How to Book Travel on Alada

Battle-scarred but not broken, Angola is emerging from a long civil war with an eye on rebuilding and renewal. Those hoping to travel on Alada (also known as Alada Empresa de Transportes Aereos) should know that this airline offers flights both within Angola and to other African countries.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport
• Insect repellent
• Visa
• Cash (U.S. dollars or Angolan kwanzas)
• Mosquito nets
• Computer with Internet access

Book Travel on Alada

1. Reserve your seats with the help of a travel agent.

2. Be aware that Angola's 4 de Fevereiro International Airport offers cholera and yellow-fever vaccination services. However, it's recommended that you make every effort to get vaccinated prior to arrival to avoid delays.

3. Plan to book your seats well in advance, should you desire to have a dinner at one of Angola's larger restaurants. Seats in these restaurants can be very hard to come by.

4. Know that it's possible to connect to Luanda via African towns such as Addis Ababa, Brazzaville, Harare, Kinshasa and Johannesburg.

Prepare to Travel in Angola

5. Apprise yourself of current conditions in Angola by paying a visit to the U.S. State Department's Web site (see below) for the latest travel advisories concerning the nation. The site also offers useful pointers on how to steer clear of disaster when visiting the country.

6. Ensure that at least one page of your passport is entirely free of stamps prior to your departure. You will need this for Angolan entry and exit stamps, and if such a page isn't available, it could stall your progress at the airport.

7. Budget up to $15 for each meal while in Angola. It's possible to eat for as little as $3, but you won't want to scrimp too much on meals, though, since some cheaper establishments don't boast the same level of hygiene as their pricier counterparts.

Navigate Angola

8. Avoid taking pictures of public places, public buildings and public events. Although the country's war is over, Angola continues to face a security crackdown. Should the police spot you taking pictures, you could be subject to stiff fines or detention.

9. Be aware that although tipping is not officially sanctioned, 10 percent is acceptable if your bill doesn't include a service charge. It's also possible to tip in kind, with, for example, cigarettes.

10. Pay for your meals in U.S. dollars or Angolan kwanzas, since most Angolan restaurants don't accept credit cards.

11. Avoid being struck with malaria by taking care to ward off mosquito bites. Use bed nets and insect repellent. Malaria is quite prevalent in Angola.

Tips & Warnings

• Alada has no Web site and direct booking is done in Portuguese. Save yourself the hassle by making your reservations via a travel agent.