How to Book Travel on TAAG

Angola's civil wars reached a ceasefire a couple of years ago, and its government is once again eager to usher in travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind African vacation marked by exotic wildlife and unspoiled beaches. TAAG is Angola's national airline, offering domestic flights as well as service to Africa, Europe and South America.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• Cash (U.S. dollars or Angolan kwanzas)
• Visa
• Book of basic Portuguese phrases
• Computer with Internet access

Book Travel on TAAG

1. Reserve your flight on TAAG by contacting one of its international offices in cities including Berlin, Havana, Rio de Janeiro, London, Moscow, Johannesburg, Paris, Rome and Brussels. Visit the TAAG Web site (see Resources below) and click on the Contact Us link at the bottom of the home page to learn how to contact these offices directly.
2. Familiarize yourself with TAAG's domestic routes. TAAG offers service to cities including Luanda, Lubango, Huambo, Menongue, Malanje, Cabinda, Catumbela and Dundo.
3. Get to know TAAG's international routes. TAAG flies to cities including Accra, Johannesburg, Lisboa, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Kinshasa.
4. Be aware that TAAG doesn't have North American offices. English-speaking travelers can call the London branch at 011 ([phone].

Prepare to Travel in Angola

5. Keep abreast of current developments in Angola by visiting the U.S. State Department's Web site (see Resources below) for travel warnings concerning the country. Useful information is offered that will help you maintain a safe environment during your travels to Angola.
6. Check to see that your passport has at least one page that is entirely free of stamps. You will need this page for Angolan entry and exit stamps. If such a page is not available, it could mean delays at the Angolan airport.
7. Purchase a book that contains basic Portuguese phrases. Portuguese is Angola's mother tongue (the country was a Portuguese colony for decades), and it's the only language spoken by most Angolans. You will need access to a few Portuguese words and phrases to effectively make your way around the country.

Navigate Angola

8. Enjoy the African flora and fauna by scheduling a visit to the National Park of Mupa in the Province of Cunene. The park is home to an assortment of African wildlife, including ostriches, elephants and hippos.
9. Pay for your meals in cash, using Angolan kwanzas or U.S. currency. Most Angolan restaurants don't accept credit cards.
10. Stay at hotels in Luanda, Lunbango, Lobito, Huambo, Luena or Ondjiva. Amenities in hotels found in other cities will likely be unacceptable to tourists.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally from outside the United States, check which prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Parts of the TAAG Web site are presented in Portuguese. To see the English-language version, click on the "Please click here to read this text in English" link at the bottom of the page.
• The TAAG Web site does not offer online booking.

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