festivites
1. Carnival - celebrated throughout Angola and is typically held in February or March, varies depending on the lunar calendar. This festival is a time for people to celebrate and embrace Angolan culture, with vibrant parades, music, dance, and food.
2. Independence Day - celebrated on November 11th each year, commemorating Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975. The day is marked with parades, speeches, and cultural performances throughout the country.
3. All Souls Day - celebrated on November 2nd, this is a day to remember and honor deceased loved ones. People visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, and offer food and drink to the spirits of their ancestors.
4. Easter - celebrated by many Christians in Angola, typically in April. It is a religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people attend church services and participate in traditional community activities.
5. New Year's Day - celebrated on January 1st, marking the start of the new year. People celebrate with fireworks, parties, and family gatherings.
6. Christmas - celebrated on December 25th, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, and is also a time to spend with family and friends. Special dishes are prepared, and gifts are exchanged.
7. National Heroes' Day - celebrated on September 17th, honoring national heroes who have contributed to the country's independence and development. Speeches and cultural performances are held to commemorate this day.
8. International Women's Day - celebrated on March 8th, this day recognizes women's achievements and contributions to society. Celebrations include speeches, rallies, and cultural events.
These are some of the major holidays and festivities celebrated in Angola.
seasons
Angola has two main tourist seasons:
1. Dry Season (May to October): This is the peak tourist season in Angola, with clear skies and lower humidity. Temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 18-25°C in coastal areas to 20-30°C in inland regions. This season is ideal for outdoor activities such as safaris and beach vacations. It's recommended to pack light clothing, sun protection, and insect repellent.
2. Wet Season (November to April): This season is characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity levels. The temperature ranges from 22-28°C in coastal areas to 24-32°C in inland regions. The wet season is not as popular among tourists due to the challenging road conditions and limited access to certain areas. However, it's a great time to visit waterfalls and other natural attractions. It's recommended to pack rain gear and waterproof footwear.
It's important to note that Angola is a vast country with diverse climates, and the weather may vary depending on the region you're visiting. It's recommended to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
visa
Some special VISA rules for citizens of certain countries visiting Angola include:
1. Visa on Arrival: Citizens from some countries, including Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Portugal, can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport in Angola.
2. Visa waiver agreements: Angola has visa waiver agreements with a few countries, including Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Citizens from these countries do not need a visa to enter Angola.
3. Invitation letter: For citizens of other countries who do not qualify for visa on arrival or visa waiver, an invitation letter is required. The letter should come from an Angolan company or individual inviting the visitor and must be approved by the Angolan immigration authorities.
The cost of the visa process varies depending on the type of visa, the length of stay, and the country of origin. On average, visa fees range from $50 to $200, with additional fees for expedited processing or express delivery. It is recommended that travelers consult the nearest Angolan embassy or consulate for specific information on visa requirements and fees.
souvenirs
Some of the best souvenirs to buy from Angola are:
1. Capulana fabric: a colorful and patterned cloth used for clothing, decoration, and wrapping. Average price is around $10 to $20 USD depending on size and where you buy it.
2. Handcrafted wooden sculptures: traditional sculptures carved by local artisans depicting animals, people, and objects. Prices vary depending on size and complexity, but an average price is around $50 to $100 USD.
3. Coffee: Angola produces high-quality coffee beans, which make for a great gift for coffee lovers. Prices vary depending on the brand and quality, but an average price is around $10 to $20 USD per 250g package.
4. Musseque basket: woven baskets made from natural fibers, often used for carrying goods or as decorative pieces. Average price is around $10 to $30 USD depending on size and intricacy.
5. Kwanza coins: collectible coins from Angola's currency featuring cultural icons and landmarks. Average price is around $5 to $10 USD per coin.
These souvenirs can be found in various markets or souvenir shops throughout Angola, such as the Benfica Market in Luanda or the Municipal Market in Benguela. However, it is recommended to bargain with the vendors to get a fair price, and to be cautious of counterfeit goods.
If you have 1 week
Angola, what a beautiful place to be! For your one week itinerary, I suggest the following:
Day 1 - Begin your journey by exploring the capital city of Luanda. You can visit the Fortress of São Miguel which dates back to the 16th century and was built by the Portuguese to protect their colony from invaders. The National Museum of Slavery is another must-visit site that will give you insight into Angola's history.
Day 2 - Take a trip to Kalandula Falls, also known as the "smoke falls" due to the mist it creates when it plunges 344 feet into the river below. It's considered one of the largest waterfalls in Africa and it's a natural wonder that you wouldn't want to miss.
Day 3 - Go on a safari at Kissama National Park, home to several species of wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, leopards, and lions. You can take a tour with a guide who will take you through the park and provide you with information about the animals and their habitat.
Day 4 - Visit the coastal town of Benguela, where you can relax on the beach or go deep-sea fishing. The town has a strong Portuguese influence and features colonial architecture.
Day 5 - Head to the town of Lubango, located in the Huila Province of Angola. There you can visit the Tundavala Fissure, a cliff that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Day 6 - Explore the surrounding areas of Lubango, such as the Serra da Leba mountain range or the Cristo Rei statue, which stands at 30 meters tall and offers panoramic views of the city below.
Day 7 - Finish your trip with a visit to the Mussulo Island, a beautiful strip of sand off the Angolan coast. Here you can relax on the beach, go snorkeling, or take a boat tour to explore the coastline.
These are my suggestions for your week-long itinerary in Angola. Each location offers something unique and will give you a well-rounded experience of the country's history, culture, and natural beauty. Enjoy your trip!
[🔒CLASSIC] Based on your location in Angola, there are many places worth visiting such as Luanda, Kalandula Falls, Kissama National Park, Benguela, Lubango, Serra da Leba mountain range, Cristo Rei statue, and Mussulo Island. Each place has its own charm and offers unique experiences that you wouldn't want to miss. I hope this helps in planning an exciting itinerary for your trip!
If you have 2 weeks
Great! There are so many amazing places to visit in Angola. Here's my suggested two-week itinerary:
Week 1
Day 1-3: Luanda - Start your trip in the capital city of Angola, Luanda. Make sure to visit the Fortress of São Miguel, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also the National Museum of Slavery to learn about the country’s difficult past. For some relaxation, head to Ilha do Mussulo, a beautiful island just off the coast of Luanda.
Day 4-5: Kalandula Falls - Kalandula Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in Africa and a must-visit attraction in Angola. It is located in the Malanje province and is surrounded by lush greenery and stunning landscapes.
Day 6-7: Serra da Leba - Drive down the scenic Serra da Leba mountain pass, which is considered as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The winding road offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Week 2
Day 8-10: Kissama National Park - Head to the Kissama National Park, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, antelopes, and giraffes. You can go on safari drives or even spend a night at one of the park's lodges for an immersive experience.
Day 11-12: Benguela - Benguela is a coastal city that boasts Portuguese colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and delicious seafood. Visit the Church of Our Lady of Pópulo, Fort of São Filipe, and take a stroll along the Praia da Baía Azul beach.
Day 13-14: Lubango - End your trip in Lubango, where you can hike up the Tundavala Gap viewpoint for panoramic views of the surrounding area, visit Christ the King statue, and explore the colorful street markets.
These are just a few examples of the many amazing places to visit in Angola. Each destination offers unique experiences that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Enjoy your trip!
Culture
Angolan culture has been heavily influenced by Portuguese culture, especially in language and religion, and the culture of the indigenous ethnic groups of Angola, predominantly Bantu culture.
The diverse ethnic communities—the Ovimbundu, Ambundu, Bakongo, Chokwe, Mbunda and other peoples—to varying degrees maintain their own cultural traits, traditions and languages, but in the cities, where slightly more than half of the population now lives, a mixed culture has been emerging since colonial times; in Luanda, since its foundation in the 16th century.
In this urban culture, Portuguese heritage has become more and more dominant. African roots are evident in music and dance and is moulding the way in which Portuguese is spoken. This process is well reflected in contemporary Angolan literature, especially in the works of Angolan authors.
In 2014, Angola resumed the National Festival of Angolan Culture after a 25-year break. The festival took place in all the provincial capitals and lasted for 20 days, with the theme ”Culture as a Factor of Peace and Development.
In 1972, one of Angola's first feature films, Sarah Maldoror's internationally co-produced Sambizanga, was released at the Carthage Film Festival to critical acclaim, winning the Tanit d'Or, the festival's highest prize.
Basketball is the second most popular sport in Angola. Its national team has won the AfroBasket 11 times and holds the record of most titles. As a top team in Africa, it is a regular competitor at the Summer Olympic Games and the FIBA World Cup. Angola is home to one of Africa's first competitive leagues.
In football, Angola hosted the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The Angola national football team qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance in the World Cup finals. They were eliminated after one defeat and two draws in the group stage. They won three COSAFA Cups and finished runner-up in the 2011 African Nations Championship.
Angola has participated in the World Women's Handball Championship for several years. The country has also appeared in the Summer Olympics for seven years and both regularly competes in and once has hosted the FIRS Roller Hockey World Cup, where the best finish is sixth. Angola is also often believed to have historic roots in the martial art "Capoeira Angola" and "Batuque" which were practised by enslaved African Angolans transported as part of the Atlantic slave trade.
Religion
There are about 1,000 religious communities, mostly Christian, in Angola. While reliable statistics are nonexistent, estimates have it that more than half of the population are Catholics, while about a quarter adhere to the Protestant churches introduced during the colonial period: the Congregationalists mainly among the Ovimbundu of the Central Highlands and the coastal region to its west, the Methodists concentrating on the Kimbundu speaking strip from Luanda to Malanje, the Baptists almost exclusively among the Bakongo of the north-west (now present in Luanda as well) and dispersed Adventists, Reformed and Lutherans.
In Luanda and region there subsists a nucleus of the "syncretic" Tocoists and in the north-west a sprinkling of Kimbanguism can be found, spreading from the Congo/Zaïre. Since independence, hundreds of Pentecostal and similar communities have sprung up in the cities, whereby now about 50% of the population is living; several of these communities/churches are of Brazilian origin. the U.S. Department of State estimates the Muslim population at 80,000–90,000, less than 1% of the population, while the Islamic Community of Angola puts the figure closer to 500,000. Muslims consist largely of migrants from West Africa and the Middle East (especially Lebanon), although some are local converts. The Angolan government does not legally recognize any Muslim organizations and often shuts down mosques or prevents their construction.
In a study assessing nations' levels of religious regulation and persecution with scores ranging from 0 to 10 where 0 represented low levels of regulation or persecution, Angola was scored 0.8 on Government Regulation of Religion, 4.0 on Social Regulation of Religion, 0 on Government Favoritism of Religion and 0 on Religious Persecution.
Foreign missionaries were very active prior to independence in 1975, although since the beginning of the anti-colonial fight in 1961 the Portuguese colonial authorities expelled a series of Protestant missionaries and closed mission stations based on the belief that the missionaries were inciting pro-independence sentiments. Missionaries have been able to return to the country since the early 1990s, although security conditions due to the civil war have prevented them until 2002 from restoring many of their former inland mission stations.
The Catholic Church and some major Protestant denominations mostly keep to themselves in contrast to the "New Churches" which actively proselytize. Catholics, as well as some major Protestant denominations, provide help for the poor in the form of crop seeds, farm animals, medical care and education.
Demographics
Angola has a population of 24,383,301 inhabitants according to the preliminary results of its 2014 census, the first one conducted or carried out since 15 December 1970. It is composed of Ovimbundu (language Umbundu) 37%, Ambundu (language Kimbundu) 23%, Bakongo 13%, and 32% other ethnic groups (including the Chokwe, the Ovambo, the Ganguela and the Xindonga) as well as about 2% mulattos (mixed European and African), 1.6% Chinese and 1% European. The Ambundu and Ovimbundu ethnic groups combined form a majority of the population, at 62%. The population is forecast to grow to over 60 million people in 2050, 2.7 times the 2014 population. However, on 23 March 2016, official data revealed by Angola's National Statistic Institute – Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), states that Angola has a population of 25,789,024 inhabitants.
It is estimated that Angola was host to 12,100 refugees and 2,900 asylum seekers by the end of 2007. 11,400 of those refugees were originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who arrived in the 1970s. there were an estimated 400,000 Democratic Republic of the Congo migrant workers, at least 220,000 Portuguese, and about 259,000 Chinese living in Angola. 1 million Angolans are mixed race (black and white). Also, 40,000 Vietnamese live in the country.
Since 2003, more than 400,000 Congolese migrants have been expelled from Angola. Prior to independence in 1975, Angola had a community of approximately 350,000 Portuguese, but the vast majority left after independence and the ensuing civil war. However, Angola has recovered its Portuguese minority in recent years; currently, there are about 200,000 registered with the consulates, and increasing due to the debt crisis in Portugal and the relative prosperity in Angola. The Chinese population stands at 258,920, mostly composed of temporary migrants. Also, there is a small Brazilian community of about 5,000 people. The Roma were deported to Angola from Portugal.
, the total fertility rate of Angola is 5.54 children born per woman (2012 estimates), the 11th highest in the world.
The languages in Angola are those originally spoken by the different ethnic groups and Portuguese, introduced during the Portuguese colonial era. The most widely spoken indigenous languages are Umbundu, Kimbundu and Kikongo, in that order. Portuguese is the official language of the country.
Although the exact numbers of those fluent in Portuguese or who speak Portuguese as a first language are unknown, a 2012 study mentions that Portuguese is the first language of 39% of the population. In 2014, a census carried out by the Instituto Nacional de Estatística in Angola mentions that 71.15% of the nearly 25.8 million inhabitants of Angola (meaning around 18.3 million people) use Portuguese as a first or second language.
According to the 2014 census, Portuguese is spoken by 71.1% of Angolans, Umbundu by 23%, Kikongo by 8.2%, Kimbundu by 7.8%, Chokwe by 6.5%, Nyaneka by 3.4%, Ngangela by 3.1%, Fiote by 2.4%, Kwanyama by 2.3%, Muhumbi by 2.1%, Luvale by 1%, and other languages by 4.1%.
There are about 1,000 religious communities, mostly Christian, in Angola. While reliable statistics are nonexistent, estimates have it that more than half of the population are Catholics, while about a quarter adhere to the Protestant churches introduced during the colonial period: the Congregationalists mainly among the Ovimbundu of the Central Highlands and the coastal region to its west, the Methodists concentrating on the Kimbundu speaking strip from Luanda to Malanje, the Baptists almost exclusively among the Bakongo of the north-west (now present in Luanda as well) and dispersed Adventists, Reformed and Lutherans.
In Luanda and region there subsists a nucleus of the "syncretic" Tocoists and in the north-west a sprinkling of Kimbanguism can be found, spreading from the Congo/Zaïre. Since independence, hundreds of Pentecostal and similar communities have sprung up in the cities, whereby now about 50% of the population is living; several of these communities/churches are of Brazilian origin. the U.S. Department of State estimates the Muslim population at 80,000–90,000, less than 1% of the population, while the Islamic Community of Angola puts the figure closer to 500,000. Muslims consist largely of migrants from West Africa and the Middle East (especially Lebanon), although some are local converts. The Angolan government does not legally recognize any Muslim organizations and often shuts down mosques or prevents their construction.
In a study assessing nations' levels of religious regulation and persecution with scores ranging from 0 to 10 where 0 represented low levels of regulation or persecution, Angola was scored 0.8 on Government Regulation of Religion, 4.0 on Social Regulation of Religion, 0 on Government Favoritism of Religion and 0 on Religious Persecution.
Foreign missionaries were very active prior to independence in 1975, although since the beginning of the anti-colonial fight in 1961 the Portuguese colonial authorities expelled a series of Protestant missionaries and closed mission stations based on the belief that the missionaries were inciting pro-independence sentiments. Missionaries have been able to return to the country since the early 1990s, although security conditions due to the civil war have prevented them until 2002 from restoring many of their former inland mission stations.
The Catholic Church and some major Protestant denominations mostly keep to themselves in contrast to the "New Churches" which actively proselytize. Catholics, as well as some major Protestant denominations, provide help for the poor in the form of crop seeds, farm animals, medical care and education.
Epidemics of cholera, malaria, rabies and African hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg hemorrhagic fever, are common diseases in several parts of the country. Many regions in this country have high incidence rates of tuberculosis and high HIV prevalence rates. Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in the region. Angola has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world and one of the world's lowest life expectancies. A 2007 survey concluded that low and deficient niacin status was common in Angola. Demographic and Health Surveys is currently conducting several surveys in Angola on malaria, domestic violence and more.
In September 2014, the Angolan Institute for Cancer Control (IACC) was created by presidential decree, and it will integrate the National Health Service in Angola. The purpose of this new centre is to ensure health and medical care in oncology, policy implementation, programmes and plans for prevention and specialised treatment. This cancer institute will be assumed as a reference institution in the central and southern regions of Africa.
In 2014, Angola launched a national campaign of vaccination against measles, extended to every child under ten years old and aiming to go to all 18 provinces in the country. The measure is part of the Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Measles 2014–2020 created by the Angolan Ministry of Health which includes strengthening routine immunisation, a proper dealing with measles cases, national campaigns, introducing a second dose of vaccination in the national routine vaccination calendar and active epidemiological surveillance for measles. This campaign took place together with the vaccination against polio and vitamin A supplementation.
A yellow fever outbreak, the worst in the country in three decades began in December 2015. By August 2016, when the outbreak began to subside, nearly 4,000 people were suspected of being infected. As many as 369 may have died. The outbreak began in the capital, Luanda, and spread to at least 16 of the 18 provinces.
Although by law education in Angola is compulsory and free for eight years, the government reports that a percentage of pupils are not attending due to a lack of school buildings and teachers. Pupils are often responsible for paying additional school-related expenses, including fees for books and supplies.
In 1999, the gross primary enrollment rate was 74 per cent and in 1998, the most recent year for which data are available, the net primary enrollment rate was 61 per cent. Gross and net enrollment ratios are based on the number of pupils formally registered in primary school and therefore do not necessarily reflect actual school attendance. There continue to be significant disparities in enrollment between rural and urban areas. In 1995, 71.2 per cent of children ages 7 to 14 years were attending school. It is reported that higher percentages of boys attend school than girls. During the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002), nearly half of all schools were reportedly looted and destroyed, leading to current problems with overcrowding. The Ministry of Education recruited 20,000 new teachers in 2005 and continued to implement teacher training. Teachers tend to be underpaid, inadequately trained and overworked (sometimes teaching two or three shifts a day). Some teachers may reportedly demand payment or bribes directly from their pupils. Other factors, such as the presence of landmines, lack of resources and identity papers, and poor health prevent children from regularly attending school. Although budgetary allocations for education were increased in 2004, the education system in Angola continues to be extremely under-funded.
According to estimates by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the adult literacy rate in 2011 was 70.4%. By 2015, this had increased to 71.1%. 82.9% of men and 54.2% of women are literate as of 2001. Since independence from Portugal in 1975, a number of Angolan students continued to be admitted every year at high schools, polytechnical institutes and universities in Portugal and Brazil through bilateral agreements; in general, these students belong to the elites. In September 2014, the Angolan Ministry of Education announced an investment of 16 million Euros in the computerisation of over 300 classrooms across the country. The project also includes training teachers at a national level, "as a way to introduce and use new information technologies in primary schools, thus reflecting an improvement in the quality of teaching".
In 2010, the Angolan government started building the Angolan Media Libraries Network, distributed throughout several provinces in the country to facilitate the people's access to information and knowledge. Each site has a bibliographic archive, multimedia resources and computers with Internet access, as well as areas for reading, researching and socialising. The plan envisages the establishment of one media library in each Angolan province by 2017. The project also includes the implementation of several media libraries, in order to provide the several contents available in the fixed media libraries to the most isolated populations in the country. At this time, the mobile media libraries are already operating in the provinces of Luanda, Malanje, Uíge, Cabinda and Lunda South. As for REMA, the provinces of Luanda, Benguela, Lubango and Soyo have currently working media libraries.
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