Social ConventionsNormal social courtesies should be observed. Drug trafficking or carrying incurs severe penalties. Homosexuality is illegal.
Photography: It is inadvisable to photograph public places, public buildings or public events. Copies of photography permits should be deposited with your embassy; permits should be carried at all times.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
TAAG Angola Airlines (DT).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsLuanda (LAD) is 4km (2.5 miles)
from the city.
To/from the airport: There are no taxis; visitors must be met by their sponsors or use a transport service provided by their hotel.
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, post office, currency exchange and 24-hour medical facilities with cholera and yellow fever vaccination available.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Lobito,
Luanda,
Malongo and
Namibe.
Getting There by RailOverland routes to neighboring countries are generally not open, but conditions are subject to frequent change. Driving outside Luanda is not recommended and can be risky. Travelers should contact an embassy for advice on security along their planned routes. Plans to re-open the Benguela railway seem unlikely to come to fruition until the country has become more stable.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into Angola without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 500g of cigars or other tobacco products;
2 liters of wine and 1 liter of spirits;
250ml of eau de toilette or 50ml of perfume, aftershave or similar;
general items for personal use, gifts or souvenirs up to the value of US$500.
Prohibited ImportsFirearms and ammunition; pornographic materials; plants originating ininfected areas; gaming machines; pure alcohol (denatured); animalswithout corresponding certificates; dangerous medicines or foodstuffs;fiscal or postal stamps or valuables.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirTAAG Angola Airlines operates flights within Angola. There are scheduled services between major towns. However, aircraft run by this airline may not be properly maintained, and travelers should aim to use flights run by reputable international organizations. Private jets are operated by some Portuguese, French and Italian business interests (trading most notably in oil and diamonds) in the north of the country, particularly to and from the Cabinda enclave, which is only accessible by air.
Air Gemini and
Sonair are recommended. Helicopter access to Cabinda is possible as well. Passengers on internal flights must carry official authorization (
guia de marcha).
Getting Around by RailOwing to the instability of the political situation, rail services are erratic, and tickets hard to purchase. Trains run on three separate routes inland from Luanda: to Malanje (daily) with short branches to Dondo and Golungo Alto; Lobito to Dilolo (the
Benguela Railway, daily); and Namibe to Menongue (daily). There are no sleeping cars and no air-conditioned services, though food and drink is available on some journeys.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. Driving outside of Luanda may be risky. Outside major urban areas, unexploded ordnance proves a risk. There were once nearly 8,000km (5,000 miles) of tarred roads but much of the infrastructure was destroyed in the conflict after 1975. Many roads are unsuitable for travel at present, and local advice should be sought and followed carefully. It is hard to hire a car: taxis are the best way to travel. Car-jacking is a risk. Identity papers must be carried.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended (or translation of national license), although, in theory, visitors may drive with a national license for up to 30 days.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesLocal
buses run in Luanda. A flat fare is charged.
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