Security: the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all but essential travel to Angola's provinces of Cabinda, Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul. See full official advice.
Shopping is possible in the big towns and cities. Crafts represent the different ethnic groups. There are sculptures, dance masks representing fertility or male strength, or common objects with female patterns. Shopping hours: 8:30am - 17:00pm, from Monday to Friday.
There is currently a severe food shortage. You need to reserve your table well in advance in the few restaurants and hotels that are available. Only the Méridien Presidente Hotel offers top quality service.
As advice we continue to reiterate the recommendations given in the chapter on security. In fact, unless for professional reasons, travelling to Angola is not advisable. Despite the ceas-fire agreement signed on 4th April 2002, tensions are still visible in the country. Crime and deliquency, both on the increase, are very present both in the capital and in provinces. Moreover, the presence of several minefields call for extreme prudence while travelling in the provinces, which also strongly unadvised.