Camping in Angola

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Lizette Swart

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Aug 4, 2026, 4:46:06 AMAug 4
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Good morning Forum members,

I need some input please - I am currently updating data for Angola, and as many of you know "formal" campsites (with bathrooms, toilets, etc) are few and far between, and more common in the west of the country than the remote eastern side.

Many nights your only option is to "camp wild" i.e. you find a suitable spot, engage with the local villagers in your limited Portuguese (English is not an option!) and get permission to stand there for the night. All good (or Tudo bem as they say in Angola!).

However, there is an option to book in at one of the guesthouses you will find in small towns, etc. and then to sleep in your camper/trailer/rooftop tent but use the shower and toilet in the room. This is quite a common practise in many African countries, but it is especially of importance in Angola, as it is often the only way to get a night with a hot shower and flush toilet, or maybe it is the only place where you feel comfortable to stay for the night. You will typically sleep in the parking area of the hotel, it is not possible to erect a ground tent here, it is intended for rooftop tents or campervans, and caravans/trailers (though towing in Angola is a whole new experience on these roads!)

For obvious reasons, we don't want to indicate these sites as a "formal" campsite, but it is not a "wild camp" either. So we are looking for a good descriptive term for this type of overnighting. We already use "lodge camp" for lodges (usually out in a game area) that also has a formal campsite for overlanders. 

Suggestions for this new category include "hotel/motel camping" or "gated stop over" - we are leaning towards "motel camping" as motels are usually in town (as opposed to lodges that are usually out in the game areas). 

Would this description describe clearly to you what is intended here? And if anybody has any other suggestions, please feel free to let me know!

Greetings from Ruacana!

Margot Donaldson

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Aug 4, 2026, 4:50:54 AMAug 4
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Camping in parking areas with bathroom facilities? Perhaps?
Carpark camping?
Regards 
Margot 
Maabwe Bay Camp
Lake Kariba 
Phone no/Wattsapp 00263776977446
Or Netone line usually better 00263719478520

FB: Maabwe Bay

On 04 Aug 2026, at 10:46, Lizette Swart <liz...@tracks4africa.co.za> wrote:


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Brett Ellis

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Aug 4, 2026, 4:53:13 AMAug 4
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Greetings wena 🤘🏼
You could also try MoHotel 😉
 
Safe travels in an awesome country.

Karin Theron

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Aug 4, 2026, 4:58:38 AMAug 4
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I agree with Carpark camping. 

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAMqM1KrMuS0fHZZ3MLT1sO58kG4KUryb3mhMfH%2BNJoz58qZmew%40mail.gmail.com.

Mike Slater

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Aug 4, 2026, 12:49:13 PMAug 4
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Hi all.

When I first started researching my guidebook to Moz over 30 years ago, camping in Pensão / Pousada / Hospedes car parks and rooftops (if you have a freestanding tent) used to be the only "camping" option in much of Mozambique.  

Often the owner or manager was baffled why we would choose to sleep in a tent rather than in a bed inside their establishment so I decided to just make a general comment in the book that carpark camping might be negotiated at these guesthouses, but not to rely on it.  

Anyway, I am with those who suggest the label "carpark camping".  

Roughly translated to Portuguese this is "Campismo em Estacionamento".

Expect some chuckles and baffled responses...


On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, Karin Theron <karint...@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree with Carpark camping. 

On Tue, Aug 4, 2026 at 10:53 AM Brett Ellis <4ri...@gmail.com> wrote:
Greetings wena 🤘🏼
You could also try MoHotel 😉
 
Safe travels in an awesome country.

On Tue, 04 Aug 2026, 10:46 Lizette Swart, <liz...@tracks4africa.co.za> wrote:
Good morning Forum members,

I need some input please - I am currently updating data for Angola, and as many of you know "formal" campsites (with bathrooms, toilets, etc) are few and far between, and more common in the west of the country than the remote eastern side.

Many nights your only option is to "camp wild" i.e. you find a suitable spot, engage with the local villagers in your limited Portuguese (English is not an option!) and get permission to stand there for the night. All good (or Tudo bem as they say in Angola!).

However, there is an option to book in at one of the guesthouses you will find in small towns, etc. and then to sleep in your camper/trailer/rooftop tent but use the shower and toilet in the room. This is quite a common practise in many African countries, but it is especially of importance in Angola, as it is often the only way to get a night with a hot shower and flush toilet, or maybe it is the only place where you feel comfortable to stay for the night. You will typically sleep in the parking area of the hotel, it is not possible to erect a ground tent here, it is intended for rooftop tents or campervans, and caravans/trailers (though towing in Angola is a whole new experience on these roads!)

For obvious reasons, we don't want to indicate these sites as a "formal" campsite, but it is not a "wild camp" either. So we are looking for a good descriptive term for this type of overnighting. We already use "lodge camp" for lodges (usually out in a game area) that also has a formal campsite for overlanders. 

Suggestions for this new category include "hotel/motel camping" or "gated stop over" - we are leaning towards "motel camping" as motels are usually in town (as opposed to lodges that are usually out in the game areas). 

Would this description describe clearly to you what is intended here? And if anybody has any other suggestions, please feel free to let me know!

Greetings from Ruacana!

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Best wishes
 
Mike Slater



Mike Slater

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Aug 4, 2026, 12:51:23 PMAug 4
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"the only "camping" option in much of Mozambique" - other than wild camping, of course.

If that does NOT work, then please try mailto:moderator@tracks4africa.co.za

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Best wishes
 
Mike Slater



Peter Levey

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Aug 4, 2026, 3:24:19 PMAug 4
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I like 'Carpark Camping'as well


Peter Levey

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"Kupotea njia ndio kujua njia".  Swahili proverb.

Best wishes
 
Mike Slater





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"Kupotea njia ndio kujua njia".  Swahili proverb.

Best wishes
 
Mike Slater



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Lizette Swart

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Aug 6, 2026, 7:17:41 AM (13 days ago) Aug 6
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Good afternoon everyone,

Thank you for the suggestions!

We received some privately too, we will discuss internally and make a decision.

Safe travels

Kind regards

Lizette Swart
lizette@tracks4africa
co.za

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