Famous for its beaches, Benguela is situated on the coast in the centre of Angola. It has a tremendous geographical diversity and owes its name to the Benguela cold stream which runs from Antarctica. The main cities of the province of Benguela are the cities of Benguela, Lobito and Baia Farta. The longest railway line in Angola, which crosses the country to its borders with Zambia and DR Congo, departs from its second city, Lobito, which has a deep water port.

There are many places of historical and cultural interest in Benguela: Ermida da Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes; Ponta do Sombreiro; a patio with a panoramic view at caotinha and the church of Nossa Senhora do Popolo (National Monument built in 1748)

In Lobito: The Palácio do Governo (old colonial architecture); Igreja da Nª Srª da Arrábida; Quilve lighthouse; Termas da Jomba; Barra do rio; Barra do rio Cumba; Vila da Catumbela

HOW TO GET THERE

§         By air

Three airlines fly to aeroporto 17 de Setembro: TAAG, SAL and SONAIR. There are also airports in the cities of Lobito and Catumbela.

§         By road

You can reach Benguela from Luanda or the other cities in the centre and south of the country. All of these routes bring the visitor into contact with thousands of kilometers of natural beauty and a great variety of local cultures.

NATURE

Parks and Natural reserves

§         Chimalavera: With an area of 150 km2, the Parque Natural da Cimalavera is the main nature reserve of the province of Benguela. It has a great varity of fauna, its main attraction being the cabra de leque, a specie of goat.

§         Búfalo: The Reservea parcial do Búfalo has an area of 400km2, it has also a great variety of species of animals, its name deriving from the black Buffalo.

§         Others: Morro do Capelongo, Plananlto Grande, Morro da Cimalavera, Maitse, Binga, Catengue, Coporolo and Coalongo. In these areas, ones can find animals ranging from small antelopes to lions and elephants, apart from zebras, buffalos, ongires and palancas.

BEACHES

§       Morena Beach: You can see Benguela smiling Benguela tem o seu sorriso nas areias brancas desta praia, que se estende mesmo diante da parte baixa da cidade, onde se encontram os seus prinsipais edifícios do governo e hotéis. Estende-se por mais de mil quilómetros e é preferida pelos casais de namorados

§  Caota Beach: Situated at 10 km of downtown, it is extended for 400m. Its waters are limpid and sufficiently calm. The Caota combines area and stony land, becoming thus in an ideal place for submarine fishesing.

§     Caotinha Beach: Situated at 26 km of downtown, its name is due to its small extension of only 150m. One can arrives at the beach skirting the Caota´s mount.

§         Baía Azul Beach: It is a splendid bay formed in the South of Benguela with a beach of 3km of extension. It must its name to the blue of its waters. The Blue Bay is considered the "mother" of beaches of the zone of the Baia farta (Satiated Bay).

§         Lobito: Situated in the proper city, the beaches of the Lobito offer an easy access due to proximity of the lodging places. We can cite the Restinga, the Cabaia and the Compão.

WHERE TO STAY:

WHERE TO EAT:

§         RESTAURANT TAN-TAN

Rua 10 de Fevereiro, 43/45

Tel.: 3-41-74

§         RESTAURANT SOMBRA

Rua da Madeira, 2

Tel.: 3-31-52

§         RESTAURANT ESCONDIDINHO

Rua Cândido dos Reis

Tel.: 091-570-866