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

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Hepatitis B

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

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.

For Some Travellers

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

African Tick Bite Fever

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

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

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

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

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

Measles

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

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.

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.

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

Angola has a high crime rate, with both petty and violent crime being common. Luanda, the capital, experiences frequent muggings, armed robberies, carjackings, and thefts from vehicles. Armed attackers can be fatal, and you should hand over money and valuables immediately if threatened. Criminals often operate on motorcycles, following and robbing victims, sometimes at gunpoint. Theft from stationary or slow-moving cars is common in downtown Luanda, particularly involving mobile phones and laptops. Areas popular with foreigners are specifically targeted. You face particular risk when withdrawing money from ATMs, as criminals may follow and rob you. Crime risk increases significantly at night, and walking alone after dark should be avoided throughout the country. Serious crimes including rape and attacks occur in local bars and clubs. Foreign nationals are increasingly targeted, though most crime still occurs between locals. Police may lack resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Most international companies operating in Angola maintain strict security protocols for staff, which should be followed.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks have no recent history in Angola, though they cannot be ruled out. Organized crime networks operate across multiple criminal markets, including drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, and human trafficking, and these groups have been linked to executions and disappearances. Gang violence and homicide levels are extremely high in poor urban neighborhoods with weak police presence. Security forces have been implicated in serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions, unlawful killings, excessive force against peaceful protesters, and arbitrary detentions. In 2023, state security forces were responsible for more than a dozen extrajudicial executions. In February 2023, bodies of young men detained by Criminal Investigation Service officials were found with bullet wounds at a Luanda hospital morgue. During protests, police have fired live ammunition at demonstrators, resulting in multiple deaths. In July 2025, at least 29 people died during protests against fuel price increases, with over 1,500 arrested. Separatist groups in Cabinda Province carry out targeted attacks, including murders, rapes, and kidnappings of foreigners and locals, and have stated their intention to continue attacks against foreigners. Violence against foreigners also occurs in the diamond-mining provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul.

Political Unrest

Angola has experienced recurring protests and civil unrest, particularly since 2023. The ruling MPLA party has been in power since 1975, and authorities systematically repress political dissent. Demonstrations occur frequently in Luanda and other provinces, often related to economic issues, cost of living increases, fuel price hikes, unemployment, and political repression. In July 2025, protests against a 33 percent diesel price increase escalated into deadly unrest, with at least 29 deaths, over 1,500 arrests, and 250 injuries in just three days. Protests spread rapidly from Luanda to Huambo, Malanje, and Benguela. In June 2023, police killed at least five people during protests, including a 12-year-old boy. Security forces routinely use excessive force against peaceful protesters, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. Authorities often ban demonstrations citing security concerns, and activists are frequently arrested arbitrarily before or during protests. The visible presence of security forces is often used to deter demonstrations. Political activists, particularly those supporting autonomy for Cabinda or the Lunda provinces, face due process violations and arbitrary detention. In July 2024, 198 people were sentenced to four to eight years in prison following protests for regional autonomy, after trials that failed to meet fair trial standards. Authorities can restrict movements without notice, and demonstrations can cause traffic disruptions and delays. The situation remains unpredictable, and protests could continue into the 2027 electoral period.

Areas To Avoid

Cabinda Province should be avoided except for Cabinda city itself. The province is a disputed territory where separatist groups claiming independence remain active and carry out violent incidents including murders, rapes, and kidnappings targeting both foreigners and Angolans. These groups have stated their intention to continue attacks against foreigners, and clashes with security forces occur. Access to basic goods and services in Cabinda is restricted. Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces are diamond-mining areas where authorities are highly sensitive to the presence of foreigners. You may face restrictions on movement, and failure to comply can result in arrest and detention. Special government permission is required to enter these areas. The diamond mines increase the threat of crime and armed banditry on roads, with armed hold-ups occurring. Violence against foreigners occurs in these provinces. The border area within 1km of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Lunda Norte Province should be avoided except at official border crossings, due to poor conditions, insecurity, and banditry. Outside Luanda and provincial capitals, conditions are difficult with widespread poverty, limited infrastructure, social exclusion, and disease. Mines and unexploded weapons are present in many parts of the countryside. Transport and accommodation are extremely limited. If traveling outside major cities, go with people or organizations familiar with the area. In Luanda, avoid the Serpentine Road in front of the U.S. Embassy, and certain neighborhoods where crime is particularly high. Streets throughout Luanda should be avoided after dark.