Angola

Violent crime

The crime rate in Angola is high. Crimes are often violent.

Common crimes include:

• pickpocketing
• snatch and grab robberies
• armed robbery
• carjackings

Attacks can occur at any time. The risk of violent crime is much higher at night.

Kidnapping is a risk in and around Luanda. Victims are usually foreigners. They are often abducted from their vehicles by criminals seeking a ransom.

Armed criminals also target vehicles for smash and grab robberies when they are:

• stationary
• in slow-moving traffic

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• take care in crowded places such as markets
• avoid walking in Luanda at night
• avoid walking between bars and restaurants on the Ilha, an island near Luanda
• be alert for attempts to stop your vehicle
• use varied routes and schedules for your travel
• lock your car doors and keep windows up

HIV/AIDS is common. Get urgent medical advice if you're a victim of violent crime, especially rape. 

Police support may be limited.

Civil unrest, public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Hotspots for civil unrest include:

• Cabinda
• Lunda Norte
• Lunda Sul

Militant groups claiming independence are active in Cabinda province. Clashes with security forces can occur.

Armed gangs have attacked foreigners outside Cabinda city. They have warned that attacks will continue, including:

• robbery
• rape
• murder

Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces are diamond-mining areas. There's potential for civil unrest and associated crime. Violence against foreigners in these provinces occurs.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest, avoid protests and large public gatherings.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers can be unsafe due to:

• possible attacks by wildlife
• risk of waterborne diseases

Respect local wildlife laws.

To protect yourself if you're visiting a wildlife park:

• maintain a safe and legal distance when you're observing wildlife
• only use professional tour operators with a good reputation
• follow all park rules and advice from wardens

Flash flooding may occur during the rainy season from October to May.

Flooding may result in:

• damage to infrastructure
• travel delays

Follow the advice of local authorities.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Angola. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

You may need DFAT to authenticate your medical documents.

More information:

• Medicine

COVID-19

COVID-19 is present in Angola. 

A state of emergency has been declared from 27 March to 11 April and a lockdown implemented during this period. People will be required to stay at home and only leave their premises to access health care or acquire basic services.

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Smartraveller)

Polio

Polio (poliomyelitis) outbreaks occur in Angola.

Before you travel, complete both:

• a primary course of the polio vaccine
• a booster dose

If you're not sure if you're vaccinated, check with your doctor or travel clinic. Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS infection rates are high. Take precautions before you do anything that puts you at risk of infection.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria is a high risk.

Outbreaks of insect-borne diseases are common, including:

• dengue
• filariasis
• African sleeping sickness

Zika virus infections occur. If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health advises that you:

• discuss any travel plans with your doctor
• defer non-essential travel to affected areas

Yellow fever is common in Angola. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothes

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• typhoid
• cholera
• leishmaniasis
• hepatitis
• tuberculosis
• viral haemorrhagic fevers
• rabies
• bilharzia (schistosomiasis)

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water
• don't go near dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical help straight away.

Get urgent medical advice if you suspect food poisoning, or if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in Angola are very limited.

Luanda has several clinics run by expat organisations.

Other health care is extremely basic. Resources are in short supply, including:

• trained specialists
• safe blood supplies
• medication

Medical treatment is expensive. Clinics normally expect you to pay cash before they'll treat you.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need evacuation to South Africa or somewhere else with appropriate facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

If you're detained or arrested, Angola may not automatically notify the Australian Government. Ask police or prison officials to tell the Australian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences include mandatory jail terms.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

It's illegal to use cameras, binoculars, GPS devices or maps near government buildings or infrastructure.

If you do this, local police may detain or question you.

Same-sex relationships were decriminalised in January 2019. However, there are local sensitivities. Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI people

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law

Angola recognises dual nationality.

If you're an Australian-Angolan dual national, local authorities will consider you to be an Angolan citizen. This may limit your access to consular services if you're detained or arrested.

Dual nationals who visit Angola may have to perform compulsory military or civil service.

If you're a dual national check with your nearest embassy or consulate of Angola before you travel.

More information:

• Dual nationals
• Embassy of Angola in London

*This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Visa conditions

You need a visa to visit Angola as a tourist.

Apply for a visa online with Angola's Serviço de Migração. You can't get a tourist visa on arrival without pre-approval before your visit.

In other situations, you'll need a visa too. Contact an Angolan embassy or consulate to arrange it.

Renewing a visa can take at least 10 weeks. While you wait, Angolan authorities will keep your passport. You won't be able to travel. Plan ahead to avoid complications.

Penalties for visa offences include fines, detention and deportation.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact an Angolan embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rues.

COVID-19

All flights in and out of Angola are suspended, land border crossings are closed and passenger ships are banned.

If you can't or don't want to leave, follow the advice of local authorities, make arrangements for an extended stay and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe and well. If you need urgent consular assistance call +61 2 6261 3305.

Yellow fever vaccination

You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Angola. Some airlines want to see one when you leave.

Check yellow fever requirements for other countries you are visiting.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Travel via South Africa

Due to COVID-19, travel options to Angola via South Africa are quickly disappearing. All airlines are reducing capacity and cancelling flights to and from South Africa. Confirm your travel arrangements directly with your travel provider. If you do travel through South Africa, you must meet South African entry and transit requirements. 

South Africa has specific requirements for:

• children who are travelling
• proof of yellow fever vaccination

It won't accept provisional travel documents, such as 1-page travel documents.

More information:

• Travel advice for South Africa

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

ATMs can be hard to find in Angola.

If you have amounts over USD10,000, declare it on entry. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

Travellers can take up to USD10,000 out of Angola. Different rules apply to residents.

More information:

• Embassy of Angola

*This advice predates COVID-19. Travel within Angola will be restricted due to the state of emergency and lockdown currently in place from 27 March to 11 April (see Health).

Proof of identity

Carry your identity documents at all times.

Photocopies are only valid if they are notarised by an Angolan Notary Public.

Police and military checkpoints are common. If you fail to produce valid proof of identity, you can be given a large fine.

Travel conditions

Travel outside Luanda can be difficult and dangerous.

Infrastructure is heavily damaged from Angola's 27-year civil war.

Landmines and unexploded remnants of war are a danger:

• outside major cities
• in the interior of the country
• in areas bordering Zambia

If you need to travel outside of Luanda:

• only travel with experienced people who know and understand local conditions well
• keep to main roads to avoid landmines

Travel restrictions

Foreigners need official permission and documents to travel to:

• all areas of Cabinda
• Lunda Norte, except Lucapa and Dundo
• Lunda Sul, except Saurimo

If you travel here without permission, authorities may detain you or restrict your movements.

Seek official travel permission and documents from:

• the Angolan partner sponsoring your visit to Angola
• main police stations in Lucapa, Dundo or Saurimo

Driver's licence

To drive in Angola, you need:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)
• registration papers
• insurance papers

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

Road accidents are common due to:

• poorly maintained roads
• dangerous driving practices

Street vendors, motor scooters and pedestrians on the roads also pose safety risks.

You're 4 times more likely to be killed in a car accident in Angola than in Australia.

Fuel shortages can occur. Plan your road travel accordingly.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Public transport

Public transport is overcrowded, poorly maintained and unsafe.

Air travel

Airports in regional centres in Angola have very limited facilities. Most runways are in poor condition. This is worse in the wet season, from October to May.

Flight delays often occur.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Angola's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 115.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 113.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Angola. It provides limited consular and passports services. You must make an appointment first.

You can get full consular help from the Australian High Commission in South Africa.

Australian Consulate, Angola

33 Rua Amilcar Cabral, Mutamba
Luanda, Angola
Phone: (+244) 923 214 101
Email: australia.consulate.angola@gmail.com
Postal address:
Caixa Postal 6269
Luanda, Angola

Australian High Commission, Pretoria

292 Orient Street
Arcadia
Pretoria, South Africa
Phone: (+27) 12 423 6000
Fax: (+27) 12 342 8442
Email: consular.pretoria@dfat.gov.au
Website: www.southafrica.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission in South Africa
Twitter: @AuHCSouthAfrica

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia