Angola

Angola is beginning to open up to the outside world more after many years of colonialism and conflict. Visitors can learn more about history and culture, or experience pristine beaches and wildlife parks. The Museum of Anthropology in Luanda is the oldest building in town, constructed almost 450 years ago by the Portuguese. At Parque Nacional da Kissama, see baobab trees, nesting sea turtles, elephants, palanca antelopes, and more. The Tunda-Vala Volcanic Fissure on the way to Namibe’s beaches offers incredible vistas.

Angolan cuisine reflects its heritage of Portuguese colonialism. Locals eat lots of beans, rice, fish, chicken, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and okra. Pungent sauces with ingredients like peppers and palm oil are an important part of the cuisine. Each region has a spongy porridge containing fubí flour that can be served with stews. In the North, they eat the cassava-based funge de bombo, whereas in the South they make pirão, more like polenta. Calalu stew features dried fish, gimboa greens and other vegetables, and possibly palm oil beans and farofa. Feeling really adventurous? Seek out catato, caterpillar fried with garlic, or chow down on toasted grasshoppers with funge. You may want to wash them down with palm wine or mongozo palm-nut beer. For dessert, try coconut pudding or peanut candy.