Angola - quickest, easiest route to Namibia

[brandy_x]

I am travelling south through Angola next month and I'm after the quickest and safest route from DRC to Namibia. It is due to time constraints, rather than concerns about the country in general - I just need to make it to Namibia asap!

I have heard that the main red roads on the michelin map are very poor and so it is better to hug the coast after Luanda - is this true? Apparently the coast roads to Lobito and then Namibe are really tough and very remote so I'd like to know if there is an easier alternative - ie has the main "red" road been repaired or is it just better than following the coast?

Any help very much appreciated, especially if you have just been through. Many thanks,
Charles

[Robbert]

The main red road carries most of the traffic. It is technically not challenging for most of it's length, but has milions of agressive potholes that make for very slow going (the only road I managed to go airborn at minus 10k/hr)

[noel di pietro]

The roads south of luanda - lobitoi - lubango are under construction by the Chinese. As we passed it in April they were waiting for the rains to stop. The potholes are something else there and count 5 days from luanda to Namibien border in a car. On a bike it should be easier because you can zigzag easier between the potholes. The road on the coast is rough and very rocky and indeed off-road. Be carefull; after 40.000 km in Afrika the only damage (broken leaf springs) I had on the car was in Angola!!

Good travels,

Noel
www.exploreafrica.web-log.nl

[brandy_x]

many thanks guys - a great help