Updated African Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19

East Africa Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19

Kenya

Countries allowed to travel to Kenya

Yes all.

Health & Safety COVID-19 Protocols

Fully vaccinated travelers:

• If proof of full vaccination is presented, then travelers are exempt from entry testing and quarantine requirements. Vaccination means having received the prescribed doses of the specific vaccine, latest shot at least 14 days before arrival (not including the day of vaccination). The vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization.
• Travelers who are fully vaccinated shall be exempted from the requirement of a PCR test. Travelers below 18 years of age are exempted from this requirement.
• All travelers arriving in Kenya must complete a COVID-19 Travelers Health Surveillance Form before their arrival, even if only transiting. The online registration form can be found on the “Jitenge” platform, accessible via the following link or the “Jitenge” App (available on the Google Play Store). After submitting the form, travelers will receive a QR code which must be presented to port health officials for them to be allowed to proceed to arrival immigration.
• Otherwise a copy of this is provided on the flight, without the QR code, which is also acceptable.

Unvaccinated travelers:

• All unvaccinated travelers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted not more than 72 hours before departure regardless of the route of entry.
• Children below the age of 5 years will be exempted from COVID-19 negative PCR test to enter Kenya.
• You must upload your negative PCR test certificate to the Global Haven website before boarding your flight, if not fully vaccinated. This is to be completed before boarding a flight to Kenya.
• All travelers arriving in Kenya must complete a COVID-19 Travelers Health Surveillance Form before their arrival, even if only transiting. The online registration form can be found on the “Jitenge” platform, accessible via the following link or the “Jitenge” App (available on the Google Play Store).After submitting the form, travelers will receive a QR code which must be presented to port health officials for them to be allowed to proceed to arrival immigration.
• All travelers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya will be expected to fill the passenger locator form on the ‘Jitenge’ platform.
• You must also fill in a traveler’s locator form before travel on the Kenyan Ministry of Health web portal. On arrival, you will be prompted and required to submit daily health information on the Jitenge platform for 14 consecutive days.
• Do not display any of these symptoms: body temperature above 37.5° C (99.5°F); persistent cough; difficulty breathing; other flu-like symptoms. 
• The additional government measures of wearing masks, physical distancing, sanitizing will still be applicable and passengers will be guided by the airline or airport staff where required.
• Present the negative COVID-19 vaccination certificate when departing.
• For latest information on quarantine and testing requirements please refer to the KCAA website here.
• Transit and destination countries checking suggest you view this.
• List of approved laboratories if your destination country, airline or transit airport requires a PCR test certificate.

Please note: If you do not have access to a QR code on your vaccination certificate, please download the CLEAR App. Here, you can upload all your vaccination documents and have them verified. You will then be provided with a valid QR code you can use to travel.

Download CLEAR HERE

Airlines Flying into Kenya

Kenyan Airways, Emirates, RwandAir, Lufthansa, Qatar, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines. Emirates require a negative COVID-19 certificate obtained no later than 96 hours prior to flight departure. Kenyan Airways require a negative COVID-19 certificate obtained no later than 72 hours before boarding.

Our Recommended LuxVenture® Trip in Kenya:

Sub Saharan Kenya Safari Experience

Tanzania

Countries allowed to travel to Tanzania

All countries are allowed to travel into Tanzania and there is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival. The country is open for international travel.

If in transit, both vaccination and testing requirements are not required. However if the destination country requires these, adhere to the rules outlined.

Health & Safety COVID-19 Protocols

Fully vaccinated travelers

• All arriving fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from providing a negative RT-PCR test on arrival in Tanzania.
• Fully vaccinated passengers will be required to present a valid certificate of COVID-19 vaccination, with QR code for validation at any point of entry. The only accepted vaccinations are those approved by the United Republic of Tanzania and the World Health Organization.
• A Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form is to be submitted, but this is obtainable on the flight to Tanzania otherwise on this link.

Unvaccinated travelers

• A Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form is to be submitted, but this is obtainable on the flight to Tanzania otherwise on this link.
• All arriving travelers aged 6 years and older are required to present a negative Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAATs) with QR code for verification on arrival, carried out within 72 hours before departure for Tanzania.
• We do suggest you pay for the COVID-19 rapid test online to avoid unnecessary queues upon arrival as you will get a automatically generated control number Link
• Travelers displaying symptoms and signs related to COVID-19 will be required to undergo enhanced health screening and may be tested. 
• While in the country, all travelers will be expected to adhere to protective safety measures such as hand hygiene, wearing masks and keeping physical distancing as deemed appropriate.

Departure

• No departure tests are required, but check with your destination country or transit country for any further requirements. If this is required, the expert team on the ground will arrange for this and the results received between:
  • Arusha – 48 – 72 hours from sample collection: medical facility COVID-19 testing at a cost of $60 per person per test
  • Dar es Salaam  – 24 – 48 hours from sample collection: medical facility COVID-19 testing at a cost of $60 per person per test
  • Karatu – 48 – 72 hours from sample collection: medical facility COVID-19 testing at a cost of $60 per person per test and $15 per person per test (payable directly for the medical act);
  • Serengeti Kogatende – 48 hours from sample collection: $75 per person per test. Sample collection is carried out daily between 8 am and 10 am. (availability depending on the guest’s location and logistics);
  • Serengeti Seronera – 48 – 72 hours from sample collection: $75 per person per test. Sample collection is carried out daily between 8 am and 10 am. (availability depending on the guest’s location and logistics)

Please note: If you do not have access to a QR code on your vaccination certificate, please download the CLEAR App. Here, you can upload all your vaccination documents and have them verified. You will then be provided with a valid QR code you can use to travel.

Download CLEAR HERE

Airlines Flying into Tanzania

Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar, KLM Royal Dutch, Emirates, Kenya Air, Precision Air, Swiss, Turkish.

Our Recommended LuxVenture® Trip in Tanzania:

Great Migration Safari in Tanzania

Zanzibar

Rwanda

Entry requirements are the same if you are fully vaccinated or un-vaccinated into Rwanda. You do not need to present proof that you have been fully vaccinated to enter Rwanda.

Uganda

If you are transiting through Uganda, you wil need to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate on arrival in Uganda.

Fully vaccinated:

• A negative PCR test certificate is not required for fully vaccinated inbound travelers.
• Produce the full vaccination certificate at air or land border points.
• Children under the age of 6 are exempted from providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate whether vaccinated or not.
• Arriving passengers will still be subject to temperature checks and screen for infectious diseases by the Port Health authorities.

Not fully vaccinated:

Southern Africa Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19

Botswana

Countries allowed to travel to Botswana

All countries are allowed to travel into Botswana and there is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival. Travelers will, however, be required to remain in contact with local health authorities for a period of 14 days doing self-monitoring. They are required to fill in a traveler locator form.

Health & Safety COVID-19 Protocols

Fully vaccinated:

• Fully vaccinated travellers only need to present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This does mean having a full course of WHO accepted vaccinations.
• You will be provided with a traveler locator form on the plane or in the arrivals hall, which needs to be handed in upon arrival.

Not fully vaccinated:

• You will be provided with a traveler locator form on the plane or in the arrivals hall, which needs to be handed in upon arrival.
• All travelers not fully vaccinated are required to present a valid original or printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 72 hours of departure for Botswana. After arrival, the traveler will be required to undergo COVID-19 vaccination at the port of entry, which will be provided free of charge.
• A strict health screening for COVID-19 symptoms will be conducted on arrival.
• For departure out of Botswana a negative COVID-19 test is not required, unless your airline, transit point or final destination requires this.
• If this is required, we can arrange in-camp testing or you can do a PCR rest in Maun or Kasane Airport (bookings essential) and results are required within 24 hours so then you will need to overnight in Maun or Kasane. Your Ker & Downey Africa travel specialist will arrange these for you either with in-camp testing (at least 36 hours notice) or in Maun or Kasane (test results within 24 hours) which means you will need to overnight in either of these towns which we can arrange. We arrange this at the Okavango Air Rescue facility in Maun or the Weigh Bridge Clinic in Kasane. Cost is $120 and $60 payable in cash directly respectively. REMINDER ONLY IF THIS IS REQUIRED.

Airlines Flying into Botswana

 Private charter flights, Airlink, Air Botswana, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airways.

 Our Recommended LuxVenture Trip in Botswana: 

Best of Botswana Safari

South Africa

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Countries allowed to travel to South Africa

The country is open to all international travelers. As from 22 June 2022, all restrictions were lifted.

Land borders are only open if you are fully vaccinated. If traveling from Victoria Falls to Kasane (Botswana) we can arrange a light aircraft scheduled flight for you so you don’t need to go through the land border, this means then that you can still travel between Victoria Falls and Kasane/Chobe area.

Countries allowed to travel to Zimbabwe

All countries are allowed to travel to Zimbabwe and mandatory quarantine is not required unless travelers display symptoms of COVID-19. If symptoms of the virus are apparent.

Health & Safety COVID-19 Protocols

Fully vaccinated:

• If fully vaccinated then a PCR test certificate is no longer required. The vaccinations must be approved by the WHO.
• A full vaccination certificate is required to be presented with a QR code.

If not fully vaccinated: 

• All not fully vaccinated travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, obtained from a recognized facility within 48 hours of departure for Zimbabwe. 
• This is required for all travelers 12 years and older. However if 5 years and older if entering via Kazangula and Victoria Falls land border.
• There will be enhanced health screening and temperature testing on arrival.
  
• Complete a Health Questionnaire detailing where they have traveled to and providing personal details for tracking purposes. Document here
• The additional mandatory measures of wearing of masks, social distancing, and sanitization will be applicable for the whole duration of your stay. 
• On departure obtain COVID-19 certificates from approved laboratories if required.

Airlines Flying into Zimbabwe

Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways Air Tanzania, Airlink, Fastjet (as from 15 March 2021).

Please note: If you do not have access to a QR code on your vaccination certificate, please download the CLEAR App. Here, you can upload all your vaccination documents and have them verified. You will then be provided with a valid QR code you can use to travel.

Download CLEAR HERE

Our Recommended LuxVenture® Trip in Zimbabwe:

Hwange to Vic Falls & Mana Pools Safari

Namibia

Namibia has removed all PCR entry requirements. With immediate effect travelers no longer have to produce a vaccination certificate or negative PCR test result at the country’s port of entry.

Our Recommended LuxVenture® Trip in Namibia:

African Photo Safari

Madagascar

Pristine wilderness in Madagascar

Airport opened:

All airports are currently open.

COVID-19 protocols on arrival:

• PCR test is required by immigration not more than 72 hours before arrival.
• All arriving travellers are required to undergo an Antigen test at a cost of USD 20. If the result is positive, the traveller will be required to quarantine for 7 days at a dedicated facility at their own cost.

Airlines Flying into Nosy Be

Ethiopian Airlines

Our Recommended LuxVenture® Trip in Madagascar:

Madagascar Wildlife Safari

Mozambique

Mozambique

Health & Safety COVID-19 Protocols

Fully vaccinated:

• If travelers are fully vaccinated, they need to present a copy of a full vaccination certificate with a QR code. A full course/dose is required, if approved by WHO.
• Traveler Health Questionnaires Traveler Health Questionnaire for entry are provided on provided on incoming flights for passengers to complete before disembarkation. These should be completed and handed in on arrival. Will need to be completed in English and handed.

If not fully vaccinated:

• All arriving not fully vaccinated visitors will need to carry proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours of original flight departure. This must be a SARS CoV-2 PCR test certificate result. it must include a medical practitioner name, signature and stamp. Except for children below five years entering Zambia.
  
• Entry screening will be conducted at all airports. .

For departure the entry requirements of the destination country or transit country must be adhered too.

Airlines Flying into Zambia

Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines Oman Air, Airlink, Proflight, Airlink.

Please note: If you do not have access to a QR code on your vaccination certificate, please download the CLEAR App. Here, you can upload all your vaccination documents and have them verified. You will then be provided with a valid QR code you can use to travel.

Download CLEAR HERE

Our Recommended LuxVenture® Trip in Zambia:

Liuwa Plain & Kafue National Park Safari