Luanda: Angola has sent samples from two of its most visited caves to laboratories in the United States as part of an initiative to explore and promote cave tourism. This project, which aims to support sustainable tourism by highlighting local caves, involves a collaboration between international scientists, tourism experts, and cultural heritage professionals.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the project is being implemented by Tac Tour, a tourism agency, in partnership with the New York Museum of Natural History (MHNNI), the University of Lisbon in Portugal, and the Berlin Speleology Club in Germany. The Angolan Ministries of Culture, Tourism, and Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas have also lent their support to this endeavor. The caves under study include Sassa in Cuanza Sul, Ondimba-Tchivinguiro in Hula, Nzenzo in Uge, Zau Evua in Zaire, and Cabo Lebo in Icolo and Bengo.
The project started in November 2021 but faced delays due to the unavailability of American scientists from the New York museum. It was revived in 2022 with a visit to the Tchivinguiro Cave by Josef Boccuzzo, Minister-Counselor of the Italian Embassy in Angola, who arranged funding for the cave's tourist promotion through Italian companies operating in the country. This funding was contingent on the completion of scientific studies.
In October 2024, the New York museum provided $6,500 for the project, covering travel costs for climatology, geology, and videography experts from its Earth Sciences Department. Additionally, the University of Lisbon funded a geoarchaeologist's travel costs, who led the "Paleoleba" project between 2018 and 2020. The Berlin Speleology Club also contributed by sending a speleologist to participate.
Carlos Bumba, the head of Tac Tour, mentioned in an interview with ANGOP that collections were made from June 14 to 20 in the provinces of Cuanza Sul and Hula. The results of these studies are expected to be ready in November, with a second study planned thereafter to further explore the findings. The research will help determine the safety conditions necessary for developing tourism, especially for the Ondimba cave in Hula.
Bumba also noted that North American scientists are interested in studying irregular rainfall patterns in recent years, which involves cave research. The MHNNI's Earth Science Department has recognized the value of participating in this project, particularly due to the climatic relationship between Southern Africa and North America.
Once the study is complete, it will provide scientific information necessary for ensuring safe speleotourism activities. Bumba emphasized that while many cave locations present risks, collective efforts should focus on protecting and researching these environments.
