Updated African Safari Travel Restrictions Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Additional COVID-19 Information:

Flying to/from Africa

Some international commercial airlines may require passengers to produce a certificate of a negative COVID-19 PCR test that has been conducted within 72 hours of departure. The same may be required when arriving at any transit airport or back in your home country.

Travelling to Africa After Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

With travel restrictions and COVID-19 protocols easing by the minute, more and more African destinations no longer require fully vaccinated visitors to undergo PCR testing prior to departure or on arrival. Find out which other routine vaccinations are needed for Africa here.

Hear from our clients who've been on safari in the past two years as they share their experiences of the COVID-secure precautions in place. Or have a look at our detailed breakdown of COVID-19 safari protocols at specific camps and lodges throughout Africa.

African Countries Open for Travel

Botswana

UK Air Bridge Approved Since 12 December 2020

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All visitors, regardless of vaccination status, do not require a PCR test prior to travelling.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Dependent on your transit or final destination.

Do you have questions about a Botswana safari?

Congo

Open for international travel via:

• Airports

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All travellers older than 10 years must provide negative COVID-19 test results conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival.
• Health screening and temperature checks.

Mandatory quarantine

• No

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Departure testing is dependent on your airline, transit airport or destination. If required, testing can be done at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Brazzaville at a cost of USD 55.

Do you have questions about a Congo safari?

Kenya

Approved & Recognised User of the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safety Stamp

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All travellers to Kenya must be fully vaccinated unless they meet the exemption criteria.
• Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from PCR testing, but are required to present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate on arrival.
• Unvaccinated travellers (older than 12 years) who don't meet the exemption criteria are required to present a negative result for a valid PCR test conducted within 72 hours before departure for Kenya.
• Travellers with flu-like symptoms are expected to self-monitor and report daily through the 'jitenge' platform for their first 14 days in Kenya, and will be required to take a Rapid Antigen test on arrival at a cost of USD 30. Any positive results will require a further PCR test at a cost of USD 50 and self-isolation.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• All travellers are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
• PCR tests are not required unless specified by the airline or final destination.

Curious to know more about going to Kenya on safari during COVID-19?

We've been fortunate to have had a few of our clients and staff go on safari over the past two years, and they've been kind enough to share first-hand accounts of their Kenya safari experiences.

Do you have questions about a Kenya safari?

Madagascar

Open for international travel via:

• Airports

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All COVID-19 protocols have been lifted for all travellers, irrespective of vaccination status.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Do you have questions about a trip to Madagascar?

Malawi

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders (visas cannot be obtained on arrival)

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• From 1 June 2022, fully vaccinated travellers with a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate are no longer required to take a PCR test before departure.
• All unvaccinated travellers older than one year are required to take a PCR test within 72 hours of arriving in Malawi, and have it authorised by the Trusted Travel Framework. Before arriving in Malawi, passengers are required to submit their COVID-19 test certificates to generate a Trusted Travel (TT) code. Visit PanaBios to create a TT account, upload PCR test certificates, and generate a TT code. You will also be required to provide your negative COVID-19 PCR test result on arrival in Malawi.
• All unvaccinated passengers arriving without a valid negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate must take a Rapid Antigen Test at own cost. Those testing positive on the Rapid Antigen Test must take a PCR test at own cost and will be conveyed to the District Health System where they will be managed according to standard national protocols.

Mandatory quarantine

• All unvaccinated passengers arriving without a valid negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate must take a Rapid Antigen Test at own cost. Those testing positive on the Rapid Antigen Test must take a PCR test at own cost and will be conveyed to the District Health System where they will be managed according to standard national protocols.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Dependent your airline, destination or transit country regulations.

Do you have questions about a Malawi safari?

Mauritius

Approved & Recognised User of the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safety Stamp

Open for international travel via:

• Airports

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is a member of the Airport Health Accreditation Programme by Airports Council International (ACI).

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

Fully Vaccinated Travellers:

• Complete the All-in-One Travel Form before departure.
• Present COVID-19 insurance health cover.
• Undergo temperature check on arrival.
• Travellers are required to wear face masks at the airport or ports.

Unvaccinated Travellers:

• Complete the All-in-One Travel Form before departure.
• Travellers are required to wear face masks at the airport or ports.
• Undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival.
• Isolate for 7 days in the accommodation of your choice. You can explore the island after you receive a negative result for a COVID-19 test after isolation.

Mandatory quarantine

• Unvaccinated travellers are required to isolate for 7 days in the accommodation of your choice. You can explore the island after you receive a negative result for a COVID-19 test after isolation.

Do you have questions about a trip to Mauritius?

Mozambique

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All unvaccinated travellers older than 11 years are required to produce a negative result for a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
• Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to take a PCR test prior to travelling.
• COVID-19 testing may be required on arrival at your own expense.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required unless you arrive without a negative COVID-19 test certificate, test positive for COVID-19 on arrival, or were in contact with someone who has COVID-19. You will then be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Do you have questions about a trip to Mozambique?

Considering a Safari but Cautious of Travelling?

See our updated COVID-19 T&Cs and our advice on safety:

Namibia

UK Air Bridge Approved Since 12 December 2020

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders, except MataMata.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• Vaccination certificates or negative PCR test results are not required for entry.
• All travellers must complete the COVID-19 Surveillance Form on arrival.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Do you have questions about a Namibia safari?

Rwanda

Approved & Recognised User of the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safety Stamp

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Kigali International Airport is a member of the Airport Health Accreditation Programme by Airports Council International (ACI).

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• Although tourists are encouraged to be fully vaccinated before travelling, visitors are not required to present proof of being fully vaccinated to enter Rwanda.
• Pre-departure and arrival testing are not required, irrespective of vaccination status.
• A PCR test is required for travellers visiting primates at Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks. A Rapid Antigen test is required for those visiting Akagera National Park and all other activities.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Dependent on your final destination, airline or transit point.

Do you have questions about a Rwanda safari?

São Tomé & Príncipe

Open for international travel via:

• Airports

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• Fully vaccinated travellers are required to present a valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Unvaccinated travellers are required to present a negative result for an Antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure.
• It is recommended to travel with at least one printed copy of your COVID-19 test result, in addition to a digital version.
• When flying between the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, neither a negative Antigen test nor a proof of vaccination is required.
• Children younger than 11 years are not required to present Antigen test results, or proof of vaccination.
• See a complete guide for travelling to São Tomé and Príncipe, including travelling between the islands.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• The requirement for a PCR or Antigen test is determined by the country you are travelling to.

Do you have questions about a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe?

Seychelles

As of 1 December 2022, all COVID-19 protocols and travel restrictions have been lifted.

Open for international travel via:

• Airports

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All travellers must complete a Travel Authorisation & Disembarkation Form prior to travelling to the Seychelles.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• PCR testing is not required to depart the Seychelles. However, if your airline or final destination require it, PCR testing facilities are available on the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

Do you have questions about a trip to the Seychelles?

South Africa

Cape Town is an Approved & Recognised User of the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safety Stamp

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders (partially)

OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town airports are members of the Airport Health Accreditation Programme by Airports Council International (ACI).

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• None

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Dependent on your airline, destination or transit point.

Interested to find out more about a South Africa safari during Coronavirus?

Our ethos is 'we know because we go', and travelling during COVID-19 is no exception. Some of our staff and clients who have travelled to the home of the Big 5 in the past two years have been kind enough to share their first-hand experience of a South Africa safari during Coronavirus.

Hear what other international travellers had to say about their trips to Cape Town during COVID-19:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_8J9MeojhwE

Do you have questions about a South Africa safari?

Tanzania

Approved & Recognised User of the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safety Stamp

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to take a PCR test before departure, but must show a vaccination certificate with a QR code upon arrival. Vaccines must be approved for use by the Republic of Tanzania and the WHO. If your certificate does not have a QR code, it's recommended that you upload your vaccination details to Global Haven which will generate a QR code that you can download and print. US citizens can access their vaccination certificates and generate QR codes in VAMS.
• Unvaccinated travellers older than 12 years are required to present a negative result for a PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania.
• Travellers who were infected and recovered from COVID-19 are required to submit proof of recovery (obtained from authorised medical personnel) upon arrival in Tanzania.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on direct arrival in Zanzibar)

• All travellers must complete and submit a Travellers Surveillance Form within 24 hours before arrival. Upon submission you will receive a Unique Health Code which will be requested during primary screening.
• Travellers who are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine and accompanying certificate (with QR code), no longer need to provide a PCR test upon arrival.
• Unvaccinated travellers older than 5 years are required to take a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
• Travellers who were infected and recovered from COVID-19 are required to submit a proof of recovery from the disease obtained from Authorised Medical personnel upon arrival.
• The cost of a Rapid Antigen test on arrival in Zanzibar is USD 25. Travellers are advised to pay for COVID-19 rapid test online to avoid unnecessary queues.
• All travellers who arrive in Zanzibar from COVID-19 high risk countries and visiting Tanzania mainland within 14 days from the date of arrival, will be required to present a negative Rapid Antigen Test certificate obtained during entry, otherwise you will be subjected to a Rapid Antigen Test at your point of entry in Tanzania.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• All departing travellers must adhere to COVID-19 requirements of their country of destination or conveyance to be used.

Curious about a Tanzania safari during COVID-19?

We've been fortunate enough to have some clients experience a Tanzania safari during this period, and they've shared their accounts of what it's like going on a Tanzania safari during COVID-19.

Do you have questions about a Tanzania safari?

Uganda

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• All unvaccinated travellers older than 5 years are required to present a negative result for a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
• Fully vaccinated travellers do not require a PCR test prior to travelling.
• All visitors are required to complete the online health declaration form within 24 hours of travelling to Uganda.
• Undergo temperature checks and health screening on arrival.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure 

• All unvaccinated travellers must have a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel (72 hours begin on the day the sample is collected for testing). Children younger than 3 years are exempt if travelling with parents who have tested negative. You MUST indicate 'Travel' as the purpose of the test.
• All visitors are required to complete the online health declaration form within 24 hours of leaving Uganda.

Curious about gorilla trekking but cautious of travelling?

If you're wondering what to expect when trekking during this period, you can find out more about what it's like to go gorilla trekking in Uganda during Coronavirus from our travellers' first-hand accounts.

Do you have questions about a Uganda safari?

Zambia

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• None

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Dependent on your airline, destination or transit point.

Do you have questions about a Zambia safari?

Zimbabwe

Open for international travel via:

• Airports
• Land borders (partially)

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols (pre-departure & on arrival)

• Fully vaccinated travellers are required to present a full COVID-19 Vax approved by the WHO, or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued no more than 48 hours before departure to Zimbabwe.
• Unvaccinated travellers – and travellers who are not fully vaccinated – older than 12 years are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, issued no more than 48 hours before departure to Zimbabwe.
• Children younger than 12 years do not require a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, irrespective of vaccination status.
• All visitors must complete this track and trace document.
• All travellers older than 18 years arriving by road through the Kazungula and Victoria Falls border posts must have proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR test result no older than 48 hours. If families are travelling with children younger than 18, the children should follow the rules of fully vaccinated travellers (children younger than 12 years do not require a PCR test certificate).

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

• Determined by the country you are travelling to or through, or the airline you are travelling with.

Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Do you have questions about a Zimbabwe safari?

Ready to Start Planning Your Trip of a Lifetime?

Since 1998 we have successfully navigated various crises and global disruptions, and are committed to creating once in a lifetime trips while supporting conservation, communities and sustainability in Africa, now more than ever. COVID-19 had a devastating impact (hopefully temporary) on tourism and the local communities that rely on it for financial support. By going on safari, you have the opportunity to play a vital role in the recovery of safari travel.

So, if you feel ready and comfortable, Africa is ready for you! Get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts to help tailor-make a trip that's right for you: