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Tômbua
ℹ️Practical info — Tômbua
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection as the desert environment is extremely arid.
- Visit the massive fishing port, which was once one of the largest in Africa.
- The ocean here is very cold due to the Benguela current; swimming is only for the brave.
- Hire a local guide to find the unique Welwitschia plant in the nearby desert.
🍽 Food
A local staple deeply tied to the town's history, available everywhere.
Look for small eateries near the port serving the catch of the day.
A rich fish stew reflecting the town's strong fishing heritage.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Experience the bustling trade of fresh and dried fish; a true sensory experience!
Look for small stalls selling items made from seashells or desert materials.
Just outside town, the silent desert dunes offer a beautiful contrast to the ocean.
Walk along the empty coastline, but bring a windbreaker as it can get chilly.
Water temperature…
Tômbua, formerly known as Porto Alexandre, is a port city in the Namibe Province of southwestern Angola. Situated in a sheltered bay on the edge of the Namib Desert, the town has long been one of the most vital centers for the Angolan fishing industry. The cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Benguela Current provide a vast supply of fish, supporting numerous processing plants within the city. Architecturally, Tômbua features colonial-era buildings set against the stark desert landscape. The surrounding area is home to fascinating natural phenomena such as the Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant capable of living for up to 1,500 years. The town also serves as a gateway for expeditions into Iona National Park, the country's largest national park, renowned for its unique biodiversity and spectacular sand dunes.
- Location: Angola
- Top sights: PORTO PESQUEIRO · Praia das Casuarinas · Largo das Três Taças
- Population: ~46.573 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Oct, Nov.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Rain mm | 22 | 25 | 47 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
Geography
Facts
- Tômbua was known as Porto Alexandre during the colonial era.
- The town is regarded as the largest fishing hub in Angola.
- Iona National Park begins just south of the city limits.
- Tômbua is located in one of the driest regions south of the Sahara.
- The Welwitschia mirabilis plant grows in the desert surrounding the town.
- The settlement was officially founded in the year 1863.
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Tômbua (3)
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