 Facts for travelers |
 General |
Language
The official language is Portuguese, but African languages, such as Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo and Chokwe, are also spoken by the majority a large portion of the population.
Religion
Roman Catholicism dominates religious thought in Angola, with other Christians lagging right behind and small minority that maintain local animist beliefs.
Time: GMT + 1.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the European-style round 2-pin type.
| Communications |
Country code: 244
Luanda city code: 2
Telephone: All international calls have to be made through an operator, by dialing 109, but calls within Luanda and to a few other coastal provinces are direct.
Mobile telephone:
A GSM cards are readily available now as well as the analog mobile service.
Internet/E-mail:
Internet cafes can be found throughout Luanda.
Local ISPs include EBONET and NETANGOLA .
Telegram:
Services are fairly reliable, but are occasionally subject to delay.
Fax:
Services are available at most major hotels.
Post:
Airmail between Europe and Angola takes five to ten days. Surface mail between Europe and Angola takes at least two months. Internal service is very reliable.
| Visas |
Passports:
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended period of stay and two blank pages.
Visas:
Required by all, except those in transit continuing their journey to a third country and provided holding confirmed onward documentation and not leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost:
Ordinary: $30 (single-entry) or $50 (double-entry)
Work/Business $75
Transit: $20
Validity:
Valid usually for 60 days from date of issue. Permitted length of stay is usually for a maximum of 30 days upon arrival, but depends on application.
Extensions:
Ordinary Visas may only be extended twice. Once in Angola for three months one most leave the country and request an new visa.
Exit Permits:
Required by all visitors; must be issued by the same consulate that issued the visa.
Application to:
Consulate
Application requirements:
Ordinary visa and Transit visa:
(a) Valid passport. (b) 1 application form. (c) 2 passport-size photographs. (d) Return ticket. (e) Itinerary or letter from family/friends in Angola.
Work/Business visitors:
(a) Valid passport (with 3 photocopies). (b) 3 passport-size photographs. (c) 3 application forms. (d) Fax/telex invitation from Angola (sent directly to the Embassy). (e) Company or personal letter (original and 2 copies). (f) *The business contract (3 copies). (g) *Curriculum Vitae with any relevant diplomas/certificates (3 copies). (h) *Written undertaking to comply with Angolan laws. (i) *Criminal record, if applicable (original plus 2 copies). (j) *Attestation from GP (original plus 3 copies) and immunisation certificates. (k) Return ticket or itinerary.
Note: *: To be translated into Portuguese.
Working days required:
At least 15 for all visa applications, although an express processing service is available.
| Money |
Currency:
Kwanza (Kzr)
Notes are in denominations of Kzr100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.
Coins are in denominations of Kzr1 and 50, 20 and 10 centimos.
US Dollars are also widely accepted.
Currency exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at any bank, but a better rate can usually be found from the women waving heaps of kwanzas and making funny noises at the corners of the streets.
Credit cards:
Credit cards are generally not accepted. American Express, Diners Club and Visa enjoy limited acceptance. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travelers checks:
Angolan banks charge very high commission fees for the cashing of travelers checks.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Kwanza against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Date Nov '99 Apr '00 Nov '00 Feb '01
£1.00= 9,032,826.62 9.52 19.24 26.65
$1.00= 5,485,744.00 5.97 13.29 18.25 | Currency restrictions:
All imported currency should be declared on arrival. The import of local currency is limited to Kzr15,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival. The export of local currency is prohibited. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$5000. Those traveling on return tickets purchased in Angola may export up to the equivalent of US$5000 per year.
Banking hours:
0800-1230 and 1400-1500 Monday to Friday.
| Public Holidays |
2001 2002
Jan 1 2001 New Year's Day
Jan 4 Martyrs' Day
Feb 4 Start of Liberation War
Feb 27 Carnival Day
Mar 8 International Women's Day
Apr 13 Good Friday
May 1 Labour Day
Jun 1 International Children's Day
Sep 17 National Hero's Day
Nov 2 All Souls' Day
Nov 11 Independence Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Note: Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are observed the following Monday.
| Health |
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant exists all year throughout the country, even in urban areas, and is reported to be resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Mefloquine (MEF) is the recommended prophylaxis, at a weekly dose of 250mg.
Meningitis vaccination is advisable for long-staying visitors, who should also consider hepatitis B and diphtheria vaccines and check their BCG status.
Full health insurance is strongly recommended and should include medical evacuation insurance. There are some hospital facilities in the main towns, but at the moment adequate medical facilities are virtually non-existent. Medical treatment is free but often inadequate, so visitors should travel with their own supply of remedies for simple ailments
| Getting around |
Getting around in Luanda is pretty easy. Traffic jams aren't prevalent and streets are well marked. The best way to get around is by renting a car or hiring a driving service. The latter choice is more desirable in order to avoid the headache of stopping policemen and uncertain road rules. A taxi service is also available, but is very expensive and is only worth taking in desperate situations. If one wants to catch the local flavor and only if one knows where one is headed, the blue mini buses will take you to your destination with blaring music or simply the usual buses.
Traveling internally is another story. All travel within Angola is strictly controlled and limited. Most of the country is only accessible by air and those parts that are accessible by car shouldn't be visited to without guidance.
Accommodation
Luanda houses the following five star hotels
Hotel Meridien - El Presidente
Hotel El Tropico
Hotel Continental (link to Grupo Equador dans TC)
Hotel Tivoli (is currently being refurbished)
Hotel Panorama
Tips
There is no longer a need for photography permits. However many people still do not like to be photographed and should be asked before doing so. It is also inadvisable to avoid photographing public places, public buildings or public events, without asking permission first.
Where service charge is not added to the bill, 10% is acceptable. Although tipping is not officially encouraged, the street boys who wash or guard the car should always be duely rewarded.
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