× title-placeholder message-placeholder 🛖 TakeYourBackpack.com find your next backpacking destination covering all countries in the world extensive info per country personal stories and photos learn how to backpack like a pro Skip to main content home advisor destinations Africa Asia Europe North America South America Oceania All countries Where to go? inspiration Photos & stories World cities Famous hikes National parks Best beaches Famous festivals World wonders UNESCO sites All highlights planning search bucketlist Angola 🇦🇴 Kalandula Falls Hike the Kalandula Falls, Angola. Check things to see along the trail and best time to go Explore Serra da Binga Trail Explore Tundavala Gap Intro | Highlights | Map | Best time to go | Where to stay? | Details | Guide | Angola | FAQ | What to expect when backpacking in Kalandula Falls Kalandula Falls is a stunning spot in Angola that definitely deserves a place on your itinerary, but it’s not without its quirks. The hike to the falls is about 4 kilometers, and while the scenery is breathtaking—think lush greenery and the roar of cascading water—it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Some parts can be a bit tricky, so a decent level of fitness helps. Getting there by public transport can feel like a scavenger hunt; you might find yourself hopping on a shared taxi or waiting for a bus that seems to have its own schedule. Compared to other hikes in Angola, like the stunning Serra da Leba, Kalandula offers a unique blend of beauty but lacks the accessibility and ease of transportation. If you’re up for an adventure and don’t mind a few bumps along the way, it’s worth it for the views. Discover everything you want to know in the 📖  Angola Travel Guide . Best time to go: May – October Duration: 2 to 3 hours Distance: 5 kilometers Total ascent: 100 meters Get your Angola Travel Guide 💡 Top Highlights Best things to see along Kalandula Falls Angola Grab your own Travelguide for only Main Miradouro (panoramic viewpoint) — The classic view: a massive curtain of water dropping roughly 100 m across a nearly 400 m-wide lip. Standing on the rim you get the full scale and roar — nothing else in Angola quite hits like this first reveal. Edge walk along the upper lip — A short, scrambly trail hugs the river above the falls, letting you peer over different sections of the drop and find quieter ledges. It’s a great way to compare the thunderous main flow with smaller cascades and to catch changing light or sudden rainbows. Gorge and plunge-pool basin — If you take the steeper descent (bring a guide or good shoes) you reach the base where mist, echoing walls and carved rock make the place feel cinematic. The sound and spray up close are an impressive contrast to the calm upstream pools. Basalt cliffs and rock formations — The walk around the falls exposes sculpted volcanic rock and columnar basalt that frame the water, offering interesting textures and natural seats for a picnic. The geology gives the whole hike a rugged, dramatic look you don’t get on tree-lined forest paths. Local villages, wildlife and seasonal rhythms — The trail passes small communities where you can meet local guides, try simple snacks, or time your visit with market days; birdlife, butterflies and riverbank kingfishers are common. The falls change wildly with the seasons — low, rocky channels in the dry months, thundering, spray-filled scenes in the rains — and that variability is part of the draw. Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact me. To view the map, please enable javascript Loading the map 🌍 CLICK TO FILTER city town unique site national park hike beach festival region show all 🌤️ When to Go? Best Time to visit Kalandula Falls Hiking to Kalandula Falls is a fantastic experience, but timing it right can make all the difference. The best months to visit are generally from May to September. During this period, the weather is cooler and drier, with temperatures ranging from about 16°C to 28°C (60°F to 82°F). It’s much more pleasant for hiking, and you’ll avoid the intense humidity and rain that can hit during the wet season, which runs from October to April. In the dry season, the falls are still impressive, but after the rainy months, they’re at their most powerful, usually from December to March. If you’re keen on seeing the falls in full flow, maybe plan your trip for early December. Just keep in mind that it can be hot and humid then, with temperatures soaring up to 35°C (95°F). Pro-tip: Bring plenty of water and some snacks; the hike can be more strenuous than you might expect. And don’t forget your camera—those falls are a sight you’ll want to capture, especially with the rainbow mist on a sunny day! JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 🛏️ Where to Stay? Best Places to Stay in Kalandula Falls If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option. Best hostels in Angola Best quality hotels in Angola 🥾 Get Your Walking Shoes Trail Details of Kalandula Falls Total Distance: The Kalandula Falls trail is about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long, making it a manageable hike for most independent travelers. Estimated Duration: Depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the views, you can expect to spend around 3 to 5 hours on the trail. If you plan to linger at the falls, add some extra time for that. Difficulty Level: This trail is generally rated as moderate. While it’s not overly technical, there are some steep sections and uneven terrain, so a good pair of hiking boots is a must. Starting Point: The trailhead is near the town of Kalandula. … read more 👉 Total Distance: The Kalandula Falls trail is about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long, making it a manageable hike for most independent travelers. Estimated Duration: Depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the views, you can expect to spend around 3 to 5 hours on the trail. If you plan to linger at the falls, add some extra time for that. Difficulty Level: This trail is generally rated as moderate. While it’s not overly technical, there are some steep sections and uneven terrain, so a good pair of hiking boots is a must. Starting Point: The trailhead is near the town of Kalandula. To get there by public transport, take a bus from Luanda to Malanje, which runs frequently. From Malanje, you can catch a taxi or a shared van to Kalandula. Just make sure to confirm with the driver that they’re heading to the falls. Major Landmarks Along the Route: Kalandula Falls: The main attraction, these stunning waterfalls are one of the largest in Africa, with a drop of around 105 meters (344 feet). Local Villages: You’ll pass through small villages where you can interact with locals and experience the culture. Scenic Overlooks: There are several spots along the trail with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, perfect for photo ops. Type of Terrain and Scenery: Expect a mix of dirt paths, rocky sections, and some grassy areas. The scenery is diverse, with lush greenery and rolling hills, especially as you get closer to the falls. The sound of rushing water will keep you company as you hike. Typical Vegetation and Wildlife: The area is rich in flora, with plenty of tropical plants, trees, and vibrant wildflowers. You might spot monkeys swinging through the trees or various bird species flitting about. Keep your eyes peeled for butterflies and other small critters along the way, too. This trail offers a great blend of adventure and natural beauty, making it a solid choice for budget travelers looking to explore Angola’s stunning landscapes. Just remember to carry enough water and snacks, and you’re good to go! ⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that’s off, I’d love to hear from you,so I can update it for fellow travelers. ✈️ Get your own digital guidebook Angola Travel Guide Discover the best Angola has to offer — handpicked hikes, must-see cities, hidden gems, local festivals, and more. All in one handy downloadable pdf Angola 161 pages full of highlights ✅ Why visit & When to go ✅ 82 must-see highlights ✅ 21-day country itinerary ✅ Top hikes & National parks ▼ More inside ✅ Best areas to stay ✅ History of country & cities ✅ Essential phrases & customs ✅ Key festivals & Events ✅ Money, food & transport Get your Guide Now Start planning today! 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The Travel guide is directly downloadable after your purchase. Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic, amazing amount of information! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My goodness this is amazing, it‘s what I‘ve been looking for hats off too you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very complete and informative. It‘s still missing places, but I gotta to commend you ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is truly amazing, thank you, can‘t wait to explore it with my kids! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Awesome resource, thank you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is amazing! Can’t wait to explore the ones I haven’t seen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love this! 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Explore all what Angola has to offer. 🌆 Cities        Compare the top best cities : Luanda, Benguela, Lobito , see all 🏡 Towns        Compare the top best towns : Ambriz, Catumbela, Caconda , see all ⭐️ Unique sites        Compare the top best wonders : Tundavala Fissure, Pico de angola, M’banza-Kongo, see all 🏞️ National parks        Compare the top best parks : Bicuar, Iona, Quiçama , see all 🚶‍♀️ Hikes        Compare the top best hikes : Kalandula Falls, Binga Waterfall Trail, Mount Moco Trail , see all 🏖️ Beaches        Compare the top best beaches : Praia da Lua, Praia do Mussulo, Praia de Cabo Ledo, see all 🎎 Festivals        Compare the top best festivals : Luanda Carnival, Luanda International Jazz, Luanda International Film , see all 🏝️ Regions        Compare the top best regions : Namibe Desert, Kwanza River, see all Explore Angola 0 0 0a 1 1 1a 2 2 2a 3 3 3a 4 4 4a 5 5 5a Photos of Angola: Google © ✈️ Ready to Go? Kalandula Falls FAQ Get your own 2025 guide book for Angola The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure. Angola Grab your own Travelguide for only How do I find the best and cheapest places to stay in Kalandula Falls? Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus. Best hostels in Angola Best quality hotels in Angola What should I pack for a backpacking trip to Angola? Angola is a mix of climates and terrains, so pack for variety. It’s humid in the north with rainforests, while the south is more arid. Luanda and other coastal areas are hot and humid, so breathable clothing is key. If you’re heading inland or to the highlands, like Huambo, be ready for cooler nights. Culturally, Angolans appreciate modest dressing, especially in rural areas, so think loose-fitting clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Beaches are casual, but remember some places frown on swimwear away from the sand. Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere. Money & Documents Passport, visa (originals + some photo copies) Passport photographs Credit and debit cards (on world profile) Cash (US$ or €) Money belt Vaccination proofs Clothing Light, quick-dry clothing No jeans, too heavy Ultralight rain/wind jacket Thermo underwear Quick-dry towel Sunglasses Electronics Mobile phone + charger Power bank Travel adapter Local sim card (buy it on arrival) Health Toothbrush Deo Sunscreen, lips sunburn Anti-diarrhea Paracetamol Vitamin C Blister plasters Iodine (for desinfecting wounds) Anti-mosquito (DEET) Bit of emergency toilet paper Nail scissors Others Small number lock Waterproof packing cubes (for dirty clothes) Deck of cards(!) Ear plugs Travel pillow Spare glasses/contacts Kobo reader Moneybelt “Best way to carry your important documents” Light Backpack “Handy, lightweight backpack, excellent for backpackers who travel light” Large Backpack “Waterproof large lightweight backpack, excellent for backpackers who want to bring a lot” Outlander daypack “Handy Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack, available in many colours” Carry on Backpack 40L “Whenever you can, travel with just carry-on luggage, saves costs and makes traveling much easier” Quick dry pant “Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling” Light rain jacket “Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry” Thermo underwear “Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets” Quick dry towel “Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling” Travel adapter “Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs” Number lock “No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories” Packing cubes “Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest” Travel pillow “Light and great for flights and long bus journeys” Lightweight, small mosquito net “Easy to carry, great for those nights where mosquitos are all around you” Kobo Reader “For reading 1.000s of books while carrying only one” Power bank “Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more” DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlogging Camera “The camera for quick videos while traveling” Waterproof action camera “Great action camera for outdoor active enthousiasts” Panasonic LUMIX FZ80D Compact Camera “When you need a large optical zoom (e.g. for safaris), look no further. The Lumix has a massive 20-1200mm zoom lens” Go Pro “The absolute champion in action videos” Ultra light tent “With only 1.08kg (2.38 pounds) this one is just the best you can get.” Ultra light sleeping airbed “Ultra light, still very comfortable and isolating!” Vitamin C “Vitamin C pills to compensate for less balanced food” Blister Plasters “Blister plasters for those long hikes” Iodine “Iodine for self desinfecting small open wounds” Mosquito repellant “Let‘s give those mosquito‘s no chance with 98% DEET” Got more questions? See the FAQ for all questions and answers for backpacking in Angola. I 💚 feedback Final Thoughts When you hit Kalandula Falls, soak in the sheer power of the water—it’s mesmerizing. The vibe is chill, perfect for a lazy afternoon. Don’t miss the hidden trails around the falls; they lead to some stunning viewpoints. Just a heads-up: the path can get slippery, so watch your step. Bring a picnic, kick back, and let the roar of the falls drown out everything else. You won’t regret it. 🫱 Share this page 🙋‍♂️ Give feedback last page update: 20 November 2025 Take  Your  Backpack Home Advisor Destinations Inspiration Planning Search To sign up for the nesletter, please enable javascript STAY UP TO DATE Sign up for the newsletter Africa Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte d’Ivoire Dem. Rep. of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Réunion Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe Asia Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Türkiye (Turkey) Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Europe Albania Andorra Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia (Czech Republic) Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Guernsey Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Jersey Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Svalbard Sweden Switzerland Türkiye (Turkey) Ukraine United Kingdom Vatican City State North  America Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Sint Maarten Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States United States Virgin Islands Oceania American Samoa Australia Cook Islands East Timor Fiji French Polynesia Guam Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Timor-Leste Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu South  America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Curaçao Ecuador Falkland Islands French Guiana Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies | About me To use these links, please enable javascript © takeyourbackpack.com | Contact To contact me enable javascript