Angola

Understand

The people of Angola are stoics. They have a deep understanding of patience, and avoid blaming the difficulties the country faces on the fact that there was war. In fact, Angolans behave as if there was no war although it is deeply rooted in every Angolan. Music is the heart and soul of Angolans, it can be heard anywhere and they use anything as an excuse to party. The country has a wide range of music, mainly Kuduro, Kizomba, Semba, and Tarrachinha, the latter being more sensual than all the others. In all, it is safe to say that Angolans are fun and loving people with a thirst for more of what life has to give. Since the end of the brutal, horrific Angolan Civil War in 2002, the Angolan government is keen on improving the country's international image and opening up Angola to the world. Tourism is still in its nascent stages and it will take some time for things to get back to normal. The country's national park system was devastated during the war, with rampant poaching leaving Angola with relatively scant megafauna compared to its African peers. The country's tourism industry has been steadily growing and attracts 500,000–600,000 people each year. Angola shares borders with Namibia, Zambia, and the two Congos.

History Before colonial rule, northern Angola was home to the Kingdom of Kongo, and the capital of it was M'banza-Kongo. The Kingdom of Kongo also had several vassal states, including the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba, which would unite into a powerful entity in its own right under the rule of Queen Nzinga in the 17th century.

Angola as a Portuguese colony (15th century — 1975) A Portuguese explorer, Diogo Cão, first discovered the country in 1484. Sometime later, the Portuguese established a trading post at the mouth of the Congo River. The Portugues

See

In Luanda: the Mussulo island for clean tropical beaches and water sports, the Benfica Market for Kwanza River. Eco Tur Angola do various bespoke no tours Angola including Kissama with specialist game viewing vehicles. In Benguela: Baia Azul for beautiful desert beaches. Art deco architecture in Benguela

Getting there

Entry requirements Passport holders of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Angola: Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa, Zambia. Since September 2023, Angola allows visa-free travel for a period of up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year to visitors from the following countries: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Panamá, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe. When obtaining a visa from countries to the north, you will often only be issued a 5-day transit visa for Angola. If travelling by road, this will only give you enough time to get to Luanda where it takes up to 4 days to get another five day transit visa. If you're coming into Angola from the DR Congo, you may well need an Angolan visa before entering DR Congo.

By plane

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Getting around

By bus There are many private bus companies which offer services as Macon and Huambo Expresso being the biggest ones. Those companies offer a wide range of services dealing with locations one wants to travel, especially inter-provincial courses. There are lines that connect most of the major cities of the country, from the coast to the interior. Local minibus transport is not safe.

By train

Angola’s rail system is finally being restored with the help of Chinese firms after more than 30 years of disuse. There are three main lines reflect the country's colonial past, running from the resourceful interior to the coast. They do not connect with each other.

The northern line Caminho de Ferro de Luanda (CFL) between the capital Luanda and Malenje is back to full service. There are three classes, Primeira, with reclining leather seats with individual television sets; Exspresso, with comfortable chairs arranged in fours around tables and communal televisions; and Tramway, the cheapest option fitted out with benches to maximize passenger numbers. Ticket prices hover around 2,500 kwanzas ($26; £17). Carriges are clean and modern carriages with functioning toilets and a restaurant car. There are daily departures. The middle line, Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB) have just started services between Lobito, Cubal and Huambo with some trains continuing to Luau at the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. There are several departures per week. The southern route Caminho de Ferro de Mocamedes (CFM) runs between Namibe, Lubango and Menongue.

By ferry A passenger ferry links Luanda with the oil port of Soyo and the enclave of Cabinda. Timetables and operators have shifted over the years, so inquire at the harbor for the most current information.

By plane TAAG Angola A