Lubango

Lubango is a city in Southwest Angola, the country's second largest after the capital Luanda.

Understand

Lubango has one of the coolest climates in Angola, due to its southerly position and high altitude, above 1700 m.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Lubango Mukanka Airport (SDD  ^IATA). TAAG Angola Airlines flies between Lubango and the other major cities of Angola, including the capital Luanda. (updated Aug 2020)

By bus

• 2 Long distance bus station, Av. 4 de Fevereiro (5 km east of city center). Bus terminal for major companies. Bus for Macon company (Namibe: 4:00, 13:10, 15:40, 5400 Kz, 3-4 h, Benguela: 19:40, 9000 Kz, 7-8 h, Huambo (via Benguela, no direct route): 20:00, 10 000 Kz, 12-13 h, Santa Clara (border with Namibia): 2:00, 14:00, 7500 Kz, 8-9 h). Bus for Huambo Expresso company (Huambo (via Benguela, no direct route): 19:00, 21:30, 10 000 Kz, 10-12 h, Santa Clara (border with Namibia): 6:00, 14:00, 22:00, 7000 Kz, 8-9 h). (updated Jun 2024)
• 3 City center Macon bus terminal, corner Av. Comandante Eurico Gonçalves and R. Steve Biko. A few buses for Macon company start from this terminal in the city center (Benguela: 10:30, 13:30, 11 900 Kz, 7-8 h). (updated Jun 2024)

Get around

By foot

The city center is small enough to be explored by foot.

By minibus

The white and blue shared minibus run along the main roads (R. Patrice Lumumba, along the river, etc.). Show your direction and ask the driver assistant. Ride cost: 200 Kz

See

• 1 Sé Catedral de São José, Praça 1° de Maio (Centro histórico). (updated Jun 2024)
• 2 Cristo Rei, 13 km south-east of city center. At the top of the hill, overlooking the city, a giant statue of the Christ similar to the Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. Next to the statue, stand the giant letters "LUBANGO" and "N'GOLA" in Hollywood style. (updated Jun 2024)
• 3 Fenda da Tundavala, 20 km north-west of Lubango. Impressive cliff with a panoramic viewpoint. Some Mumuila women sell traditional handicraft at the top. 5 km before the viewpoint, there is another viewpoint of the Tundavala waterfall, next to a dam. (updated Jun 2024)

Do

• 1 Estádio Nossa Senhora do Monte. Multi-use stadium, most often used to host football matches hosted by the local club C.D. Huíla. (updated Aug 2020)

Buy

• 1 Mercado Municipal, Corner Rua Patrice Lubumba and Rua 2 de Março. Main traditional market with fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, handicrafts. (updated Jun 2024)
• 2 Millennium, Praça João Paulo II. Main shopping plaza. (updated Jun 2024)

Eat

• 1 Café do Monte, EN280, R. Dr. Agostinho Neto (next to Shoprite supermarket). Open at lunchtime and in the evening. Friendly atmosphere, grilled meat, burgers, pizzas, Mexican and Indian dishes. (updated Jun 2024)
• 2 Restaurante Lana, Rua Boulevard do Mucufi (next to the Mucufi river, between Rua Aníbal de Melo and E280). Open at lunchtime and in the evening. Friendly staff, delicious fajitas and fresh fruit juices. (updated Jun 2024)
• 3 Restaurante Katedral, Avenida 4 de Fevereiro (on Praça 1° de Maio). BBQ grilled meat and various local dishes; the manager speaks English and French. (updated Jun 2024)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Hospederia Os Chalés, Rua 10 de Dezembro (corner with Rua 1 de Agosto, behind the Palácio do Governo Provincial, one block north-east from the Praça Agostinho Neto), ☏ +244 261 224 100. Very central, good Wi-Fi. Quiet patio with plants where to have breakfast or simply sit in the shade. Double en-suite w/ breakfast: 18 000 Kz. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Residencial Dumas, R. do Piqute (corner with R. Saidy Mingas). Centrally located, friendly and helpful staff, free Wi-Fi. The manager speaks English. Standard 12 000 Kz, double ensuite Deluxe 18 000 Kz; breakfast 2500 Kz. (updated Jun 2024)

Splurge

• 3 Pululukwa Resort, Mapunda (5 km north-west of city center), ☏ +244 932 565 017. Located in a beautiful and quiet park with springboks, zebras, ostriches, crocs. Guided safari: 10 000 Kz, walks, rounded shaped bungalows, restaurant with terrace and panoramic view, parking, free Wi-Fi. English spoken. double/twin standard en-suite 78 030 Kz, double/twin vip en-suite: 89 910 Kz; breakfast included. (updated Jul 2024)

Go next

• Head west to the coastal city of Namibe