Sub Saharan Africa

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

• Health
• General
 

• We advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Cabinda, Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul.  See Safety and Security - Local Travel.

• You must obtain a valid visa and/or work permit before travelling to Angola. The process can take a long time and you should apply several weeks before your intended travel date.
  
  
• There is a high level of crime in Luanda. Do not walk around the city after dark. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  
• Most visits to Angola are trouble-free. Nine British nationals required consular assistance in Angola in the period 1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.
  

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. See our terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - 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. You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from local security authorities.

There is a high level of crime in Luanda. Muggings (particularly to steal mobile phones and other valuables) 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. Do not travel alone at night. See our Rape and Sexual Assault  overseas page.

Avoid walking around Luanda, especially after dark. Avoid wearing 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 do Cabo. Also avoid crowded places such as markets.

Theft from stationary or slow-moving cars is common in downtown Luanda. Keep valuables out of sight and do 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 either to steal it or to rob you.

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 from the documents themselves.

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. 

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
We advise against all but essential travel to 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. On Friday 8 January 2010 the Togo national football team was attacked by gunmen as it travelled by bus through Cabinda province to Cabinda City, the team’s base for the African Cup of Nations (CAN).

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 the provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul. 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 occur from time to time.

If you travel outside Luanda and the provincial capitals, do so in the company of persons or organisations experienced in local conditions, as conditions can be difficult. There is widespread poverty, social exclusion and disease, a shattered infrastructure and 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.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
While you may drive on a UK licence for up to 30 days from your arrival in Angola, an international licence or translation of the UK licence is recommended. 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 improving. However, driving standards and some road conditions are very poor and travel outside major towns is usually in convoys of two or more 4-wheel drive vehicles. Outside major urban areas, mines and unexploded ordnance remain a problem, including on roads, verges and bridges, and 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 now taxis at the airport and these can also be booked through your hotel or with the company direct. Local minibus transport is unsafe. In most cases your sponsor will arrange to meet you at the airport and to provide transport throughout your trip.

See our driving abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
TAAG, the Angolan national carrier, are the only carrier regulated by the Angolan civil aviation authority, INAVIC, permitted to operate flights to/from the EU, and then only using the nine aircraft specified in the list published by the European Commission. Other TAAG aircraft registered in Angola and the aircraft of all other carriers regulated by INAVIC are not currently permitted to operate flights to/from the EU.

For more general information see airline security.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Angola Country Profile

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 may 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.

Homosexual acts are illegal.

See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
Check all entry requirements with the Angolan Embassy in London. Issuing visas is a matter for the Angolan Government. The FCO and British Embassy can not intervene 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 least eight 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. Detention conditions are very basic.

You will be fined 150 US dollars per day if you overstay your visa. You will be fined either on discovery or at the airport. You will not be permitted to leave the country until your fine has been paid.

Fines are in place for a wide range of visa offences including working, studying or residing without the correct visa, changing employment without notifying the authorities, employing staff with incorrect visas, failing to renew residence cards, or changing address without notifying the authorities.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Angola. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Angola.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever certificates
You will need a valid certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever otherwise you will be inoculated at the airport.

From 1 October 2011, if you plan to travel to South Africa from Angola, you must supply a yellow fever certificate issued at least ten days before your arrival in South Africa.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
For information on exactly what will be required at immigration, both on entry and exit, please contact the Angolan Embassy in London.

Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.

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.  Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

In the 2010 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 percentage was estimated at around 2% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Our travel health pages offer further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

General - Insurance 
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including cover for medical repatriation by air ambulance. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our travel insurance page.

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

General - 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.

General - Passports
The Embassy in Angola does not issue standard passports. Before leaving, 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, South Africa. This can take approximately two 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.

General - 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. In addition drinking water and other food supplies are not always readily available. You should keep stocks of tinned goods and drinking water in supply.

General - Hotels
There is a 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 book hotel rooms.

General - 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.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Most visits to Angola are trouble-free. Nine British nationals required consular assistance in Angola in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011, including for five deaths and one arrest.

General - 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. There have been reports of credit cards being cloned for fraudulent purposes so you are advised to exercise caution when using your card.

The number of ATM's is growing in Luanda and other cities. Check with your card issuer to see if your card will be accepted.

Travellers' cheques are not accepted. Funds may be sent from the UK to Angola (but not in the other direction) by Western Union which has a number of agencies in Luanda and elsewhere and whose details are listed on the company's website.

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 15,000 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 15,000 US dollar limit you will need to show your original declaration form to the customs authority at the airport.

If currency over 15,000 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 15,000 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.