About Angola

Sara and John say...

The weather across this large tropical country is driven by altitude, distance from the equator and closeness to the coast.

In general, the more northern parts of Angola are steamier and wetter, especially in the summer months, when daytime temperatures are typically in the 30s Celsius with warm and humid nights. The rains typically last from October until May across the northern plateau.

Further south and towards the coast, the wet season is shorter. In fact at the capital, Luanda, the rains are much less intense and concentrated between February and April. The far south becomes desert.

The coast feels the effect of the cool Benguela Current that drifts up from the south. This makes for comfortable conditions for much of the year, with daytime temperatures typically ranging between the low and high 20s Celsius between winter and summer respectively, although the breeze can carry fog inland during winter-time.

But in general, whatever your activity - from nature-watching to sun-bathing - the drier, winter months between May and August are the most favourable for visiting this richly diverse country. Sunshine is most reliable and humidity is markedly lower than in summer.

Layers will be needed for some chilly nights inland, but sunscreen is a ‘must’ by day.