Getting In and Around

Visas: Make sure your passport is valid for six months past your last day in Angola and that there are two blank consecutive pages available for the visa. You should also have a yellow fever vaccination card with you, in case an official should ask to see it at the airport. You must get a visa for Angola before leaving for your trip. A 90-day, single-entry visa costs $141 as of July 2010. The visa processing can take quite some time, so make sure you apply well in advance of your departure.
 
Transportation: The main international airport is Quatro (4) de Fevereiro International Airport, located right outside of Luanda. From the airport, you can grab a taxi into the city center.
 
Traveling between cities in Angola can be an adventure. Train service is very limited and somewhat erratic, and the roads are mostly unpaved. We highly recommend hiring taxis when you travel between cities, or utilizing domestic airlines.
 
Within cities, local buses and taxies are fairly reliable.
 
Mobile Phones: We recommend taking or buying a SIM card–enabled phone. Mobile reception can be spotty outside of the major cities.

Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of State’s consular website has a great deal of information about safety and security in Angola.

It can’t be repeated often enough: be sensible when you travel. Be alert and aware about your surroundings. Be careful with your belongings and identification.
 
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created a security ratings system called the Ibrahim Index, wherein scores are based on each country’s quality of government. Before traveling to Angola or anywhere on the continent, check the index and do your research.