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, where there have been reports of violent incidents against foreigners, and North and South Lunda Provinces, where you may be subject to movement restrictions or detention.  See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• 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 for more details.
  
  
• Most visits to Angola are trouble-free. 7 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.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section and Travel Insurance of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Angola will host the African Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament in January, 2010.  All the advice below is relevant for travellers to the CAN.
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

Crime

We have unsubstantiated reports of drinks being spiked and you should ensure you do not leave your drink unattended.

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 sensible precautions. Safeguard 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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

Most internal travel continues to be by air, though the quality and maintenance of aircraft operated by some airlines within Angola cannot be relied on.

For more general information see airline security.

Local laws and customs

Entry requirements

Visas

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.

Passport validity

Yellow Fever certificates

Travelling with children

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.

There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Angola. On arrival at any port of entry all travellers are required to complete a swine flu health form to enable the authorities to assess risk.

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.

General

Insurance

Registration

Passports

Shortages

Hotels

Communications

Money