Angola

Africa
Capital:
Luanda
Currency:
Angolan kwanza (AOA)
Risk:
Moderate
📋

Health Overview

Angola is Level 2 with Level 3 Luanda metro (crime). Malaria hyperendemic country-wide. Healthcare explicitly named as risk indicator. Landmines from 27-year civil war throughout (HALO Trust/MAG still clearing). Motoqueiros (motorcycle robbery) dominant Luanda crime pattern. Clínica Girassol (premier private). Medevac to Johannesburg (~3 hours). One of Africa's largest oil producers.

Key Health Risks

High
Malaria
Hyperendemic country-wide; chloroquine-resistant. One of highest burdens in Africa. Even Luanda: significant risk. Rainy season varies by region. Healthcare capability outside Luanda severely limited.
Moderate-High
Crime — Luanda Metro
Level 3 sub-region. Motoqueiros (motorcycle robbery) dominant: criminals ride through traffic; steal through windows. Drive windows closed/doors locked ALWAYS. Armed robbery/assault throughout day. Carjacking; home invasions.
Moderate-High
Landmines and UXO
27-year civil war (1975-2002). Highest contamination: Cuando Cubango; Moxico; Malanje; Bié; Huambo. HALO Trust/MAG still clearing. Never leave marked roads. Do not enter fields/forests/riverbanks without vetted guidance.
⛑️

Health Risk Callout

Malaria + healthcare H indicator = limited capability outside Luanda. Landmines: genuinely life-threatening in rural areas from Africa's longest civil war. Zika past-transmission relevant for pregnant travelers.
🏥

Other Health Risks

Cholera (periodic; Luanda peri-urban; 2023 multi-province outbreak); Schistosomiasis (central/eastern rivers); HIV/AIDS (~1.7%); Trypanosomiasis (northern; limited); Marburg virus (2005 outbreak; bat reservoirs); road traffic injuries (poor roads; erratic driving); Zika pregnancy consideration | 2026 UPDATE: Cholera: Large ongoing cholera outbreak that began January 2025 and continued surging into 2025-2026; Angola cited as leading Africa's cholera outbreak with thousands of cases and deaths across multiple provinces. Materially larger and more current than the '2023 multi-province outbreak' referenced in the stored dossier. (https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON562 ; https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cholera/cholera-spreading-across-angola-more-8500-cases, 2025-09-16) ; Ebola (Bundibugyo) — regional context, not in Angola: Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak (WHO PHEIC) is in DRC and Uganda, NOT Angola. Angola is among countries that announced travel-health measures in response. No Ebola transmission documented in Angola. (https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00530.html ; https://www.paho.org/sites/default/files/2026/05/2026-may-20-phe-bundibugyo-virus-disease.pdf, 2026-05-20)
🗺

Regional Information

Regional Risk Callout
Luanda (Level 3 crime): motoqueiros motorcycle robbery; drive windows closed/doors locked. Coastal cities (Cabinda; Lobito; Benguela): highest healthcare. Rural provinces (Cuando Cubango; Moxico; Malanje; Bié; Huambo): significant landmine contamination. Cabinda exclave: FLEC separatist (currently stable).
Regional Healthcare Callout
Provincial capitals (Huambo; Benguela; Lubango): very limited. Rural: essentially absent. Embassy maintains list at ao.usembassy.gov.
💉

Vaccine and Malaria Prevention

💉 Entry Vaccine Required
YF required from endemic countries; CDC recommends all ≥9 months. Visa required in advance.
🛡️ Recommended Vaccines
CDC recommends YF (from endemic; recommended all ≥9 months); Typhoid; Hep A; Hep B; Rabies PrEP (rural/humanitarian); Polio booster (CDC Level 2); Malaria prophylaxis; routine (MMR; Tdap)
🦟 Malaria Information
  • Risk Level: High
  • Areas: Country-wide including Luanda; year-round (rainy season varies: north Nov-Apr; south Apr-Nov)
  • Recommended Drug: Atovaquone-proguanil; Doxycycline; Mefloquine; Tafenoquine
  • Drug Resistance: Yes

P. falciparum hyperendemic; chloroquine-resistant. P. malariae/ovale/vivax also circulate. Leading cause of morbidity/mortality. Even urban Luanda has significant risk. Rainy season varies by region (large N-S extent).

Moderate-High
👨

Physician Note

R
Dr. Robert
Emergency Medicine · 25+ Years · 40+ Countries

Angola: oil wealth vs healthcare contrast. Luanda among world's most expensive cities yet serious cases = plane to Johannesburg. Malaria hyperendemic including urban Luanda.

Landmines from 27-year civil war — HALO Trust still clearing. Motoqueiro crime pattern specific and distinctive: closed windows in traffic. Clínica Girassol is a real resource.

Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss

Pre-Departure Checklist

8+ Weeks

  • Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
  • CDC recommends YF (recommended all ≥9 months)
  • Typhoid
  • Hep A/B
  • Polio booster (CDC Level 2)
  • Rabies PrEP for rural
  • Malaria prophylaxis + standby Coartem
  • Medevac insurance Johannesburg routing
  • Landmine briefing.

2-4 Weeks

  • STEP
  • Medical kit (do not rely on local pharmacies)
  • Vetted Luanda transport
  • Landmine province research.

Day Of

  • Emergency 113
  • Ambulance 116
  • Embassy +(244) 222-64-1000
  • Windows closed in Luanda traffic.
✈️

Trip Type Guidance

Business

  • Major oil producer (Chevron
  • TotalEnergies
  • ExxonMobil
  • BP
  • ENI). Luanda with corporate security is manageable.

Mission

  • Significant humanitarian/faith-based presence
  • Landmine clearance (HALO Trust
  • MAG
  • World Vision).
🗒️

Notes

Special Evacuation Notes
Medevac from Luanda (LAD) to Johannesburg (~3 hours) or Cape Town. Lisbon (TAP; ~8 hours). Landmine emergency: stop; stay still; retrace exact footsteps.
Safety Notes
Luanda: windows closed/doors locked at ALL times (motoqueiros). No walking alone after dark. Alert leaving banks/ATMs/shopping. Vetted transport only. Miramar; Talatona; Bairro Azul safer for expats. Outside Luanda: landmine awareness non-negotiable — stay on paved roads. No photography military/personnel.
partner recommendation
Medical Evacuation & Assistance
A medical crisis far from home can cost $50,000+ to evacuate. Global Rescue — the partner we personally trust — provides worldwide evacuation and round-the-clock medical assistance.
Get a quote
Good For
Mission
Business
Quick Info
  • Capital
    Luanda
  • Language
    Portuguese (official); Umbundu; Kimbundu; Kikongo; ~40 Bantu languages
  • Currency
    Angolan kwanza (AOA)
  • State Dept Level
    2
  • Crime Risk
    High
  • Disaster Risk
    Moderate — severe Luanda flooding Nov-Apr; landmines
Water Safety
⛔️ Tap Water Not Safe to Drink
Tap water NOT consistently safe. Luanda: intermittent; variable quality. Bottled only. Carry purification for rural/field travel.
Top Hospital
Clínica Girassol
Luanda
Angola's premier private hospital. Since 2002. Cardiology (catheterization); neurology (MRI; CT); orthopedics; emergency 24/7; maternity with NICU; oncology; diagnostics. International collaboration. English-speaking. Also: Clínica Sagrada Esperança; Hospital Américo Boavida (public; infectious disease); Hospital Geral de Luanda. Medevac to Johannesburg (~3 hours) or Cape Town.
Emergency Numbers
113
Emergency
116
Ambulance
US EMbassy
'+(244) 222-64-1000
https://ao.usembassy.gov/
Resources
Primary Sources
Direct lines to the agencies that publish the world's most trusted travel-health guidance.