Flight to Luanda (LAD)

Flying to Luanda: tips and information for your trip

Angola, located in southern Africa, is a total mystery for most people, but it’s nevertheless a world leader for natural resources. The nation has large reserves of oil and diamonds, hydroelectric potential, and rich agricultural land. Economically, Angola is among the fastest-growing countries in the world, particularly since the end of the 27-year civil war in 2002. It’s just a matter of time before Angola opens up to the outside world, as it has the potential to be one of Africa’s dazzling highlights.

When you land in the capital city Luanda, located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll spot high buildings and major reconstruction works being carried out. Luanda is still recovering from the civil war, but, in the meantime, it’s turned out to be the biggest and most populous city in the country. Even more surprisingly, it’s also the world’s most expensive city and the most populous Portuguese-speaking capital, ahead of Brasilia, Maputo, and Lisbon.

So what are you waiting for? Book your flight ticket to Luanda today and discover Angola with Brussels Airlines!

Things to do in Luanda, Angola

1. The Kalandula Falls are perhaps one of the most impressive natural beauties in Angola. Cascading down into the Lucala River, these waterfalls are the second largest in Africa, and they’re particularly impressive during the rainy season. They’re located in the north-west of Angola, approximately 360 km east of Luanda.
   
   
2. Forget the splendour of the Grand Canyon in the US; the Miradouro da lua is truly every bit as good! Its multicoloured, sharply carved soil is an incredible sight, especially at sunset. It will make you feel like you’re on the moon and leave you feeling astonished. It’s no wonder the name of this idyllic place translates into English as the Moon Valley Viewpoint.
   
   
3. The Quiçama National Park lies just 70 km south of Luanda and it’s the only national park in all of Angola. It’s a great day trip from busy Luanda, where tour organisations will take you out in game-viewing vehicles to spot wild animals and admire the gorgeous baobab trees.
   
   
4. If you’re looking for a beautiful and calm weekend, head to Ilha de Mussulo, a peninsula in the south of Luanda. It has clean tropical beaches, fishermen, modern restaurants, water sports, and peaceful surroundings.
   
   
5. Coastal city Benguela offers art deco architecture and is home to the stunning Baia Azul, where you can find even bigger, wider, and more beautiful deserted beaches.
   
   
6. Serra da Leba, also known as Leba Pass, is one of the thousand wonders of Angola. The mountain range is located in the Huíla province and you’ll definitely want to make a few stops along its spectacular snake road to admire the landscape.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights arrive and depart from Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, which is named after an important national holiday in Angola. The airport is situated 4 km outside Luanda and serves as the main international airport for the country.
   
  
• Currency: The local currency is the Angolan kwanza (AOA) and travellers can bring in or take out up to AOA 50,000. Once you land in Luanda, exchange your dollars or euros in banks anywhere from the airport to downtown. Cash is the payment of choice throughout the country, so don’t always rely on your credit cards. The country is currently going through a foreign currency crisis, so exchange rates are favourable. Keep in mind that unofficial currency exchange is illegal and you might get into trouble for using such services. US citizens can try using their currency throughout Angola, as US dollars are widely accepted. If you exchange your dollars for kwanzas, remember that you won’t be able to exchange them back into US dollars at the end of your trip.
  
  
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: The country code for Angola is +244 and Wi-Fi is available in most of the country. Angola currently has one of the largest mobile telecom markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and internet access has grown steadily.
  
  
• Electric sockets: The power sockets in Angola are type C, also known as the standard Euro plug. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Generally speaking, US, Canadian, and British travellers should pack an adapter if they plan to use their electrical items in Angola.
  
  
• Travel information: A passport is mandatory when travelling to Angola and it must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry. Obtaining a visa for Angola is slow, confusing, and sometimes even complicated. Different consulate officials will probably tell you different things about the necessary documents, and you will need an invitation letter from an Angolan citizen or company.
  
  
• Vaccination: A World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever and other vaccinations is required at the port of entry into Angola. You can also get vaccinated at the airport for a fee. Mosquitos are Angola’s number one enemy, and malaria is present in the country year-round. Make sure to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria.

Dos and don'ts in Luanda, Angola

• The sole official language of Angola is Portuguese. Over 39% of the population speak Portuguese as their native language and 80% have at least some knowledge of it. A very small percentage of the local population can communicate in English. Travelling in Angola therefore requires basic knowledge of Portuguese, or a local guide or interpreter.
  
  
• It’s always useful to make friends in Angola who are willing to show you around and guide you through the city. Luanda is not an easy city for visitors, as most streets have no names and traffic can be chaotic.
  
  
• You can travel cheaply with a candongueiro, a blue and white van that will take you for a ride around Luanda for 150 kwanzas. Study the city map in advance, because the busses have no destinations written on them, so you might struggle to know when to get on or off.
  
  
• Just south of Luanda, the Benfica Handicrafts Market offers the best prices for handicrafts and souvenirs. This is an open market where local artists and artisans display their products, and bargaining is not only acceptable, but also recommended. The products range from sculptures and paintings to jewellery, batik cloths and accessories.
• Photographing government buildings, military or security posts, or monuments can get you in trouble in Angola. If a guard is present, always ask him if it’s ok to take a picture.
  
  
• Don’t show your wealth or expensive possessions and try to be as discrete as possible. Always travel in groups at night and travel with people who know the city.

Some words and phrases in Portuguese:

• Hello: Olá
• How are you?: Como está?
• Fine and you?: Bem e tu?
• Thank you: Obrigado
• Please: Por favor
• Goodbye: Adeus
• See you later: Até logo
• Good morning: Bom dia
• Good afternoon: Boa tarde
• Good evening: Boa tarde
• Good night: Boa noite
• Okay/cool: Fixe (pronounced “feesh”)

Cultural events

• Angola’s national holiday is celebrated every year on the 11th of November with festivals, parades, and formal ceremonies across the country. The holiday is a celebration of Angola’s independence from Portugal on the 11th of November 1975. Whenever the 11th of November falls on a Sunday, the following working day is also considered a holiday.
  
  
• Lubango Festival: Beginning in August, this 30-day celebration is held in Huíla’s Lubango City and features music performances, a sports tournament, fashion parades, and the prestigious Miss Huíla beauty pageant.
  
  
• The Angola Carnival is undoubtedly one of the country’s most colourful and celebrated festivals, with many shows, performances, parades, and dances. Lasting several days, it ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

When to visit Luanda in Angola?

Angola has alternating rainy and dry seasons. In northern Angola, the rainy season can last as long as seven months – from September to April – and has the hottest temperatures in the country. Dry season lasts from May to October and is rather cool, especially in July and August, and heavy morning mist is common. Winter is basically non-existent in Angola, as the average annual temperature is about 26°.

What to eat in Luanda, Angola?

Angolan cuisine is heavily influenced by Portuguese and Brazilian food and there are a variety of tasty dishes to try. Local dishes are based mainly on fish, cassava products, and spicy stews, such as moamba de galinha (chicken cooked in a red palm oil sauce called moamba de dendem) and calulu (similar to moamba but cooked with dried and fresh fish). Seafood is abundant and excellent, with the coastline being the perfect place for fresh lobster right off the fisherman’s boat.

Prices in Angola are quite high, which can make it difficult to eat and dine out. We recommend going to Ilha de Luanda, where there are many beach restaurants with a range of prices to suit different budgets. It’s also worth mentioning that there’s been an increase in both the number and quality of restaurants in central Luanda. Check out one of the typical backyard restaurants where the majority of Luandans have lunch on weekdays.