PARC NATIONAL IONA

Originally a hunting reserve in 1937, the park became a national park in 1964, under colonial administration, making it the oldest in the country. Covering an area of 45,700 ^km2, the park is roughly triangular in shape. The three entrances are guarded day and night. However, total protection of the fauna is proving difficult, given the limited human and material resources deployed.

Its natural boundaries are the Atlantic coast to the west, the Kunene River to the south, the Curoca River to the north and the Tchamalinde relief to the east. Rainfall increases significantly, as does the relief, as one moves away from the coast and reaches the peaks of the granite massif.

As with all Angola's other protected areas and national parks, the same phrase is heard: "Before the war, this was the region of lions, leopards, elephants,..., and...". Today, the great fauna of Iona Park is reduced to various species of antelope, giraffes, zebras, sea lions and a few rare leopards. Hyenas can also be heard at night during bivouacs organized by tour operators. To come across oryx in the early hours of the morning in the vastness of the plains, to see ostriches running along the beach in the setting sun, to admire antelopes leaping from rock to rock with the sea as a backdrop, in these landscapes as varied as they are breathtaking, is to experience a moment of grace. Ready to discover Angola's largest national park?