Sumbe

Sumbe, formerly Novo Redondo, is the capital of Cuanza Sul, a small coastal town where the escarpment comes close to the sea and cliffs rise behind the beaches. The Keve river reaches the ocean just north. It is a low-key place with a working port, a few colonial buildings and a long shore, and it functions mainly as a base for the falls and forest inland rather than as a destination in itself.

What you actually see

• The beaches - a long shore running north and south of the town.
• The cliffs - the escarpment coming close to the coast behind the town.
• The Keve river mouth - the river reaching the sea just north of town.
• The colonial centre - a small core of older buildings near the front.

When to go

May to September is the dry season and the most comfortable. The rains from October to April bring humidity and storms. The sea is warmer here than further south.

Honest expectations

There is little to do in the town itself and facilities are limited. Accommodation is basic and expensive. The coast road from Luanda takes most of a day.

Nearby

Binga waterfalls are inland, and Kumbira forest is northeast near Gabela.