Angola

Recommended Vaccinations For Angola

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. The vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country. The vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires all persons 9 months of age or older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination before entry.

Rabies Vaccine

Travellers involved in outdoor and other activities that might bring them into direct contact with dogs, bats and other mammals (such as campers, hikers, adventure travellers and cavers), as well as travellers with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals and researchers), and long-term travellers and expatriates should be vaccinated.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Angola

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

All areas of Angola are at risk for the transmission of malaria. Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Angola

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a high risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Angola through contaminated food or water.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Angola.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a high risk for hepatitis B virus exposure in Angola.

For Some Travellers

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Angola.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Angola through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is caused by touching infected animals or their body fluids ; touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person or objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in Angola. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis occurs in Angola.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission. All travellers over 9 months of age are required to present proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Angola are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Rabid dogs are commonly found in Angola. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country,

Malaria

All areas of Angola are at risk for malaria.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people are at significant risk for typhoid through the consumption of contaminated food and water in this country. The risk is greater when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives.

Safety & Security in Angola

Personal Safety

Crime levels are very high in Angola. There is a high level of crime in Luanda, some of it violent. Violent street crime, such as muggings, carjacking, and purse-snatching can occur in any area at any time. Local police resources are limited. If targeted by carjackers or thieves, do not resist. A large percentage of the population is armed. Do not make eye contact or indicate that you may be able to identify them. Travellers should not show any signs of affluence, such as expensive jewelry or clothing, and avoid travel after dark. There have been reports of rape in night-time entertainment areas, as well as in private homes.

Due to street crime, do not walk around the city of Luanda. Avoid being out in Luanda after dark. Due to criminal activity, particularly avoid areas of Luanda such as crowded markets, Rocha Pinto, and between bars and restaurants on the Ilha do Cabo. Exercise caution on the Serpentine Road between the Marginal and Miramar, as well as the adjacent wooded area.

Roads and bridge conditions are poor in Angola and can make for dangerous road travel as well as delays. Thieves often target cars when stopped or moving slowly. Keep doors locked and windows up. Keep valuables out of sight in the car, including your mobile phones. Be extremely cautious of anyone using a pretext or signaling for you to pull over. There have been armed kidnappings of foreigners from their vehicles.

Overall, tourist facilities are limited. There is limited food, lodging, medicine, transportation, utilities, and water throughout most of the country, with the exception of Luanda. Costs can be high, and credit card use is very limited.

Locally-certified copies of passports should be carried at all times, as well as up-to-date original travel documents issued by Angolan authorities, such as visas, resident or work permits, and driver’s licenses. Military and police checkpoints are common throughout Angola. Travellers should be prepared with their documents and not challenge the authorities.

Landmines continue to be a hazard in Angola. Never venture off of paved roads, and do not touch any unknown objects.

In January 2019 Angola’s National Assembly approved a new penal code which prohibits discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation. Same-sex sexual activity is not outlawed, however, public attitudes towards same-sex relationships and public displays of affection may not be well-tolerated. Public displays of affection may invite unwanted, negative attention.

Extreme Violence

The city of Cabinda is particularly dangerous due to renewed insurgency. Armed groups have targeted and attacked foreigners in this region in the past. Militant groups claiming independence are active in this province and clashes with security forces are possible.

There is a high risk for violence and crime in the diamond mining areas of the Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces. Official permission and documentation from the government of Angola may be requested when travelling to these areas.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations and public gatherings should be avoided due to the risk of violence. Since June 2023, demonstrations due to economic pressures, including inflation, have occurred. Demonstrations are expected to continue. Hotspots for civil unrest include, Cabinda, Lunda Norte, and Lunda Sul.

Areas To Avoid

Travelling outside of major cities should only be conducted with the support of international organizations with extensive knowledge of Angola due to the risk of murders, kidnappings, civil unrest, violence and crime. There is a high risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance, especially near bridges and on unpaved roads outside major cities. Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces are diamond-mining areas. Violence against foreigners occurs in these provinces as there’s a strong potential for civil unrest and associated crime.