Join André as he visits Angola, a raw and authentic corner of Africa, ready to reveal its secrets.

In this first of two episodes, André explores the vibrant capital Luanda, the cooler highlands of Lubango, and Angola’s complex history - from the ancient African kingdoms, the colonial era, the Civil War, and the period of re-building since then.

We meet local tourism professionals, including Irene, Pepe, and Richard, who share their insights on Angola’s people, diverse cultures, and landscapes—from the source of the Okavango to the striking Namibe Desert.

Whether you’re a curious adventurer, a cultural explorer, or a tourism professional, this episode offers interesting insights into Angola’s potential as a must-visit African destination.

Deutsch: Du kannst diesen Podcast auch auf Deutsch hören: “Africa with André auf Deutsch”

** Please tell your friends about this podcast, and leave me a rating on Spotify or Apple. I would love to hear from you - send me your questions, comments and ideas to podcast@africawithandre.com **

Luanda: https://welcometoangola.co.ao/en/directorio/o-que-fazer-em-luanda/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luanda

National Slavery Museum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Slavery

Viewpoint of the Moon “Miradouro da Lua”: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/miradouro-da-lua-viewpoint-of-the-moon

Lubango: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubango

Giant Sable Antelope: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_sable_antelope

Operation Noah’s Ark: https://mg.co.za/article/2003-05-31-operation-noahs-ark/

Iron Palace in Luanda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pal%C3%A1cio_de_Ferro and https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-iron-palace-luanda-angola

Pure & Authentic Tourism Angola: https://www.pa-angola-tourism.com/

Kleber Group: https://klebergroup.com/

Diamir: https://www.diamir.de/

ASR – Alliance of Independent Travel Companies (Germany): https://asr-berlin.de/

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It’s probably something you wouldn’t have thought to do – but do yourself a favour and book a Cycle Tour through Soweto, near Johannesburg.

We chat with Maria Malepa from Lebo’s Backpackers & Cycle Tours about why this vibrant, historic part of South Africa deserves a deeper look.

Maria shares the inspiring story of her late husband Lebo, who turned a small homestay into a thriving community tourism hub. We discuss what makes Soweto unique, why cycling is the best way to experience it, and the unexpected moments—like being spontaneously invited to a wedding!

If you want to see the real South Africa, this episode is your starting point – it will help you really understand the amazing people. 🇿🇦🚴🏾

Deutsch: Du kannst diesen Podcast auch auf Deutsch hören: “Africa with André auf Deutsch”

** Please tell your friends about this podcast, and leave me a rating on Spotify or Apple. I would love to hear from you - send me your questions, comments and ideas to podcast@africawithandre.com **

Lebo’s Backpackers & Cycle Tours: https://www.sowetobackpackers.com/activities/bicycle-tours/

Apartheid Museum: https://www.apartheidmuseum.org/

Hector Pietersen Memorial: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_Pieterson_Museum

South African Tourism – Gauteng province: https://south-africa.net/south-africa/gauteng/

Joburg Tourism: https://visit.joburg/Home/Home

Miriam Makeba: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Makeba

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Sound credits: uppbeat.io/ and https://pixabay.com/

How does a luxury train company give back to the communities it travels through? In this engaging follow-up conversation, André reconnects with Tiffany Vos-Thane, and we dive into Rovos Rail’s sustainability efforts—from using bamboo products and locally made amenities to cutting water use by 90% with custom-built vacuum toilets (yes, it’s fascinating!).

We also explore Rovos Rail’s ambitious journeys across 10 African countries, including pioneering trips into Angola and the challenges of navigating visas, corruption, and unpredictable rail lines.

If you love travel, adventure, and brilliant problem-solving, this episode is for you!

Deutsch: Du kannst diesen Podcast auch auf Deutsch hören: “Africa with André auf Deutsch”

** Please tell your friends about this podcast, and leave me a rating on Spotify or Apple. I would love to hear from you - send me your questions, comments and ideas to podcast@africawithandre.com **

Rovos Rail: https://rovos.com/

Rovos Rail partners with these South African companies for their sustainability products:

Msulwa Life: https://msulwalife.co.za/

Katavi Botanicals: https://katavibotanicals.com/

Follow me on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africa_with_andre

Subscribe to Email reminders when episodes go live: www.africawithandre.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/africawithandre/

Sound credits: uppbeat.io/ and https://pixabay.com/