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Important Travel Advice

Passports, Visas & Vaccinations

Here you can find the information needed to get kickstarted on your visa application process, as well read up on passport and vaccination requirements for travel! The following information is offered as a guideline, which we regularly update with new policies and application processes in each country. Important links are also suggested for more information on exemption lists, descriptions of different visa types, online application portals, vaccination recommendations and further details on visa application processes.

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Important Points to Keep in Mind

1. Space in Your Passport

A common mistake made with preparations for travel through Africa is not having sufficient space in one’s passport when arriving at ports of entry. African border controls have a tendency to issue large number of stamps upon entry to and exit from their countries – much more so than most other countries – and this can take some visitors by surprise. As such, we have given some guideline quotas below (specific to each country) as to how many blank pages a visit will likely require. Insufficient space in your passport can result in denial of entry to the country. We cannot stress how important this detail is: please consult with one of our Safari Specialists for a more specific recommendation as to the passport space required for your tailor-made trip.

2. Visa Payments in Cash

Although some countries advertise their international airports as having credit card processing systems for visas, we have found these to be historically unreliable. As such, we almost always recommend paying for your visa with cash (US dollars are a safe bet, but we’d check ahead of time to make sure!).

3. Vaccinations

Most countries in Africa require a yellow fever vaccination if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America. However, some countries are more stringent about this requirement than others (e.g. Mozambique). For this reason, we would strongly recommend getting this vaccine. We also recommend ensuring that you are up to date on your tetanus and hepatitis vaccines.

More information on the yellow fever vaccine can be found on the CDC website. Please check with your respective Consulates, Embassies or High Commissions as to further vaccination requirements for travel to their respective countries.

4. Medications

Another important point to keep in mind is the issue of transporting medication across borders. Over the counter medications in one country can sometimes only be purchased with a prescription in another. Some may even appear on lists of controlled substances in your destination countries. If you are bringing medication with you on your trip, we would recommend not bringing any unnecessary non-prescription medications with you. For prescription medications, please carry a doctor’s prescription/letter with you for presentation at customs and ensure that the medication is in its original bottle/container.

Please Note:

Visa formalities may vary according to your nationality and the passport on which you will be travelling. Although we do our very best to assist by outlining basic passport and visa requirements for each country, we are ultimately not responsible for your obtaining these permissions and documents for travel. The external links given have been picked for the reliable nature of their host organisations, but we cannot be responsible for their content. It is therefore essential that you check and comply with the visa requirements stipulated by your respective Consulates, Embassies or High Commissions, as these may be more in-depth or, in rare circumstances, be more accurate than the details listed below.

South Africa

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of departure from the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in South Africa).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in South Africa. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America (or have transited for over 12 hours en route to reach South Africa).
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • Please note the additional requirements, given in the links below, regarding travelling with minors in South Africa. This includes a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate and producing their passport. More information can be found in the links below.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Travellers from most Commonwealth countries (including Australia, Canada and the UK), most Western European countries, Japan and the USA do not require a visa, and are issued with free, 90-day visitor’s permits on arrival to South Africa. More information on this can be found in the links below.
  • All other nationalities can apply for both single- and multiple-entry visas ahead of their trip, from either your nearest South African Consulate or online. Visas are not granted at the port of entry in South Africa. More details are provided in the links below.
  • If you intend to travel between South Africa and its neighbouring countries, we recommend that you apply for a multiple-entry permit upon entry to the country.
  • It is possible to apply for a 90-day extension to your visitor’s permit in South Africa, although this must be done soon after entering the country.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For example, US and UK tourists do not require a visa to visit South Africa. To see if you are exempt from the visa requirement, take a look at this page from the South African Department of Home Affairs website:

Visa Exemption List

Browsing other pages on this website will also highlight the full list of visa requirements for South Africa:

Applying for a Visa to South Africa

If you are required to apply for a visa online, this can be processed on the South African Department of Home Affairs website:

Apply for a Visa Online

If you are traveling with children under 18, please note that Botswana and South Africa have strong anti child-trafficking regulations. For more information on these policies, please check this informational leaflet from the South African Department of Home Affairs website:

Travelling with Children Under 18

Zimbabwe

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into the country.
  • A passport with at least 3 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Zimbabwe).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Zimbabwe. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Most travellers may obtain a visa at the port of entry, generally your easiest option. Some countries’ citizens are required to obtain their visa ahead of time and have to apply through the Zimbabwean e-Visa website. More information on this can be found in the links below.
  • You have the option to purchase a single-entry, double-entry or KAZA visa at the port of entry into Zimbabwe.
  • When buying a visa at the border, you will need to make the payment in cash. So make sure you have US dollars ready!
  • If you will be visiting both Zambia and Zimbabwe, as many of our guests do, apply for a single KAZA visa (‘Univisa’). This covers both countries, and presents the opportunity to save significantly on visa fees. KAZA visas can be applied for at Victoria Falls Airport, the Victoria Falls land border (Zambia border), the Kazungula land border (Botswana border) and Harare International Airport. It must be paid for in cash and lasts for up to 30 days as long as you remain within Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through the Kazungula borders. KAZA visas are only eligible for citizens of those countries who are able to receive visas on arrival in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. If you require a pre-approved visa for Zambia or Zimbabwe, then the KAZA visa is not available to you.
  • Multiple-entry visas cannot be obtained at the port of entry. These can only be applied from within Zimbabwe itself (if entering on a single-entry visa), but take up to 7 working days to process and are often declined. Buying multiple double-entry visas is the preferred alternative route that virtually every tourist opts for, which is not a problem at immigration.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements (‘Category A’), whereas others may have more (‘Categories B and C’). For the full list of visa requirements, please check the Department of Immigration Zimbabwe website:

Applying for a Visa to Zimbabwe

For the full list of countries (‘Category C’) that require a visa to be purchased online and ahead of time, please check the Zimbabwean e-Visa website:

Applying for an e-Visa to Zimbabwe

For more information on the KAZA visa, please check this informational leaflet from the Zambian Tourism Board:

Applying for a KAZA Visa

Zambia

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of departure from the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Zambia).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Zambia. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Most travellers have the option to obtain their visa at the port of entry, which is the easiest visa application option.
  • It’s important to note that you should have a Zambian visa before arrival if travelling by train or boat from Tanzania.
  • Some countries’ citizens are not eligible for obtaining a visa at the port of entry. Instead, they are required to make a visa application online on the Zambian e-Visa website. The processing time for this online application normally takes 3-5 working days.
  • You will need to pay for your visa in cash if applying at the border, so make sure you have local currency or US dollars ready!
  • Be ready to advise the relevant official of the total number of days that you are spending in Zambia, or you may be charged to obtain an extension/additional visa at a later time. Visa extensions may be applied for from any Department of Immigration office in towns across Zambia. There is generally no fee for an additional 30 days to your visa.
  • You have the option to purchase a single-entry, double-entry or KAZA visa at the port of entry into Zambia. If you intend to travel between Zambia and its neighbouring countries, we recommend that you apply for a double-entry visa upon entry to the country.
  • If you will be visiting both Zambia and Zimbabwe, as many of our guests do, apply for a single KAZA visa (‘Univisa’). This covers both countries, and presents the opportunity to save significantly on visa fees. KAZA visas can be applied for Harry Mwaanga Airport in Livingstone, Victoria Falls land border (Zimbabwe border), the Kazungula land border (Botswana border) and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. It must be paid for in cash and lasts for up to 30 days as long as you remain within Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through the Kazungula borders. KAZA visas are only eligible for citizens of those countries who are able to receive visas on arrival in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. If you require a pre-approved visa for Zambia or Zimbabwe, then the KAZA visa is not available to you.
  • Multiple-entry visas have to be obtained in advance. These are only issued at the Immigration’s Department HQ in Lusaka and a limited number of consulates in London, Pretoria, Lubumbashi, New Delhi, Beijing and Lilongwe. We do not recommend this option.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the list of exempt countries, please check the Zambian Tourism Authority website:

Applying for a Visa to Zambia

To view your options for a visa to Zambia, check the Zambian Department of Immigration website:

Visa Application Options for Zambia

For more information on the KAZA visa, please check this informational leaflet from the Zambian Tourism Board:

Applying for a KAZA Visa

Botswana

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of departure from the country.
  • A passport with at least 3 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Botswana).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Botswana. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • You must be able to present an itinerary or copy of your travel schedule to the customs official. Additional confirmation of bookings at lodges and hotels is also helpful in this instance.
  • Please note the additional requirements, given in the links below, regarding travelling with minors in Botswana. This includes a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate and producing their passport. More information can be found in the links below.
  • Keep in mind that border control in Botswana have strict regulations regarding the import of food products into their country: fresh fruit, meat and dairy products is prohibited.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Visas may be obtained at the port of entry to Botswana for most nationalities. Please note, as in our links below, the large number of countries (including the USA), who do not require a visa to visit Botswana. Tourist visas last up to 90 days.
  • Applications for visas can be made at 20 diplomatic missions in 17 countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Japan, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa (Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town), Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Nations (New York), Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  • Travellers are advised to allow at least 21 working days for the processing of their visa. Please do note that processing times can vary between Consulates.
  • If you will be visiting Botswana for a single day trip from either Zimbabwe or Zambia, whilst on a KAZA visa in those countries, then you do not need to apply for another visa for Botswana.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the full list of exempt citizens, as well as visa requirements and the visa application form, please check the Botswanan Government website:

Applying for a Visa to Botswana

If you are traveling with children under 18, please note that Botswana and South Africa have strong anti child-trafficking regulations. For more information on these policies, please check this informational leaflet from the South African Department of Home Affairs:

Travelling with Children Under 18

Additional documentation requirements for travelling with minors through Botswana can be found on the Wetu website:

More Information on Travelling with a Minor to Botswana

Namibia

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of departure from the country.
  • A passport with at least 6 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 8 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.>

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Namibia).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Namibia. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • Parents are required to bring their children’s birth certificates.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Visas may not be obtained at the port of entry into Namibia. If you require a visa, this must be applied for and processed in advance to your trip. Please note, as in our links below, the large number of countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, and some EU countries), who do not require a visa to visit Namibia.
  • Applications for visas, for the few countries that require them, can be made to your nearest Namibian Consulate.
  • Travellers are advised to allow at least 3 working days for the processing of their visa. Please do note that processing times can vary between Consulates.

Useful Links:

Check out this full list of visa application requirements on the Namibia Tourism Board website:

Visa Requirements for Namibia

 

Kenya

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Kenya).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Kenya. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • Please keep in mind that border control in Kenya has strict regulations restricting the export of wildlife products from Kenya. Always check to see what permits are required if you intend to do this.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Although some travellers were previously able to apply for visas on arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, this practice is now being heavily discouraged by the Kenyan government. Due to this shift in procedure, we would encourage all visa applications for Kenya to be made ahead of time on the Kenyan e-Visa website.
  • Travellers have the option to apply for a single-entry or transit visa using the e-Visa system.
  • Multiple-entry visas have to be applied for ahead of time and through your nearest Kenyan Consulate. Please do note that processing times can vary between Consulates.
  • A few travellers from ‘Category 3’ classified countries are required to make a separate visa application directly to the Kenyan Director of Immigration Services. This is a very small listing that is generally reserved for unstable states. More details can be found in the links below.
  • Travellers visiting a combination of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda can also opt to instead apply for an East African Cross-Border Joint Visa. This single visa allows for entry into all three countries on your journey, saves a fair amount of money, and still lasts for 90 days. Applications for the East African Cross-Border Joint Visa can be made through your local Kenyan embassy, as well as at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and most land crossings (if Kenya is your first destination of the three countries). This visa has to be applied for from the embassy of the first country that you visit of the three. You cannot apply for this visa online.
  • Kenyan immigration officials encourage calling their hotlines with any inquiries as to applying for your East African Cross-Border Joint Visa: (1) Visa Queries: (+254) 707 657 945; and (2) General Queries: (+254) 020 2222 022.
  • Kenya also has an agreement with Tanzania and Uganda to waiver visa re-entry fees if travelling between the three countries. The core requirement is that the original single-entry visa must still be valid when you try to re-enter the country. This removes the need for multiple-entry visas during your trip!
  • Visa extensions can be requested from Kenya Immigration offices in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the full list of exempted countries, as well as those eligible for the e-Visa, please visit this page on the Kenyan e-Visa website:

E-Visa Eligibility

To apply for a visa online, please visit the application page on the Kenyan e-Visa website:

Apply for a Kenyan e-Visa

Certain countries fall under ‘Category 3’, which requires a visa that cannot be obtained through the e-Visa website. This list can be found on another page on the Kenyan e-Visa website:

Category 3 Countries & Application Process

Tanzania (& Zanzibar)

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Tanzania).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Tanzania. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • When out and about in Tanzania, always carry at least a photocopy of your passport and visa or resident permit, and have the originals readily accessible.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Visas are generally obtained prior to travelling to Tanzania. Single-entry, 30-day visas can sometimes be obtained at port of entry at the main international airports in Tanzania, but this option is generally considered a last resort option for individuals who could not apply for a visa from a Tanzanian Consulate abroad. We would, given these circumstances, highly recommend applying for your visas ahead of time.
  • Applications for visas can be made to your nearest Tanzanian Mission (Consulate).
  • A small group of countries’s citizens are required to apply for a ‘Referred Visa’, from the Director of Immigration office in Dar es Salaam, or the Principal Immigration Officer in Zanzibar. This is a very small listing that is generally reserved for unstable states. More details can be found in the links below.
  • Note that volunteer activities, even if you are paying for them, are strictly prohibited on a tourist visa in Tanzania.
  • Travellers are advised to allow at least 1 working day for the processing of their visa. Please do note that processing times can vary between Consulates.
  • Tanzania also has an agreement with Kenya and Uganda to waiver visa re-entry fees if travelling between the three countries. The core requirement is that the original single-entry visa must still be valid when you try to re-enter the country. This removes the need for multiple-entry visas during your trip!
  • Extensions within a 3 month visa limit may be requested for free at Immigration offices across Dar es Salaam, Arsuha and Moshi.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the full list of requirements, please check the Consulate of the United Republic of Tanzania website:

Applying for a Visa to Tanzania

A comprehensive outline of the visa application process can also be found on this website, detailing entry requirements and application options, including the e-Visa option:

Visa Application Process

Mozambique

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the country.
  • A passport with at least 3 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 5 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Mozambique).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Mozambique. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days prior to arrival. Please note that Mozambique has broader requirements for most travellers to have had their yellow fever vaccine, as opposed to the more relaxed conditions of many other African countries. If you cannot present your vaccination card/certification at the port of entry, you will be vaccinated at your own expense.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • Please note that it is illegal to export any endangered species or their products, including anything made from ivory or tortoiseshell. ‘Reasonable’ quantities of souvenirs for personal (rather than commercial) purposes can be exported without declaration.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Most nationalities require a visa to visit Mozambique. Citizens of Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe do not require visas for stays of 30 days or less (for tourism purposes).
  • It is possible for all international travellers to obtain a 30 day, dual-entry visa upon arrival at most international airports and border posts in Mozambique. This was previously only possible in rare circumstances where travellers were coming from a country with no Mozambican Consulate, and many were denied access when asking for this visa on arrival in the past. However, since then, the Mozambican authorities have implemented a change in policy that allows and encourages easy application for this visa on arrival, making it your easiest option.
  • Applications for multiple-entry visas must be made ahead of time to your nearest Mozambican Consulate.
  • Travellers are advised to allow at least 3 working days for the processing of their visa. Visas can sometimes be issues within 24 hours (express service) for an additional fee. Please do note that processing times can vary between Consulates.
  • Occasionally, confusion can arise with Mozambican visas: do not assume that the authorized period of stay on the visa is the same as the validity of the visa itself, which indicates when you may enter the country. If you make this error and enter without a valid visa, or overstay your visa, you will be fined heavily for each day spent illegally in Mozambique.
  • Please note that there is a separate ‘Visiting Visa’ for individuals wishing to visit/stay with family and friends in Mozambique. This is not the same as the standard tourist visa.
  • Visa extensions can be requested from the Immigration office in most provincial capitals in Mozambique. Please allow two days to two weeks for processing this request.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For more information on visa exemptions and the application process for Mozambique, contact your nearest consulate:

Applying for a Visa for Mozambique

Malawi

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Malawi).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Malawi. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • Please note that it is illegal to take products made from endangered animals or plants out of the country. Plants and seeds, livestock and live insects or snails are also prohibited.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Visas can be issued on arrival at the port of entry to Malawi. However, processing delays and inconveniences have prompted a recommendation from officials to apply for your visa ahead of time. If you do opt to apply for a visa at the border, then you will have to present your passport and return/onward ticket.
  • Applications for visas can also be made ahead of time to either your nearest Malawian Consulate, or using the Malawian e-Visa system. Details are provided in the links below.
  • Travellers have the option of applying for a simple transit visa (passing through Malawi within 7 days), a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa to Malawi.
  • Travellers are advised to allow at least 5 working days for the processing of their visa.
  • Occasionally, confusion can arise with Malawian visas: do not assume that the authorized period of stay on the visa is the same as the validity of the visa itself, which indicates when you may enter the country.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the full list of visa requirements and list of exempt countries, please check this page on the Republic of Malawi Department of Immigration website:

Applying for a Visa for Malawi

To apply for your Malawian visa online, please visit the Malawian e-Visa website:

Apply for Your Malawian Visa Online

Uganda

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Uganda).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Uganda. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America, as well as an up-to-date polio vaccine for children under 5 years of age.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Visas may not be obtained at the port of entry into Uganda (as used to be the case). If you require a visa, this must be applied for and processed in advance to your trip. All visa applications are now completed online and prior to arrival, on the Government of Uganda’s website. More details can be found in the link provided below.
  • All online visa applications must be completed at least two weeks prior to travel.
  • Travellers are advised to allow at least 5 working days for the processing of their visa.
  • Visas to Uganda do not pre-determine the length of stay permitted in the country; this decision is made by the immigration officer at the port of entry.
  • Travellers visiting a combination of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda can also opt to instead apply for an East African Cross-Border Joint Visa. This single visa allows for entry into all three countries on your journey, saves a fair amount of money, and still lasts for 90 days. Applications for the East African Cross-Border Joint Visa can be made through your local Ugandan embassy if Uganda is your first destination of the three countries. This visa has to be applied for from the embassy of the first country that you visit of the three. You cannot apply for this visa online.
  • Uganda also has an agreement with Tanzania and Kenya to waiver visa re-entry fees if travelling between the three countries. The core requirement is that the original single-entry visa must still be valid when you try to re-enter the country. This removes the need for multiple-entry visas during your trip!
  • A 2-month visa extension can be requested at the Immigration office in Kampala, as well as Immigration offices in most large towns across the country. Please note that processing time can take up to 7 days.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the full list of requirements and the application process, please visit the Uganda Immigration website:

Applying for a Visa for Uganda

Rwanda

Passport Requirements:

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the country.
  • A passport with at least 2 consecutive blank pages for visas and stamps. Our recommendation is, if you are travelling through more than one country on safari, that you have 4 or more blank pages left in your passport. Insufficient space can result in denial of entry into the country.

Documentation Requirements:

  • A plane ticket for your departure from the country (occasionally required for presentation if you fly in to an international airport in Rwanda).
  • Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Rwanda. Example documentation includes: bank statements, salary advances, undertakings by your hosts, bursaries, medical coverage and cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).
  • A WHO (World Health Organisation) card confirming your up-to-date yellow fever vaccination, at least 10 days before arrival, if you have recently passed through the Yellow Fever Belt in Africa or South America. A list of these countries/regions can be found in the links provided below.
  • Doctor’s prescription/letter for all medication being transported (as well as the medication in its original bottle/container).
  • Please note the ban that has been placed on plastic bags in Rwanda. Bags are rarely searched in Rwandan customs and immigration, but it is best to avoid packing plastic bags amongst your belongings nonetheless.

Obtaining a Visa:

  • Most nationalities require a visa for travel to Rwanda. Only citizens of Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe and Singapore do not require visas for stays of 90 days or less (for tourism purposes).
  • Citizens of Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and the US can automatically receive visas on arrival at Kigali International airport and all land borders.
  • For all other countries, applications for visas can be made at either your nearest Rwandan embassy or via the online ‘Irembo’ web portal. Online visa processing times can take up to 3 days. More details can be found in the links provided below.
  • Visa extensions can be applied for in Kigali, within 15 days of your arrival.
  • Travellers visiting a combination of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda can also opt to instead apply for an East African Cross-Border Joint Visa. This single visa allows for entry into all three countries on your journey, saves a fair amount of money, and still lasts for 90 days. Applications for the East African Cross-Border Joint Visa can be made through your local Rwandan embassy if Rwanda is your first destination of the three countries. This visa has to be applied for from the embassy of the first country that you visit of the three. You cannot apply for this visa online.
Useful Links:

Certain countries’ citizens are exempt from visa requirements, whereas others may have more. For the full list of requirements, please check the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration website:

Applying for a Visa for Rwanda

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