Travel and Tourism Information

Twitter

Travel - International

AIR

Angola's national airline is TAAG Angola Airlines (DT).

International airports

Luanda (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.

SEA

The Main ports: Lobito, Luanda, Malongo and Namibe.

RAIL

Overland routes to neighbouring countries are generally not open, but conditions are subject to frequent change. Driving outside Luanda is not recommended and can be risky. Travellers 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.

Travel - Internal

AIR

TAAG 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 travellers should aim to use flights run by reputable international organisations. 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 authorisation (guia de marcha).
Approximate flight times: From Luanda to Benguela and Cabinda is 50 minutes, to Huambo is one hour, to Namibe is one hour 45 minutes and to Lubango is one hour 10 minutes.

RAIL

Owing 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. Children under three travel free and children aged three to 11 pay half fare.

ROAD

Traffic drives on the right. Driving outside of Luanda may be risky. Outside major urban areas, unexploded ordnance proves a risk. There were once nearly 8000km (5000 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 UK licence), although, in theory, visitors may drive with a UK licence for up to 30 days.

URBAN

Local buses run in Luanda. A flat fare is charged.

Resorts & Excursions

In the capital, Luanda, the main places to visit are the fortress (containing the Museum of Armed Forces), the National Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Slavery, 25km (16 miles) along the coast from Luanda. Luanda itself is built around a bay and there are bathing beaches (the Ilha beaches) five minutes from the centre of the city. Approximately 45km (28 miles) south of Luanda is Palmeirinhas, a long, deserted beach. The scenery is magnificent, but bathing here is hazardous. Fishing is possible both here and at Santiago beach, 45km (28 miles) north of Luanda.
The Kissama National Park lies 70km (45 miles) south of Luanda, and is home to a great variety of wild animals. Accommodation is available in bungalows located in the middle of the park, but visitors must bring their own food. The park is closed during the rainy season.
The Calandula Waterfalls, located in the Malanje area, make an impressive spectacle, particularly at the end of the rainy season.