The Atlantic Ocean forms the Park's 120 kilometer long western border, while the perennial Cuanza and Longa rivers constitute the northern and southern borders respectively. The eastern border consists of a belt of dense, tall thicket. Quiçama covers an area of roughly 9 960 square kilometres/1.2 million hectares.

A wide variety of habitat types occur such as the flood plain of the Cuanza river, an adjoining low escarpment and a transitional zone of grassland. The interior of the Park includes dense thicket, tree savanna and large open grasslands. This implies a carrying capacity for a potentially wide-ranging spectrum of wildlife.

Wildlife
Due to various factors such as the 21-year war, widespread and persistent poaching, as well as the over utilization of the herbaceous vegetation, little was left of the once teeming herds that roamed the Park. The remaining number, if any, of elephant, rhino and buffalo in Angola, were unknown. Dwarf forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nannus), roan antelope, eland, bushbuck, waterbuck, as well as the manatee, marine turtles and tarpin have been sighted in Quiçama but only an extensive game count will provide a reliable estimate. An imposing amount of bird life, however, still abounds.

Operation Noah's Ark
Fortunately for Quiçama National Park, the Kissama Foundation was established with objectives to rehabilitate the park as well as the other national parks of Angola. To date there have been two successful relocations of elephant, one in 2000 and one in 2001, and Quiçama National Park now has a small population of elephant.

To view the previous two aerial relocations, click here.

Accommodation
Pousada Càua, comprising thatched chalets which overlook the flood plain of the Cuanza river, has been renovated and are open to tourists. Every unit is self-contained with its own ablution facilities. A luxury lodge of world class standards will be built within the foreseeable future at the mouth of the Cuanza river. The lodge will be unique in that it will incorporate both a sea and river front.

Activities will include fishing, sunning on the beach, cruises on the river, bird-watching as well as game drives into the Park. This will be a lodge set within unsurpassable surroundings with a myriad of activities to choose from.

Links
Other Angolan Parks
Operation Noah's Ark 2000 / 2001
The Kissama Foundation