× 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 🇦🇴 Serra da Chela Trail Hike the Serra da Chela Trail, Angola. Check things to see along the trail and best time to go Explore Mount Moco Trail Explore Binga Waterfall Trail Intro | Highlights | Map | Best time to go | Where to stay? | Details | Guide | Angola | FAQ | What to expect when backpacking in Serra da Chela Trail The Serra da Chela Trail in Angola is a mixed bag of stunning views and a few challenges. Spanning around 12 kilometers, it’s not the longest hike, but the rocky terrain and steep sections can definitely get your heart pumping. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking—think dramatic cliffs and lush valleys that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard. Getting to the trailhead by public transport can be a bit of a hassle, with limited options and some patience required, but it’s doable. Compared to other hikes in Angola, like the more popular Tundavala Gap, Serra da Chela offers a more rugged, less-trodden experience, perfect for those who crave a bit of solitude among the beauty. Just be ready for a workout and plan your transport wisely! Discover everything you want to know in the 📖  Angola Travel Guide . Best time to go: May – September Duration: 5 days Distance: 12 kilometers Total ascent: 1,200 meters Get your Angola Travel Guide 💡 Top Highlights Best things to see along Serra da Chela Trail Angola Grab your own Travelguide for only Sheer escarpment viewpoints — The trail runs along dramatic cliff edges that plunge down to the coastal plain, giving wide, jaw-dropping panoramas over the Namib-like lowlands. Sunrises and sunsets here turn the layered rock and distant desert into a painter’s palette, and the scale is what makes this different from most hikes: you actually feel the land falling away beneath you. Deep canyons and slot-like gorges — Erosion has carved a maze of narrow gorges and chasms with exposed strata and sculpted walls. Walking into these cuts is a change of scenery: cooler, quieter, and great for close-up geology and photographing texture and shadow. High plateau grasslands and drought-adapted flora — Above the escarpment the landscape flattens into wind-swept grass and scattered, tough succulents and aloes. After the rains the plateau lights up with seasonal wildflowers; otherwise the contrast between scrubby vegetation and the bare rock makes the scenery feel stark and uniquely Angolan. Cliff-nesting birds and raptors — Thermals rising off the escarpment attract hawks, eagles and other cliff-adapted birds, so you’ll often spot them circling high above or perched on ledges. For birdwatchers the combination of open skies and sheer rock faces offers consistently good sightings that many lower-elevation trails don’t. Mountain settlements and pastoral life — Small villages and shepherd camps punctuate the route, offering glimpses of mountain livelihoods—livestock grazing, stone huts, and informal trails linking communities. Those human touches give the hike cultural texture: simple hospitality, local paths, and daily routines that have adapted to the harsh, beautiful environment. 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 Serra da Chela Trail Hiking the Serra da Chela Trail in Angola is a fantastic adventure, but timing is everything. The best months to hit the trail are from May to September. During this period, you’re looking at temperatures ranging from about 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). It’s cooler and much more pleasant for hiking, especially compared to the hot, dry season that can push temperatures above 35°C (95°F) in the daytime. If you go during the rainy season, from October to April, you might find the trail muddy and slippery, plus those afternoon storms can really put a damper on your plans. You’d be dealing with humidity levels that can feel like a sauna, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to enjoy the stunning views. Pro tip: Start your hikes early in the morning to catch the sunrise and beat the heat. Plus, the early morning light can make those incredible landscapes pop in your photos. Just don’t forget to bring plenty of water—staying hydrated is key! JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 🛏️ Where to Stay? Best Places to Stay in Serra da Chela Trail 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 Serra da Chela Trail Total Distance: Approximately 20 kilometers, making for a solid day hike or a leisurely overnight trek if you want to soak it all in. Estimated Duration: Expect to spend around 6 to 8 hours on the trail, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the views or snap some photos. Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging. There are some steep sections and rocky paths that will keep your legs working, but nothing too extreme if you’re reasonably fit. Starting Point: The trailhead is near the town of Lubango. To get there by public transport, you can catch a bus or a shared taxi from … read more 👉 Total Distance: Approximately 20 kilometers, making for a solid day hike or a leisurely overnight trek if you want to soak it all in. Estimated Duration: Expect to spend around 6 to 8 hours on the trail, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the views or snap some photos. Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging. There are some steep sections and rocky paths that will keep your legs working, but nothing too extreme if you’re reasonably fit. Starting Point: The trailhead is near the town of Lubango. To get there by public transport, you can catch a bus or a shared taxi from Luanda to Lubango. Once in Lubango, you can take a local taxi to the trailhead. Just make sure to confirm with the driver that they know where to drop you off. Major Landmarks Along the Route: Christ the King Statue: A massive statue overlooking Lubango, it’s a great spot to start your hike with a view. Serra da Chela Peaks: These stunning rock formations are the highlight of the hike, offering breathtaking vistas. Waterfalls: Keep an eye out for a couple of small waterfalls along the way, especially if you hike after the rainy season. Type of Terrain and Scenery: The trail features a mix of rocky paths, dirt trails, and some steep inclines. As you hike, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The scenery shifts from lush greenery in some areas to more arid landscapes as you gain elevation. Typical Vegetation and Wildlife: Expect to see a variety of flora, including acacia trees and wildflowers. As for wildlife, you might spot some birds and small mammals. Keep your eyes peeled for unique insects and butterflies fluttering about, especially in the warmer months. ⚠️ 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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Explore Angola Serra da Chela Trail isn’t the only highlight in Angola. 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? Serra da Chela Trail 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 Serra da Chela Trail? 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 As you hit the Serra da Chela Trail, brace yourself for breathtaking views that feel almost otherworldly. The vibe is pure adventure, with locals often stopping for a chat, which adds a nice touch. The best surprise? Those hidden waterfalls that pop up when you least expect them—perfect for a refreshing dip. Just keep an eye on the weather; the rain can sneak up on you, so pack a poncho! 🫱 Share this page 🙋‍♂️ Give feedback last page update: 19 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