Lubango is the capital of Huila province and one of Angola's most pleasant cities, sitting at around 1,700 metres on a high plateau with a dramatic mountain backdrop. The cool climate, the jacaranda-lined streets, and the relative calm compared to Luanda make it a refreshing stop in a country where comfortable travel can be hard to come by.
The city itself has a colonial-era centre that is walkable and reasonably well maintained. The Cristo Rei statue, modelled after Rio's Christ the Redeemer, stands on a hilltop overlooking the town and offers wide views across the plateau. Lubango is also home to a lively annual festival in August, the Festa da Nossa Senhora do Monte, which draws crowds from across the province.
What really makes Lubango worth a visit are the day trips. The Tundavala Gap, about 15 km west of town, is a sheer cliff dropping over 1,000 metres to the plains below — the views are staggering. The Serra da Leba pass, with its dramatic switchbacks carved into the escarpment, is one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Africa and connects Lubango down to Namibe on the coast. That stretch of road is among the best maintained in the country. Other road connections, including the routes to Huambo and Benguela, are in poor condition and slow going.