When to go · Angola
Angola in December
Mixed month. Hot and wet; Christmas raises Luanda prices.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Medium
- Angola
- Prices
- High
- Angola
Verdict
Hot and wet; Christmas raises Luanda prices.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- Luanda and the north coast · Luanda, Cabo Ledo, Kissamahot
The cool, overcast 'cacimbo' runs June–September with grey skies but no rain; March–April bring the heaviest downpours.
- Southern highlands · Lubango, Serra da Leba, Tundavalarainy
At 1,700 m Lubango is mild; winter nights drop near freezing. Summer storms make the Leba road slippery.
- Namibe desert coast · Moçâmedes (Namibe), Iona National Park, Tômbwabest weather
Almost rainless; cold Benguela Current fogs in winter. 4x4 and a guide for Iona.
- Central coast · Benguela, Lobito, Baía Azulhot
Drier than Luanda; best beach weather in the dry months.
- Interior plateau and north · Malanje, Kalandula, Huambo, Lunda provincesrainy
Kalandula Falls flow strongest April–June; the rains make dirt roads difficult Oct–Apr.
- Central Angola: Central highlands · Huambo, Biécool
Dry season May–Oct, cooler evenings; rainy season Nov–Apr.
- Central Angola: Coastal Benguela · Benguela provincewarm
Mild year‑round, sea breezes; occasional heavy rain Nov–Mar.
- Greater Luanda: Luanda coast · Greater Luandacool
Dry season May–Oct, rainy Nov–Apr; temperatures 22–30 °C (72–86 °F).Dry season May–Oct, rainy Nov–Apr; temperatures 72–86 °F (22–30 °C).
- Northern Angola: Northern Angola · Malanje, Uíge, M'banza‑Kongo areadry
Dry season May–Sep; cooler evenings; occasional rain in valleys Apr–Oct
- Southwest Angola: Lubango / Namibe coast · Southwest Angolafine
Dry season May–Oct: 20–30 °C (68–86 °F), low rain. Summer (Nov–Apr) can be hot and wet.Dry season May–Oct: 68–86 °F (20–30 °C), low rain. Summer (Nov–Apr) can be hot and wet.
- Luanda30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 6 rain days
- Benguela28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 5 rain days
- Cabinda30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
- Huambo24.9 °C (77 °F) / 14.3 °C (58 °F), 234 rain days77 °F (24.9 °C) / 58 °F (14.3 °C), 234 rain days
- Lobito27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
- Lubango25.3 °C (78 °F) / 13.2 °C (56 °F), 0 rain days78 °F (25.3 °C) / 56 °F (13.2 °C), 0 rain days
- M'banza-Kongo29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 10 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 10 rain days
- Menongue29 °C (84 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 15 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 15 rain days
- Mussulo Island28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 5 rain days
- Saint Martin of the Tigers30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 1 rain days
- Sumbe30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas
25 Dec
Luanda empties to the provinces.
Christmas and year-end
Dec · Luanda
Hotels and flights fill; restaurants take bookings for large groups.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Angola
- Medium
- Prices · Angola
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Angola, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
May: Low
Prices
Dec: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 2
May: 2
December: Hot and wet; Christmas raises Luanda prices.
May: Dry season starts; good for Lubango and the falls.
Angola: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in December
Rated best or good this month
Namibe desert coast
Best weather of the year (Moçâmedes (Namibe), Iona National Park, Tômbwa)