This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Crime (attacks against foreigners in Cabinda province). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Angola, with the exception of the capital Luanda, due to the high risk of civil unrest and criminal violence in many parts of the country. Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling outside Luanda knowing that you may be caught up in political or criminal violence. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If having considered these issues, you do decide to travel outside Luanda, you should exercise extreme caution.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Luanda because of the risk of civil unrest and criminal violence.

Although the signing of a ceasefire in April 2002 has improved the security situation in Angola, there are ongoing security risks, including from localised civil unrest.

You should avoid protests and demonstrations throughout Angola as they may become violent.

Crime

The crime rate is high throughout Angola. Criminal activity is often accompanied by violence. Armed banditry and carjackings are common. There is a much higher risk of violent criminal activity at night.

Luanda is becoming more dangerous with armed criminals now targeting vehicles which are stationary in traffic for smash and grab robberies. You should therefore ensure that valuables are kept out of sight.

In April 2008, the US Embassy issued a warden message stating armed groups in the northern province of Cabinda had attacked foreigners outside Cabinda city. These groups have warned these attacks, involving robbery, rape and murder, would continue.

Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

Local Travel

Over one-third of the population is internally displaced and infrastructure remains heavily damaged following Angola's 27-year civil war. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are a danger for travellers outside major cities in the interior of the country and in the border areas with Zambia.

If you travel outside Luanda, we strongly recommend that you do so in the company of persons or organisations experienced in local conditions, as the situation can be difficult and dangerous.

You should carry your identity documents at all times. If photocopies are to be used in place of the original, the copies will need to be notarised by an Angolan Notary Public to have validity.

Foreigners travelling into the interior of Angola need an internal travel document. This is normally provided by the Angolan partner sponsoring the foreign group which invited the foreigner to Angola.

Public transport systems are overcrowded, poorly maintained and unsafe.

Road traffic accidents are common.

Swimming in lakes and rivers can be unsafe because of the possibility of attacks by wildlife and the risk of catching water-borne diseases.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

You should be aware of concerns about the safety and maintenance standards of aircraft operators, particularly on unscheduled flights within Angola. Airline and air charter safety and maintenance vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.

Airports in regional centres have very limited facilities and runways are generally in poor condition especially in the wet season (November to March). Delays occur frequently.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional operations and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. In Angola, travellers' cheques and credit cards can only be used at major hotels. We recommend that you ask whether your card will be accepted before you incur any expenditure. Cash withdrawals are not possible. There are a very small number of ATMs in Luanda, however they do not accept foreign cards.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Angola, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for possession, trafficking and use of drugs, including 'soft drugs', include mandatory prison sentences.

There are severe penalties for the illegal possession of uncut diamonds.

Consensual homosexual acts between adults are not illegal in Angola although they are not considered socially acceptable.

The use of cameras, binoculars or maps near government buildings or infrastructure of any description is prohibited and may lead to detention or questioning by local police.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Information for Dual Nationals

Although Angola recognises dual nationality, Australian citizens holding Angolan citizenship will be regarded solely as Angolan citizens by the Angolan authorities. This may limit the ability of Australian officials to provide consular services to Australians who have retained their Angolan citizenship, particularly if they are detained or arrested.

Australian/Angolan dual nationals may be subject to compulsory military/civil service obligations when in Angola. You should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Angola well in advance of travel.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Angola for the most up-to-date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Angola.

Angola is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.

If you have visited Angola in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of medical facilities in Angola is very poor. Access to adequate medical facilities is limited and difficult. There are several clinics run by expatriate organisations in Luanda but otherwise health care is extremely basic. There is a shortage of trained specialists, safe blood supplies and pharmaceuticals. Clinics will normally expect cash payment before commencing treatment In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to South Africa or another destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could be considerable.

Polio is a high risk in Angola. The Department of Health and Ageing recommends that you complete a primary course of polio vaccinations prior to travel. If it has been more than 10 years since your primary polio vaccination course or last polio booster dose, you should have a single booster dose of polio vaccine. If you unsure of your polio vaccination status, check with your doctor prior to travel.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Angola is high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection.

Malaria is a high risk in all parts of Angola throughout the year. Other insect-borne diseases (including yellow fever, filariasis and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, cholera, leishmaniasis, hepatitis, tuberculosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

The Australian Consulate in Angola is not operating at this time. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy, which is in Zimbabwe:

Australian Embassy
1 Green Close
Borrowdale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Telephone (263 4) 852 471
Facsimile (2634) 870 566
Website http://www.zimbabwe.embassy.gov.au/
E-mail: zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au

If you are travelling to Angola, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend that you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the Embassy or Consulate you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.