Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all but essential travel to the interior of Cabinda Province, and to North and South Lunda Provinces.  See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice .
  
  
• You should only travel to areas of Angola outside Luanda and the provincial capitals in the company of persons or organisations experienced in local conditions, as travel can be difficult and dangerous.  See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a high level of crime in Luanda.  You should not walk around Luanda after dark.  See the Crime section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Most visits to Angola are trouble-free. Seven British nationals required consular assistance in Angola in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (15 cases).
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice.
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see terrorism abroad. 

Crime

Most international companies and organisations operating in Angola have strict security rules and regulations for their staff. If your company has such instructions they should be read in conjunction with the advice in these pages.
There is a high level of crime in Luanda. Muggings (particularly to steal mobile phones), and armed robberies can occur in any area at any time of the day or night. Areas popular with foreigners are particular targets.

Incidents of rape have been reported in popular nightlife areas, as well as in private residences. You should not travel alone at night. For more information see sexual assault and rape overseas.

You should avoid walking around Luanda, especially after dark.  Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches in public places.  Do not change or withdraw large sums of money in busy public areas. Avoid walking between bars and restaurants on the Ilha. You should also avoid crowded places such as markets, in particular the Roque Santeiro market.

Theft from stationary or slow moving cars is common in downtown Luanda and in the area between the port and the Sonils base. You should keep valuables out of sight and not use mobiles or laptops while in traffic. A high proportion of the civilian population is armed.

When driving, be very wary if another car signals you to pull over. Thieves use the pretext of a minor traffic incident to get you out of your car to either steal it or rob you.

You should take precautions with your valuables and cash.  Deposit them in hotel safes where practical.  Keep copies of important documents, including passports in a separate place to the documents themselves.

You should carry a certified copy of your passport (data page and visa) and/or identity documents at all times for identification purposes or you will be liable for an on-the-spot fine of 100 US dollars.

For more information see victims of crime abroad.

Political situation

Angola Country Profile

Local travel

We advise against all but essential travel to the interior of Cabinda Province.  In 2008 there were reports of violent incidents including rape, murder and kidnappings involving foreigners and Angolans in the Province of Cabinda.  Groups claiming responsibility for these attacks have declared their intention to continue attacks against foreigners. See Rape and Sexual Assault Overseas.

You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

On Friday 8 January 2010, the Togo national football team wasattacked by gunmen as it travelled by bus through Cabinda Province toCabinda City, the team's base for the tournament. The driver of thebus, a coach and a media advisor were killed. A rebel group, the Frontfor the Liberation of Enclave of Cabinda, has claimed responsibility.

We advise against all but essential travel to North and South Lunda Provinces.  The Angolan authorities are sensitive to the presence of foreigners in diamond producing areas and you may be subject to movement restrictions or detention by the security forces. The presence of diamonds also increases the threat of crime and banditry, particularly on roads leading to and from these areas.  Armed hold-ups do occur.

If you travel outside Luanda and the provincial capitals, you should do so in the company of persons or organisations experienced in local conditions, as conditions can be difficult and dangerous. There is widespread poverty, social exclusion and disease; a shattered infrastructure and millions of mines and items of unexploded ordnance throughout many parts of the country.  Transport and accommodation are extremely limited outside Luanda, so make arrangements in advance.

Road travel

While you may drive on a UK licence for up to 30 days, an international licence or translation of the UK licence is recommended.  You should also ensure that all of your vehicle documentation is available for inspection, both in Luanda and the provinces. Police check points are common.

Major roads between Luanda and the provincial capitals are gradually being improved. However driving standards and some road conditions are very poor and travel outside major towns is usually in convoy of 4 wheel drive vehicles.  Outside major urban areas, mines and unexploded ordnance remain a problem, including on roads, verges, bridges, in buildings and the countryside.  There have been incidents of mines exploding, with loss of life, in places previously thought to be safe. Even in "cleared" areas, you should keep to well-established routes and take up to date advice from the United Nations or an international Non Governmental Organisation.

During the rainy season (November-April), bridges and roads risk being washed away by sudden floods and there is an increased chance of mines becoming displaced and surfacing outside known mine fields.

There are no taxis at the airport nor are they available to hail on the street.  Local minibus transport is unsafe.  You should ensure that your sponsor has arranged to meet you at the airport and to provide transport throughout your trip.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Air travel

With effect from 15 November 2008, all Angolan airlines (with the exception of specific aircraft on one TAAG route to Portugal - details in the European Commission link below) have been refused permission to operate services to the EU because Angola is unable to ensure that its airlines meet international safety standards.  It is recommended that you avoid flying with any Angolan-operated airline if an acceptable alternative means of travel exists.

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union. The list can be found at www.ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm.

Flights on all international carriers to and from Angola are often overbooked.  We recommend you contact your airline for advice about reconfirming your flight and minimum check-in time, which can be as much as four hours.

For more general information see airline security.

Local laws and customs

You must not use cameras, binoculars, maps, GPS equipment, etc. near government buildings of any description.  Taking photographs in the streets can draw the attention of the authorities. Your equipment may be confiscated.

Drug taking and smuggling are offences.  The punishments can be severe.  Prison conditions are very poor.   If you are drunk when you arrive at Luanda airport you my be refused entry, detained and deported.  Similarly, airlines can and do refuse to carry passengers out of Angola if they are drunk.  Conditions inside police stations and the criminal investigation department are very basic.

Homosexuality practices are illegal. For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

You should check all entry requirements with the Angolan Embassy in London (http://www.angola.org.uk/Default.aspx?IDM=1&IDLang=1). Issuing visas to enter Angola is a matter for the Angolan Government. The FCO and British Embassy are unable to get involved on your behalf. The process can take a long time and you should apply several weeks before your intended travel date. We recommend applying at lease six weeks in advance.

Visas cannot be obtained on arrival at any airport. You must obtain a valid visa and/or work permit before travelling to Angola otherwise you will be detained at the airport and subsequently deported. This may take several weeks. Detention conditions are very basic.

You may be fined 150 US dollars per day if you overstay your visa. You will be fined either on discovery or at the airport.

Fines are in place for a wide range of visa offences. For example, you may be fined if you: work, study or reside without the correct visa; change employment without notifying the authorities; employ staff with incorrect visas; fail to renew residence cards; and change address without notifying the authorities.

You should check all entry requirements with the Angolan Embassy in London. 

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months on entry.   

Yellow Fever certificates

You will need a valid certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever, otherwise you will have to be inoculated at the airport. 

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing children to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, both on entry and exit, please contact the Angolan Embassy in London.

Health

There are several competent private clinics run by expatriate organisations in Luanda. Fees are high and are charged in advance. Outside Luanda health care is very limited. Rabies is common to most African countries, including Angola (over 90 since November 2008). The local authorities are taking action but visitors are advised to take appropriate precautions. A result of this increase the rabies vaccine is in short supply.

Poisonous snakes can be found in most regions of Angola.  Scorpions are common in the drier areas.  Antidotes are in short supply.

Cholera outbreaks are common. You should observe routine food and hygiene measures when travelling in all parts of Angola, taking particular care with any food bought at the roadside or in the markets. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Angola you should seek immediate medical attention. Malaria, Hepatitis A and B and polio are common to Angola.

In December 2008 and January 2009, an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which borders Angola.  Ebola is a severe disease, but the likelihood that a traveller will contract Ebola is low unless there has been direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, or with objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with body fluids. Travellers should avoid all contact with infected patients. Further information can be found on the NaTHNaC website. In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 180,000 adults aged 15 or over in Angola were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 2.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS. You should seek medical advice before travelling to Angola and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.   For more general health information see travel health and the UK Department of Health website.  You should monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including cover for medical repatriation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For general information on how to do this see travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see When Things Go Wrong. 

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. 

Passports

Our Embassy in Angola does not issue standard passports. Before leaving, you should ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months and has several unused pages remaining. Applications made in Luanda for new passports are processed by the British High Commission in Pretoria. This can take approximately three months. If you are willing to pay for a courier to and from Pretoria this process will be quicker.   In an emergency only, the British Embassy in Luanda can issue an Emergency Passport. However, Emergency Passports are valid for a single journey only back to the UK using agreed transit points as necessary, or to Commonwealth countries providing prior arrangement exists with the authorities of the Commonwealth country concerned. The British Embassy in Luanda will be able to advise you which of these options suits your circumstances, and can supply the name of local courier companies in Angola. 

Shortages

There are occasional shortages of petrol and diesel. Power and water can be cut off for days without notice. Residents should therefore keep generator fuel stocks and water tanks topped up. 

Hotels

There is a severe shortage of hotel accommodation in Luanda. Most hotels are fully booked for as much as two or three months in advance. The Embassy is unable to help in acquiring hotel rooms. 

Communications

Not all UK mobile phone companies have roaming arrangements with Angola. SMS text messages may not get through or for those that do you may not be able to receive the reply. Mobile coverage outside the main urban areas is patchy. When travelling outside Luanda it advisable to carry a mobile phone with contracts to both Unitel and Movicel as coverage for each provider varies throughout the country. 

Money

Credit cards are only accepted in a very limited number of hotels and restaurants, although this is increasing. Always ask whether your card will be accepted before incurring expenditure. The number of ATM's is growing in Luanda and other cities. You should check with your card issuer to see if your card will be accepted. You should be alert to the risk of robbery if you draw cash from an ATM. Travellers' cheques are not accepted. Funds may be sent from the UK to Angola (but not in the other direction) by Western Union who have a number of agencies in Luanda and elsewhere and whose details are listed on their website. You should bring enough cash for your needs or ensure that your sponsoring company or agency has made suitable arrangements.  US dollars are widely used. Old series Dollar bills (with small heads) are not accepted, nor are damaged or torn Dollar bills.

There are limits on the amount of cash that can be imported and exported. The limit is currently the equivalent of 15000 US Dollars. Imports over this limit should be declared and the relevant forms completed on arrival. If you wish to re-export currency over the 15000 limit you will need to show your original declaration form to the customs authority at the airport.

If currency over 15000 US Dollars is acquired whilst in Angola, you will need to obtain prior authorisation from the National bank to export the currency.

Undeclared imports or exports of amounts over the equivalent of 15000 US Dollars are liable to seizure. The limits are subject to change. You should check the current limits with the Angolan embassy or the National Bank.

It is illegal to take any Kwanzas (the local currency) out of the country. Destruction of Kwanza notes is illegal. You can expect to be searched at the airport to ensure you are not leaving the country carrying Kwanza.