Luanda is a beautiful seaside city on the West Coast of Africa, the Island or "Ilha" is known for its beautiful beaches and fantastic local foods and drinks.. For a full day trip a little bit out of the ordinary try going to Mussulo Island some 3kms offshore by boat or "ferry" called Kapossoka, (not always safe nor indeed running currently), or try to go to the Praia de Palmeirinhas ("little palms") some 40kms south on the the way to the river Kwanza. You can cross by four wheel drive vehicle, and go to the island of Mussulo that way. It is one of the greatest of paradises in the country of Angola. Beautiful beaches, great fishing, great swimming and great accomodations, by african standards...... also as another day trip go on further on the same road to the estuary of Kwanza river, another 30kms on or so, and the road is not bad. two lane roads but it is asphalted all the way to the river. there is a restaurant or two that serve some great European and African food.
On the other side of the river further south there is an enormous animal reserve (National Park) , called Quissama, they have re-stocked it with new animals , even some elephants donated by the South African government (a project known as Noahs Ark). Still further on (125 kms south of Luanda) is Cabo Ledo the famous surfing beach, enjoy fresh seafood, sparkling warm atlantic ocean with white sands and often clear blue skies. If you want to go to the North, out of town, and see some coffee ranches, you need to go to the Ambriz and Nambuangongo areas, about 100 kilometers from the capital. In January (hot weather and very humid, with lots of rain) you can see the white flowers al over the coffee plants. Then you can go back in June (dry weather and a cool 70 degrees), you will be enchanted by the little red berries all over the place. Kwanza Sul (Gabela / Quibala) was also traditionally a coffee growing area. Check out Sumbe and the Cachoeiras Falls as well in Kwanza Sul. For the more adventurous try the spectaular 100m Kalandula Falls and Pedras Negras (Pungo Andongo) on the way to Malange in the east.