Angola - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

Recommended lengths of stay in Angola are 7-12 days for a highlights tour experience, or 21 days for a longer more immersive experience.

Modes of transport

Roads

Around 70% of the country’s entire infrastructure was destroyed during the Civil War and still only about 5,500 km of the highways are paved. Therefore, you should not drive without an experienced driver. Especially during the rainy season from November to April driving is extremely dangerous. You should always stick to the main roads and use a car with four-wheel drive. Many roads are under construction or still very unsafe. In addition, special attention must be paid to the landmine warnings by the side of the road.

Public transport

Trains

Angola has three unconnected railway lines throughout the country:

Luanda Railway (Caminho de Ferro de Luanda or CFL) in the north

Benguela Railway (Caminho de Ferro de Benguela or CFB) in the centre

Moçâmedes Railway (Caminho de Ferro de Moçâmedes or CFM) in the south

Taxis

Taxis are mostly privately-owned, but not very common in Angola. Instead, you will find white-blue painted minibuses offering their services. In Portuguese they are called Candongueiro.

Flying

Angola has about 193 airports, but only 31 of the bigger airports have paved runways. The major international airport of Angola is Quatro de Fevereiro Airport situated near Luanda.

Climate

Being a large country, Angola’s climate varies according to region. The north has a wet, hot, tropical climate, becoming dryer as it extends south, until desert conditions prevail in the southern strip between the central plateau and the border with Namibia. Luanda’s climate is moderately tropical. The dry, cooler season is from June to late September, while the rainy, hot summer season extends from October to May. Average temperatures are hot and humid.

Health Precautions

Angola is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as common for yellow fever and there have been recent outbreaks. A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Angola

As the quarantine requirements for yellow fever vaccination differ between countries, check the yellow fever entry requirements for all countries you intend to enter or transit by contacting their foreign missions in Australia. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country.

Food and Drink

Meals generally consist of fish or meat stewed in a rich sauce with vegetables such as okra and served with rice or funge (an Angola staple that draws comparisons to polenta). At their most basic, dishes consist of funge and sauce alone. With its long Atlantic coastline, the seafood is particularly good

Money

The kwanza is the currency of Angola.

Credit cards are only accepted in a limited number of hotels and restaurants, although this is increasing. Always ask whether your card will be accepted before using it. There have been reports of credit cards being cloned for fraudulent purposes so you should exercise caution when using your card.

The number of ATM’s is growing in Luanda and other cities, although they’re frequently empty. Check with your card issuer to see if your card will be accepted.

Bring enough cash for your needs or ensure your sponsoring company or agency has made suitable arrangements. US dollars are widely used. Old series dollar bills (with small heads) aren’t accepted or damaged or torn.

Time Zone

GMT +1

Visas

You need a visa to visit Angola. Contact an Angolan Embassy or Consulate well ahead of travel to organise an appropriate visa. Tourist visa on arrival is not available without online visa pre-approval which can be applied for on Angola’s Serviço de Migração. http://www.smevisa.gov.ao/visatype.aspx

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Angola

Australian Consulate in Luanda

Rua Major Kanhyangulo 101-2ºdto (opposite UN Offices)

Luanda, Angola

Tel: +244 923 214 101

Angola Embassy & Consulate contacts in Australia

Angola doesn’t have a diplomatic mission in Australia; please contact the Angolan Embassy in London.

Embassy of Angola

22 Dorset Street, London W1U 6QY

Tel: +44 207 299 9850

Email: consulado@angola.org.uk

Electricity

The electrical current in Angola is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use.

Getting there (stopovers)

Emirates fly Mon, Wed & Sat to Luanda from Dubai.

Tipping

If a service charge is not included in the bill, a 10 per cent tip is acceptable, though tipping is not officially encouraged in Angola.