Overview:

Pungo Andongo is a nature reserve located in the Malanje province of Angola. It was declared a protected area in 1989 and consists of more than 3,000 square kilometers of land. The Reserve has mostly undisturbed landscapes, with a combination of mountainous and lowland jungle. The Reserve is home to several species of endangered animals, including the Angolan black-and-white Colobus, Giant forest elephant, Leopard, Parrot, Quail, Serval and Warthog. The Reserve also protects over 46 species of reptiles, as well as plants, fungi, and other organisms that are endangered or threatened. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

1. Historic Pre-Colonial Landmark - Pungo Andongo is a pre-colonial stone fortress and archaeological complex located about 40km north of the city of Malanje in Angola. The area consists of a series of rock formations, carved out of volcanic tuff (consolidated volcanic ash), which have resisted the passage of time and houses some of the most spectacular rock art engravings around. The engravings depict people, animals, plants, and solar symbols, as well as anthropomorphic or zoomorphic images. 2. UNESCO World Heritage Site - Pungo Andongo was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and is considered an important piece of Angola’s cultural heritage. The rock art carvings have made this place a key tourist attraction in the country. 3. Game Wildlife Reserve - Pungo Andongo is part of a larger game reserve, which covers an area of over 22,000 hectares in the vicinity of Malanje and is home to a number of endangered species such as elephant, black rhinos, giraffe, kingfishers, and various antelopes. 4. Ecotourism - For those seeking adventure, Pungo Andongo offers excellent opportunities for ‘roughing it’. It provides accommodation in small campsites and huts for overnight camping trips, as well as guided tours to explore the area and its wildlife. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The history of Pungo Andongo – Malanje in Angola is closely tied to the history of the surrounding region. The region itself encompasses a vast area of the northwest section of Angola in the basin of Cuanza. The area has seen diverse groups of people inhabit it over the years. People such as the Baxo, the Oddes, the Mbunda, as well as the Coamos people, are among those that have occupied the region. Some of the earliest recorded inhabitants in this region were the Kingdom or Empire of Quicobo and the Kingdom of Kilunda that existed between 1550 and 1650. During this period, the majority of the population was tribal. These clans or tribes were nomadic and lived off the land. In the seventeenth century, the Portuguese colonists arrived and transformed the region into a Portuguese colony in 1622. This introduced a new form of slavery and forced labor known as the "forcado” system. This was implemented by the Portuguese to gain economic advantage over the local population. During the nineteenth century, the region became a province of Portugal and later a province of Angola. This area became known as the Province of Malanje, containing two districts, Pungo Andongo and Chitato. The region experienced a great deal of political turmoil from 1962 to 1975 when an independence struggle caused by a revolution took place. This struggle resulted in Angola winning its independence in 1975. Throughout the centuries, Pungo Andongo-Malanje has served as a major agricultural region in Angola due to its combination of soil and climate. The region has also become a major cattle breeding zone within the country due to the abundance of pastures. The area is also home to Angola’s largest hydroelectric power plant which provides much of the country's electricity. Today, Pungo Andongo-Malanje continues to maintain its strong ties to culture, agriculture, and industry. These factors make the region an integral part of the Angolan culture and economic success. Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Pungo Andongo is a stone complex located on a mountain in the Angolan province of Malanje. 2. It is believed to be one of the oldest human settlements in Africa, estimated to date back to the Stone Age. 3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was listed in 1993. 4. It contains a series of terraces and platforms carved from hundreds of rock monoliths, some of which are over 34 feet tall. 5. The site is also home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds. 6. Visitors to the site have noted mysterious figures, carved from the rocks, which some believe to be the departed ancestors of the local population. 7. Pungo Andongo was once an ancient trading center and served as an important location for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era