Traveling To Angola: Getting There Is Half The Fun

Angola is a country located on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country has a diverse landscape, ranging from a narrow coastal plain to rugged interior terrain and a vast central plateau. With a population of over 24 million people, Angola is a multicultural and multiethnic nation with a rich history and cultural heritage.

The capital and largest city is Luanda, a bustling port city known for its colonial-era architecture and vibrant markets. As a large country with a variety of attractions, Angola offers pristine beaches, rugged landscapes, and unique cultural experiences. The best time to visit Angola depends on your interests, with the dry season from May to October being ideal for wildlife safaris and beach vacations, while the rainy season from November to April offers lush greenery for nature enthusiasts.

When planning a trip to Angola, it's important to consider the different transportation options and varying road conditions. Domestic flights, rental cars, taxis, and local transport are all available, but it's essential to be prepared for potential delays and infrastructure challenges.

Angola is a rewarding destination for travellers seeking authentic cultural immersion and natural exploration. By respecting local customs and staying informed about safety considerations, visitors can fully appreciate the beauty and warmth of this diverse country.

By plane

Angola is reachable by plane from various destinations. Here is some information on how to get there by air:

Airlines

Several airlines offer flights to Angola, including:

• TAP Air Portugal
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• TAAG Angola Airlines
• Airlink
• Air France
• Lufthansa
• Iberia
• Kenya Airways
• Qatar Airways
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Royal Air Maroc
• Air India
• IndiGo
• Vistara
• SpiceJet
• GoAir
• Air Asia
• Air Costa
• Air India Go First
• Jet Konnect
• Jet Airways
• Air France
• United Airlines
• Turkish Airlines

Airports

The main airport in Angola is Luanda 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, located 4km (2.5 miles) from the city of Luanda.

Flight times

Flight times to Angola vary depending on the origin and the number of stopovers. Here are some examples of flight durations:

• From London to Luanda: 11 to 13 hours (including a stopover)
• From New York to Luanda: 24 hours 40 minutes to 39 hours 10 minutes (with one or two stopovers)
• From Atlanta to Luanda: 25 hours 45 minutes
• From Miami to Luanda: 40 hours 22 minutes
• From Johannesburg to Luanda: 4 hours 10 minutes to 33 hours 40 minutes

Prices

Flight prices to Angola vary depending on the origin, the airline, and the time of booking. Here are some examples of prices for round-trip flights to Angola:

• From New York: $1,307 to $1,775
• From Atlanta: $507 to $947
• From Johannesburg: $306 to $543
• From Newark: $978

It is worth noting that flight prices to Angola can fluctuate, and it is generally cheaper to book in advance. Additionally, flying during off-peak seasons, such as February, can result in lower prices.

By boat

Angola is a beautiful country in southwestern Africa, with a diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, and untamed natural beauty. The country has a range of attractions, from pristine beaches along its Atlantic coast to rugged terrain in the interior, teeming with wildlife.

Reaching Angola by Boat:

There are several ways to reach Angola by boat. Here are some key considerations:

• Main Ports: The main ports of Angola are Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, and Namibe. These ports serve as gateways for cargo and passenger traffic into and out of the country.
• Ferries: There are no official ferry links between Angola and other nations. However, as of 2007, ferries run twice a week between the enclave of Cabinda and Luanda. These ferries carry vehicles and passengers and are useful for avoiding the unstable Democratic Republic of Congo. The trip takes approximately 14 hours, and sources indicate that it costs $180 per person, including a bicycle.
• Cargo Planes: If ferry services are unavailable, there may be cargo planes operating between Cabinda and Luanda. However, it is important to note that these planes are considered unsafe, and passengers use them at their own risk.
• Passenger Ferry to Luanda: A passenger ferry service connects the capital city of Luanda with the oil port of Soyo and the enclave of Cabinda. Timetables and operators for this service may change, so it is advisable to inquire at the harbor for the most current information.
• Ilha do Mussulo: If your itinerary includes travel to the scenic island of Ilha do Mussulo, boats and ferries are common for this route.

When planning a trip to Angola by boat, it is essential to keep in mind that travel conditions can vary depending on the season. The dry season, from May to October, typically offers more predictable weather and is ideal for beach vacations and wildlife safaris. On the other hand, the rainy season, from November to April, brings heavy rains and occasional flooding, making travel more challenging due to road closures and difficult conditions. Always check for the latest travel advisories and local information before embarking on your journey.

By train

Angola has three separate Cape gauge lines that do not connect: the Luanda Railway, the Benguela Railway, and the Moçâmedes Railway. The lines each connect the Atlantic coast to the interior of the country.

Luanda Railway

The Luanda Railway is a 424-kilometre single-track railway line from the Angolan capital of Luanda to Malanje. A branch line departs the railway at Zenza do Itombe for Dondo. The line is operated by the state-owned company Caminho de Ferro de Luanda E.P., or CFL EP for short.

From its terminal at the Atlantic port of Luanda, the railway heads inland towards Eastern Angola, but ends in the middle of the country at Malanje. The coastal segment from Luanda to Lucala was built by a Portuguese company in 1889. The line was then extended to Malanje in 1909 by the Portuguese government.

In 2005, a $355 million rehabilitation project was begun by the China Railway 20 Bureau Group, with funding from the China International Fund. A total of 215 kilometres of rails were rehabilitated, and another 264 kilometres of new rails were laid. The project included the construction of 16 stations, 16 bridges, and 200 culverts.

Regular services between Luanda and Malanje started in January 2011. One train per day works the line, either up (from Luanda to Malanje) or down (the return journey). The long-distance trains start and end at Viana.

Benguela Railway

The Benguela Railway is a Cape gauge railway line that runs through Angola from west to east, being the largest and most important railway line in the country. It also connects to Tenke in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and to the Cape to Cairo Railway, connecting the city of Kindu (DRC) to the city of Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

The line terminates at the port of Lobito on the Atlantic coast, from where Angola exports a wide variety of products, including minerals (from the Copperbelt region), food, industrial components, and livestock.

The section from Lobito to Luau is run by the Empresa do Caminho de Ferro de Benguela-E.P. It crosses the Luao River, which lies on the border, to Dilolo (DRC). From there to Tenke, the railway is operated by the Société nationale des Chemins de fer du Congo.

The railway is Cape gauge, 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), which is used by most mainline railways in southern Africa. The maximum design speed is 90 kilometres per hour. The design capacity is 20 million tons of cargo and 4 million passengers per year. There are 67 stations and 42 bridges along the route of the railway.

Moçâmedes Railway

The Moçâmedes Railway connects the port city of Moçâmedes, in the south of the country, with the inland town of Menongue. The first section of this line was opened in 1910. Other sections were later built to Dongo and Cassinga before the line was completed to Menongue in 1961. A branch line was built from Lubango to Chiange, making Lubango one of Angola's few rail junctions. The Moçâmedes Railway was regauged to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge in 1950.

By car

Angola is a beautiful country to drive through, with roads that pass through spectacular scenery. For example, the coastal route from Luanda to Tombua, the gateway to the Namib Desert, or the iconic roads such as the Leba Mountain Road or Fenda de Tundavala in Lubango.

Driving Tips

• In Angola, you drive on the right, as in most European countries.
• Speed limits must be respected. Watch out for the police and always have your car papers ready.
• You must wear a seat belt at all times and constantly check the condition of your vehicle. Bring spare parts and make sure the wheel pressure is adjusted according to the terrain. Also, check your car oil and coolant often.
• Look at the type of road you are driving on and adapt your driving mode to it.
• Angola is a giant country. Due to the large area of land, there are not many roads that connect the different tourist spots, so sometimes you will have to travel quite a few kilometres to get to your destination.
• The capital of Angola, Luanda, stands out for being a large metropolis full of cars at rush hour and where it can be difficult to drive in the chaos. If you're not used to it, it is recommended to find accommodation with parking and move around the city with an Uber or taxi driver.
• Angola is a country where you have to watch out for the supply of petrol and diesel from petrol stations. Especially in the southern part, there are gas stations that have no fuel, and it takes a considerable distance to find more.
• Angola is a country where, if you drive a tourist car, you will have to watch which roads you drive on. It will be difficult to pass by the Lucira road that runs along the coast, the tourist attractions of the desert, or the remote tribes of Oncocua. It is recommended that if you rent a car, you rent a 4x4 so that you will have no problems driving around the country and will not have to watch which roads you pass through.
• It is important to acquire a map of the country, along with GPS-enabled maps. The MAPS.ME app works well and you can download the map by area or the whole country.

Documentation

When entering Angola with your car, you will need to issue a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) at the border, which is valid for 60 days at a cost of 6.340 kwanzas (about 9€). To make the TIP, you will need to bring all the car documentation, as well as a document with photos of your vehicle from the front, back and side. Make a few copies just in case. Once the paperwork has been completed, you will need to pay in cash at the bank at the border. With proof of payment, they will be able to issue you the TIP. Also note that in Angola, COMESA insurance is not valid, so you will need to find local insurance for your vehicle.

Road Conditions

There has been continuous improvement on the major roads connecting the country's capital and the provincial capitals of Angola, but some roads remain poor. Major routes are paved in most areas and have filling stations and other road assistance establishments or services. Hazards like potholes, lack of traffic signs, faulty traffic lights, and roaming livestock can also be encountered. Some basic roadside structures or designated areas for pedestrians are lacking too.

Roads and bridges already in poor shape become more challenging to traverse during the rainy season from November to April. In this time, landmines may also become displaced and come up in areas outside of known minefields. It’s best to ask the locals or your car rental supplier about the road condition of the place you’re heading to. Using a four-wheel-drive vehicle is advisable when driving on the outskirts of Luanda and to other provinces of Angola because most secondary roads are unpaved.

By bus

Angola has a limited bus service due to poor road infrastructure. Some buses serve routes throughout the country, but they tend to be very crowded. In Luanda, the capital, a private bus company called TURA (Transporte Urbano Rodoviario de Angola) operates.

If you are travelling to Angola, Indiana in the United States, you can reach it by bus from 8 cities, including Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cleveland. You can travel with Greyhound or FlixBus, both of which offer affordable prices, comfortable seats, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and other amenities. Tickets start at $17.99, and you can book your journey through the Greyhound or FlixBus website or app.

Frequently asked questions