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Information Pays> Afrique de l’Ouest > Angola Travel
Advice Warning Travel within Angola remains unsafe due to bandit attacks,
undisciplined police and military personnel, sporadic high-intensity
military actions
in interior provinces, and unexploded land mines in rural areas. Foreign
nationals, especially independent entrepreneurs, are subject to arbitrary
detention and/or deportation by immigration and police authorities.
Travellers who find travel to Angola unavoidable are strongly urged
to contact the nearest embassy for up-to-date information. Travel outside
Luanda, the capital, is inadvisable. Country Description Angola is a large, developing African country that has been engulfed in war and civil strife since independence from Portugal in 1975. A peace accord signed in 1994 brought a temporary halt to Angola's civil war, but unsettled political-military conditions and renewed fighting continue to make travel to and within Angola extremely unsafe. Facilities for tourism are non-existent. Severe shortages of lodging, transportation, food, water, medicine and utilities plague Luanda and other cities. Shortages cause unsanitary conditions in many areas, including Luanda. Entry Requirements A passport and visa, which must be obtained in advance, and an International Certificate of Vaccination, are required. Persons arriving without visas are subject to possible arrest and/or deportation. Travelers whose international immunization cards do not show inoculations against yellow fever and cholera may be subject to involuntary vaccinations and/or heavy fines. Visitors remaining in Angola beyond their authorized visa duration are subject to fines and possible arrest. Safety & Security The security situation in Angola remains extremely volatile. Large crowds and demonstrations should be avoided. Travel in the interior is unsafe because of high-intensity military actions, bandit attacks in villages and on major highways, and land mines. The Government of Angola and the National Union for the Independence of Angola (UNITA) resumed armed conflict in late 1998. There has been heavy fighting in many provinces and a heightened potential for increased military action in all provinces. Crime Information Violent crime occurs regularly throughout Angola. Street crime is common in all areas of Luanda, at all hours. Foreigners have been the targets of violent robberies in their homes and hotel rooms. Because of the high incidence of armed robberies and carjackings, travelers are cautioned against airport arrivals after dark. Before arrival, ensure that you have arranged for reliable transportation from the airport. Only unregulated taxis are available at the airport and in Luanda. They are unsafe, a high crime risk and should not be used. City streets are patrolled by soldiers and police who normally carry automatic weapons. The soldiers and police are unpredictable and their authority should not be challenged. All motorists should stop at nighttime police checkpoints if so ordered. Police officers, often while still in uniform, frequently participate in shakedowns, muggings, carjackings and murders. There have been police operations against illegal aliens and private companies that have resulted in the deportation of foreign nationals and the loss of personal and company property. Some foreign businesspeople have been forced to sign statements renouncing property claims in Angola before being deported. Independent entrepreneurs in Angola should carry all relevant immigration and business documents at all times. Travelers should be alert to a number of scams perpetrated by Luanda airport personnel. Immigration and customs officials sometimes detain foreigners without cause, demanding gratuities before allowing them to enter or depart Angola. Airport health officials sometimes threaten arriving passengers with "vaccinations" with unsterilized instruments if gratuities are not paid. Medical Facilities Adequate medical facilities are virtually non-existent throughout Angola, and most medicine is not available. Chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria are endemic to the region. Medical Insurance Health providers often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Other Health Information Travelers should consider taking prophylaxis against malaria. Traffic Safety & Road Conditions The information below concerning Angola is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor Destinations in the interior are accessible safely only by private or chartered aircraft. Civilians have been killed by bandits or land mines exploding while traveling overland. Overland routes to neighboring countries are generally not open. Customs Restrictions Foreign currency can be converted to local currency at exchange houses authorized by the Angolan government. Rapid fluctuations in the value of the Angolan Kwanza and shortages of U.S. dollars are widespread. Currency conversions on the parallel (black) market are illegal and participants are subject to arrest. In general, only the newer series US 100 dollar bills are accepted due to widespread counterfeiting of the older style. Criminal Penalties While in a foreign country, travellers are subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those of their home country and may not afford the same protections. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe for similar offenses. Persons violating Angolan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Angola are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. |
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