach as there are some steep drops and no fencing is provided.  In addition, some of the natural erosion which forms this landscape is encroaching into the asphalted road viewing area.

At the river, life jackets are available on the boat for those who would like them (we are on a flat river, we will not be on rough water), but please ask as we board the boat if you require a life jacket.

PLEASE also be aware that the jetty does not have guard rails all the way around and is a little uneven in places with steps.  

There are no toilets on board any of the boats.

Please be aware there are crocodiles in the river – please keep clear of river banks and also do not dangle feet or hands in the river on the boat trip (!)

There may be some monkeys around at the camp in the Park, some of them can be quite brave so please be careful as the monkeys may scratch if we get too close to them.

Park Ranger - a park ranger / guide will be joining us in the car for the game drives, as is normal in game parks, he will be armed (as per park rules) purely for our protection. The gun will not be loaded so please do not be alarmed at this.  Whilst there are no large cats in the fenced area of the park there are other dangerous animals.  Thankfully, in my 35 years here I have never seen the need for them to use their arms...

On a two day trip - long sleeves / trousers may be advised for early morning chill (and mosquitos).   In the “winter months” it can also get chilly on the river trip sometimes.

Mines - mines are a reality in Angola however, (with the exception to the sides of the bridge where we will not be going close to on foot) please be reassured that there are no known cases of mines being placed anywhere near where we will be travelling in Kissama over the weekend.

 

Other issues -

With regards to the itinerary it should be broadly as per the brochure viewable at

(1 day Kissama & Kwanza River Safari) - https://eco-tur.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1-day-Kissama-Trip-B...

(2 day Kissama & Kwanza River Safari Safari) http://www.eco-tur.com/images/brochures/2_day_kissama_trip_brochure...

Clothing should be just casual, it is a good idea to bring a hat and sun screen perhaps also some mosquito repellent (mainly for the evening and early morning).  From Sept through May it could rain (which is good for the game viewing but not so good for the river trip..) if it should rain, it will normally be a quick (though sometimes heavy!) shower.

On a two day trip, of course don’t forget your wash bag and any medication you normally take. Please avoid bringing large and hard cases as we do not have so much room (just smaller soft holdalls or back packs please).

Documents - Please remember to bring your documents (Angolan ID or passport and visa, "Angolan notarised" copies are acceptable, accompanied by the S.M.E receipt where appropriate).

Please do not forget camera, with charged batteries and memory cards.  We should have some binoculars on board, but feel free to bring your own if you should have some.

There will be plentiful water, beer and sodas available in the car (cool bags on floor).  If they are not obvious or your favourite is not there or has gotten warm, please ask your guide as there will likely be more in the rear of the vehicles where we have a fridge. Water is included with meals but our pricing excludes other drinks and extras at the restaurants. 

When we arrive at the river lodge for breakfast, the bathrooms are located at the far end of the restaurant (just outside and to the right hand side).

The breakfast at the lodge will be self-service buffet style, coffee and teas are also self-served at the top left-hand corner of the counter. If we do the river trip at the Lodge we will leave after breakfast, if the river trip takes place inside the park then it will be a little later before lunch. 

There is a swimming pool to make use of at the Lodge and at Kawa Camp (if we lunch there).

When we arrive at the Kawa Safari Camp, the bathrooms are located to the right-hand side of the restaurant as you view it on the outside of the building (first door gents, second door ladies), basic facilities but they will have water.

Lunch – Normally at the River Lodge (buffet) but sometimes at the Kawa Camp in Kissama Park  If we are a large group, and if we have the lunch at the park, it will normally be served as a mini buffet for us.  We will be inquiring in the morning as to what the menu choices are so they can get the quantities more or less right for us.  I hope that the menu will please everyone, but please advise if you have any particular dietary needs.  Please bear in mind these guys are in a very rural environment miles in the bush and face some serious logistics issues but they do their best to do a good job….  

We will depart for our safari straight after arriving at the Park Camp and collecting the park ranger, so please make use the bathrooms beforehand.  It is not normally permitted to leave the safety of the vehicles inside the park.

On the two day trip clients can check into their bungalows quickly, also we can stay out on the safari a little longer. We may have a small bonfire before dinner Next morning we will leave on the 2nd safari at 06h00. Returning for breakfast and then after a short freshen up, transfer back to the River Lodge for lunch leaving around 15h – 16h to return to Luanda (2 day trips).

Some of the animals we are likely to see are  - 

On the river; Blue Monkeys, Monitor lizards, maybe a croc if we are really lucky, plus some impressive birds such as Fish Eagles, Goliath Herons, Grey Herons, Palm Nut Vultures, various Kingfishers and also Osprey.

In the park; also many birds (look out for the Yellow Hornbills, Glossy starlings, Black bellied Kohraans and the spectacularly coloured Lilac Breasted Roller).

Animals; Bushbuck (small red coloured antelope up to about four feet tall) these guys will run through the fence, Kudu, magnificent antelope, male has impressive spiral horns (these guys will jump the 2m fence !), Eland - the largest of all antelope, some going over a ton (these guys do NOT jump the fence), various other small antelopes, blue wildebeest (gnu), ostrich, zebra, giraffe and of course elephant (if we get lucky) ideally once we spot animals we should be quiet as to not scare them off (some are still quite skittish).  We should remain in the cars. More pics of what we have seen in the park at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ecotur.angola

in the album- > “Parque Nacional de Kissama Safari Fotos”.

 

The park has faced some challenges particularly through the 2nd part of the war post 1992- please see some more info at the following link (a little out of date, but interesting nevertheless...) :-  http://www.kissama.org/noahsark/

Any further queries, please contact me as and when you like.

 

SEE what our clients say about us !  =>>  http://eco-tur.com/en_US/what-our-clients-say/

 

Kind Regards

 

Paul Wesson
Eco Tur Angola

www.eco-tur.com

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Cancellation Policy (following written or verbal confirmation from client);

15 to 5 days prior to trip - 25% refund.

Less than 5 days prior to trip 0% refund.

No Shows and any pre-payments for bookings undertaken will be re-charged in full with disbursement.

 

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