Angola Climbing Festival 2024: A New Era of Adventure Tourism
The first-ever Angola Climbing Festival, organized by Nathan Cahill and David Wells from Climb Angola in partnership with the Association of Tourism of Huíla, was a landmark event in the development of rock climbing in the country, attracting 40 participants from 18 countries, and marking a major step toward establishing Angola as a top global climbing destination. Held over nine days in the stunning Serra da Leba cliffs, this international gathering showcased Angola’s potential for adventure tourism while bringing together climbers, local communities, and sponsors for a unique cultural exchange.
Expanding the Route Network
The primary focus of the festival was route development, with climbers establishing 45 new climbing routes across 50 pitches, bringing the total number of routes at Serra da Leba to 70. These new routes now make Serra da Leba a prominent climbing destination in southern Africa. Ranging from beginner-friendly climbs to challenging advanced routes, the diversity of the terrain ensures climbers of all levels will find a fitting challenge on the sandstone/quartzite walls that rise up to 600 meters.
Serra da Leba’s unique rock formations—featuring a variety of sport, traditional, and multipitch climbing styles—are now cemented as a premier spot for both international climbers and adventure-seeking tourists.
A Holistic Climbing Experience
Beyond route development, the festival was a full-scale adventure experience. Climbers were treated to days packed with climbing, swimming in local pools, cliff jumping, and evening entertainment, including film screenings that celebrated African climbing culture. The camaraderie among the climbers, combined with a feast of Mexican-Angolan cuisine prepared by volunteer chef Eduardo Carsolio, made for an unforgettable experience.
The festival basecamp, located at Luis Alves’ Miradouro da Leba restaurant, featured newly developed amenities such as showers, toilets, and a campsite for the climbers. The surrounding cliffs, coupled with breathtaking views of the canyon and waterfalls, offered a truly immersive experience in nature.
Economic and Social Impact
One of the festival’s key goals was to create economic opportunities for the communities around the climbing areas. By hosting climbers and tourists from around the world, local businesses benefited directly from the influx of visitors. This includes not only the Miradouro da Leba restaurant and campsite, but also local markets and shops in nearby Lubango, where climbers stopped to gather essential supplies before heading to Serra da Leba.
Climb Angola also ensured that the local community played an active role in the festival’s success. Six climbers from Cumbira Segundo, a village in Kwanza Sul, were sponsored to attend, with Climbing for a Reason providing training and support. For many of these young climbers, the festival marked their first time traveling outside their village, creating life-changing experiences and opportunities for growth.
Environmental Initiatives
Environmental stewardship was another key theme of the festival. Volunteers and participants organized a major cleanup of the cliffs below the viewpoint at Serra da Leba, removing years of accumulated trash from inaccessible areas. Working with EcoAngola, a local non-profit, climbers rappelled down the cliff faces, loading sacks of trash to be hauled back to the top. In total, two tons of trash were removed, marking an important step toward preserving the natural beauty of the area for future climbers and tourists.
Skills Training and Workshops
In addition to climbing, the festival also served as a training ground for both local emergency services and climbers. Todd and Donette Swain from the USA hosted two days of Search and Rescue (SAR) training for local police, firefighters, and ambulance crews, focusing on essential skills such as knots, pulley systems, and rescue scenarios. A bolting workshop led by Justin Lawson from South Africa equipped participants with the knowledge to safely and sustainably develop climbing routes, further contributing to the growth of Angola’s climbing infrastructure.
A Vision for the Future
The success of the Angola Climbing Festival was made possible through the support of local and international sponsors, including Axess Group, Sogester, Agua Preciosa, Maxi, and Lappas Climbing Bolts. These partnerships ensured the event could provide climbers with the best possible experience while laying the groundwork for future festivals and climbing events in Angola.
Organizers Nathan Cahill and David Wells, the visionaries behind Climb Angola, played a key role in the festival’s success, driving the event with their passion and energy. Their efforts, along with the support of local leaders and the global climbing community, have positioned Angola as an emerging player in the world of climbing.
With the 2024 edition of the festival wrapped up, plans are already in motion for the 2025 event. Climbers can look forward to returning to the pristine cliffs of Serra da Leba, exploring new routes, and continuing to contribute to the sustainable development of climbing in Angola.
For those interested in staying updated on their progress and future events, follow @ClimbAngola on Instagram.
This festival marked a new chapter for adventure tourism in Angola, blending sport, culture, and community-building into a single event. With the backing of sponsors, volunteers, and local leaders, it has not only helped put the country on the map for climbers but also created lasting social and economic benefits for the communities that hosted it.
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