Lobito

Angola · Africa

About Lobito

Lobito is a municipality in Angola. It is located in Benguela Province, on the Atlantic Coast north of the Catumbela Estuary. The Lobito municipality had a population of 393,079 in 2014.

The city was founded in 1843 and owes its existence to the bay of the same name having been chosen as the sea terminus of the Benguela railway to the far interior, passing through Luau to Katanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The population of the municipality is 393,079 (2014) in an area of 3,648 km2. The municipality consists of the communes Canjala, Egipto Praia and Lobito.

Lobito, was built on a sandspit and reclaimed land, with one of Africa's finest natural harbours, protected by a 5 km long sandspit. The old municipality (concelho) was created in 1843 by the Portuguese administration. The town was also founded in 1843 by order of Maria II of Portugal, and its harbour works were begun in 1903.

It wasn't until 1843 that Maria II of Portugal approved the foundation of the town, which had by then been known as Catumbela das Ostras (Catumbela of Oysters)

Large developments, however, were not stimulated...

Lobito travel guide

Understand

Lobito is a large city that is known for its long and unique natural harbour and active port. It has the important railway terminals and connections to the continental road network.

Climate

Lobito experiences a mild tropical arid climate with few temperature extremes. The winters are extremely dry and warm, while summers are relatively wet and hotter.

Getting there

The city is 13 km (8.1 mi) from Catumbela Airport and 33 km (21 mi) from Benguela Airport. The most important trunk road is the EN-100, which connects it to Luanda and Benguela. Another vital route is the Trans-African Highway 9 (or EN-250), which connects it to Balombo in the east.

1 Lobito railway station. (updated Jun 2021)

See

1 Farol do Lobito. A historic lighthouse that serves as a guide for boats intending to enter the bay of Lobito. 2 Fort of São Sebastião (Fort Egypt). A construction that served as a shelter on the Angolan coast, to control the slave trade. Other important architectural constructions are the Cine-Flamingo, the Post Office Building, and the Lobito Ethnography Museum. There is also as a historical monument the Zaire Boat.

Do

One of the main cultural-religious traditions in the city are the Solemnities of Saints Pedro and Paulo, promoted by the Parish of São Paulo da Bela-Vista and by the Diocese of Benguela. The main sports team in Lobito is the Académica Petróleos Clube do Lobito which competes in Girabola.

Drink & nightlife

In Lobito, like the rest of Angola prices of pretty much everything, except alcohol, are high. Here are some places on the Restinga, the city's famous natural harbour:

Alfa Bar - Decent pizzas. Street tables that seem to be almost always full. Some more chairs closer to the beach. Zulu - At the very end of the Restinga. Luna - A bar and lounge that opened in 2014. Very high standards for a bar in the province, nice atmosphere and good food but limited menu. Jango Hotel Restinga - A very nice outside wooden deck and beach chairs.

Sleep

Hotel Restinga 1 Hotel Terminus, R. Robert Williams 16, ☏ +244 935 684 387. (updated Jun 2021)

Go next

Benguela is 33 km away and is a historic city with some pretty colonial buildings.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.