Quissama National Park - Elephant Sanctuary

We arrive at Quissama National Park full of expectation. We’ve been here a few years beforehand, but it was cacimbo season (dry) and there weren’t many animals. Now, with green and dense vegetation, we were aware that the chances of finding large animals were greater. We climbed aboard the guide and security jeep and set off. Despite our high expectations, we were warned that it would be hard to see the animals. After all, Quissama National Park covers an area of 960,000 hectares, and is Angola’s largest national park.

In it you can find about one hundred elephants, a few dozen giraffes, hundreds of common elands, zebras and greater kudu, in addition to smaller animals, such as monkeys and many bird species. The park is currently receiving elephants from the United Kingdom as part of a repopulation program. Already impressive numbers, especially when you take into account that a few years ago there were no more than 30 elephants and four giraffes, but not so impressive when you look at the size of the park.

The first minutes without spotting any animals were joined by the first and then the second hour. Scepticism began to take over our thoughts. In spite of the incredibly beautiful scenery, the reason for us being there was to see animals. And then the long-awaited moment finally arrived. In the midst of the thick vegetation, we began to spot the trunks and huge ears of a herd of elephants. In addition to the females, impressive animals, we could also see some young. Erring towards caution, we didn’t get too close, because when elephants feel threatened they can become very dangerous animals. However, our excitement almost caused us to jump out of the jeep.

We wanted to remain in that spot, to soak up a little more of this special moment, but we were told that there were more animals to see in Quissama. We continued on our tour. Awaiting us, further ahead, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and a preserved park, in which preparations are being made to welcome national and foreign tourists. 

In it you can find about one hundred elephants, a few dozen giraffes, hundreds of common elands, zebras and greater kudu.

It is with this aim, that of ecotourism, that the administrative facilities have been renovated and that a lodge has been built, to allow guests to spend the night in Quissama.
Created as a Game Reserve on April 16, 1938, Quissama was made a National Park in 1957. Featuring predominantly savannah style dry woodland and marshlands and mangroves along the River Kwanza, this nature reserve once had 800 elephants and three thousand forest buffalo, the park’s symbol. Restoring and consolidating this great natural park remains one of the main objectives of the Angolan government and the Ministry of the Environment, which have been implementing programs to revitalize, repopulate, and promote tourism in Quissama National Park.

When this aim has been achieved Quissama National Park will surely become an international benchmark, not only for animal conservation, but also for its stunning beauty.

Quissama National Park will surely become an international benchmark.

Text: Andreia Barros Ferreira/Editorial Team
Photography: Manuel Teixeira