Expat Community > Angola

worriedinpa
Joined 2008
Posts: 1

Suggestions on Angola Survival Kit: moving in 2 weeks

16 years ago

My dad is moving to Angola in 2 weeks by himself. Due to my mother's cancer treatments, she cannot accompany him.

He will be living out of a hotel in Luanda for one year (minimum).

This is the first time he has lived alone, so I am a bit worried about him. Moreover, there isn't too much helpful information about practical living in Angola on the internet, so I have begun to fear what might happen there, primarily due to my own (and his) ignorance. He does speak a little Portuguese from the time we lived in Brasil, but he is, shall we say, a little bit careless and a bit ignorant of medical and scientific knowledge. I was hoping the wise people who have already lived in Angola before could help me with preparing an Angola survival kit (for a single man) for him.

Here are some specific things that I need help on (but please feel free to add the numerous items that I almost certainly have neglected to think of):

1) Best way to keep mosquitos away (on the person when moving about, and in the room when sleeping or working).
2) Type of clothing to protect the skin from insects and the sun, without sweating to death.
3) Medications
4) First aid kit? Emergency items?
5) Food that won't spoil in storage and can easily be prepared (he cannot cook after all)

I also have some questions about life in Angola:
1) Must most things be purchased with cash or are Visa/Mastercard accepted?
2) Is banking secure in a physical sense (robberies/muggings at currency exchange?)
3) What is the safest way to send money to Angola?
4) Do couriers like FedEx/DHL reach Angola with reliable service?
5) Is hotel food (at say the top 3 hotels in Luanda) considered safe?
6) Where can English-speaking medical professionals be found using Western-level standards of hygiene?
7) Are electrical surges a problem? (i.e. will he need to get adequate surge protection for his computer, etc.)
Will he be safe living alone? What are the "safe" areas of Luanda? What areas should he avoid visiting alone?
9) What other things should he know? What other information may make his life easier (based on your own experiences)? What are some of the "tricks to success" you have picked up in Angola?

I'd like to express my appreciation in advance for any replies you may post. Thank you.

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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