Landscapes in Africa

Thrilling and spectacular Kalandula Falls is the second largest waterfall in Africa by volume. There are two sections, a large single drop (105 m) one and a wide one which cascades down over rocks. The parking lot is at the top of the falls, where you also find the fenced off viewing platform with probably has the best view. But as nothing else is fenced off, you can explore the top of the falls by jumping from rock to rock. There are several big boulders with overhang, which offer the brave and fearless an opportunity to peer over the edge. Be careful, as it wouldn't be the first time someone falls down. Young local men will offer their guide service to take you either down to the bottom or further along the top to another breathing viewpoint right between the two sections (photo). Again, be super careful.

The south road from Luanda runs parallel with the coastline. At Moon Viewpoint (Mirrar da Luna), the plateau drops down and leave a dramatic landscape, not unlike what you would expect on the moon. You will pass the viewpoint when going from Luanda to Kissama National Park.

Captivating Pedras Negras is a group of huge rocks which emerge out of the flat savanna outside the town of Pungo Andongo. They are visible from the main road, but there is a road which goes through Pedras Negras into a small village inside where it ends. Stop along the way for amazing photo opportunities. There are giant boulders balancing on others, caves and deep drops. Behind the village is a dirt road which leads to a path, which goes up to the top of one of the rocks. The views from up here are of course manificent. Pedras Negras and Kalandula Falls are normally combined to a two day tour from Luanda.

About 45 km outside Lubango the beautiful Serra da Leba mountain range gives way to the lowland. The drop is very steep, so the road snakes back and forth in some sharp hairpin turns. There is a viewpoint at the edge (photo), which probably has the best views, but don't settle with that - drive all the way down and back up, for there are many other breathtaking viewpoints. Right at the bottom the concrete support has been turn into an art canvas with some cool murals.

Tundavala gorge is just spectacular. It's a deep narrow gorge which ends dramatically with a vertical drop of about 1000 m. The views of the gorge and the landscape far below are unmatched and should be high on any Angola itinerary. There are several safe viewpoints, but the rest of the edge is unprotected - all with nerve-racking deep drops. As with many other natural sights in Angola, there are no entrance fee nor vendors, so you will probably have the whole place to yourself. Drivers are used to do the six hours tour of Lubango, which includes Serra da Leba, Cristo Rei and Tundavala Gorge.

A short detour from the main road to Tundavala Gorge leads to this waterfall. There are multiple levels with several pools, but unfortunately the area is littered with empty beer cans. In 2014 two men went drunk driving and went over the edge and died. The car wreck still lies in the pool at the bottom of the falls.

A world away from the dry savanna and scrubland that is most of Burkina Faso, the south-west is rocky, lush and green. It's not surprising that this is the most popular destination for visitors. A dozen kilometres to the north-west of the town Banfora is one of Burkina's loveliest spots, the upper falls of Cascades de Karfiguela - a favourite spot for locals to chill and swim. Just 3 km to the east are the Dômes den Fabedougou; climbable sand cliffs formed as scores of basilica-like domes by water erosion. Directly west of Banfora, circa 7 km, is Tengréla Lac, where it's possible to take a pirogue ride and, with luck, spot a hippo. Renting an old moped in Banfora itself is probably the town's most amusing pass time and the best way of getting to the surrounding sights.

Probably the most spectacular natural attraction in Burkina Faso, the Peaks of Sindou is a three-kilometre-long chain of sculpted crags and cones made from sandstones eroded by the elements. The towers rise more than 50 metres from the ground creating a spectacular backdrop for the small villages. It's been described as a geological fantasyland, and it's indeed easy to waste a day away by searching out new exciting features and shapes in the rocks. The area is ideal for small hikes, straightforward rock climbing and sunrise breakfasts. There's a basic camp ground close by the peaks run by the reputable Association Djiguiya, which also offer a range of activities from cycling tours over multiple treks to homestays.

Boa Vista has some of the finest untouched beaches on the planet. Never-ending stretches of soft white sand, fringed by desert inland and by bright turquoise water oceanside. It doesn't come more picturesque than this. The thing is, there is nothing else here. No palms, no shades, no roads, no people, no bungalows, no beach huts, no resorts (besides the few on the whole island). Just sand, sun, and the sea... and, of course, the wind.

After a few days on Boa Vista, you might start to wonder whether the rest of the island is as barren as where you are. And yes, it is. But the best way to figure it out, is a tour of the island. A full loop of Boa Vista takes a whole day in a 4x4 on dirt tracks, in sand dunes, over stony desert, and occasional on a stretch of real road – with potholes of course. Rent a car with a driver, since they know the right track from the wrong ones.

A suggestion for a route could be:
Sal Rei (town) – Rabil (village) – Deserto Viana (desert) – Povocao Velha (village) – Praia da Varandinha (beach with caves) – Praia de Santa Monica (beach) – Curral Velho (ruins and salt lake) – Praia de Joao Barrosa (turtle nesting beach) – Baobab (a lone Baobab tree) – Ervatao (a surf beach) – Fundo das Figueiras (village) – Santa Maria shipwreck – Sal Rei

Take a look at the photo gallery for more details.