ANGOLA
Projeto Poluição "Pollution"
In Africa, men, women, and children go to open-air dumps searching for ways to survive, putting their lives at risk. Pollution kills more than 7 million people every year, and Angola is no exception. That’s why my project will focus on the issue of pollution. I will have three main goals: collecting waste from beaches and streets, avoiding the use of plastic during my stay, and raising awareness among the local population by transforming waste into musical instruments and other materials. Pollution kills, and each of us has the responsibility to change the world through sustainable actions.
Arriving in Angola
Lisbon and Porto are the two Portuguese cities with air connections to the only airport in Angola offering direct flights to mainland Europe: the 4 de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda. The airlines operating these routes are TAAG Angola Airlines (only from Lisbon) and TAP Air Portugal (from both Lisbon and Porto).
The Google Flights is the search tool I regularly use to check ticket prices, purchasing them directly on the airlines' websites. With the FlightConnections, you can see all direct flights to the airport you want to fly to.
Other Schengen Area countries with direct flights: Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy. França e Alemanha.
Health
Don't risk yourself or your (h)wealth. Step outside the usual. Sandra Monteiro Insurance Mediation offers the best options to help you save money on your travel insurance. They compare different insurance providers and choose the one that offers the best coverage at the best prices.
- Recommended Vaccines: Hepatite A, Febre Tifóide e Febre Amarela.
- First Aid Kit: malaria tablets, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, antidiarrheal medication, adhesive bandages, disinfectant (alcohol gel), headache tablets.
Visa
Portuguese citizens do not need a visa for stays in Angola of up to 30 days per entry, with a limit of 90 days per year. However, don’t forget to bring a valid passport.
If you are not a Portuguese Citizen, please contact the Embassy of Angola located in your country.
Weather
Angola has a tropical and humid climate along the coastal strip north of the Kwanza River. In this region, winters are mild and dry. Summers, on the other hand, are hot and humid, with the highest heat and rainfall occurring between November and March.
South of the Namibe River, the climate is dry tropical, with some areas displaying characteristics of a desert climate.
Other Informations
- Money: the official currency is the Kwanza (AOA). You can check the current exchange rate on XE.com. In the country, it is possible to withdraw money from Multicaixa (ATMs), but it is advisable to carry some cash with you.
- Internet: Holafly does not yet offer eSIM cards for Angola. You can buy a local SIM card when you arrive in the country.
- Time Zone: GMT-1 (one hour behind mainland Portugal in winter, two hours behind in summer).
- Capital: Luanda.
- Typical Dishes: Muamba de Galinha; Mufete; Calulu de Peixe; Fúmbua; Cabidela de Galinha.
Sustainable Tips
If you’re traveling to a country without potable water, you don’t need to keep relying on plastic bottles. There are bottles with filters that eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals: you save money and avoid waste. More Tips? Wash your clothes in an eco-friendly way during your trip and choose hemp backpacks, a durable and environmentally friendly material.
Sometimes, we really have to take the plane, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reduce the impact in other ways. Be sustainable and believe this: small choices make a big difference.
Did You Know That...
…my grandmother had a monkey and was bitten by it?
…my grandmother had a baobab tree? According to a myth, if you’re buried inside a baobab, your soul will live on as long as the tree exists.
…Óscar Monteiro Torres, the first and only Portuguese pilot in World War I, whose name is now given to an avenue in Lisbon, was my grandmother’s cousin?
