Lubango itinerary

The first European contact with the lands of the Angolan plateau dates back to 1627. Portuguese sovereignty began in 1769 with the creation of the Alva Nova fort. The first signs of European settlement were by the Boers around 1880. Shortly after, settlers from Madeira arrived and, on January 19, 1885, founded the colony of Sá da Bandeira. On September 2, 1901, Sá da Bandeira was elevated to town status and became the capital of Huíla Province. It officially became a city on May 31, 1923, when the Namibe Railway, after crossing the desert and the mountains, finally reached the plateau.

The strong presence of colonization means that even today Huíla is often referred to as the “whitest” province of Angola. It is noteworthy that the strongest colonial presences usually occurred along the coast, making Huíla an exception. Today, groups of Portuguese origin can still be found in Huíla, maintaining their traditions and traces of the Madeiran accent. The Nhaneca-Humbe ethno-linguistic family of Bantu culture is also well represented in the former province of Huíla, particularly the Mumuíla people.

Agriculture was the first objective of Sá da Bandeira, with wheat as the main production. However, cattle quickly became the region’s greatest wealth. To this day, cattle remain a symbol of prosperity. When transport became mechanized and roads improved, trade expanded and industry developed rapidly. Tanneries and mills led the way. Metallurgy, footwear, lard production, sausages, ceramics, timber, and soft drinks followed in importance. Today, Lubango’s economy is mainly based on the agriculture of cereals, fruits, and vegetables. It also has some manufacturing industries specializing in food packaging.

At approximately 1,790 meters above sea level, Lubango is the highest city in Angola. It has an Oceanic or Subtropical Highland climate (Cwb) due to its altitude, which moderates temperatures. During the day the weather is moderately warm, but at night temperatures are considerably lower. With an average annual temperature of 18°C, it is probably the city with the mildest and most temperate climate in Angola. Annually, extremes from 1°C to 34°C are common. June and July are the coldest months, with occasional frost. The heaviest rainfall usually occurs between December and March, while the hottest months are September, October, and November. In high-altitude areas such as Serra da Leba and Serra da Chela, temperatures can drop sharply from 10 to -5 degrees at night.