Travel Information Angola

Angola—despite its dark past during the recent civil war and politically unfree conditions, a rapidly emerging country with absolutely worthwhile African natural and cultural impressions. With numerous national parks under reconstruction and vibrant coastal cities, the country invites you to discover it.

1. General Information
2. Climate
3. Geography
4. Flora and Fauna
5. National Parks and Nature Conservation
6. Population
7. Politics and Economy
8. Transport Network
9. Cities and Regions
10. Culture and Sights
11. Public Holidays
12. Medical Information
13. Travel Information
14. Foreign Representation
15. Sources

1. General Information

Continent: Africa
Geographical location: Southwest Africa
Form of government: Republic
Government system: Presidential system
Languages: Portuguese
Neighboring countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Namibia
Capital: Luanda
Area: approx. 1,246,700 km²
Population: approx. 33,230,000
Population density:  27 inhabitants per km²
Religions: predominantly Roman Catholic, also Protestant and various religious minorities
Currency: Kwanza
Climate: tropical
Timezone: UTC + 1
International dialing code: +244
Country code: ANG
Electricity: The electricity network in Angola operates with 220 volts AC. Household connections are provided via type C sockets, which are compatible with the plugs used in Germany (types C, F)

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2. Climate

In Angola, the climate is influenced by three different zones depending on geographical differences, depending on whether you are on the coast, in the central highlands, or in the desert-like southeast.
The coast and the lower-lying north of the country are characterized by a tropical climate with consistently high daytime temperatures and rainy seasons with moderate precipitation (April–October).
The central highlands and the south experience subtropical conditions with up to 20°C differences between day and night temperatures especially in winter, and extreme dryness outside the abundant rainy season.
Finally, the southwest is characterized by a hot and dry climate with cool nights and only occasional rainfall.

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3. Geography

Angola is located in the dry belt south of the equator in the southwest of the African continent, south and southwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the south, the country borders Namibia and in the southwest Zambia.
The largest share of Angola's total area of 1,246,700 km² is occupied to the east by the Bié Plateau. The Atlantic coast to the west forms a narrow lowland. The highest elevation in the mountainous central part of the country is Mount Moco at 2619 m above sea level. The largest river is the Zambezi, which flows through the east of the country.

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4. Flora and Fauna

The vegetation zones range from tropical rainforest in the north on the Atlantic and at the border to Congo to extensive tree and grass savannas with acacias, baobabs, and spurges, which cover most of the country's interior. In the south, on the border with Namibia, there is a sparsely vegetated desert strip

The fauna of big game, threatened by human activities, is home to elephants, hippos, cheetahs, wildebeest, crocodiles, ostriches, rhinos, and zebras, which can be observed in 6 larger national parks and 7 further nature reserves. Unique to Angola is the giant sable antelope, now only found in a few specimens.

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5. National Parks and Conservation

Kameia National Park

The national park, located in the northeast of the country, with a total area of 14,450 sq km, consists mainly of wetlands. In Angola's second largest national park, wildebeest, lechwe, waterbuck, reedbuck, and desert warthog as well as jackals, lions, leopards, and elephants can be observed.

Iona National Park

In the southwest of Angola lies the country's largest national park, Iona National Park, with a total area of 15,150 sq km. It is characterized by vast savanna landscapes and extensive dune areas on the Atlantic coast. Numerous big game species such as elephants, lions, black rhinos, leopards, hyenas, gemsbok, greater kudu, and zebras inhabit Iona National Park.

Kissama National Park

In the west of the country, about 70 km south of the capital Luanda and in the province of the same name today, an area of 9,600 sq km was designated as Kissama National Park in 1957. The landscape impressions in Kissama National Park are diverse and include both rich floodplain areas along the Cuanza as well as the typical tree savannas and grass steppes of the country with acacias, magnificent baobabs and various spurges, as well as impressive coastal areas.
The formerly abundant fauna of this area was severely decimated during the Portuguese colonial war and especially in the Angolan civil war (1975–2002). With the support of foreign organizations, extensive efforts have been made since then, especially with the help of the "Noah's Ark Program," to restore the original species population, particularly the "Big Five" in Kissama National Park.

Mupa National Park

In the south of Angola, in the province of Cunene, Mupa National Park is located on a total area of 6,600 sq km. The national park is characterized by a hilly landscape traversed by river valleys and, in addition to lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas, is home to an interesting and species-rich birdlife. The vegetation is characterized by grass- and shrubland with extensive miombo forests

Bicuar National Park

Bicuar National Park is located in the southwest of Angola, in the province of Huíla. Established in 1937 under Portuguese colonial rule, the national park covers an area of 7,900 sq km, where a semi-desert-like landscape with bushland and sandy hills can be found. The climate is correspondingly hot and dry. The wildlife population of Bicuar National Park, which was once known for its Cape buffalo, antelopes, and elephants, also suffered greatly during the civil war. Today, however, especially due to supported resettlement measures, an increase in the elephant population in the national park can once again be observed.

Cangandala National Park

The smallest national park in Angola with a land area of 630 sq km is the Cangandala National Park, located in the province of Malanje in the north of the country. The national park, originally established in 1963 to protect the giant sable antelope, is home to, in addition to this, several interesting bird species such as representatives of the helmeted hornbill, boubous, and sylviids. The gently undulating hilly landscape of calcareous sands is covered by a mosaic of tree (Angolan-type Miombo vegetation), grass, and bush savannas.

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6. Population

In 2023, Angola had a population of 33,230,000, which corresponds to a population density of 27 inhabitants per sq km given the stated national area of 1,246,700 km². The population growth is rapid, at 2.72%/year. Although a large part of the population is concentrated in the economically stronger coastal regions, currently (2023) about 60% of Angola's people still live in rural areas. Most Angolans belong to the Bantu ethnic groups. In addition, there are still members of smaller tribes and groups, as well as people of mixed African and European descent, who make up about 2% of the total population. The European population in Angola during colonial times consisted mainly of Portuguese (approx. 350,000), of whom about 100,000 people still remain today. Until 1975, there was also a German population of about 350 families who have now almost completely left the country. In addition to the official language Portuguese, dialects of various Bantu languages are widespread in Angola.

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7. Politics and Economy

The political conditions in Angola must still be described as unfree. The protection of civil rights is carried out only to a very limited extent, and there is no electoral democracy. Political power is concentrated in the president, who, together with the council of ministers, holds the executive power and at the same time command over the military. The incomplete legal system still relies on the Portuguese legal system as well as customary law. Judicial activity is exercised only in a few larger municipal administrations.

Angola owes its currently strongest economic growth in Africa above all to its oil and diamond reserves, which have enabled the country to achieve considerable economic growth despite the consequences of decades of civil war. In addition to mining, agriculture—in which over half of the working population is employed—and especially coffee cultivation, is an important sector. However, the income from this positive economic development does not reach the people, so that a large part of the citizens is unemployed and about half the population lives below the poverty line, with poverty being even more pronounced in the rural population.

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8. Transport Network

Although a large part of Angola's road traffic infrastructure was severely damaged during the civil war, today the main connecting routes between the larger cities are once again paved and fully passable. Outside of these routes, the tracks leading to rural regions—especially during the rainy season—are in some areas still impassable. The different railway networks, which are mainly used for freight transport, are concentrated in the economically strong coastal region; however, the Benguela railway connection between Lobito, across the country to Luena and further into Congo is also back in operation.
There is no public transportation network; regionally, various bus services operate in the larger urban areas, but they run at completely irregular times and conditions.

Angola has a total of 176 airports. International flights depart from the modernized airports in Luanda, Benguela, and Namibe.

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9. Cities and Regions

Luanda

The capital of Angola, located on the northern coast, had a population of 8.5 million within the administrative boundaries in 2023, making it one of the largest cities in Africa and, moreover, the third-largest Portuguese-speaking city in the world. Recently, Luanda has spread significantly beyond the official administrative border, so that the total population belonging to this city is estimated at nearly 10 million.
The city center, still characterized by the Portuguese colonial era, offers no significant sights except for the dilapidated São Miguel fortress. Due to economic growth, Luanda is now among the most expensive cities in the world. During the day, traffic in the chronically congested city regularly comes to a standstill. Public transportation is generally hardly acceptable by Western European standards.

Huambo

Angola's second-largest city, Huambo, lies on the central plateau. The figures regarding the exact population are contradictory, as they refer to different areas; according to the 2023 census, over 700,000 residents live in the urban area. During the civil war, Huambo suffered severe destruction, from which the city has still not fully recovered. In recent years, investments made in the course of the economic upswing have had a positive influence on the city's appearance.

Benguela

The third-largest city in Angola, with an estimated population of 700,000 (2023), is located on the central coastal strip of the country and was for a long time an important trading center. In the last phase of the Portuguese colonial era, Benguela was the cultural center of the Angola-Germans. Worth seeing are the churches São Felipe and Santo António as well as the hospital and the fortress from the period before 1900. In addition, several remarkable buildings from the 1940s–50s are under monument protection.

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10. Culture and Sights 

Among the sights in Angola are undoubtedly the beautiful national parks. Other tourist highlights include the impressive Kalandula waterfall in Malange Province, with a drop of 105 m, as well as the spectacular view from the top of the 1600 m high volcano Tunda Vala near Lubango.

The Angolan culture is shaped by the various cultures and rituals of its ethnic groups. Suppression during Portuguese colonial rule led to the abandonment of African traditions practiced in Angola. Today, however, Luanda and some other coastal cities are home to one of the most vibrant art, music, and theater scenes in Africa. In the post-civil war period, US-American and Brazilian media are also gaining increasing influence on Angola’s culture.

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11. Public holidays with fixed dates

12. Medical information

As Angola is considered by the WHO to be a yellow fever infection area, a valid yellow fever vaccination is required for entry (except for infants). The Health Service of the Federal Foreign Office also recommends vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid, and for longer stays and in areas with poor hygiene also against hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis and rabies. In Angola there is also a high risk of malaria year-round and nationwide, including in the cities.
Medical care possibilities in Angola are very limited or not available at all outside the capital Luanda. In Luanda itself, however, all the diseases common in Angola can be treated, partly in private clinics. Knowledge of Portuguese is partly necessary for communication.

Adequate, worldwide health insurance coverage and a reliable travel repatriation insurance are strongly recommended.

Further information: www.auswaertiges-amt.de

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13. Travel information

For entry into Angola, a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of stay and a visa (upon presentation of the required vaccination certificates) are required. Strict customs controls are carried out upon entry. There are maximum amounts for duty-free goods for personal use. Foreign currency worth more than US$5,000 must be declared before entry. Current customs instructions should be obtained from the German Embassy in Angola.
Taking photographs of public buildings and facilities, particularly those serving military purposes, is problematic; prior permission must always be sought.
Credit cards are only accepted in large hotels and some restaurants. Payment usually takes place in the local currency in cash. ATMs (cash withdrawal possible only with Visa card) are available in Luanda at the airport, in banks, larger hotels and supermarkets, but are not always stocked with cash.

Current safety information from the Federal Foreign Office

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14. Diplomatic mission

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Head: Rainer Müller, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador

Location: Luanda

Telephone: +244 222 430 404, +244 222 430 505, +244 222 430 604, Emergency service number: +244 949 264 495

Postal address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, P.O. Box 12 95, Luanda, Angola.

Street address: Rua de Benguela 17, Cruzeiro, Luanda.

Website: http://www.luanda.diplo.de

Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Germany: Wallstr. 59, 10179 Berlin

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15. Sources

German Weather Service
Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Wikipedia

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