Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. It is located in central-southern Angola a long the coast with the Atlantic Ocean. Originally one of the major slaving ports and under Portuguese rule, it is now the country’s chief seaport and administrative hub with a population of at least 5 million residents. Administratively, the city is divided into two parts, the Baixa de Luanda (lower Luanda, the old city) and the Cidade Alta (upper city or the new part). Lower Luanda has more to offer the explorers with its old style buildings in a colonial fashion and narrow streets which just adds to the photographic appeal. 9 other sub towns, the municípios also make up Luanda. Portuguese is the main language spoken in Luanda.
The City has an admirable natural harbour; the main exports are coffee, cotton, diamonds, and iron. The city also has a flourishing building industry. Economic growth is largely sustained by oil mining activities, although massive diversification is a great threat in the city. This Angolan cosmopolitan city is at present undergoing massive reconstruction preceding the 30 years long civil war that plundered the whole country.

One of the things, alongside the great photo opportunities and breathtaking scenery of course, which has caused many visitors to flock to Luanda, is the climate. Beautiful tropical temperatures combined with white sandy beaches are the perfect places to sit and watch the sunset and rise and the wonderful locals really make this town a place that you will certainly want to call home.
Because, its one of the world’s most overcrowded cities among the third-world nations, Luanda faces a lot of problems such as slums, insecurity, poor sanitation and limited access to running water.
Getting Around in Luanda
Exploring Luanda is an amazing experience particularly for those who want to see the country from its ground view level. However, driving is challenging since some sections of many city roads are not in good condition. We also recommend new visitors in the city to avoid driving outside the city limits after dark.
Taxis are rare in Luanda and charge a fortune. The local people use minibus service (Kangongeiro) to get around. Buses are blue, seat 12 and travel everywhere (but you need to know your destination to get on the right one). Rental cars are also available.
One thing that you may notice about Luanda is the architecture of many of the city buildings. Most of the constructions in the capital follow a colonial style with bursts of colours but nestled alongside these you will find a number of modern buildings which create quite the contrast.
CITY ATTRACTIONS
Luanda City is one of the hot spots for tourists in Angola. It has several interesting sights given its rich history and location on the coast. Some of the major places of interest are;
Mussulo Island
Mussulo Island is a gorgeous Island situated south of the city with stretches of sandy beaches. This busy small island offers a perfect destination for Angola holidays in Luanda. Visitors just relax getting a sun tan, sit below the shadows of coconut and palm trees.

Kissama National Park
Kissama Game Park is a huge game reserve located to the south Luanda. It spans over an area of about 9,960 sq km. In1938, it was first gazetted as a Game reserve but officially designated as a National Park later in 1957. The Park is extremely renowned for its exotic bird life. Wildlife to spot in the park includes palanca antelopes, ostriches, gazelles, giraffes and many more. The best period to visit Kissama Park is the dry season from May to October. Visiting Kissama during Luanda tours is a spectacle to experience.
The National Monument
It is a big tower situated to the south west of Luanda. A wealth of the museums surround the national monument, all free to the public. Each of these museums takes days to fully explore. From art to science, these museums offer something for every interest and age group and are an essential stop on any trip to the national monument.
Weather in Luanda
Luanda features a hot semi-arid climate. It is hot and humid although dry, resultant of the cool Benguela Current. The prevalent fog prevents temperatures from falling at night even during the completely dry months from June to October. Luanda has an annual rainfall of 323 millimetres. There is also a short rainy season from March to late April.

REGISTERED TOUR AND TRAVEL AGENTS IN ANGOLA

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Map of Angola

Luanda City
Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. It lies in the north western region of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. The latest Cost of Living Survey reveals that Luanda is the world’s most expensive city. The city has two million residents. It is a multi-functional city. It hosts the colonial Governor’s Palace, public University of Agostinho Neto, Citadel Stadium, Angola’s 60,000 – seater stadium, and seat of most government departments. Luanda is also home to the Quarto de Fevereiro International Airport. It boasts several attractions.
Other Cities of Angola
The major cities of Angola are Lucala, Lucusse, Cuango, Maquelado, Cazombo, Munhango, Cubal, Lobito, Luremo, Gabela, Quibala, Luachimo, Soyo, Negarge and Luremo.
Angola Provinces
Angola has 18 provinces namely Namibe, Ondjiva, Lubango, Huambo, Menongue, Kuito, Luena, Saurimo, Malanje, N’dalatando, Lucapa, Uige, Cabinda, M’banzacongo, Benguela, Bie, Bengo and Lunda Sul.
Weather & Climate in Angola
Angola experiences a tropical climate with regional variations from a temperate tropical to a arid climate. Average temperature ranges in Luanda are from 18 to 23C in August to 24 to 30C in March.
Other Facts about Angola
Official Name: Republic of Angola
Area: 1,246 700 Sq Km
Government: Multiparty system
Population: 12,897,000 (2000 est)
Languages: Portuguese (Official) / National language: Bantu

Iona Natiuonal Park

remarkably imposing rock formations and a variety of desert and semi-desert ecosystems including cal Crete plains, arid shrub land, desert grasslands, scanty dunes along the coast, savannah and open woodland. As a result of the rainfall gradient, the perennial grasslands in the park lead into semi-arid savannah and, further east, to mopane woodlands.
Wildlife
Before the Angolan civil war, Iona National Park was known as an animal paradise, rich in big game. The “Big Five” of Iona National Park include the Ostrich, Kudu, Oryx, Springbok (Gazelle) and the rare cheetah. Other animals in Iona Park include mountain zebra, klipspringer, impala and the quelengue. Generally the landscape in the park is empty, but a few animals more particularly the Springbok can still be found wandering in and around forested areas of the Park.

Iona Safari zebra

Wildlife Threat
- Political insurgence
- Illegal hunting and Poaching
- Poor Infrastructure

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ANGOLA

• 

  Namib Naukluft Park

  Iona National Park: Iona National Park is Angola’s oldest and largest national park. It was gazetted as a protected area in 1937. It is situated in the province of Namibe, Angola. It is about 200 km from the city of Namibe and covers an area of 15,150 sq km. Iona Park is known for unique flora and incredible rock formations forms part of the Namib Desert coastline and joins with the Skeleton Coast and the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

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  Kalandula Waterfalls

  Kalandula Waterfalls: The Kalundula falls on the river Lucala are an awe-inspiring sight and said to be Africa`s third largest waterfalls. The 105 meter tall waterfalls, is located 85 km from the provincial capital of Malange. Numerous enormous waterfalls can be found in Angola.

• Kissama Game Park: It is a vast game reserve situated 70km south of Luanda. It is one of the Angola’s finest wildlife sanctuaries noted for diverse & rich flora and fauna. This original game
  

  Kissama Game Park

  reserve turned into a national park since 1957 is a famous spot for animal watching and safaris in Kissama. It’s most prominent wildlife includes giraffes, ostriches, and hundreds of African Elephants. One can reach the park taking the way through the Kwanza River Bridge. There are several accommodation facilities in the game park. The exciting wildlife safari drives are easily organized in the Park.

• Mussolo Island: Mussolo Island lies just few km away from Luanda. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Angola Capital. It is a 50km strip of land stretching down the coast from Luanda. Mussolo Island offers a relaxing atmosphere especially to Angola holiday travellers as well as creating a picturesque environment of white sand beach lined with palm trees for beach vacations in Angola. With hotels and accommodations aplenty, the island is an ideal location for spending a few days of your vacation in peaceful bliss.
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  Palmeirinhas Beach Angola

  Angola Beaches: The Atlantic Angola coastline stretching for over 1,650km creates numerous small islands, bays and sandbanks where excellent destinations for beaches vacations in the country have been established. Beaches in the Capital Luanda include Corimba, Ilha do Cabo, Palmeirinhas and Santiago are exceptional immaculate. In Benguela are also numerous beaches such as Caóta, Morena, Restinga, Caotina, Baia Azul and Baia Farta and; In Namibe are two beaches namely Azul and Das Miragens. Most Angola beaches are also famous for natural scenery. They are plush for their beautiful panoramic views. You may try fishing on the beach coastlines. a serene spot which form the

Learn more about Angola Travel, Angola tour Operators, tourist attractions in Angola, holiday in Angola, sight seeing tours in Angola and Angola nightlife.

Angola Flag

Arrival:

• Upon arrival at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport in the capital- Luanda, you may choose either the green route, if you have nothing to declare; or the red route, if you carry something subject to customs fees. Items for personal effect are duty free. Travellers should register with their embassy on arrival, and de-register on departure similarly.
• All visitors to Angola especially those traveling outside Luanda are advised to travel under the patronage of security because leisure travel in Angola is not recommended. Driving outside Luanda can be risky.
• Travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets particularly destinations popular to foreigners.
• Travel to the North and South Luanda Provinces is advised against since visitors may be subject to movement restrictions. Cabinda Province more especially is common with violent incidents.

Angola Capital, Luanda

Getting there by Air:

• International Flights to Angola: Angola has an excellent airport system covering the entire country. The system is open to international traffic through 4 de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda with direct flights from South Africa Cape Town, Johannesburg), Zimbabwe (Harare), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), the UK (London), Belgium (Brussels), Portugal (Lisbon) and France (Paris). Luanda (LAD) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. There are no airport taxis; visitors must be received by their agents or use a transport service provided by their hotel. Angola Airlines (DT) is the National airline.
• Domestic Flights: Domestic services are available to Lobito, Luanda, Malongo and Namibe.Charter services can be arranged on request.
• Car Hire: Visitor intending to visit upcountry locations should consider using a vehicle from rental companies offering the service of a local driver with the vehicle hire arrangement.
• Driver’s License: An international and local driver’s license is required to drive in the country.
• Passports: Passports with two blank pages valid for at least six months after intended period of stay required by all nationals are required.
• Visa: To enter Angola, visitors must obtain a visa at the country of origin’s Angolan embassy. A passport size photo, a valid passport, and a completed application form must be submitted.

Getting There by Rail:

• Overland routes to neighboring countries are generally not open, but conditions are subject to frequent change. Travellers should contact an embassy for advice on security along their planned routes. Plans to re-open the Benguela railway seem unlikely to come to realization until the country has become more stable.

Money:

• National currency is Kwanza (Kz)
• Rates for foreign exchange are significantly better at Forex bureaus in Luanda

Weather:

• Although Angola is located in a sub tropical zone, its climate is not typical tropical. The north of the country is hot and wet during the summer months (November to April); winters are slightly cooler and mainly dry. The south is hot throughout much of the year with a slight decrease in temperature in winter (May to October).

• Required Clothing; Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year in the south. Tropical clothing for summers in the north. Nights can be cold, so warm clothing should be taken. Waterproofing is advisable for the rainy season throughout the country.

Entertainment:

• Nightlife: The bars all filled and the local music and dancing provide an animated and exotic atmosphere that mixes well with the mystery of the African nights.
• Beaches: In Luanda, special mention must be given to the beaches of Ilha do Cabo, Mussulo, Palmeirinhas, Corimba and Santiago. In Benguela there is Morena, Restinga, Caóta, Caotina, Baia Azul and Baia Farta and finally in Namibe, two more, Das Miragens and Azul.

General Information:

• Health: A vaccination certificate for yellow fever is required to enter the country. Well equipped clinics are available for visitors requiring immediate health care.
• Languages: Portuguese is the official language, although Bantu and other African languages are also spoken.
• Telephones: A land system operator and two cellular phone operators exist in the country, enabling easy domestic and international calls.
• Time: The time GMT/UTC is does not change throughout the year.

Angola is gearing to welcome you to African best home away from home.

Angola Airlines

Cheap flights to Angola are relatively easy to find, though better deals may be available flying into neighboring Zambia or Namibia. There are three airlines to choose from for your flight to Angola from South Africa, and these are:
• South African Airways
• Air Namibia
• Air Zimbabwe
All flights from South Africa depart from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, and SAA flies directly to Angola, though the other two have connecting flights through Harare and Windhoek. Flight Prices range from £689 to £692.
Most popular flights to Angola
• Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) to Luanda, Angola (LAD)
• Newark, NJ (EWR) to Luanda, Angola (LAD)
A large number of International airlines offer discount flights to Angola on a regular basis. These include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, BMI, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Ryanair Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, The Emirates and Atlas Blue Airlines. It is usually wise to start looking at ticket prices long in advance so that, when cheap flights to Angola are offered, you will be ready to jump the queue and make a quick purchase.
The Angola Airlines also operate a number of flights to Portugal on a weekly basis. All the long haul international flights to Angola operate into the capital and here you can fly each day between Luanda and almost every major city in Angola.
Airports in Angola
Airports in Angola include Benguela Airport, Cabinda Airport, Catumbela Airport, Ambriz Airport, Catoca Airport, Dundo Airport Cazombo Airport and Chitalo Airport. Others are Andulo Airport, Luzamba Airport, Soyo Airport, Nambie Airport, Maquela Airport and many others.
Best Time for your Flight
Angola is in a location which experiences a generally tropical climate. The coastal strip, including Luanda, is semi-arid, whilst the rest of the country varies according to elevation. The rainy season is from October to May, and temperatures are highest during these months too. Due to it being a tropical climate, temperatures do not vary much throughout the year, so whenever you go you can be guaranteed warm weather. Although different regions vary significantly, the best time to visit Angola is during the cooler dryer months of June to September.

Angola Flag

Angola is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, Zambia to the East, Democratic Republic of Congo on the north-east, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west. At 481,321 sq miles (1,246,620 sq km), Angola is the world’s twenty-third largest country and second-largest petroleum and diamond producer in sub Saharan Africa. It is comparable in size to Mali. Having lived through years of civil war, Angola now has a booming economy with tourism is yet to take off.
Luanda- Angola is divided into eighteen provinces with the capital Luanda- the largest city lying on the Atlantic coast in the north-west. This is the country’s major seaport with a number of hotels for accommodation and restaurants to dine at. Although with not too many things to do in the city, the bay is exceptionally beautiful. In the meantime you can enjoy Angola in its more natural state. A boat ride out to Mussolo Island, ‘the best beach in town’ is also recommended. This is an island in the middle of the Kwanza River with attractive natural beauty as well as services such as restaurants beaches and palm trees, a plus to necessitate a visit.
South of Luanda is the Kissama Game Park (Parque Nacional Da Kissama) – a just recently re-stocked destination with wildlife but with limited amenities though well-worthy a journey down. There is a tour company; called Eco Tur, which operates both in and out of Luanda with scheduled tours to the park to see ostriches, giraffes and numerous birdlife, gazelles and palanca antelope. While oil supplies grace Angola with the fastest growing economy in Africa mush as it’s faced with several contrasts presently.

Kissama Safari Elephants

The National Anthropology Museum and National Slavery Museum also offer some perspective tourist attractions. The city’s striking cathedral is a remnant of Angola’s time as a Portuguese colony. Important to note is that the country’s infrastructure is rapidly improving and it won’t be long before tourism makes its mark to satisfy the Motto that, Virtue is stronger when united.
Climate
The weather in Africa is as diverse as its people. It is one of the few places where the right time of year to visit, is any time. The best time of year to visit the continent will be dependent on the activities you have in mind with Angola non exceptional. Here lies the bruised yet still beating heart of the Africa. Angola’s average temperature on the coast is 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 °C) in the winter and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 °C) in the summer.
Angola experiences a generally tropical climate. The coastal strip, including Luanda, is semi-arid, but with the rest of the country varying according to altitude. The rainy season runs between October and May with temperatures highest during these months. Being a tropical climate, temperatures do not vary much throughout the year, so whenever you go you can be guaranteed warm weather.