Return to the World Directory
Return Home
 |
 Your travel source with a personal touch! |
Travel information and tips on Angola including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Angola, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Angola!
Here is a quick overview on
Angola.
Angola is located on the west coast
of Africa. It is bordered on the north and northeast by Congo and Zaire and on the Southeast
and south by Zambia and Namibia. The western border of Angola is the Atlantic Ocean. The
country has rather flat, broad tablelands varying from
3,000 to 5,000ft in altitude.
Passport and Visa
Information
Climate
Money Matters
Electrical Power
Travel Insurance
Travel Warnings and General Advice
Here are a few books that might help you in making plans to
visit Africa.
Fodor's South Africa
Africa on a Shoestring
Insight Guides Morocco
Zimbabwe & Botswana, The Rough Guide
West Africa, The Rough Guide
Passports and Visas are required by all nationalities. Visa applications made at embassies abroad have to be referred to Luanda, so it is worth bearing in mind it can take up to two weeks for you to receive your visa. Click on the following link for additional information: Listing of Angola Tourist offices and/or embassies location around the world
|
|
Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
|
Climate
Angola's climate varies considerably and therefore it is important for travelers
to have a varied wardrobe with them and clothing which they can layer.
The north, from Cabinda to Ambriz, has a damp tropical climate. The region that begins a little to the north of Luanda and extends to Mocamedes, the Malanje region, and the eastern strip has a moderate tropical climate. This should be taken into consideration when packing. Damp conditions prevail south of Mocamedes while dry conditions in the central plateau zone and an actual desert climate can be found in the southern strip between the plateau and the frontier with Namibia.
Angola has basically two seasons: a dry, cool season from June to late September, and a rainy, hot season from October to the end of May. My suggestion -- travel in the cool season. The average temperature is about 68F and the average maximum temperatures during the hot season normally do not exceed 79F. The Benguela Current makes the coastal regions arid or semiarid. The annual rainfall is about 8 inches in the southwest, increasing to 80 inches in the northeast.
The official currency of Angola is the Kwanza. 1 new kwanza=100 lwei. The smallest note is Kw 500 and there is a shortage of small change in circulation which is a problem when you are buying anything for under Kw 500. Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
Visitors may bring up to KW1,000 may be brought into the country. Local currency can not be taken out of the country so you will want to make sure you exchange wisely. I would suggest the use of credit cards whenever possible for large purchases.
Within 24 hours of arrival, you must complete a currency declaration form at the Banco Nacional de Angola. All currency exchanges should be recorded on the form which is checked on departure. Any hard currency is accepted.
What follows are the normal banking and business hours for Angola:
Banks: 08:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 15:00 (Monday to Friday)
Business Offices: 08:30 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 18:00 (Monday to Friday) Some
are open from 08:30 - 12:30 on Saturday
Government Offices: 08:30 - 12:30 and 14:30 - 18:00 (Monday to Friday),
08:30 - 12:30 (Saturday)
Office hours are approximate and subject to change.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
The electric current in Angola is 220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used is the round pin attachment plug.
Find the converter you will need in the Getting Away Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you need in the Getting Away Travel Store!
Travel Warnings and General Advice
Due to the civil war, internal security procedures are tight. Travelers should
carry identity papers with them. Street crime is not a major problem in most
Angolan towns, but armed robberies and attacks on travelers on roads outside
the main urban centers are on the increase.
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues Country Specific Information for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public Announcements.
|
I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
If you need medical care while you are in Angola, you will find that most medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. You will need to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for later reimbursement. You will want to keep this in mind as you estimate the about of money you have with you either in cash, from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. You also should be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts if you expect reimbursement. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.
If you have something you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Cities, Towns and Areas of Angola
| Luanda is
the capital of the country and of Luanda District, and is located on the
Atlantic Ocean. It is Angola's largest city and its chief port and
industrial center. Commercial and industrial sections are located around
the modern deepwater port, and government and residential districts are
inland. The city's main exports include petroleum, coffee, diamonds,
iron ore, and fish products. Among its manufactures are refined
petroleum, motor vehicles, textiles, and processed food. Luanda's
airport is the busiest in Angola, and a railroad extends inland to the
iron-ore mines at Dalatando and the coffee-producing area around Malanje.
Agostinho Neto University (1963), the Angola Institute of Education and
Social Service (1962), and the Museum of Angola (1938) are in Luanda.
The city is the site of a major landmark—the large fortress of São
Miguel (17th century). Founded in 1575 by the Portuguese, Luanda was
from the 17th to the mid-19th century a leading port for shipping black
African slaves to Brazil. It became the capital of independent Angola in
1975. Population (1988 estimate) 1,200,000. If you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
|
Getting To and Around in Angola
What follows is information
on how to get to and around Angola.
Air
Travel
Train Travel
On
the Road
Air
You can fly into Angola on some international airlines such as
British Airways. For domestic flights you can use the national airline of Angola
which is TAGG. You will find connections between
most urban areas. Flights generally need to be booked in advance as they
are often full, particularly those to Cabinda. Tagg's office in Luanda
is at: 5th floor, Rua da Missao 123. The airport is 4km south of Luanda.
Domestic flights depart from the building next to the airport.
For additional information, or to
purchase tickets, click on
Getting Away Airfare Information and Ticketing.
NOTE: If you are flying from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America; you may have to first search for a flight to a major city in
Europe, and then look for a flight from that city to Algeria.
|
|
At
Travelocity, not only can you find
the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also
find
Great
Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on |
For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.
Bus: There are buses throughout the country but the service is poor and the buses are generally very crowded
Rental Car: Both Avis and Hertz rent cars in Angola.
Taxis: Are difficult to find and are expensive. If you arrive at the airport you will need to arrange to have someone meet you or use a transport service provided by one of the hotels.
Train
Travel
The railway system is
under some repair from when it was damaged during the civil war. There is a
regular passenger route from Lobito and Benguela to Luaubut and, unless you
are traveling first class, you will find the service very basic with no sleeping cars or
air-conditioning.
Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB) -
Connects the Atlantic port of Lobito, Angola with the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Zambia; ( website in Portuguese)
If you have something you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Books, Maps and Other Recourses
The
Africa Guide's recommended Map
Angola
Travel Map (Maps Worldwide)
Cartographia Series World Travel Maps
Format Folded Map, Scale 1:2 000 000
Full color travel maps with place name index are produced by one of the
worlds longest established cartographers.
The major roads are
generally in good condition. There are numerous checkpoints and you
should carry identity papers when traveling around. Driving is on the
right hand side and a valid national or international license is
required.
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
|
I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
If you have something
you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please
contact Jim at Getting Away.
mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Things to See and Do in Angola
| At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip. |
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Suggestions for
Dining in Angola
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Favorites
in Angola
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
|
|
Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
|
If you have something you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
