Angola

Rich in natural resources (mainly oil, gas, manganese and diamonds) and with four major ports on its thousands of miles of southern African Atlantic coastline, the battered country of Angola nevertheless remains steeped in poverty, disease and social disarray, lacking infrastructure and littered with millions of unexploded landmines. Its distressed and dangerous state is a legacy of more than a quarter of a century of bloody civil war, which followed independence from Portugal in 1975. The country is now ostensibly at peace, but conflict still rages in the Cabinda enclave to the north and signs of recovery from years of strife are slow to emerge. Hopes can be pinned, however, on the fact that Angola is Africa's second largest oil exporter, after Nigeria, and production is set to double during the next five years. Oil will no doubt bring development. Meanwhile all non-essential travel to Angola is ill advised, especially beyond the crime-ridden capital, Luanda. The city itself maintains a few hotels and restaurants, which struggle to provide reasonable facilities for business travellers in the face of food shortages and limited basic services.

Climate

Being a large country, Angola's climate varies according to region. The north has a wet, hot, tropical climate, becoming dryer as it extends south until desert conditions prevail in the southern strip between the central plateau and the border with Namibia. Luanda's climate is moderately tropical. The dry, cooler season is from June to late September, while the rainy, hot summer season extends from October to May. The temperature averages 68°F (20°C), and the mercury rarely rises above 80°F (27°C).

Language

The official language is Portuguese. Some French and Spanish is also spoken, as well as about 60 African languages including Umbundu and Ovambo.

Time

Local time is GMT +1.

Money

The unit of currency in Angola is the Kwanza (AON), which is divided into 100 centimos. Visitors should bring enough cash for their needs. Money can be exchanged at authorised bureaux de change, of which there are several in Luanda. US dollars are the most acceptable currency, but only the newer series US dollar bills (with large faces) can be used. Credit cards have only very limited acceptance in some establishments, and cash withdrawals are not possible, so it is unwise to rely on them. The few ATMs in Luanda do not accept foreign cards, and travellers cheques are not welcome. Kwanza may not be taken out of Angola, and when departing from the airport, travellers can be subject to searches and possible confiscation of any Angolan currency.

Passport Visa

All visitors must carry a valid passport, with at least two empty pages for stamps. Applications for visas must be made in advance in the travellers' home country or at the nearest Angolan embassy or consulate. A yellow fever WHO vaccination certificate is also essential for entry to Angola (the alternative is to face the risky mandatory immunisation at the airport). Visitors should also have documents or tickets for return or onward travel.

Entry Requirements

US citizens require a visa to enter Angola. UK citizens require a visa to enter Angola. Canadians require a visa to enter Angola. Australians require a visa to enter Angola. South African nationals require a visa to enter Angola. Irish citizens require a visa to enter Angola. New Zealand nationals require a visa to enter Angola.

Embassy Consulates

United States Embassy, Luanda: +244 222 641 000.

British Embassy, Luanda: +244 222 334 582.

Consulate of Canada, Luanda: +244 222 448 371/66/77.

Australian Consulate, Luanda: +244 222 371 238.

South African Embassy, Luanda: +244 222 330 593.

Irish Embassy, Maputo, Mozambique (also responsible for Angola): +002 5821 491 440.

Health

Yellow fever vaccinations are required for entry to Angola if coming from infected countries. Malaria, hepatitis A and B, rabies and polio are all prevalent in the country, which has exceedingly poor medical facilities, and medications are in short supply. Cholera outbreaks also occur. Drinking water should be treated or bought in sealed bottles (avoid ice cubes in drinks) and care should be taken with hygiene and food, particularly street food, while travelling in Angola. In Luanda there are one or two good private clinics, but these are extremely expensive and require on-the-spot payment. Comprehensive medical insurance is therefore necessary, with provision for medical repatriation by air. The water supply is unsafe to drink; use only imported bottled water and avoid eating unpeeled fruit and vegetables. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled; alternatively use tinned milk reconstituted with purified water.

Safety

The main risk for travellers to Angola is crime, particularly in the capital, Luanda, where muggings, car-jackings and armed hold-ups are commonplace. Many civilians are armed. Those for whom travel outside of Luanda is essential should travel only with sponsors who have made arrangements for safety and security support. Particularly dangerous are the north and south Lunda Provinces, where the police and armed forces have been active expelling illegal immigrants and unlicensed diamond prospectors. Cabinda Province is also dangerous; kidnappings and attacks on foreigners have occurred. Leisure travel is not recommended because of the widespread poverty, disease and shattered infrastructure and the vast amount of unexploded ordnance still present throughout the country. Due to recent violent attacks, the border between Angola and the DRC, as well as Angola and the Republic of Congo have been closed until further notice. There have been reports of scams by airport officials in Luanda who try to extort money from visitors without a yellow fever vaccination card.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round pin attachment plugs are in use.

Business

Oil is the main industry in Angola, but diamond mining is also important; the country is the world's fourth largest provider of uncut diamonds. It is essential to develop personal, face-to-face relationships with local business contacts. Knowledge of Portuguese, the official language, is an advantage as there are limited translation services and outside the oil industry few people speak English fluently; French and Spanish are also useful. Angolan business dress is usually casual; ties are not necessary for men. Office hours are Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 6.30pm with a two-hour break from 12.30pm, and Friday afternoons; some offices will also be open on Saturday mornings from 8.30am.

Communications

The international dialling code for Angola is +244. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Domestic and international telecommunications services are unreliable with connections frequently lost. This also applies to the mobile network, although there is GSM 900 coverage around Luanda and other main centres provided by Unitel. There are more mobile telephones than fixed lines in Angola. There are some Internet service providers in operation and Internet access is available at most major hotels.

Duty Free

Travellers to Angola over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes or 500g cigars or other tobacco products; 250ml eau de toilette, perfume or aftershave; 2 litres wine or 1 litre spirits; and gifts or souvenirs to the value of US$500. Prohibited and restricted items include firearms, ammunition or explosive materials; medicines and drugs; pornographic material; plants originating from infected areas; gaming machines; pure alcohol; animals or parts thereof; and stamps of value.