When to go
The best time to visit Angola in its entirety runs from
mid-May to August, since it is the coolest and sunniest period, at least in inland areas, while fogs and low clouds are frequent along the coast, but at least it doesn't rain. On the plateau, winter nights are cold, and the temperature can even drop below freezing, especially in the center and south. May and September can be acceptable months as well: they are a bit warmer, which means that the plateau is less cold at night, but during the day, it can get hot in the extreme south, while in the north-east, September is the month when the rains begin, and May when there are the last rains.
On the
coast, in Luanda, you can go for a beach holiday from December to June, since the sun often shines and it seldom rains, however, you can maybe avoid March and April, which are the only relatively rainy months; the best month is probably May. Further south, it rains still less, but the sea is cooler, so you can narrow the period to March and April. North of Luanda, sunshine is increasingly scarcer and rainfall more abundant, so this coastal area it's not the most recommended for beach tourism.
What to pack
In
winter (June to August): for the coast, bring spring/autumn clothes, a sweatshirt or sweater and a jacket, especially south of Luanda. For the northernmost area, light clothes for the day, a sweatshirt and a light jacket for the evening, and a sun hat. For the south-central plateau, light clothes for the day, but also a sweater, a jacket and a hat for the evening, and hiking shoes.
In
summer (December to February): along the coast, bring light clothing, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a light jacket for the southern part (see Namibe). For the northernmost area, light, loose-fitting clothes of natural fibers, a sun hat, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a light raincoat or umbrella. For the south-central plateau, light clothes for the day, a sun hat, a sweatshirt and a spring jacket for the evening, a light raincoat or umbrella, and hiking shoes.
Back to the climate of
Angola