Luanda Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Luanda is the capital of Angola. It is on the Angola's Atlantic coast.
Contents |
Understand
The people of Angola are stoics. They have a deep understanding of patience, and they know that it will always turn out right, no matter what, because now peace has been brought. They can go to school, play, dance, work, and live without fear. One thing that isn't there today will arrive and be here tomorrow. Life is a truly Angolan art.
Get in
Visas are necessary for everybody, and cost $50.00 per month. Angola is also the most expensive country in Africa to visit. One spends approx. $100.00 per day in Luanda and other parts of the country.
By plane
There are flights via Johannesburg, and direct from Europe via Lisbon, Paris and London. TAAG Angola Airlines also has two weekly direct flights to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil There is also the Houston Express a charter run by SonAir for the oil industry. Leaves Houston Mon, Wed, Fri.
By train
There are a few short passenger lines, but they are not very safe. Angola once had a vast rail network whilst it was governed by Portugal, which has fallen into disrepair. It is currently being repaired.
By car
The roads in Luanda are generally of okay standard, as is the case on the main routes between cities, but elsewhere road quality greatly decreases. Don't be surprised if you encounter unexpected problems during the rainy season. In Luanda main streets are paved, but streets in the slums are in disrepair, and most roads have no lines or signals.
By bus
The National Bus Service has just re-opened but routes are not organized yet. There are some local services in Luanda and in between cities.
By boat
Luanda is on the coast, after all, but I really do not see what extra purpose that would do for you unless you wanted to fish.
Get around
As you may see below, there are buses, taxis, and cars (rentals too)to transport the visitor.
By Taxi
Mini bus taxis (Candongas) are considered dangerous by tourists, and most steer well clear of them. Consider to use the Macon Taxi a private taxi company (arround 20 / 30 USD trip).
See
- Drive down the beautiful bay.
Additionally, you MUST try the Benefica market, which sells everything from perfume to ivory to animal skins and tourist guidebooks. Also take the boat out to Mussulo, the best beach in town.
Do
The Iiha de Luanda is where Luanda's elite go to dine and have fun.
Learn
Portuguese would be a very useful language. English is not very common in the least bit.
Work
Jobs are mainly available in the oil sector, but also in the increasing number of international Angola based companies which are investing in Angola now that peace and stability are offering great development prospects for the country.
Buy
Local crafts, they are at extraordinary low prices, check out the Benfica HandCrafts Market just south of Luanda.
Eat
The majority of restaurants are on The Marginal or on Iiha De Lunada.
Be careful when eating out not to drink the tap water.
Budget
Mid-range
- Chez Wu Chinese
Splurge
- Coconuts
- Cais de Quatro
- Pimm's
- Espaco Baia.
- Chill Out (Party)
- Miami (Eat)
- Don Quixote
Drink
Sleep
The Hotel Avenida and the Residencia da Kianda are good options, both of which have pretty good services and great views over the beach.
Splurge
- Le President Meridien Hotel
- The Tropico Hotel
- The Alvalade Hotel
- The Palm Beach Hotel
Contact
Stay safe
Don't go out at night alone or into the slums. Stay in your locked car at all times. Try not to be even alone at daytime as some people have been mugged during day time.
Do not give beggars money, if you do you will have a lot surrounding you.
Police in Luanda are very corrupt. Unlike in countries like Colombia and Rwanda where they will help you and be of great assistance, in Angola they mean the exact opposite.
Cope
I guess that the biggest challenge would be coping with the fact that you are in one of the poorest countries on each, and one that in 1999, was rated by UNICEF as the worst country for a child to grow up in. This is due to a former civil war, land mines, poverty, and a lack of medical facilities. However, things are improving, and it should NOT stop you from going here. It is a beautiful and fascinating country.
Get out
Go a bit south of Luanda and you will find the outstanding Parque Nacional Da Kissama (also spelled Quicama in Portuguese), home to palanca antelope, exotic birdlife, ostriches, gazelles, and giraffes, which are still thriving in great numbers but because tourism is just beginning to start in Angola, it still has a bit of a wild side to it.
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