Does anyone here have any experience successfully securing a visa from
Angola? I've been looking into it, but they are very strict on their
requirement.

With Tanzania and Kenya, I'm not worried at all about my visa
application because I figure the chances of being accepted are
reasonably good if I have all the documentation. Angola wants proof of
funds (not a problem), a letter of invitation (I might be able to get
that from someone who lives there, not an Angolan native, but that's
okay). They also want return/onward plane ticket, and proof of visa
for the next country i'm going to. I don't need a visa for the next
country I'm going to because I'll be leaving Africa at that point and
returning home via the EU.

With the plane ticket, if I book my ticket to leave from Luanda, then
I'm really stuck in a bad place if they deny my visa because my ticket
home will be useless. Someone may suggest I buy refundable tickets,
but I generally purchase on expedia for good rates. I'm not sure if I
booked through the airline direct (South African Airways) if they
would let me change the location of my departure should things not
work out.

Would like advice. Never had to get a visa to travel. Most seem to be
pretty straightfoward but Angola has thrown me for a loop. For one, I
can't get it at the border upon arrival at all (unlike every other
country on my itinerary), so it must be approved in advance.

Thanks,
S.