Blessed with a long Atlantic coastline, a diverse interior of tropical forests, mountains, desert and bush, Angola has the potential to become a major African tourist destination. Keen to wean its economy away from its dependence on oil and shake-off its war-torn reputation, the government is pushing hard to promote the country’s offerings at tourist fairs around the world and it has set ambitious targets for visitor numbers and job creation.
But despite this enthusiasm, and an increase in hotel and leisure facilities and direct flight connections, prices remain exorbitantly high and entry visas are excruciatingly hard to come by.
