'''Luanda''' is the capital of Angola. It is on the Angola's Atlantic coast.
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
A minimum of 1 year is required on your passport any less and you may be put in prison! This has happened to some people on arrival.
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 and The US. Delta Air Lines offers flights from Atlanta to Luanda via Sal Island starting June of 2009. Lufthansa offers nonstop service via Frankfurt. There are also flights from Lisbon, Paris and London. Brussels Airlines offers flights from Brussels. ''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.
Eco Tur also do 4x4 / minibus hire and airport transfers with bilingual drivers (paul@eco-tur.com) +244 912 501387
Another company called '''B Home''' will provide airport pick ups and are available for hire (drivers) +244 222 264 423
B Home has offices in Luanda, Angola and in Houston, Texas. +1-281-444-5988 (Houston Office) [http://www.gobhome.com Click here to visit B Home's site]
By Taxi
Mini bus taxis (Candongueiros) are considered dangerous by tourists, and most steer well clear of them. However, they prove to be an exhilarating experience that is sure to give you an adrenaline rush.
Consider to use the Macon Taxi a private taxi company (around 20 / 30 USD trip).
Eco Tur also do 4x4 / minibus hire and airport transfers with bilingual drivers (paul@eco-tur.com) +244 912 501 387
See
Drive down the beautiful bay.
Additionally, you MUST try the Benfica 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.
Kissama Game Park, a beautiful and enormous national game park just 2 hours south of Luanda recently restocked. Contact Eco Tur who run safaris there in specialist game viewing vehicles www.eco-tur.com / +244 912 501387 / +244 923 601601 / +244 923 602420
Do
'''EcoTur''', +244 912 501387 / 923 602420 / 923 601601, [http://www.eco-tur.com]. Tours, car hire, game parks, waterfalls, beaches, bilingual guides, fully prepped 4x4's, African Adventure at it's finest !
Learn
Portuguese would be a very useful language. English is not very common.
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.
It started giving life to every body in 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 '''Ilha De Luanda''. '''Be careful when eating out do not to drink the tap water.'''
'''Ilha de Luanda''' is where Luanda's elite go to dine and have fun.
Belas Shopping. ww.belasshopping.com. A nice shopping mall with food court. Very similar to a North American mall, just less stores and more expensive.
Budget
'''Panela de Barro'''
Mid-range
'''Chez Wu Chinese'''
'''Macau Chinese'''
'''Fortaleza'''
Splurge
'''Coconuts'''
'''Cais de Quatro'''
'''Pimm's'''
'''Espaco Baia.'''
'''Chill Out (Party)'''
'''Mia* <eat name="" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></eat>mi (Eat)'''
'''Don Quixote
Drink
eden Club. lha de Luanda. 244924991999. nformais.blog.com. 2h00. 2usd. Discoteca;Dj licinho bruno AG Clessio dance, semba, house, and salsa.
Luanda city is largely influenced by Portuguese culture, - Portuguese beer is widely consumed, although Heineken and Carlsberg make an appearance. Cristal, Super Bock, Sagres, and Cristal (most consumed) are the most consumed beers from Portugal. Besides, you may find a broad range of local beers such as Nocal, Cuca (the most consumed - especially the excellent draught version, or "fino" in Portuguese)and Eka. Surrounding countries also try to find lucrative market, so don't be surprise when in other beer brands are served in local restaurants. Try Portugalia (Portuguese Beer House) at the beginning of the Ilha, or either of the two boat clubs just on the Ilha for a nice sundowner (Clube Nautico and Clube Naval).
Don't forget the excellent Portuguese wines also widely available.
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 soon have a lot of them surrounding you.
'''Some police in Luanda are very corrupt.''' Unlike in countries like Colombia and Rwanda where the police will help you and be of great assistance, in Angola they might mean the exact opposite!
Check for their identity number (should be located in a arm band near the shoulder) and you may present charges against any abuse.
As a visitor it's important to carry an authorised photocopy of your passport at all times. Otherwise you WILL get a on the spot fine or worse, courtesy of the police. Do not carry your original the police may ask for it and keep it until you pay a "fine".
Cope
things are improving, and it should NOT stop you from going there. 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.
Eco Tur run trips there in specialised 4x4 game viewing vehicles, be in the wild and beuatufl bush and on the magnificent Kwanza River within 3 hours ! www.eco-tur.com +244 912 501387 / +244 923 601601 / +244 923 602420
When leaving the country do not take any Kwanza to the airport as it is illegal to try to take Kwanza out of the country; you may be stopped by the fiscal police and receive a heavy fine (all your Kwanza taken and most of your other money) or imprisoned.