English 
NederlandsMove directly to: Practical information / Local culture
Your trip
You can travel to Angola all year round. Normally February to April and September to November are the most popular months, but that does not mean that the other periods are not possible. Angola is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are therefore different from most Western countries.
Angola is a large country and therefore has several climate zones. Along the coast dominates a desert climate, inland a steppe climate in the north dominated a tropical climate. The winter is the dry, cool season in the country. The summer months are best known for being warm, clammy, and humid. The rainy season runs from October to May, with April and May, in particular, being the wet months. On average, the temperature in Angola is around 30 degrees.
Everyone must take out travel and health insurance before leaving for Angola. Whether Angola is covered by your policy differs per insurance policy. In most cases this will not be a problem. At CultureRoad we recommend: IATI Travel Insurance, a reliable company that has different insurance options that fits your personal needs. Book now to get a 5% discount!
No, you do not need a visa to visit Angola for up to 30 days.
Angola uses the time zone UCT +1.
Angola has no difference between summer and winter time.
Angolans pay with the Angolan Kwanza. ATMs are not always available or reliable and we therefore recommend that you bring enough Euros or USD for the trip. You can exchange money with the guide at a similar rate that you see at the bank. For the most recent exchange rate, visit www.xchange.com.
Of course it mainly depends on yourself how much you actually spend, but as a guideline we advise about € 50 per day, with which you should be able to save. However, if you would like to buy souvenirs, it is best to bring some extra. Soda is generally around € 1. For a meal you pay between € 5 and € 15.
Tipping local guides is always encouraged. They don’t earn much in this part of the world and it often makes a big difference to them. Of course this is according to your own preference.
We are always available to advise you when booking a flight. However, most customers prefer to book the flight themselves. Often this is cheaper in terms of price and you can pick your own preferences. For flight options to Angola you can take a look here.
Practical information
The complete electricity supply in Angola is 220 Volt / 50 Hz. Angola therefore uses the same plugs and sockets as in Western Europe. However, you may occasionally need adapter plugs, so we recommend to bring a universal plug. There is also regular power outages, so make sure to charge everything as soon as there is power in your hotel.
Internet is available at most accommodations (if it works). However, don’t expect a fast and stable connection. There is mobile coverage around the towns and cities that we visit. You can choose to buy a local SIM card. If you wish, the guide will be happy to assist.
Local culture
Angola is generally an open and accessible country. In terms of customs, there are few differences with Western countries. Most of the people are Christian and faith plays a major role in their lives.
A few rules to keep in mind:
– Wear simple clothes (t-shirt with pants / skirt).
– Don’t just drink alcohol in public.
– Show dignity and respect when you visit the tribes of southern Angola.
– Many Angolans are not used to seeing tourists, which sometimes gives some suspicious looks but are meant well.
When visiting tribes in Angola, it is essential to do so in a way that respects their customs, traditions, and way of life. As an ethical traveler, it’s important to prioritize responsible and sustainable tourism practices. When visiting tribes, travelers should always follow local customs and respect the privacy and dignity of the people they are visiting. It’s important to listen and learn from the local community, as they are the best source of information about their culture and way of life. By visiting tribes in a respectful way, travelers can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the local culture and contribute positively to the local economy.
Angola is generally known as a safe country. The northern exclave of Cabinda is now also a safe area. Corruption is still a big problem in the country, but as a tourist you won’t notice it. The areas in Angola that we visit are places where we feel comfortable and where we feel are safe to bring people. If the situation changes, we will also respond immediately. We therefore ask for a certain flexibility from our travellers.
Some measures that we do pass on to our travellers;
– If you want to set off by yourself in the big cities, discuss this with the guide first.
– Don’t show off your most beautiful jewellery and watches, leave them at home.
– We do not discuss the itinerary or the name of the hotel with anyone. While it will of course only be out of curiosity that someone asks, we don’t share this information with others purely as a precaution.
In general, you can take photos freely (including with drones). However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
– Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person.
– Do not take pictures of military personnel, military installations, police officers or government buildings.
Angolan cuisine is a mix of different world cuisines. You’ll find elements of Portuguese, Brazilian and Mozambican dishes. Usually a menu consists of funje with rice. Funje is a kind of polenta mixed with corn or cassava flour. In addition to rice and funje you can expect fish, beef and lamb. Angola is not an easy country for vegetarians. There are vegetarian options and the guide will certainly help you with it. Alcohol is readily available in Angola.
Since we mainly deal with warm temperatures, we recommend that you bring comfortable clothes. During the rainy season, we advise you to also bring rain gear (or clothes that may get wet). It is also useful to bring good walking shoes , as many roads are unpaved. In most hotels in the big cities you will be able to do laundry if there is time.
Angola is a developing country with a very turbulent recent history. Healthcare is therefore very limited. Also in terms of hygiene, the standard is much lower than in the Western world. Make sure you have enough disinfection gel, sunscreen and insect repellent.
We advise you always to the last (health) risk programs for the region where you’re going to visit. Check with your own government for the latest info about your destination.