Welcome to Angola
Angola is where you get to nurture your adventurous spirit. Far away from mass tourism, you will experience a pristine Africa, not polished for tourists. Experience the real country and get to know the people, which comprise of various ethnic groups such as the MumuÃla, Muhimba, Mucubal, Muacahones, and the Ngendelengue. Angola is an exceptional destination that offers a pure and authentic experience for tourists.
Angola has a fascinating and intoxicating culture, due to its colorful mix of cultures, and love of dance and music. The life-affirming and open atmosphere, coupled with the locals’ love of parties and the relaxed lifestyle makes the Angolan culture interesting to experience. During the Portuguese rule, the country was Christianized. As a result, the value system of the Angolans is very similar to the Western world and visitors from Christian countries have few cultural barriers to be aware of.
Angola is an easy destination for vegetarians and vegans, due to the widespread use of vegetables and fruit in daily cuisine. Even people with lactose or gluten intolerance can benefit from the diverse foods available.
Angola is divided into three climates. The coast and the north are tropical and hot, the highlands in the center and the south are temperate-tropical and the southeast is mostly dry and hot, but rather cool at night. During the rainy season, floods can occur in cities or landslides in rural areas. The best travel time is between May and October. The coolest time is the winter months from May to July.
The official spoken language in Angola is Portuguese, which is spoken all over the country. In the countryside many tribal languages are spoken. Besides Portugues, the main languages besides Portuguese are Kimbundu, Umbundu and Kikongo. Since foreign languages are still poorly spoken, we recommend using a translator if you do not speak Portuguese.
The official currency of Angola is the Kwanza. Cash such as USD or Euros can be exchanged for Kwanza at various exchange offices everywhere in Angola. Be sure to carry only new and undamaged banknotes, as worn and/or damaged banknotes are often not exchanged or can have a different exchange rate. The use of bank cards, mainly debit card, is widespread. Major credit cards can be used in the big cities, especially in hotels and restaurants. Cash withdrawal by credit cards is also possible in Angola.
Bank systems or credit card systems can fail due to technical errors and should not be relied on. Always ensure you have sufficient cash for emergencies. It is best to plan a daily budget and try to keep enough cash available for several days at all times.
Angola is next to Brazil and Madagascar when it comes to having the highest biodiversity worldwide. Nowhere else on the mainland of the African continent can such a wealth of animals and plants be admired. This alone makes Angola a fascinating destination.
