Angola requires a visa for most nationalities. The official portal for visa applications is www.smevisa.gov.ao, operated by the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros. Processing times vary from five business days to several weeks depending on visa type and applicant nationality. Business visas and tourist visas follow different documentation requirements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the applicant's country of origin typically requires submission through Angolan diplomatic missions. Some nationalities including South Africa and certain SADC member states may enter without advance visas for stays under 90 days under bilateral agreements, though this requires verification before travel as agreements change.
The currency is the Angolan kwanza, which has traded at rates ranging from approximately 500 to 900 kwanzas per US dollar in recent years depending on official versus parallel market rates. Foreign currency exchange is available at Banco de Fomento Angola, Banco Angolano de Investimentos, and other licensed institutions in Luanda and provincial capitals. ATMs exist in Luanda and major cities but acceptance of foreign cards is inconsistent. US dollars and euros are widely recognized for large transactions though officially prohibited outside banking channels. Credit cards see limited acceptance outside international hotels and major restaurants in Luanda. Travelers should carry cash in multiple currencies.
Portuguese is the official language and primary language of government, media, and education. An estimated 71 percent of the population spoke Portuguese as of the 2014 census. Umbundu is spoken by approximately 23 percent of the population primarily in the central highlands around Huambo and Benguela. Kimbundu is spoken by approximately 8 percent primarily in Luanda Province and Malanje Province. Kikongo is spoken in Mbanza-Kongo and Uíge Province in the north and in Cabinda Province. Several other Bantu languages including Chokwe, Nganguela, Ovambo, and Herero are spoken in specific regions. English is spoken by some staff in international hotels and businesses in Luanda but is not widely spoken outside the capital.
Luanda is served by Aeroporto Internacional Quatro de Fevereiro, located approximately four kilometers south of the city center. The newer Aeroporto Internacional Dr. António Agostinho Neto opened in stages starting in 2023 approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Luanda and is intended to replace Quatro de Fevereiro. TAAG Angola Airlines operates the majority of domestic flights connecting Luanda to Cabinda, Huambo, Lubango, Benguela, Namibe, Soyo, Saurimo, Menongue, and other provincial capitals. International connections from Luanda include Lisbon on TAAG and TAP Air Portugal, Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines, Johannesburg on South African Airways and other carriers, and Dubai on Emirates. Regional connections include Kinshasa, Brazzaville, São Tomé, and Windhoek. Road infrastructure varies significantly. The coastal road connecting Luanda to Benguela and Namibe in the south is paved. The road from Luanda to Malanje is paved. Many interior roads remain unpaved or in poor condition. The Benguela Railway runs from Lobito on the coast eastward through Huambo and Kuito to the Democratic Republic of Congo border, a distance of 1,344 kilometers. The line was rehabilitated between 2006 and 2014 and primarily carries freight though some passenger services exist.
Accommodations in Luanda include international chain hotels such as Epic Sana Luanda Hotel, Hotel Presidente Luanda, and Epic SANA Luanda. Prices for these establishments typically range from 200 to 500 US dollars per night. Smaller hotels and guesthouses in Luanda range from 80 to 200 US dollars. In provincial capitals including Huambo, Lubango, Benguela, and Namibe, accommodation options include provincial hotels and guesthouses ranging from 50 to 150 US dollars. In smaller towns and rural areas accommodation is limited and advance booking is often not possible. Camping infrastructure is minimal except in some areas near national parks.
Medical facilities in Luanda include Clínica Girassol, Clínica Multiperfil, and Hospital Américo Boavida. Provincial capitals have public hospitals though equipment and supply availability is inconsistent. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is standard practice for travelers from outside the region. Malaria is endemic throughout Angola including in Luanda. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. The official requirement is a valid yellow fever certificate for all travelers arriving from or having transited through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Angola is listed as a country with risk of yellow fever transmission by the World Health Organization, meaning travelers departing Angola to certain countries will need proof of vaccination. Water from municipal systems should be treated or boiled. Bottled water is widely available in cities.
Mobile networks operate on GSM 900/1800 and 3G/4G standards. Unitel, Movicel, and Africell are the primary providers. SIM cards are available for purchase in Luanda and provincial capitals with passport identification required. Data packages range from 1 GB to 20 GB monthly.