Angola: Fisherman's Paradise!

For fly fishermen, Angola is the final frontier of fishing with unchartered waters waiting to be discovered.  Fish such as tarpon (as pictured at left), dorado, Atlantic threadfin and Crevalle jack can all be found in abundance in Angola's estuaries, and in weights and sizes rarely seen elsewhere.

Part of the reason for the attraction to Angola is that the war kept fishing levels down and allowed the seas and rivers to restock. The current boom is in inshore fly fishing, particularly on the River Kwanza and on the River Longa, which joins the ocean at its base.  Here coastal fish enter the estuaries at different times of the year creating an angling paradise where record weights are regularly recorded.

Tarpon, known in angling terms as a prize catch, are regularly caught in Angola at lengths of two meters long and weighing hundreds of pounds.  During the months between November and February, the large tarpon swim as 80km upstream the River Kwanza to grow to abnormally large sizes.

Additionally at the lower reaches of the rivers, abundant number of dorado, as pictured at left, are found among the large drifiting islands of grass and weeds in the river mouth.  Dorado, a favorite among anglers because of their playful acrobatics and neon coloring, are regularly hooked at weights of more than 20 kgs.

At present, government protection programs are in place to protect this sport fishing and ecotourism resource.  These programs protect from over-fishing, the removal of mangroves and stop poaching and polluting of this economic, environmental and tourism resource that can provide a significant economic income for the country.  (Adapted from Sonangol, Universo Magazine 2009)

Life After Being on the World Stage

Now that the African Cup of Nations has concluded in Angola, the country seeks to use its moment on the world stage as motivation to drive its future.  The government used the tournament to showcase the billions of dollars it spent in developing the country's infrastructure; new schools and hospitals, new roads, railways, hotels, upgraded airports and new Chinese-built stadia. 

Even in spite of an ambush on the Togolese national football squad by Cabindan terrorists just days before the African Cup of Nations football championship opened, the tournament continued in a show of defiance by the excitement of the Angolan people.  No doubt, the Angola could suffer an international loss of respect because of this continuing safety issue, but overall its shows that after 27 years of civil war Angola is moving ahead and opening up to allow for easier entry and travel for tourists and visitors to the country. 

Check out this recent BBC article on Angola's future after the event: Angola rebranded: Oil, landmines… and football?

Angola's Showcase to the World

When the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Luanda on Sunday January 10, it will be the first time since the tournament's inception in 1957 that Angola will be hosting the tournament.  Being a participant in this high-level athletic event for many years, Angola's right to host the showpiece of African football will most certainly allow the world to see the potential and amazing development that this country holds.

The fact that Angola has been chosen to host the 2010 cup is a sign of confidence in the stability of the region and shows how the government through this event is taking proactive steps to build up the infrastructure which can assist in bringing the country out of poverty. By hosting the African Cup of Nations over this month, Angola also hopes that it can kick start its tourism industry to showcase its pristine beaches, warm climate, and distinct colonial Portuguese architecture.

This is my personal hope through this event; that the world showcase and attention that Angola will receive will revise the world's stereotype of the country and strengthen the relief aid and tourism interest, and that this influx of capital will aid the local communities.

Tourism in Angola?

"I am Angola, a land that holds great promise in the many avenues of travel, tourism and hospitality - growth industries destined to employ and involve an increasing number of my citizens as time marches on. I greet you and invite you to explore all corners of the land, where you will meet a cross section of my people, whose warmth and friendship will remain in your hearts and minds for a lifetime. "  (Promotional essay by Angolan Board of Tourism)

By its stereotype and past history of conflict, one would not immediately think of Angola of as being a tourist destination.  But now since the ending of the civil war, Angola has experienced a fascinating uplift of recovery, renewal, revival, and restoration.  Angola has now escaped the shackles and shadows of its topsy turvy past, and is now opening the doors to the world.

During my past years of flying as a pilot throughout the country, from my vantage point of the cockpit I was continually amazed at the country's natural beauty and the different climates, landscapes, cultures and colors.  I remember thinking to myself that, 'one day when this conflict is over, the outside world will be able to see the beauty of these people and their country."

Certainly, the greatest barrier to tourism in the past has been access and the affects of the war. The limitation to travel about the country and the decimation of the national parks and the wildlife had a negative affect on any tourism.  Now steps are being taken to revitalize the parks and industry.

One such tourism revitalization project  is Angola's Kissama National Park. This park,  measuring an area of 990,000 hectares, is one of the largest in the world and was once a hunting reserve.   Operation Noah’s Ark was initiated to repopulate the park with elephants, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest, all transferred from wildlife reserves in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana to a restricted area within Kissama.  This restocking operation is one of the largest animal translocation projects ever attempted and will assist the local economy of peoples living around the area.

Now various travel writers are exploring and compiling more and more information concerning Angola, its tourism, and its sites.  One of the best is Brandt's Guide to Angola, which, at this point of access in the country, is the most comprehensive handbook.

Though I am not one to advocate or concentrate on the aspect of tourism above the real needs of Angolans, I am pleased at the national progress in this area.  I am confident that the growth and influx of foreign tourim will facilitate better internal infracturtures and assist local economies.   Additionally, it is my hope that the outside exposure to the real spiritual and medical needs of Angolans, as seen by foreigners as they tour the country, will encourage them to contribute to the cause of bettering the Angolan's lives.

Angola: Land of Beauty

Though there are many social, medical, and infrastructure challenges facing the Angolan nation as it emerges from past war conflict,  it is undeniable that the country possesses some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.   Here below,  is a small sample of the beauty of Angola. Enjoy!