Travel to Angola — everything you need to know
When to go to Angola?
- May – October — Dry season : Dry season along the coast and lowlands. Pleasant temperatures in Luanda (20–24°C), clear skies and ideal for national parks. The highlands are cool and lush.
- November – April — Rainy season : The rains make secondary roads difficult but the scenery is lush. The Kalandula Falls are at their most powerful. The Atlantic coast remains pleasant to visit.
Weather in Angola
Check the weather city by city, starting with Luanda.
- Luanda: daytime highs from 25 to 31 °C depending on the season, 34 mm of rain per month on average.
- Huambo: daytime highs from 25 to 29 °C depending on the season, 117 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Angola?
Angola is a country of extraordinary natural wealth: the Kalandula Falls, among the largest in Africa, the Namibe Desert in the south, Kissama National Park and Luanda's Portuguese colonial architecture. After decades of civil war that ended in 2002, the country is gradually rebuilding its tourism infrastructure.
Luanda
Angola's capital is a city of striking contrasts, blending modern skyscrapers with restored Portuguese colonial districts such as Ilha do Cabo. The Museu Nacional de Antropologia and the Fortaleza de São Miguel bear witness to the country's rich Lusophone past. Luanda is one of the most expensive cities in Africa due to its oil-driven economy.
Highlights : Fortaleza de São Miguel — 16th-century Portuguese fortress, Museu Nacional de Antropologia — ethnographic collections, Marginal de Luanda — renovated seafront promenade.
Kalandula Falls
The Kalandula Falls are among the largest in Africa by water volume, dropping 105 metres over a width of 400 metres. Surrounded by lush tropical forest, they are accessible from Malanje via a scenic road through the Angolan hills. They are one of the most impressive natural sites on the continent.
Highlights : Main viewpoint — panoramic view of the falls, Natural pools — swimming downstream of the falls, Riverine forest — remarkable biodiversity, Malanje — starting town with a lively local market.
Kissama National Park
Kissama National Park, just 70 km south of Luanda, is Angola's most accessible wildlife park. It is home to elephants, buffalo, zebras and a rich birdlife thanks to a post-war reintroduction programme supported by Zimbabwe and South Africa. The park runs along the Atlantic, offering unique coastal savanna landscapes.
Highlights : Elephant zone — reintroduced herds, Kwanza River — cruises and fishing, The park's Atlantic coast — coastal savanna landscapes, Muanza Camp — safari base within the park.
Tunda Vala & Namibe
The Tunda Vala Gap is a spectacular 1,000-metre-high escarpment overlooking the Namibe plains, offering one of Angola's most striking panoramas. The nearby town of Lubango has a replica of Rio's Christ the Redeemer. Further south, the Namibe Desert meets Namibia's Namib Desert, creating stunningly beautiful desert landscapes.
Highlights : Tunda Vala Gap — dizzying 1,000m escarpment, Cristo Rei de Lubango — replica of Rio's monument, Namibe Desert — dunes and desert landscapes, Arco — natural rock formation by the sea.
Travel budget for Angola
Angola is a relatively expensive destination for sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to its oil-driven economy which inflates prices in Luanda. Outside the capital, costs are more affordable. The kwanza has undergone a sharp devaluation, which can make certain purchases advantageous for travellers paying in foreign currency.
- Backpacker : 60–90 €/j — Simple accommodation, local restaurants, public transport
- Comfort : 130–200 €/j — Mid-range hotel, decent restaurants, taxi and excursions
Practical tips for travelling to Angola
- Flight from Paris : Direct TAAG flight from Paris-CDG (~8h). Connections via Lisbon (TAP), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian) or Doha (Qatar Airways).
- Visa : Visa required. E-visa available online before departure (around €80). Processing time: 3–7 business days.
- Currency : Angolan kwanza (AOA). Cash in US dollars or euros recommended. ATMs available in Luanda but scarce in the provinces.
- Language : Portuguese (official language). National languages: Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo. Little English spoken.
- Electricity : Type C (round European) and Type F. 220V voltage. Frequent power outages — bring a portable charger.
- Health : Yellow fever vaccination required. Malaria present year-round: chemoprophylaxis recommended. Hepatitis A/B and typhoid advised. Bottled water only.
- Safety : Generally stable situation. Luanda: watch out for pickpocketing. Avoid travelling at night and outlying districts. Landmines still possible on some remote rural tracks.
- Getting around : 4x4 essential off main roads. Tracks are difficult during the rainy season. Domestic flights serve Huambo, Lubango, and Malanje.
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