****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I used this travel guide during my three week volunteer assignment in Huambo in central Angola early this year. There are not a lot of stunning attractions in Angola. It's a country that is just ten years away from thirty years of civil war. There are still some bombed out, shot up, and burned out buildings scattered around Huambo where I was located. Huambo was the center for one of the militias. One of the staff I worked with lost his father in fighting at the airport during the conflicts. His family members were refugees in Zambia for some of the conflict years. That's where he went to school. Everyone's lives were touched by the conflict. But now they've moved on. Angolan towns feel like you're in Brazil. The villages are definitely African. But the major towns are youthful, clean, and people are happy to have you there. There are parks and town squares surrounded by leafy suburbs. Shoprite is a major supermarket chain where you can get all your food and supplies. They have a great bakery in Huambo. There are some good restaurants. The best food was at a home where expats from Spain and Cuba were gathered. The Brazilian influence is strong in food, music, and clothing styles.Luanda, the capital, is the most expensive major city in the world. So be prepared. Hotel rates are exorbitant and restaurants are as expensive as in the Eurozone. You'll need this travel guide to help find some reasonable values. I understand from the book and the locals there are some nice beachside towns south of Luanda along the coast. There is beautiful country scenery in central Angola. But many of the trees were cut down for firewood during the conflicts. Agriculture has been increasing in the rural areas. Almost everywhere the mines have been cleared. But the wild animals were are killed for food or target practice. I saw a few birds. So go elsewhere for your safari experience. We've been to the Serengeti in Tanzania twice. It's the premier safari experience with all the animals. Visit Angola to practice your Portuguese and meet some friendly people. And you'll experience another flavor of Africa with a bit of Brazilian salsa. Tourism will come as the country rebuilds. But it's not there yet.
