Mussulo Island with Lunch
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Port
Luanda, Angola
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$610
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Located on the west coast of Southern Africa, Angola was under colonial rule until November 11, 1975, the date when it became an independent nation. The Angolan Civil War began after the end of the war for independence from Portugal in 1975. The war featured conflict between two primary Angolan factions, the communist MPLA and the anti-communist UNITA. By the time the 27-year war was formally brought to an end in 2002, an estimated 500,000 people had been killed. The Angolan Civil War was one of the largest, longest, and most prominent armed conflicts of the Cold War. Both the Soviet Union and the U.S. considered it critical to the global balance of power, and to the outcome of the Cold War. As a result, both Cuban and South African forces were also drawn into this conflict.
No country in the world has had such a continuously appalling start to independence as Angola, potentially so prosperous from its natural resources, but suffering from lethally self-inflicted wounds.
Today Luanda is undergoing a renaissance of epic proportions, driven by the vast natural resources that the country has in abundance – oil and diamonds. Its people are determined and committed to turn around its fortunes, and rebuild a strong and united Angola.
After departing the ship, we drive along Marginal Bay, with the commercial part of the city on the one side, and views across the bay on the other.
Continue and visit at the San Miguel Fort originally built on 1576. Its purpose was to defend the port and the city from attack by the marauding French, Spanish and Dutch armies. It was successful until 1641 when the Dutch seized Luanda.
Drive along to the new marginal side; the group will visit the most unique sight – the Agostinho Neto Mausoleum – a huge stylized obelisk. Rumour has it that this is the grave of Angola's first president, President Agostino Neto. Having very strong communist affiliations, Neto died in 1979, and it is said that this was erected as a gift from the Russian government.
Thereafter we drive to “Cidade Alta”, or uptown – a pleasant, airy and calm suburb above the rest of the city, with several pink colonial buildings. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see the Presidential Palace, together with Prime Minister’s office and the Ministries of Defense, Immigration, Justice, Health and the British Embassy.
Drive to Mussulo pier and embark on a 15 minute boat transfer to Mussulo Island to enjoy a delicious local lunch on the island.
After lunch there will be some time to relax on the beach or by the pool before heading back to Mussulo pier and from there the group will drive back to the quayside along the Marginal and past the National Bank of Angola - a great example of colonial architecture, where you still find the Portuguese insignia on the main entrance.
Please note:
This excursion is not suitable for guests with limited mobility as they will need to independently board and disembark from the transfer boat. Guests should bring a towel from their stateroom and wear a bathing suit under your clothes. Guests should also bring sun protection. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the beach. Guests should bring a credit card to make purchases. Lunch is included in this tour. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Angola is a fascinating country and Luanda holds the dubious honor of being the most expensive city in the world. Prices here are fueled by oil revenues; the economy is very sensitive to movements in the price of crude oil. The tourism sector is in its early infancy; some basic tourism facilities such as curio shops are simply not available yet. Visiting Luanda is a rewarding experience, but it requires some acceptance and understanding that it is markedly different from some other ports. The trade-off for any inconveniences is that you are witnessing the current character of this developing nation, which will be lost to future visitors. Although basic, the coaches are maintained, but the quality can vary considerably. PA systems for commentary are virtually non-existent; however, some vehicles are equipped with a GPS-triggered narration system. There is no formal guiding qualification required for Angola and, in order to support the local community, the tour operator uses local guides. Some guides have had prior experience in guiding for visiting cruise ships, but some have not. Your guide will do his/her best, but please keep in mind that the limited tourism infrastructure here is part of your experience, and bear with any language or other difficulties he/she may encounter. English is the third language of Angolans. Government authorities reserve the right to limit access to museums and other points of interest. Road conditions are weather dependent. Many roads are paved, but potholes are ever-present. There are also a number of bumpy dirt roads, which will be navigated carefully. All timings are approximate, as the local traffic will have a direct influence on the overall schedule. Delays are to be expected. Some of the monuments and attractions you will see fall under the rules pertaining to military or state defense objects; you are not allowed to photograph such sites and ignoring these rules can lead to serious problems with the local authorities. Please ask your tour guide's advice before using your camera at all. There are no restroom facilities available during the tour or on the transportation unless specifically stated otherwise. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel the tour due to changes in weather, road or access conditions. Because Angola is a developing country and things change rapidly, the tour operator also reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary.