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Angola Practical information Angola

Area : 481352  sq.mi - Population 10700000 hab.
Angola

Our expert Angola

map

map Angola

Weather

  • Luanda  29°C 29°C 30°C 30°C

Practical information Angola

superficie

Area

481352  sq.mi
vol

Flights

London-Luanda: 8 hrs and 30 mins
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

10700000 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

The Luanda Internationarport is 3 miles from the city. There are non taxis, transportation should be provided by the agency or person taking care of your stay. However, you will find restaurants, bars, a post office and exchange office at the airport.
securite

Security

Angola is not a destination recommended to travellers. In Luanda, there is a new wave of deliquency (theft, robbery...), due to overpopulation and poverty. It is recommended to stay indoors at night, lock the car from inside, not carry expensive jewelry or other valuable objects and to fully cooperate with robbers if you are mugged. There are equally high risks for foreigners to be kidnapped, including around Luanda. Outside the capital, the intensification of clashes between Government troops and UNITA troops lead to a multiplication of minefields. Angola is in effect the country in Africa with the highest number of minefields.
langue

Languages

The official language is Portuguese but 90% of Angolans speak bantu languages, mainly umbundu, kimbundu, kikongo, quioco and ganguela. These languages have the status of official languages.
formalites

Requirements

Valid passport of at least six months. Visa is required to enter the country. It is delivered upon presentation of an acceptance letter by an Angolan organisation (proof of resources and housing) and a certificate from the travel agency. Delivered in 20 days, valid 30 days and for one entry only. It cannot be obtained once you get there. Cost : 60 ?.
religion

Religion

50% of Angolans are Christians, the other 50% are animists.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the kwanza (AON), which consists of 100 lwei. Credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, etc.) are very rarely accepted. There is no limit on bringing foreign currency into the country but it must be declared. The importing of local currency is limited to 15,000 kwanzas, whilst exporting local currency is prohibited. Bank opening hours: from 8:45 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
transports

Local transportation

All movement throughout the country is strictly controlled. Tourist trips within the country are forbidden; only some professional trips are allowed.
Plane: The airline company TAAG Angola Airlines serves most of the towns where these trips are likely to take place. It is imperative that Internal flight passengers have an official authorisation to travel.
Train: owing to political instabiity, railway transport is risky and unpredictable. Three main destinations are served from Luanda: Malanje, Benguela and Menongue.
Road: all of the roads, apart from those serving the beaches in south Luanda, are extremely dangerous. Travelling, even in convoys, is not advisable. Angola is one of the countries with the highest number of minefields in the world. While travelling in the provinces, be very prudent, especially around the roads.
sante

Health

Vaccine against yellow fever is required. Updates of the following vaccines are recommended : diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid. Antimalarial drugs (the country is ranked as zone 3) and anticholera antibiotics are recommended. Don't swim in stagnant water and only drink sterilised or bottled water (with the cap taken off in front of you). Don't eat raw or half-cooked food (meat, fish, vegetables, fruits...) and take all precautions to avoid "traveller's disentery". Public hospital structures are of poor quality.
electricite

Electricity

220 V. Adaptor not needed.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

taxe

Taxes and tips

telephone

Telephone

To call the UK from Angola: Direct calls can only be made for Luanda. First dial 00 +244 + Luanda code + correspondent's number. For the rest of the country, you need to go through the switchboard operator.
From Angola to the UK: only through the switchboard operator, anticipate 6 hours to obtain your correspondent.