What to take into account when planning to visit Angola

Do you want to visit Angola anytime soon? Angola is a nation found on the west coast of Africa. The country borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Namibia to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the east. Angola has a population of over 24 million people, making it the 7th most populous country in Africa. The capital and largest city in Angola is Luanda. Angola is a former colony of Portugal that gained independence in 1975.

With an area of 1,246,700 square kilometers, Angola is slightly less than three times the size of France. Luanda is the federal capital city of Angola.

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Allow us to hold you by the hand as we explore the beauty and awesomeness Angola has in store for you when you visit.

A brief history of Angola

Luanda was established in 1575 under the name São Paulo do Loanda by a hundred families of settlers and a legion of military forces. These settlers founded two forts in the early 17th century, and Luanda became Portuguese Angola’s administrative capital in 1627.

By 1850, the city was one of the most developed and biggest Portuguese cities beyond Portugal. It was motivated by trade in the palm, peanut, wax, copra, timber, ivory, cotton, coffee, and cocoa. After the abolition of slavery was resisted by the Portuguese but enforced by the British, forced labor began.

Numerous imported crops cultivated here were able to sustain the local economy, including maize, tobacco, and cassava.

Luanda, the capital of Angola, is along the Atlantic coast. Its revival story is a noteworthy feat. Decades of violence, ending in 2002, had stifled Angola for decades. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been massive growth in the construction of Luanda. Today, peace and order have attracted numerous international entities to open offices in the city.

Average Climate of Angola

The steadily flowing Benguela current impacts the climate of the city. However, the city has a relatively low latitude yet is located at a high inland level. Thus even higher temperatures are maintained in winter than in similar places in Western Central Africa.

Locations in the city receive approximately 405 millimeters (15.9 inches) of rain each year, mainly during the heaviest rains in March and April and in light amounts from November through February. However, this amount varies depending on the current intensity, and the correlation coefficient is 40 (there can be a 60-fold difference between rain received in the wettest and driest years).

Visit Angola: Transport options to use

There are many ways to get into Angola. The most common way is by plane. There are several airports in Angola, including the international airport in Luanda. Although, there are other means of traveling to Angola depending on your location. They are as follows:

• By Aeroplane: Despite the city’s shortage of tourists, Quatro de Fevereiro Airport has a relatively high number of international flights, mainly servicing Angolans living in Brazil and the growing mining and reconstruction interests Chinese and Brazilian workers primarily hold.
• By Train: Rail services in Angola have seen a significant improvement recently. Reconstruction and modernization were undertaken by Chinese companies, revamping what was once one of the most extensive rail networks in Africa during colonial rule.
• By Car: The major tourist road will be the coastal highway leading north to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and south to Namibia. It’s scenic and in good repair. Roads are an essential priority for reconstruction efforts, including several types of six-lane highways leading out of Havana. Expect a mix of good pavement on aging roads and a new, smooth ride on new roads.
• By Bus: The National Bus Service has finally opened up, but routes are not yet established. You can find Some bus routes in Luanda and surrounding areas.

Angola’s people, culture, and religion

Although many people may claim they are Angolan, most will feel as though many of them have their primary sense of identification and loyalty to a group. This is because the many different ethnicities and tribes tend to cluster in specific areas of the country with their customs, language, and history.

The largest ethnic groups are the Ovimunda, who live in the western highlands; the Mbundu, who cluster around Luanda; and the Bakongo, who live in the northwest. Other large groups are the Nganguela and the Lunda-Chockwe.

Religion: As you might expect, in a country colonized by Portugal for nearly 500 years, most people are Catholic (Roman Catholic) or hold native beliefs. Most incorporate ideas such as ancestor worship along with traditional religious beliefs. The government guarantees each individual the right to practice the religion of their choice. Religious leaders have played an essential role in the political process.

Culture: Your most common greeting is a handshake. Close friends might embrace, kiss, or offer a friendly back-slap. As in most African countries, greetings should never be hurried. It’s essential to ask about the person’s family and other matters of general interest during the greeting process.

When introduced to someone older or with a more significant position, Bow is also customary. (In rural areas, girls are inclined not to look the other individual in the eye, although this practice is less common among younger Angolans and Luanda.)

Angolans are known to be friendly and entertain their loved ones during house parties. In Luanda, they also host get-togethers in restaurants or cafes because they have become accustomed to having more Western ideas about socializing. The Angolan approach to entertaining stays in the Portuguese tradition, with dinner invitations often scheduled for 8 p.m.

Tourists site to explore when you visit Angola

You can’t but tour the following interesting locations when you visit Angola.

• Agostinho Neto Mausoleum: If you arrive in Luanda, it’s impossible to miss the sizeable obelisk-like monument that will rise above the city. Curious about what it is and why it’s there, it’s a mausoleum dedicated to Agostinho Neto, the first President of Angola, who led Angola’s fight for independence.
• National Museum of Slavery: The Capa de Casa Grande was where enslaved people were christened before sending them off to the Americas. The building that houses the chapel and cannons is called Capa de Casa Grande, and it is worth a visit for the fantastic chapel and outside cannons. The center portion of the chapel is engraved on a stone, but it does not have any sort of description.
• National Museum of Anthropology: Dedicated to educating people about Angolan culture and history, the Museum of Anthropology showcases an impressive assortment of traditional masks and works of craftsmanship, sculpture, weaponry, jewelry, clothing, and musical instruments.
• São Pedro da Barra Fortress: The fort served as a place of refuge for many groups in the decades before and following its independence from Portugal. In Angola’s war of independence from Portugal between 1961 and 1975, the fort served as a jail for nationalist prisoners.
• Museum of Natural HistoryNational: A museum filled with thousands of different types of animals, including fish, birds, crustaceans, and insects. A large selection of the displayed animals are endangered, and some are even extinct. The museum does a great job of displaying the large variety of diverse organisms that inhabit the country.

Top Hotels in Luanda

If you are traveling on a budget, you may consider the following hotels:

• The Alvalade Hotel
• The Palm Beach Hotel.
• Inn Luanda (Inn Luanda Boutique Hotel Type)
• Rua Francisco Sá de Miranda: a boutique hotel located in a residential area close to the center. Very clean and good air-conditioners with free WiFi facility.
• The Tropico Hotel.

For those on a splurge, these hotels come in handy:

•  Rouxinol Luxury Guesthouse (Hotel Rouxinol),
• Rua do Mo ambique n 16, North of Cruzeiro Market, near the embassies in Miramar and the center of town.

General requirements before you visit Angola

• All passengers traveling to Angola must have a negative not-detected result from a pre-departure COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before boarding your flight.
• All passengers must fill out an Advance Passenger Information form (FRV Form) 72 hours before the entrance to Angola.
• All passengers usually disembarking the aircraft must get a rapid COVID-19 test without delay. The exam is completely free.

Also Read: Immigrate to Canada from Angola – 3 Pathways, Requirements, Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Angola famous for?

Located in Central Africa, Angola has a rich supply of natural resources. It has vast deposits of oil and diamonds, solid hydroelectric potential, and affluent agricultural areas.

What is the culture of Angola?

The mix of Portuguese and African culture has made the urban Angolan capital of Luanda more like a Latin American than an African country. Its restaurants, nightclubs, and Carnival yearly might fool Brazilians if they hadn’t seen the country’s ongoing wars and security regulations.

Do Angolans speak English?

Angola has the sole official language, but 46 other languages are spoken in the country, including Bantu.

Is Angola a good place to live?

Although Angola is recovering from many decades of conflict, its natural resources are quite impressive, and it’s developing a dynamic economy and thriving business sector. As a result, foreign oil professionals who know Angola well have a high salary potential.

Can foreigners buy property in Angola?

Foreigners are allowed to own land in Angola. However, the Land Law establishes requirements for everyone holding land, including identifying and registering foreign companies (GAO 2004a).

Conclusion

Angola is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. It is a great place to visit for anyone who wants to learn more about African countries and their cultures. There are many things to see and do in Angola, so visitors will never be bored. If you are considering taking a trip to Africa, add Angola to your list of potential destinations.