Landscapes in Africa
This cave lies about 17 km from Tlemcen on a hilltop. Don't be fooled by the kitsch family park at the entrance because the cave is impressive in both sizes of the chambers and stalagmites/stalactites. It's a show cave with coloured lights and a boardwalk. Unfortunately previous visitors have had trouble keeping their hands to themselves - though some of the damage might be from when mujahedeen used the cave during the war of independence.
The scenery in the Aures Mountains are just breathtaking and there are no better place to take it all in than the Ghoufi Gorge. The tourist route detours from the main road and follows the gorge and at times is very close to the edge. There are several splendid viewpoints along the way both with parking lot and very chilled souvenir venders. From here you have 180 degree breathtaking views down the gorge. There are trails (at one viewpoints even stairs) leading off to the sides and even to the bottom of the gorge and the village ruins on the hillsides.
The desert of Sahara isn't all sand and rocks. Like green islands in a sea of sand lies the oases. They are fuelled by underground springs, which then give life to people, animals and plants. The oasis of Tala lies in the middle of the sand dunes of Grand Erg Occidental (Western Sand Sea). It's a small village with palm groves and fertile gardens with vegetables. The irrigation system has been developed for centuries to perfection, so every patch of garden gets exactly the amount of water it needs. Tala still has its ancient village of mud houses, which can be explored by walking through the maze of narrow and partly covered lanes.
One of the reasons to come to Timimoun is to see the big sand dunes of Grand Erg Occidental (Western Sand Sea). It can be done at many places, but about 10 km outside Timimoun (close to the oasis village of Tala) is a good spot. The road pass right through and the sea of sand goes as far as the eye can see.
The surroundings of Timimoun are famous for sand dunes, oases and ancient ksars (fortified villages). The best way to explore the area is by car and with a guide. Obviously 4x4 will be best, but just by driving a car with high clearance will also get you around. One possible route is from Timimoun to Arhlad, where the tarmac ends, and back. There are many side trips to viewpoints, caves, and irrigation systems beside the main sights of ruins of ksar and oases.
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.