Luanda: Lubango, capital of Huíla province, celebrates 102 years since it was elevated to city status. Local authorities are working to transform it into one of the country’s main tourist destinations.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the former agricultural village has evolved into a City of Knowledge and a Garden of Angola, with aspirations to become a major tourist attraction. The recent launch of the Lubango Tourist Map and Guide, which took nine months to prepare, marks a significant step towards this goal. It covers key areas such as the Catholic Mission of Huíla, Senhora do Monte, Cristo Rei, Tundavala, and the Luyovo monument cemetery.
The city attracts over 1,500 tourists monthly, with 75 percent being foreigners. It boasts 1,074 hotel establishments, including hotels, guesthouses, and tourist complexes, as well as a range of restaurants and travel agencies. The completion of a $212 million infrastructure project has improved the urban center and neighborhoods, making the city cleaner and mor
e appealing. A second phase, costing $287 million, aims to extend these improvements to additional neighborhoods.
Lisender André, Lubango’s administrator, emphasizes the need for enhanced services in health, food, transportation, and hospitality to elevate the city as a premier tourist destination. The Lubango Tourist Map and Guide is seen as a crucial tool for visitors, highlighting the city’s natural and historical attractions.
At 1,760 meters above sea level, Lubango enjoys a cool climate, fostering agricultural activities. Historically significant as a settlement for Portuguese settlers from Madeira, the city is rich in agriculture and livestock, with a diverse gastronomic offering. It serves as a travel hub with road, rail, and air connections, including an international airport.
Lubango’s ethnic diversity includes groups like the Ovamuila, Ovimbundu, Nganguelas, and Kwanhamas, coexisting peacefully. Notable attractions include the Tundavala Gorge and the Statue of Christ the King, a 30-meter-high mon
ument built in 1957.
Despite its urban advancements, challenges persist in the outskirts, with issues of crime, water, and electricity shortages. The municipality has a population of over 1 million, reflecting its historical growth since the Portuguese established the colony of Sá da Bandeira in 1885, later elevated to city status in 1923.