Day 176: Songololo (DRC) – Luanda (Angola)

We start early. A little tired, but whatever. We want to arrive in Angola. 

The departure from the DRC takes time – the boss with the crucial stamp for the passports has not arrived yet. Entering Angola, on the other hand, is easy – we have already completed the paperwork in Cabinda and paid for the passavant there because the CdP for car imports is not accepted here.

We scrubbed down more than 500 km today. The road is ok, the landscape is beautiful, the villages are small and extremely modest, the signs of poverty are no different than in many other countries. 

Old trucks, few private cars, many tricycles as cargo vehicles, gasoline cans that are driven back and forth, roots and bananas as the main food available on the road. Only the schools and hospitals look better than in the Congos, for example.

The civil war in Angola was around 12 years ago, and the devastated country has been rebuilding since. We have read that thanks to diamonds and oil reserves the economic development is not bad, but like almost everywhere in West Africa, corruption ensures that only a few benefit from the wealth. Later we hear that there is actually no such thing as a middle class in Angola.

The last 60 km towards Luanda are annoying again and we realize that we just don't feel like hitting potholes anymore. Also it starts to rain. 

The Kakuakos Lodge is located directly on the access road to Luanda. It's dark, it's pouring. The driveway is muddy, it's slippery, we're slipping.

And again Brigitte is standing at a metal gate and banging on it, waiting for someone to let us in. And Wolle sits in the car and wonders how we're actually going to get out of the mud. Oh crap.

And then: A real overlander’s paradise. Pitches with electricity and water and roofing. Sanitary facilities that are clean and where everything works. Fresh towels are available! There is a small pool. Much green. Some rescued animals wherever. Luis and Juliette, two charming and caring hosts. 

Michael, whom we have met more often recently, has been here with Julian for a week and bought lobster. Juliette cooks. It's enough for everyone. For Vanessa, whose husband is in the hospital with malaria. For Daniel from Colombia. And also for us, who are really looking forward to dinner.