Description of the attraction
In April 1963, the Kangandala Natural Reserve was established, which was transformed into a National Park on June 25, 1970. Initially, the purpose of creating the reserve was nature conservation measures aimed at protecting black antelopes and preserving huge areas of brachistegia, which is of great biological and ecological importance for these territories.
Kangandala is located in the province of Malange, at a distance of about 50 km from the road from the city of Malange. It is the smallest of all national parks in Angola, with an area of 630 square kilometers. Its natural borders are the Kuije River in the north, two tributaries of the Kwanza River in the west and south. The northern section of the territory intersects with the old road connecting Malange with Cambundi-Katembo and next to which the former headquarters of the park was located.
The vegetation of the park is typical for the "miombo" forest (such thickets are also called "panda forest") - it is rare, with a predominance of wangermeeana ("Mussamba") brachistegia and boehmii ("quenge") brachistegia. It also contains other plant species such as huapaca benguelensis ("mumbula"), erythrina abyssinia ("mulungo") and dyospiros, among others. Some of the largest rivers have narrow strips of gallery forests. None of the rivers have natural or artificial bays, only in the floodplains of the rivers there are several meadows (mulolas) and tributaries.
In addition to large black antelopes, 15 more species of mammals are found in Kangandala Park, among them predators - lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs; reptiles are represented by three species, amphibians - by one.
The restoration of scientific work and systemic observation of flora and fauna began in 2006, after the end of the war. In 2014, new equipment for tracking animals was brought to Kangandala Park.
