Angola Visitor Information

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Angola's climate varies considerably from the coast to the central plateau and even between the north coast and the south coast. The north, from Cabinda to Ambriz, has a damp tropical climate. The region that begins a little to the north of Luanda and extends to Mocamedes, the Malanje region, and the eastern strip has a moderate tropical climate. Damp conditions prevail south of Mocamedes, dry conditions in the central plateau zone, and a desert climate in the southern strip between the plateau and the frontier with Namibia.

There are two seasons: a dry, cool season from June to late September, and a rainy, hot season from October to the end of May. The average temperature is 20C (68F); average maximum temperatures during the hot season do not exceed 26C (79F). The Benguela Current makes the coastal regions arid or semiarid. The annual rainfall is about 8 inches in the southwest, increasing to 80 inches in the northeast.

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)
• US State Department - Travel Warnings

General Advice
Due to the civil war, internal security procedures are tight. Travellers should carry identity papers with them. Street crime is not a major problem in most Angolan towns, but armed robberies and attacks on travellers on roads outside the main urban centers are on the increase.

Visas are required by all nationalities. Visa applications made at embassies abroad have to be referred to Luanda, so it is worth bearing in mind it can take up to two weeks to come through.

Listing of Angola Tourist offices and/or embassies location around the world

Official Currency: 1 new kwanza=100 lwei
Current Exchange Rate: Today's Exchange Rate

Banking and Business Hours

Banks: 08:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 15:00 (Monday to Friday)
Business Offices: 08:30 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 18:00 (Monday to Friday) Some are open from 08:30 - 12:30 on Saturday
Government Offices: 08:30 - 12:30 and 14:30 - 18:00 (Monday to Friday), 08:30 - 12:30 (Saturday)

Office hours are approximate and subject to change

Taxis:

Taxis are difficult to find and expensive. If you arrive at the airport you will need to arrange to have someone meet you or use a transport service provided by one of the hotels.

Railways / Train Services:

The railway system is under repair, since the damage caused during the civil war. There is a regular passenger route from Lobito and Benguela to Luaubut unless you are travelling first class this is very basis, no sleeping cars or air-conditioning.

Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB) - Connects the Atlantic port of Lobito, Angola with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. ( website in Portuguese)

Bus

There are buses throughout the country but the service is poor and the buses are generally very crowded.

1st January - New Years Day
4th February - Inicio de Luta Armada
27th March - Victory Day *
Good Friday & Easter Monday
14th April - Youth Day *
1st May - Worker's Day
1st August - Armed Forces' Day *
17th September - National Hero's Day
11th November - Independence Day
1st December - Pioneers' Day *
10th December - Foundation of MPLA Workers' Party Day
25th December - (Family Day) Christmas Day
* popular holidays, not officially recognised

Angola plug types C, E & F

Electric Power is 220V - 240V running at 50Hz.
Socket Type: Europlug, Schuko