General Information
Capital(s): Luanda
Population: 13,350,000 (2004)
Area: 1,246,700 Km²
Currency: 1 new kwanza (Nkz) = 100 lwei
Language(s): Portuguese
Time Zone: GMT-1h00
ISO Code: AO
Dialing Code: +244
Continent: Africa
Places to Visit
Luanda, Lubango, Benguela, Malange, Cabinda, Namibe, Mavinga, Ondjiva, Luena :[ View All ]
Travel Facilities
Accommodation (37) : Private, Anghotel Hotel Congresso, Barra do Cuanza, Emprotel Bengeula UEE, Emprotel UEE – Empresa de Hotelaria Restaurantes e Similares de Cabinda, Emprotel UEE – Empresa de Hotelaria Restaurantes Similares Lubango, Flamingo Camp, Foz do Cunene, Grande Hotel, Grande Hotel da Huila, Grande Hotel de Cabinda, Grande Hotel M’Ombaka, Grande Hotel Universo, Hotel Avenida, Hotel Belo Horizonte :[ View All ]
Attractions (23) : Bikuar National Park, Black Rocks, Bufalo Partial Reserve, Calandula Falls, Cangandala National Park, Chimalavera Regional Nature Park, Cidade Alta, Ilha de Luanda, Ilha do Mussulo, Iona National Park, Kameia National Park, Leba Hill, Luando Integral Nature Reserve, Luiana Partial Reserve, Mavinga Partial Reserve :[ View All ]
Event Venues (4) : FILDA Exhibition Centre, Hotel Continental Luanda, Le Meridien Presidente Hotel, National Assembly Hall
Restaurants (5) : Restaurante 8 (oitos), Bar Restaurante Esplananda, Fish Paradise, Restaurante Astoria, Restaurante Veneza
Transport (4) : Amboim Railway, Benguela Railway, Luanda Railway, Mocamedes Railway
Travellers’ Guide
Angola is not one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. Colonised by the Portuguese in the eighteenth century, the country achieved independence in 1974, but this was followed by a prolonged civil war which only ended in 2002.
Visas are required for citizens of many countries and can be obtained at Angolan embassies and consulates abroad. Because visa regulations and prices change, as do inoculation requirements, aspirant travellers should contact their travel agent to find out the current situation. Foreign embassies and consulates in Angola tend to be located in Luanda though sometimes with an office in Cabinda.
Many areas of Angola are malaria infested and tourists should take expert advice before travelling to these. Many rivers also carry bilharzia. HIV / Aids is widespread. Medical facilities and knowledge in the main centres are poor. Private hospitals and clinics provide superior services but at a premium price. Tourists should investigate medical rescue insurance if they are concerned about local facilities.
There are regular flights from major European cities and some African capitals, mostly to Luanda. Internally, there are flights between the major cities and a fledgling air charter industry. Arriving in Angola can be a bureaucratic ordeal and first time travellers should tag along with an experienced traveller to Angola or, better still, arrange to be met straight off the plane.
Most business travellers are headed for Luanda or Cabinda. Angola has a wide range of natural scenery from lush tropical jungle to semi desert. The tourist infrastructure is poorly developed.
Angola has a poor road infrastructure though it has started being upgraded in recent years. Land mines continue to be a problem. Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Most of the major car rental companies have a presence, while a number of tour companies offer guided tours. Minibus taxis and trucks can be a menace on the roads. There are infrequent bus and train services between the major cities. Public transport inside the cities leaves much to be desired.
Luanda boasts a range of accommodation but outside the capital conditions deteriorate. Travellers are advised to avoid tap water and to only drink beverages poured from sealed bottles and cans. Many international brands are available in the shops, though local brands are usually cheaper.
Most of Angola enjoys a hot to warm climate year round. The wet season is from November to April.
Portuguese is widely spoken, particularly in the urban areas.
While Angola does not have a reputation as a high crime area, tourists can generally avoid problems by taking simple precautions such as locking car doors when driving, avoiding unsalubrious areas and keeping their wits and possessions about them when out walking. If asked for a bribe, make a point of requesting a receipt; if this is refused then try to avoid paying the bribe. We recommend that you post all requests for bribes on the Travel Tips section of the MBendi Travel website.
Foreign currency can be exchanged in most banks and foreign exchange shops, but a passport is needed when making the transaction. Alternatively, you can use your credit or bank card at an ATM, taking care to avoid scams which sometimes take place at more remote ATMs.
The postal service is inefficient. Local and international phone services are poor and expensive by international standards, while cell-phone and Internet services are now accessible from some major centres.
As in most cities of the world, the local newspapers tend to be parochial and in the local languages but international newspapers can be bought in major news outlets and hotels. Most upmarket hotels have access to international satellite TV channels.
The menu items on the left hand side of this and every other page on the MBendi Travel website can be used to plan your visit to Angola.
Note to Travel Organisations
Travel organisations are particularly encouraged to ensure the directories on the MBendi Travel website are comprehensive, current and correct as your businesses can only prosper from an increase in tourist numbers. MBendi’s Business Opportunities section has details of leisure properties for sale, while the Employment Space includes job vacancies in the industry.