Cross Border 4x4 Safaris: Cunene to Congo River – Angola 2011

The Cunene to Congo River tour will be including more highlights than any of the previous tours. During 2009 we conducted two tours to Angola:

• Cunene to Congo River
• Cunene to Cuanza River—this tour did not go as far as the Congo River, but turned east to Malanje province to the second largest waterfall in Africa, an awesome sight indeed. We also included Pedras Negras the majestic black rocks towering in the middle of the bush.

There are still a few countries left in Africa where one can experience an expedition in safety. Angola is one of them and is a country of breathtakingly beautiful scenery and lovely friendly, smiling people.

Join Koos and Isobelle Moorcroft and follow the tracks of the great explorer Kingsley Holgate along the coastline of Angola right up to the mighty Congo River, experiencing the awesome sights.

The Congo River is 4500 kilometers long, 40 kilometers wide at the mouth, 4000 feet deep at the mouth. It pushes fresh water for 120 kilometers into the ocean at a rate of 15 kilometers per hour.

We spend a total of 23 days in Angola – self drive 5000 kilometers in Angola.

Tour Dates

• 13 September 2011 – 10 October 2011
  

Tour Details

• 28 days in Angola
• Distance driving in Angola ± 5000km
• Total distance from Pretoria—Congo river and back ±10,000km

Itinerary

The adventure begins at Ruacana, Namibia. After crossing the border the convoy proceeds towards Foz Cunene through Chitado, Oncocua through Moimba where the Himba tribe lives in their traditional dress. After Iona we experience areas similar to the Marienfluss where herds of Springbok and Orryx can be found. From Espaneira we travel through the Namib Desert to the Cunene River Mouth—Foz Cunene. The route then winds north along the coast to Flamingo south of Namibe—continue north to Soyo at the mouth of the Congo River.

The convoy now heads south following the Southern Cross—past Dondo, Quibala, Waka Kunga, Huamba, Menongue. Then we cross the Okavango River at Caiundo past Savate—cross the border at Katwitwe and end at Rundu, Namibia.

Roughly ten of the 23 days will be spent sleeping rough, the remainder in campsites and good value, basic lodges and cabins. Daily distances will range from between 130 to 500 kilometres.

A detailed itinerary with overnight locations, daily mileage and notable features of each day will be forwarded to readers on request.

Please note that the above itinerary may be changed, at any time during the trip, as a result of unfavourable weather or road conditions.

Highlights

• Foz Cunene Mouth of the Cunene river
• Namib desert and giant Welwitchias
• Driving the ‘Killing Zone’ along the beach ± 120kms of beach driving
• Shipwrecks—Seafood Vanessa and Consortium Alpha
• Flamingo Lodge
• Lake Arco
• Namibe
• Leba Pass
• Humpata (Dorsland Pioneers)
• Lubango—Statue of Christ—of which there are only three in the world
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Lisbon
  • Lubango
• Tunda Valla—sheer cliffs high on the Serra Leba
• Lobito beach
• Waterfall on Queve river
• Cabe Ledo beach camp
• Cuanza river lodge boat cruise on the largest inland river in Angola
• Baobab forests
• The mouth of the mighty Congo River
• Possible sighting of the Giant Sable antelope
• Calendula Falls—second largest in Africa
• Pedra Negras—majestic black rocks
• Overnight on the beach of the Cuanza river
• Battlefields south of Quibala, Waka Kungo, Huambo, Menongue
• West of the Okavango river and then head down south to the border

Cost

The cost listed below is based on a minimum of 6 vehicles.

• R 10 000 per person

Included

• Guide fees
• Translator—portuguese and local dialects
• Application and obtaining visas
• All the necessary advice for the preparation for the expedition—(in the form of regular newsletters)
• Arranging all border crossing formalities and documentation
• Guide vehicle fully kitted for recovery
• Satellite phone connection

Excluded

• Visa payment
• Border crossing taxes
• Lodge fees
• Camping fees
• All road taxes
• Drinking water
• Meals
• Travel insurance (we can recommend suitable Insurance Brokers)
• Diesel/petrol
• Vehicle recovery fees
• Camping equipment
• 4x4 vehicle

Point of Departure

• Ruacana, Namibia

Point of return

• Rundu, Namibia

Number of Vehicles

• Maximum: 12 Vehicles
• Minimum: 6 Vehicles (12 persons)

Payment conditions

There is a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure tour booking. The remainder is to be transferred at least 14 days before the commencement date of the tour. Bank details are available here.

Conclusion

Angola is one of the only countries in Africa where we can still experience an expedition of this kind safely. It is an experience to be remembered for the adventurer that wants to be totally reliable on his/her vehicle and equipment, because that is all that you will have.

Bookings and Enquiries

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