Travel Guide To Luanda, Angola

Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and administrative center and has a population of at least 5 million (2008). It is also the capital city of Luanda Province. The city is currently undergoing a major reconstruction, with many large developments taking place that will alter the cityscape significantly.

The government of Angola, getting rich off revenue from oil, diamond, and other natural resources, is also investing heavily in and around Luanda, including large social housing high-rises to replace slums and existing dilapidated (and often bullet-ridden) high-rises; extensive repaving; the construction of several six-lane highways leading out of the city; the reconstruction of railroad lines leading out of the city; and a large new airport.

Under the Koppen climate classification, Luanda features a hot climate. The climate is hot and humid but surprisingly dry, owing to the cool Benguela Current, which prevents moisture from easily condensing into rain. Frequent fog prevents temperatures from falling at night even during the completely dry months from June to October. Luanda has an annual rainfall of 323 millimeters (12.7 in), but the variability is among the highest in the world, with a co-efficient of variation above 40 percent. The short rainy season in March and April depends on a northerly counter current bringing moisture to the city: it has been shown clearly that weakness in the Benguela current can increase rainfall about sixfold compared with years when that current is strong.

Getting there and getting around

Luanda can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as British Airways, Kenya Airways, Air France, Emirates Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, TAP Portugal and Ethiopian Airlines.

Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport; Quatro de Fevereiro is Portuguese for February 4th, a national holiday in Angola marking the start of the armed struggle against the Portuguese colonial regime on 4 February 1961.

In 2009, about 1.8 million passengers were counted

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Luanda are Augostinho Neto Mausoleum,, Fortaleza de Sao Miguel, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Anthropology,National Museum of Slavery , Fortaleza de Sao Pedro da Barra, Igreja Nossa Senhora do Populo, Igreja do Carmo, Igreja da Nazare, Humbi-Humbi Art Gallery, Roque Santeiro, Benfica HandCrafts Market, Praia de Santiago, East Beach, Mussulho Beaches and Cidade Alta.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Luanda include, but are not limited to, Ilha de Luanda, The Belas Shopping Mall, Panela De Barro,Chez wu Chinese, Macau Chinese, Fortaleza, Coconuts, cais de Quarto, Pims, Chill Out(party), Mia*mi(Eat), Don Quioxte, Espaco Baia, O Cantinho Dos Comandos, Caribe, Cebo Ledo, Tambarino Resturant and Bar ,Lua Nova, Restaurante Pangue, Rialto Cervejaria, Snack Bar Restaurante Marginal, Al-Amir and Asia Lounge.

When it comes to drinking Luanda has got even more to offer. E.g. Eden Club, Clube Nautico , Clube Naval, portugalia, The Cafe del Mar and Teatro Elinga, The Royal Pub.

Entry Requirements - Visas

Check all entry requirements with the Angolan Embassy in London (http://www.angola.org.uk). Issuing visas to enter Angola is a matter for the Angolan Government. The FCO and British Embassy can not intervene on your behalf. The process can take a long time and you should apply several weeks before your intended travel date. We recommend applying at least eight weeks in advance.

Visas cannot be obtained on arrival at any airport. You must obtain a valid visa and/or work permit before travelling to Angola otherwise you will be detained at the airport and subsequently deported. Detention conditions are very basic.

You will be fined 150 US dollars per day if you overstay your visa. You will be fined either on discovery or at the airport. You will not be permitted to leave the country until your fine has been paid.

Fines are in place for a wide range of visa offences including working, studying or residing without the correct visa, changing employment without notifying the authorities, employing staff with incorrect visas, failing to renew residence cards, or changing address without notifying the authorities.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months on entry.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever certificates

You will need a valid certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever otherwise you will be inoculated at the airport.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on exactly what will be required at immigration, both on entry and exit, please contact the Angolan Embassy in London.

Angola, Luanda, British Embassy

Address:
British Embassy
Rua 17 de Setembro
Caixa Postal 1244

Telephone:
(244) 222 33 45 83

Fax:
(244) (222) 333331

Office hours:
Embassy opening hours Monday to Thursday - from 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30
Friday - from 08:30 to 13:00

Visa
Visa application: Monday to Friday from 08:30 - 11:30
Visa collection: Monday to Thursday from 15:00 to 16:00

Consular
Monday to Thursday: 08:00 - 11:00 and 13:00-14:00
Friday: 08:00-11:00
Local time = GMT +1

Website: http://www.ukinangola.fco.gov.uk/en

Country	Angola
Capital	Luanda
Time Zone	+1
Area Code	+ 244 22

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