You can make it across Angola on bikes within the 5days relatively easily (you don't get to see much however). If you cross from Matadi fuel is a little tricky to find in the north of the country but the development futher south is accellerating dramatically (think western convenience). We stayed in Christian Missions which are perfectly spaced for the transit journey. On these main route there is no way you could camp on the road but if you wish to overstay the visa (perfectly doable by at least 100% from what I've heard) you will find yourself on very poor roads with much more temptation to bushcamp. I'd be more wary of landmines there but on the main routes you may not even see landmind signs anymore (beware still).

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Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

The next trans africa for oasis leaves Gibralter on 8th nov 09 and takes about 5 months to get to Cape Town then about another 4 1/2 up to Cairo (all going well) im driving again so cant wait.even the trucks nearly ready to go

Hopefully angola keeps isuing visas,the african cup of nations is being held there early 2010 so hope this helps.

regarding land mines,we always found somewhere to camp off the road ie a quarry or somethink and we need a bit of space for a truck and 20 people,its probably more dangerous camping on the road with drunk truck drivers roaring around!!!!South of luanda there is so much road works its never a problem.We once camped at a chinese road workers compound,having a great sleep with nothing to worry about,to find in the morning that everyone there was a convict from a chinese prison who sends inmates to angola to do road works ha ha ha

Cheers Grant

Potentially Tom and i are setting off early december depending on whether we stick with plans to go down the west coast and up the east or down the east and up the east- good news on the angolan visa so it's looking more likely that we'll make it down the western route. I think we'll be trying to head through Angola pretty swiftly, 5 days of Christian missions sounds heaps better than camping on the road. Criminal compound sounds more dubious ha ha!

Grant, I didn't realise there were organised tours doing the full trans african journey, what an awesome job you have!! It seems like we may be hot on oasis overlands heels on the way down.

Big thanks for all the advice!

We enjoyed a great campsite at Barra do Cuanza about 70 KM south of Luanda. Camp free on the beach, next to a great outdoor seaside restaurant run by an English-speaking Portuguese.

You'll see a sign for it (restaurant) on the right proceeding south toward Barra do Cuanza. It's about 2 KM north of a large toll crossing on the main road and maybe 3 KM north of Barra do Cuanza. There's nothing in Barra do Cuanza, don't bother. The food was a little pricey like everything else in Angola but very good and in an idyllic setting.

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does anyone know if there is any chance to get an Angola visa in Zambia?

thanks

Christian
www.2aroundtheworld.com

Don't know about the Angolan visa in Zambia, but here's a little advice.

The visa costs $100 in Abuja and $30 in Matadi. If you want to get it in Matadi then you can get a letter from the Zambian embassy in Brazza saying you can get a Zambian visa on the border. Use that to get into the DRC, then head for Matadi to get your Angolan visa. We did have to wait 6 days in Matadi however as the Angolan ambassador doesn't work when it's raining.

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http://www.mindtheelephant.com

Angolan embassy in Abuja coordinates: N9.03970 E7.47557

Entry to the embassy is only allowed if you are wearing "suitable" dress - ie: long trousers. If you are wearing shorts or 3/4 length trousers you will be refused entry.

Transit visa: 3 working days to arrange, applications accepted 9am - 12:30pm on Mondays and Wednesday. US$100, copies of passport, yellow-fever certificate, Nigerian visa & entry stamp, Carnet & Nigerian entry stamp, Vehicle registration, Drivers licence

Transit visa allows 2 entries (ie: you can go through Cabinda & still enter Angola mainland)
You must use within 60 days of issue, and exit within 5 days.
You cannot extend the visa

Tourist visa: 15 working days to arrange, applications accepted 9am - 12:30pm on Mondays and Wednesday. US$100, Invitation letter, copies of passport, yellow-fever certificate, Nigerian visa & entry stamp, Carnet & Nigerian entry stamp, Vehicle registration, Drivers licence

Tourist visa allows 2 entries (ie: you can go through Cabinda & still enter Angola mainland)
You must use within 60 days of issue. They can issue 60 day tourist visas.
You can extend the visa for a further 60 day period.

If you do not have the invitation letter you will struggle to get a tourist visa.

Hope this helps

Steve
www.overafrica.org

PS: This is from a post I made in a DRC thread, the thread makes interesting reading for anyone diong this route: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rica/drc-39380