Things to Do in Kissama National Park

Kissama National Park houses elephants that didn't exist here 20 years ago. Located 70 kilometers south of Luanda, this 9,960-square-kilometer park became the centerpiece of Operation Noah's Ark in the early 2000s—one of Africa's largest wildlife restocking programs. The original park dates to 1938. Civil war wiped out local animals. Now elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelope roam coastal plains, mangrove swamps, savanna woodlands, and the Kwanza River delta again. Many came from other African countries. The park sits close enough to Luanda for day trips but feels genuinely wild compared to established safari destinations.

Food options don't exist here. Tour operators provide packed lunches, or you bring camping supplies from Luanda's supermarkets. Most visitors eat in Luanda before and after park visits. The city offers Portuguese-influenced restaurants and local Angolan cuisine. Think fresh seafood, chicken muamba stew, and cassava-based dishes—no shops or restaurants operate within park boundaries.

Dry season runs May through September. Cooler temperatures, minimal rain, and better roads make this the comfortable choice for visiting Kissama National Park. Animals cluster around permanent water sources. Wet season brings dramatic storms and lush landscapes. Roads become impassable and wildlife spreads out more widely from October to April. Bird watchers get better variety though—migratory species arrive during wet months.