Chitokota Hot Springs

The place was discovered by a hunter who was following animal tracks along a nearby mountain and came across the site, where hot water bubbled up together with a whitish substance resembling salt.
According to oral tradition and historical accounts passed down by the communities of Chilesso, what drew attention to the medicinal power of the waters was the healing of open wounds and severe skin infections (including what was later identified as scabies and crusted scabies) from which the hunter was suffering at the time.

And so, the site became one of the main tourism attractions of the municipality of Andulo, which to this day receives hundreds of people from various provinces of Angola, seeking treatment for skin conditions and even rheumatism.

According to historians from the region, Dr. Walter Strangway, who today lends his name to the largest hospital in Bié Province, recommended that patients with certain skin conditions bathe at the site.
Since then, many people have reported using the water and finding a cure.

The Scientific Secret Behind the "Cure"
Although at the time it was regarded as a miracle or a purely mystical phenomenon, science today explains the healing effect through the properties of the water:
Rich in Sulphur: The whitish substance seen by the hunter is composed of sulphurous minerals. Sulphur is a powerful natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, ideal for treating dermatological problems.

High Temperature: The water emerges at more than 50 degrees Celsius.
And the heat helps dilate the pores, facilitating the absorption of minerals through the skin and relieving muscle and rheumatic pain.

Andulo hosted the provincial event celebrating World Tourism Day in September 2021, and one of the attractions was a visit to this site by members of the government, civil society and guests, who were impressed by the site.

Since 1892 to the present day, the site has been under the care of evangelical missionaries.