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General Information
It is also worth considering having vaccinations or
boosters for polio, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B
and cholera. All travelers should visit their personal
doctor or a travel health clinic 4–8 weeks before de-
parture.
Malaria is endemic to Angola and you should take
anti-malarial prophylactic, especially if you are
travelling to the coast or to some game parks. There
are a variety of options available, and the choice will
depend on your length of stay, how soon you need
to travel, your medical condition and so on. Some
anti-malaria drugs like Lariam (Mefloquine) only
need to be taken once a week, but many people
have reported them to have neuropsychiatric side-
effects. Doxycycline is an antibiotic prophylaxis that
is taken daily, and only needs to be started one day
before you travel. It is also widely available in the
pharmacies locally, and can also protect you against
travellers’ diarrhea. However, in a few cases it can
increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Malarone
is currently recommended by many doctors, as it
does not have the side-effects of the others.
Drink or use only boiled or bottled water
and avoid ice in drinks.
About safety
Angola is unfairly described as a very dangerous
country. However, visitors to Luanda should follow
the same common sense security practices that they
would in any large metropolitan area. When travel-
ling by car in Luanda, it is recommended to keep the
windows shut, lock the doors and keep your valuable
items out of sight. Travel in many parts of Luanda is
relatively safe by day, but visitors are strongly advised
to avoid unnecessary travel after dark.
Despite Angola’s great progress in rebuilding,
infrastructure remains poor. Although the overall
security situation in Angola has improved markedly
since the end of the civil war, visitors should still
exercise caution when traveling in the country as there
are still a great number of mines. If you are traveling
or living in Angola, you should stick to clearly marked
and travelled roads, and avoid walking off of the road
during rest breaks, particularly around bridges and river
crossings. Police and military checkpoints are common
along Angola’s highways. These checkpoints are often
used by police to stop and request identification from
passing traffic when travelling be sure to have a valid
passport (or certified copy) and visa available at all
times while traveling for identification purposes or you
will be liable for an on-the-spot fine of 100 US dollars.
When going out at night in Luanda, it is
recommended to go along with a group.
Avoid parking the car too far and in a
dark zone.
On Arrival
It is recommended to arrange your accommodation
before you arrive. If you are staying at a hotel, you
can arrange for a driver to collect you from the air-
port; write your name on a placard so you can be
identified easily.
Travelers should only drink mineral water, or, if in an
emergency, boiled water, since the water is untreat-
ed and therefore tap water is not safe.
AIDS and HIV are prevalent in Africa, so avoid hav-
ing unprotected sex.
HEALTH SERVICES
In Luanda, hospitals offer good facilities in com-
parison with neighboring countries. Most places
will accept payment by the patient’s private health
insurance, although there are exceptions to the rule.
There are several competent private clinics run by
expatriate organizations in Luanda. Fees are high
and are charged in advance. Outside Luanda, health
care is very limited.
Pharmacies are widely available in Angola, they are
open during normal trading hours and some of them
are opened 24h.
In case of a serious medical emergency, it is recom-
mended that you contact your embassy.
See the Luanda Business Directory for
Medical Services and pharmacies list-
ings.
EMERGENCY CALLS
Emergencies: 112
Ambulance: 116
Ambulance Clinica Sagrada Esperança: +244 222
309 687/ 309 034
Ambulance Clinica da Mutamba: +244 222 331 533
Customs Airport: +244 222 350 777
Customs Port: +244 222 310 625/ 331 785
Customs Post: +244 222 337 067
Electricity 24 hours: +244 222 440 267/ 641 700
Fire Service : 115
Fire Service Operative Unit : +244 222 323 333