Cunene

Cunene is a province at the extreme south of Angola, covering about 87,000 km² north of the Cunene River, which forms the border with Namibia. Its capital, Ondjiva (formerly Vila Pereira d'Eça), lies about 42 km from the Namibian border. The landscape is arid and dramatic, dominated by the river valley and surrounding savanna. The province is home to Ovambo pastoralist communities as well as Himba and Mucubal groups, whose semi-nomadic cattle-herding traditions are prominent on both sides of the Angola–Namibia border. The Epupa Falls on the Cunene River, shared with Namibia, are a notable natural feature nearby.

May to October is the dry season and the best time for travel. November to April is the rainy season.

Roads connect the main towns. Buses and shared taxis operate between major centres. A 4x4 is recommended for rural areas.

• Ondjiva — the provincial capital, close to the Namibian border.
• Epupa Falls area — a dramatic waterfall on the Cunene River shared with Namibia (most-visited from the Namibian side).

Angolan cuisine features funge (cassava porridge), moamba de galinha (chicken stew), grilled fish, and fresh tropical fruits.

Angolan culture blends African traditions with Portuguese colonial influences. Music includes semba, kizomba, and kuduro.

• Meeting Ovambo, Himba, and Mucubal pastoralist communities, whose cattle-herding traditions define much of the province.
• Seeing the arid Cunene River valley landscape near Ondjiva.