The Serra da Leba, long a formidable obstacle for transportation across southern Angola, was conquered in the 1970s by this rather nerve-wracking series of switchbacks on the Namibe-Lubango Road. It ascends around 6,053 feet (1,845 meters meters) in less than 18 miles (30 kilometers), with a gradient as high as 34% in some places! Throughout this route, one travels through several unique climate zones, ranging from the coastal desert to the high mountains and plateau. There are at least twelve near-180 degree hairpin turns, of which six are on the…
