If you are about to embark on a trip to Angola, we recommend you to read carefully this post where we will share all the little details that make the difference when we travel abroad. Angola is an exceptional country with a lot to offer, but it is also a complex country to move around and find accommodation as there is not much information available online. But don’t worry! At Passporter we have prepared a list with all the travel tips to Angola you need to know.
We will discuss important aspects such as the necessary documentation to travel to the country, the currency used and other tips about money, and many other recommendations such as the necessary vaccination, travel insurance and eSIM cards to have internet. Take notes and let your vacation begin.
1. What documents do I need to travel to Angola
To enter Angola you need a passport valid for a minimum period of six months when entering the country. And you should also have a visa. This permit can be obtained online by completing a form and providing a photograph with the indicated measurements. In addition, it is essential to have a round-trip ticket, as well as an accommodation reservation or a formal invitation from an Angolan resident to their home address. It will also be necessary to demonstrate sufficient financial capacity for your stay and carry a certificate confirming that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever.
We recommend to apply for the visa in advance as the process can take up to a month. And remember that with the Passporter App you will be able to save your visa and the rest of the documents so that you always have it at hand and without running the risk of losing it.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
2. Money tips for a trip to Angola
The official currency of Angola is the Angolan Kwanza, although tourists have the option of paying in U.S. dollars as well. The most common way is to pay in cash since most accommodations do not offer the possibility of paying by credit card, just some hotels and restaurants in the country.
You can change money at exchange offices, banks, hotels and at the airport. And if you decide to travel with an international card and withdraw money from the ATM, be aware that ATMs are scarce and can often be empty.
We recommend that you change money and check that your credit card is valid in the country before embarking on your trip.
3. Vaccinations required for traveling to Angola
To travel to Angola it is necessary to have the Yellow Fever vaccine and a certificate proving it. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against Tetanus and Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid Fever, Meningitis, Cholera and Rabies.
It seems overwhelming, but don’t worry because the vaccination center will let you know which vaccines are needed for each time of the year.
4. Is the water in Angola safe to drink
There are few drinking water points in the country, and less in rural areas, so we recommend you always drink bottled water and avoid ice. It is also advisable not to consume unbottled drinks.
5. What is the best time to travel to Angola?
There are two distinct climatic seasons in Angola, the dry and cold season from June to September, and the hot and rainy season from November to April. Temperatures are warm all year round, and it is recommended to avoid the rainy season because of its intensity.
The low season coincides with the rainy season, and the high season runs from June to August. If you’re looking for a little more peace and quiet, we recommend going in May, September and October.
6. How to get around Angola?
In Angola you have several services that connect the main urban centers. The journeys are long and can be uncomfortable, but you will have a choice between these options:
- Candongueiros or mini bus: is the most common way to get around Angola. They only leave when they are full and although it is not the most comfortable means of transport, they are perfect for medium distances.
- Bus: there are bus routes that frequently communicate the main urban centers. The routes are long (we are talking about several hours). The main bus company in the country is Macon.
- Train: The train is a good option for travel, but the service is very limited as they do not have a good infrastructure, so it is difficult to match the routes with your needs. It is recommended to book in advance.
- Moto-taxi: is the best option for short trips. They are cheap and fast.
- Taxis: finding a cab can be complicated as they are not identified. They are usually private cars that fill up with more passengers.
- Airplane: You may also choose to take local flights. Communications are good, but be sure to book in advance to get good prices.
7. Cover yourself against unforeseen events: get a health insurance
Buying travel insurance when visiting Angola is essential. The country has limited medical infrastructure and with travel insurance at least we will have peace of mind by covering medical expenses, emergency evacuation and lost luggage.
Since Angola has remote areas and poor roads, insurance may also offer assistance in the event of transportation problems. Before you travel, evaluate the options available and select a plan that suits your needs, ensuring a safer and worry-free experience in this fascinating African destination.
8. Search for flights and accommodation in advance
Angola is known to be one of the most expensive destinations, so we recommend to book in advance, especially the transportation. In the case of accommodation, most hotels do not have a website and it is not possible to find them on platforms such as Booking or Trivago, which means that the only way to find them is to ask in town. The good thing is that these types of establishments are much cheaper.
9. Try the local gastronomy, the best travel tip to Angola
In Angola you can’t miss its magnificent gastronomy of African roots with Portuguese influences. We recommend you try some dishes such as Caruru, Funge or Muamba, but there are many more recipes that will impress you.
In cities like Luanda you’ll find a greater variety of imported ingredients. While in rural areas people eat their harvest and meats are reserved for special occasions.
In some areas it is difficult to find a place to eat, so we recommend that you check it well beforehand, and take water and food with you. In the Cabo Ledo area, for example, there are not many restaurants, so the most common thing to do is to eat in the hotels and resorts in the area.
One of the advantages of planning your trip to Angola with Passporter is that in the App you can compare restaurants and read reviews by other tourists about the best places to eat.
10. What language is spoken in Angola
The official language of Angola is Portuguese, the common language used in education, media, government and business. However, there are also more than 40 registered Bantu languages essential for local communication and reflecting the country’s cultural diversity.
In the most touristy places, such as hotels and restaurants you will find multilingual staff who can speak your language or at least English.
11. Is it safe to travel to Angola?
Traveling to Angola is safe, however, the country still presents certain risks as a result of the Angolan War, which ended in 2002 and which greatly affected the country’s infrastructure.
In general, major cities, such as Luanda, are generally safe for tourists, but it is important to maintain caution in crowded areas and at night. As in any tourist location, watch out for your belongings.
Roads in Angola can be bumpy and in poor condition in some areas. So, if you plan to travel by road, make sure you have an experienced driver and follow local recommendations.
Extreme caution is recommended in the provinces of Cabinda and the Lundas, and areas with a risk of having active landmines buried.
12. Get an eSIM
In Angola it can be of great help to have internet on your mobile phone and from our experience, we can tell you that the best way to have internet on a trip is with an eSIM card. It will give you the freedom to check google maps, search for information and share your experiences in real time without worrying about roaming charges.
In addition, having an eSIM will allow you to use translation apps, get information about nearby places of interest and stay up to date with current weather conditions and events.
The installation of some eSIMs, such as Holafly, is very simple. Once you have chosen and purchased the eSIM card, you will receive an email with a QR code and instructions to activate the card. The instructions are perfectly detailed for all operating systems and devices. Scan the code from your cell phone settings, turn on mobile data and you are ready to use the internet.
13. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Angola
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips to Angola.
- Enjoy your trip to Angola!
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
14. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Angola
The official currency of Angola is the Angolan kwanza, although they also accept US dollars.
The most common is to pay with cash. You will be able to change money at hotels, the airport and exchange houses. We also recommend to check if you can withdraw money with your card at ATMs in the country.
There are few drinking water points in the country, and less in rural areas, so we recommend drinking bottled water
There are two distinct climatic seasons in Angola, the dry and cold season from June to September, and the hot and rainy season from November to April.
The low season coincides with the rainy season, and the high season runs from June to August. If you are looking for a little more tranquility, we recommend going in May, September and October.
For long distances we recommend taking local flights, the train and the bus. For shorter distances the best way to travel are mini buses, moto-taxi or cabs.
Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory, but your vaccination center will inform you about other vaccinations that are recommended.
It is safe to travel along tourist routes and accompanied by local guides. Extreme caution is recommended if you are traveling on your own.
The official language is Portuguese, along with more than 40 other Bantu languages. In tourist areas they are likely to speak your language or at least Portuguese.
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