Last month, I and my two friends Hiram Christopher and Jo Dunlop decided to go hunting in the outskirts of Huambo in Angola and experience the wildness of Africa. We are all outdoor sports and adventure lovers, so we were full of expectation and passion for this trip. We knew that hunting in the dark night was both exciting and dangerous, so we had to prepare the right equipment to ensure our safety and success. After searching a lot of information about night vision binoculars on the Internet, we finally chose the NB1 model of the Chinese brand wildguarder, because it has many advantages that make us fall in love with it at first sight. Below, I will introduce in detail because we chose wildguarder night vision binoculars and how they helped us hunt in Huambo outskirts. At the same time, I will also share some information about Huambo’s history, attractions and food, so that you can feel the charm of this African inland city.
Before we went hunting in Huambo, we learned some knowledge about the history and culture of this city, which made us have a deeper understanding and respect for it. Huambo’s name comes from Wambu, which is one of the 14 ancient Ovimbundu kingdoms on the central plateau of Angola. Ovimbundu is a nation that originally came from East Africa. They established their central kingdom Bailundu in the 15th century. Wambu was a smaller kingdom, although it belonged to the rule of Bailundu’s king, but it enjoyed a considerable degree of independence. Bailundo was mentioned in some historical records of the 18th and 19th centuries, because it had a trade route connected with Viye (Bie), while Wambu was only really known by people when the Portuguese built the Benguela railway. Bailundu and Wambu’s kings (especially Ekuikui II and Katiavala I) opposed the crossing of the railway, ambushed workers and settlers, but were eventually conquered by the Portuguese army. Huambo was officially established by Angola’s governor Norton de Matos on August 8, 1912.
Huambo’s origin and its economic importance under Portuguese rule are closely related to the construction of the Benguela Railway, which began in 1902 in the coastal town Lobito. The railway was designed by British entrepreneur Sir Robert Williams, with the aim of connecting the rich copper mines of Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) with a coastal point that could export minerals, and Lobito Bay was undoubtedly the best natural port on the entire African continent. The construction of the railway initially encountered great difficulties, because of the rugged terrain, malaria epidemic, and to some extent indigenous resistance.
However, in the late 1920s, the railway was finally completed and stimulated the economic development of the areas along Huambo. Huambo became the largest, richest, most modern, most Europeanized, most educated, most industrialized, most diversified, most stable and safest city in Angola’s interior. It also became the ideal place for Portuguese colonizers and immigrants to aspire and pursue. In 1928, Huambo was renamed Nova Lisboa (New Lisbon) to show its connection and similarity with Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
After Angola’s independence in 1975, Huambo resumed its original name and became the second largest city and second largest industrial center in the country. However, in the subsequent 27-year civil war, Huambo suffered huge damage and suffering. It became the headquarters of UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), the national opposition organization, and was repeatedly besieged and bombed by government forces. In 1993, in one of the most intense and bloody battles of the civil war, Huambo was besieged by government forces for 55 days and suffered unprecedented devastating blows. Tens of thousands of civilians were slaughtered or fled the city, infrastructure was destroyed, economic activity stagnated, and social order collapsed.
After the end of the civil war in 2002, Huambo began a difficult and slow reconstruction process. The Benguela Railway was also repaired and reopened some sections, which helped to restore productivity in the city and surrounding areas. The government and international organizations also invested money and manpower to clear landmines scattered in rural areas and promote agricultural development. Huambo still faces many challenges, such as poverty, unemployment, lack of education, poor health, insecurity and so on. But in the past few years, it has also made some progress, such as increasing investment, improving infrastructure, raising living standards and so on.
Huambo is not a tourist destination, but it also has some attractions and characteristic food worth seeing, which makes us feel the diversity and charm of Angola.
We went to Se Catedral do Huambo Cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic cathedral built in 1933 and one of the largest cathedrals in Angola. It is located on a square in the city center and is a white building with two towering bell towers and a circular dome. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with colorful stained-glass windows and murals, giving a solemn and sacred feeling. We visited there for a while and then took some photos on the square.
We also went to Benguela Railway, which is a railway connecting Lobito and Democratic Republic of Congo border. It is one of the longest and most important railways in Africa. It started construction in 1902 and went through several wars and destructions until it was fully operational in 2002. It is not only Huambo’s economic lifeline but also a means of transportation connecting various regions of Angola. We took a train ride along the way to enjoy the scenery on the plateau. We saw farmland, villages, forests, rivers and so on. There were also many local people on the train who talked friendly with us and shared their lives and stories.
Finally, we went to some local restaurants to taste some Huambo food. Because Huambo is located on the plateau with cool climate and fertile soil, it produces a lot of agricultural products such as coffee wheat corn etc. We tried some dishes made mainly from corn such as funje (corn porridge), pirão (corn paste) and xerem (corn grains). These dishes are usually accompanied by fish meat beans or vegetables etc. We also drank some local coffee and beer feeling Angola’s enthusiasm and hospitality.
During our hunting process in Huambo our most important and useful equipment was wildguarder night vision binoculars. This is a high-tech product designed for night activities. It has many features and advantages that allow us to clearly observe and capture targets in the dark while ensuring our safety and comfort.
Wildguarder night vision binoculars have high-definition picture quality. They use advanced CMOS sensors and full-spectrum optical systems to provide high-resolution images and videos in completely dark environments. They also have a 3.6-inch large screen that allows us to watch directly on the screen without having to stick close to our eyes which can avoid eye fatigue and discomfort. They also support 32GB memory cards that can store a lot of photos and videos for us to replay and share.
Wildguarder night vision binoculars have a powerful magnification function. They can achieve 2x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, allowing us to see farther and more detailed things. They also have an adjustable infrared light that can adjust the brightness level according to the environmental brightness, thus providing a better night vision effect. Their visible distance can reach 400 meters, which can help us find and lock the target in time when hunting at night.
Wildguarder night vision binoculars have a durable material. They use a high-strength plastic shell and a waterproof and dustproof design, which can resist various harsh environments and climates. They also have a non-slip rubber handle that allows us to hold them firmly and prevent accidental drops. They also come with a detachable shoulder strap and a portable bag that allows us to carry and protect them easily.
Wildguarder night vision binoculars have a reasonable price. They are much cheaper than similar products, but they do not affect their performance and quality. They are a cost-effective product that deserves our trust and choice.
Through this trip to Huambo hunting, we not only experienced an exciting and thrilling adventure, but also learned about a different culture and style. Huambo is a city with a long history and rich resources. Although it has suffered from war, it still maintains its charm and vitality. We are very grateful to wildguarder night vision binoculars, which are our faithful partners in the dark. They allow us to clearly see the beauty and mystery of the night, and also allow us to safely complete our goals. If you also want to travel or hunt in Huambo, we strongly recommend you to use wildguarder night vision binoculars, which will surely bring you an unforgettable experience.
In short, wildguarder night vision binoculars are a very suitable equipment for night hunting. They have high-definition picture quality, powerful magnification, durable material, reasonable price and other advantages, which allow us to enjoy a feeling of dancing with wild animals when hunting in Huambo outskirts.
