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Zaire Province, Angola
Mbanza Kongo
Ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, now a UNESCO World Heritage city
CultureHistory & Heritage
Mbanza Kongo sits on a plateau in Angola's far north and preserves the physical remains of one of sub-Saharan Africa's most powerful pre-colonial kingdoms, which held sway from the 14th to the 19th century. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017, the city contains royal burial sites, a 17th-century cathedral, and vestiges of the early Jesuit presence that make it the country's most historically layered destination.
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Best time to visit
Dry season (June to September)
Region
Zaire Province
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Top Things to Do in Mbanza Kongo
UNESCO World HeritageHistory
Mbanza Kongo Heritage Site
The UNESCO-listed vestiges of Mbanza Kongo preserve the remains of the capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo, one of the largest states in southern Africa from the 14th to the 19th century. Royal burial grounds, a 17th-century cathedral, and the ruins of a Jesuit college sit within the modern town, offering a remarkable continuity between precolonial and colonial layers of history. It is Angola's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNESCO World HeritageCulture
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Getting Around Mbanza Kongo
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Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Angola
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Angola page at Yoogo.
Angola uses the Angolan Kwanza (AOA). Card acceptance is limited outside larger hotels and upmarket restaurants in Luanda, so carrying cash is advisable, particularly when travelling to smaller cities or rural areas.
Angola's main cities have functioning tourism infrastructure and are visited regularly by travellers, though petty theft and opportunistic crime occur in urban areas as in many cities worldwide. Check your government's current travel advisory before departure and stay alert in crowded public areas.
In Luanda, ride-hailing apps such as Yango offer a convenient and priced alternative to negotiating with individual taxis. Between cities, domestic flights are the most reliable option, as road conditions outside major urban centres can be poor, particularly during the rainy season.
The dry season from May to October is generally considered the best time to visit, with cooler temperatures, clear skies, and accessible roads to national parks and remote attractions. Luanda temperatures during this period typically range between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Portuguese is the official language and is spoken across the country, with Umbundu, Kimbundu, and Kikongo widely used in regional communities. English is spoken in some hotels and businesses catering to international visitors, but learning a few basic Portuguese phrases will be genuinely useful, especially outside Luanda.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry and must be obtained at least 10 days before travel. Malaria is present throughout the country, so consult a travel health professional about antimalarial medication and other recommended vaccinations such as hepatitis A and typhoid well before departure.
Tipping is not deeply embedded in Angolan culture but is increasingly common in tourist-facing establishments. Rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% in restaurants is appreciated, and tipping local guides is customary and welcomed.
Angola's main mobile operators are Unitel and Movicel, both offering prepaid SIM cards with data plans that can be purchased on arrival. International eSIM providers such as Airalo also offer Angola data plans, allowing you to activate coverage before departure and avoid airport queues.