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ANGOLA BATTLEFIELDS: The War for Africa

Ops Savannah to Cuito Quanavale

29 June - 15 July 2008

Angola is a beautiful country with a war torn history. This tour will reflect the wonderful scenery, which is in stark contrast to the skeleton remainder of the war that dots the countryside. The route will take you through various vegetation zones, landscapes and battle sites of various stage of war.

On 14 October 1975 task Force Zulu crossed the border into Angola in what became known as operation Savannah. this was the first large scale cross border operation of the "Bush War" and can be seen as the commencement of the so called "War for Africa".

This conflict ended with a showdown between these forces during 1987 and 1988 around the town of Cuito Cuanavale. There are conflicting reports amongst historians who emerged victoriosly from the showdown. However, it led to the independence of Namibia and peace in the region.

This is a tour through Angola visiting some battles sites of the war for Africa. the intention of the tour is not to justify the war, or project it in a one-sided light. We want to prject a balanced view of the events in Angola and highlight the beauty and potential of the country and the people and make a positive contribution to the economic development. Dont miss this departure date.

Day 0: Sunday 29 June 2008
17:00 Group members meet in Odangwa for a pre tour briefing session. Meet the rest of the group members that have signed up for this expedition, the guides and tour leader and receive information on what to expect what to expect in th days to follow.O/N Ondangwe (accommodation for this night is not included in the tour package and therefore for own account)

Day 1: Monday 30 June 2008
We Depart from Odangwa and head for the Oshikango Boarder post where we will cross the boarderinto Angola. We proceed to Ondivja (Pereira de Eca). This town was Combat Force Zulu's first major target during Ops Savannah. It was the capital of the Cunene Province and a rather large town for Angola, which was in the hands of Fapla

We will stock up on fuel in Ondjiva and set up a bbush camp. O/N Bush camp near Odjiva (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 2: Tuesday 01 july 2008
Continue further north via Evale and Mupa to Cuvelai. Operation Meebos in July 1982 was launched to find and destroy SWAPO bases in the area south and east of Cuvelai.

En route to Cassinga we pass through Tetchamutete. it was the site of Angola's most productive iron mines. Combat Formation zulu (Ops Savannah) passed through the town and it was during Ops Askari in 1983. Cassinga was the main target of Operation Reuindeer (4 May 1978). many view the this airborne assault as a massacre of innocent civilians that were housed in a refugee camp.

O/N Bush camp near cassinga (breakfast, lunch, dinner) -no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 3: Wednesday 02 July 2008
Today we are heading to Menongue formerly known as Serpa Pinto. Menongue was a very important FAPLA supply base. Supplies from there were sent to Cuito Cuanavale, the FAPLA stronghold during the last years of war. Ops modular and Hooper were attemps to interrupt the supply line to Cuito, but with not much success for the SADF.

In Menongue there will be an opportunity to refuel. We will set-up camp at a creek near Longa River. O/N Bush Camp on the banks of the Longa River (breakfast, lunch, dinner) -no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 4: Thursday 03 july 2008
Today we drive along the FAPLA supply line to Cuito Cuanavale. The skeletons of war machines line this road.The off road area are still strewed with landmines and de-mining operations are stillin full progress.

During 1987 the MPLA/Cuban concentration in Cuito Cuanavale became a thread to Unita who had a stronghold at Mavinga. Unita approached the SADF for assistance, which resulted in Ops modular (Sept 1987) followed by Ops Hooper, Packer and Displace in 1988.

The above operations took place south of Cuito. This area is not accessible. The bridge over the cuito River was a very important target. various attempts to destroy the bridge were undertaken.

During Ops Modul ar it was the first time SA tanks were depoyed in battle since WOII. It was also during this operation that a fully intact SAM8 missile was captured.

Cuito Cuanvale was the HQ for the FAPLA/Cuban 59 and 21 Brigades. Castro dispatched the an extra 25 000 as well as elements of his elite 50th Division to Cuito during the last stages of the war.

Depending on Road conditions our attempt is to reach Cuito today.
O/N Bush Camp near Cuito (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 5: Friday 04 July 2008
Today we back-track to Menongue. We wil visit the office of the Halo Trust. They are responsible for the de-mining operations in the area.
O/N Bush Camp near Menongue (breakfast,lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 6: Saturday 05 July 2008
Today we head north toward Huambo (Nova Lisboa)
Overnight en route to Huambo
O/N Bush Camp near en route to Huambo (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 7: Sunday 06 July 2008
Today we arrive in Huambo. HUambo is the main town of inland Angola with an approximate population of 203 000. It was formerly known as Nova Lisboa. The town serves as a road, rail and air hub for the rich agricultural region. From the town grain, rice, hides, skins, adn fruit were exported. During the civil war the eceonomy was devastated. Huambo was also the stronghold for the UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. The town was also on the main route back to Namibia for all the troops that had to withdraw when operation Savannah came to an end.
O/N Bush Camp outside Huambo (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 8: Monday 07 July 2008
We are heading further north towards Cela... this town was headquaters of Battle Group Foxbat, which Zulu Headquaters took under their wing when the Operation Savannah HQ was moved there and established in the Monastery. Cela also had a proper facility where the wounded from Ebo were evacuated to. We will drive to a lookout point and visit the Saint Christoforus chapel at the top. The scenery from there is breathtaking.
O/N Camp in Cela (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - optional extra - hotel accommodation available
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 9: Tuesday 08 July 2008
Today we will visit two strategic sites that played significant roles during Ops Savannah. Our first stop is at Bridge 14 from where Top Hat is also visible on a clear day.

The Queve and Rhia Rivers flow north of Huambo (Nova Lisboa). Theses rivers posed real obstacles for operations to the north to take Gabela, Ebo, Catofe and eventually Luanda. Bridge 14 across the Nhia River was on the only tarred road to Quibala. Due to the fact that the rivers were in flood and it was the rainy season the tar road was the only road to the north the armoured vehicles could follow. All bridges across the rivers were blown up which resulted in a very important stand-off for the control of Bridge 14, that was blown up by the MPLA forces. Whoever managed to get the control of Top Hat, and observation point, would have success in takin control and rebuilt Bridge 14.

The SADF crossed the river and went ahead to take the Catofe. They were heading for Quibale when the order came that the advance must be stopped, which lead to the end of Ops Savannah

The second most imprtant site we visit is Ebo... the battle at Ebo took place befor the Bidge 14 operations. It was a victorious day for the MPLA. The terrain for the battle were unsuited for the Elands who could only operate on the main road. The elands were important back-up for the Unita and FNLA infantry who did not perform well.

The defeat at Ebo blocked the advance to the north, which turned the focus back to bridge 14.

Our Overnight stop will be near Quibala/Ebo.
O/N Bush Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 10: Wednesday 09 July 2008
From Ebo we turn towards the coast. The scenery is tropical and beautiful and we will be passing coffee plantations. We explore the terrain around Gabela en route to Sumbe (Nova Redondo). It was a formidable terrain for Combat Formation Zulu with wide rivers which made crossing nearly impossible and muddy valleys which meant the Elands had to stick to the road that would make them easy targets for the FAPLA RPG7'S

We continue to Sumbe (Nova Redondo) situated along the coastline. The Famous Pink House in Nova Redondo became Bravo companies HQ. It was the former house of the Portuguese govenor of Nova redondo Province.
O/N Bush Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 11: Thursday 10 July 2008
Today we follow the coastal route to to Lobito. Lobito was an important harbour town and it was tied to the Benguella railway line. It was a major holiday town and before fleeing it housed the largest concentration of well-to-do Portuguese families. The town was also famous for its festivals and carnivals

During Ops Savannah Combat Formation Zulu and Battle group Foxbat took off a few days to relax in Lobito. This was to allow the powers to be to decide on the way forward. This sudden halt allowed FAPLA to re-group and they gave much stronger resistance when the marching orders for the groups came to move further north to Nova Redondo.

In skirmishes that followed the 25 pounder howziter was used for the first time in a war situation since WOII.

We proceed to Benguela. The battle for benguella was concentrated around the airstrip and no fightin took place in the town.

Following the coastal route to to the south we will visit Baia Farta.
O/N Beach Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-no facilities: camp shower and toilet.

Day 12: Friday 11 July 2008
The route takes us further south via the notorious Dombe Grande road. The scenery is beautiful and the slow crossing of the Dombe Grande leaves enough time to admire it.
We set-up a bush camp near the beach (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- no facilities: camps shower and toilet

Day 13: Saturday 12 July 2008
Today we pass through Lucira en route to Namib. There will be an opportunity refuel. This coastline is breathtaking and the small secluded beaches offer the most beautiful scenery and rock formations. It is an ideal area for fishing.

Port Namib was formerly at Mocamedes. The beauty and prosperity of yester-years is still very much visible in the town.

The harbour of Mocamedes was a strategic port of for the MPLA. From this harbour T-55 battle tanks, PT-76 amphibious tanks, BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers, all of Soviet origin, ws airlifted to inland centres such as Menongue and Cuito Cuinavale.

It was also in Porto namibe that special force frogmen sank one Soviet ship, badly damage two others carrying weaponry and blew up oil storage tanks.

We proceed to Flamingo bay where we will check-in at the lodge.
Flamingo lodge is situated in in a scenic setting against low cliffs on the beach near the mouth of the dry Rios dos Flamingo. This area of coast is at the northern extent of the Namib Desert and is practically devoid of tourist activity. Flamingo Lodge consits of seven rustic bungalows with comfortable beds, showers and flushing toilets
O/N Flamingo lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 14: Sunday 13 July 2008
Our journey continue to Lubango formerly known as Sa da Bandeira.

It was the main commercial centre of southern Angola and the capital of the Huila Province. Overlooking the city is Monte Christo with the towering statue of Christ, a replica of the one in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon. Battle Group Alpha had to concur Monte Christo during the invasion of Sa da Bandeira during Ops Savannah. The main battle was focussed on the airstrip. Later in the war the city became a cuban stronghold.

We drive to Humpata to see the monument that was erected to commemorate the Dorsland Trekkers as well as some of the graves. We also drive the magnificent Leba Pass with its waterfall and and cantilevered hairpin bends. the road ascends from the coastal plain to an altitude of over 6 000 feet in just a few kilometers.

We check-in at the Palanca lodge, Lubango - no camping tonight!
O/N Palanca lodge, lubango ((breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 15: Monday 14 July 2008
We leave Lubango behind and head for Cahama.
O/N Bush Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- no facilities: camps shower and toilet

Day 16: Tuesday 15 July 2008
Today we head for the Ruacana Boarder Post. The tour will officially end when we enter Namibia. You will be responsible for own accommodation arrangements from tonight onwards.
(breakfast)

Now you can say that you have seen more of this beautiful country!