With our finger on the pulse of Africa travel, we share the updated Africa travel restrictions due to COVID-19. See the new guidelines, protocols and safety requirements needed for your favorite destinations in Africa below.
Please note, it is highly recommended that you regularly check government and airline websites for any Africa travel restrictions and updates as the requirements are constantly changing.
– updated 9 June 2023 –
| Country | Airport/land borders open | PCR testing information | PCR testing for <5 years on arrival | Vaccination certificate (WHO approved) | Quarantine on arrival |
| Kenya | Yes | All passengers are no longer required to present COVID-19 test results. | No | No | No, unless showing symptoms |
| Tanzania | Yes | All travelers are not required to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a RT-PCR test unless it is required for your final destination | |||
| Rwanda | A PCR test is no longer required. Just a face mask when doing gorilla trekking | No | |||
| Uganda | A negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is no longer required for fully vaccinated inbound travelers. | No | n/a | No, unless showing symptoms or test positive |
Countries allowed to travel to Kenya
Yes all.
All passengers are no longer required to present COVID-19 test results or vaccination certificates on arrival, however, vaccination and regular testing is encouraged;
All travellers with flu-like symptoms will be required to undergo a Rapid Antigen test, at a cost of USD 30 per person per test. Test results are available approximately 15 minutes after sample collection. Travellers who receive a positive result on their Rapid Antigen test will be required to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test, at a cost of USD 50 per person per test.
International passengers entering mainland Tanzania from/through the Republic of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) must complete an online Health Surveillance Form.
Passengers travelling within Tanzania may be asked to complete an online Domestic Departure Health Surveillance Form before a domestic departure or on arrival at a domestic destination on a flight originating in Tanzania.
All travelers entering or transiting the mainland through land borders, ports or airports are not required to present a COVID-19 vaccination or RT-PCR certificate. A Rapid Antigen test is not required either.
Thermal and physical screening will be done on arrival.
Departure
Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar, KLM Royal Dutch, Emirates, Kenya Air, Precision Air, Swiss, Turkish.
All countries are allowed to travel into Zanzibar and there is no mandatory quarantine.
Departure
Mango Airlines, Precision Air, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Air, Qatar, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air.
Countries allowed to travel to Rwanda
All countries are allowed to travel to Rwanda,
All passengers are no longer required to present COVID-19 test results or vaccination certificates on arrival, however, vaccination and regular testing is encouraged. However a face mask is mandatory when doing gorilla trekking.
Private charter flights, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Egypt Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir.
All passengers are allowed to enter. However, passengers who exhibit signs and symptoms of an infectious disease will be transported to an isolation centre for a COVID-19 test. The results will be available within 24 to 48 hours.
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.
All visitors are required to complete the online health declaration form within 24 hours of travelling to Uganda.
Fully vaccinated
Not fully vaccinated
Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways.
| Country | Airport/land borders open | PCR testing information | PCR testing for <5 years on arrival | Vaccination certificate (WHO approved) | Quarantine on arrival |
| Botswana | No longer required, regardless of vaccination status | No | No | No | |
| South Africa | Yes, | No longer required, regardless of vaccination status | No | n/a | |
| Zimbabwe | Yes | All tourists no longer required to produce COVID-19 vaccination certificates or negative PCR tests | No | n/a | No. |
| Namibia | No longer required, regardless of vaccination status | . | |||
| Madagascar | Yes | PCR test is required not more than 72 hours before arrival. PCR test on arrival and wait in an airport hotel for 24-48 hours) for test results | No | No | Yes, but only while waiting for the test results |
| Mozambique | Yes | Not required if fully vaccinated. Negative PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival if not fully vaccinated. | No | No, but recommended | No, unless test is older than 72 hours |
| Zambia | Yes | All entry requirements were removed from 22 March. | No | No | No |
All countries are allowed to travel into Botswana and there is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
There are currently no COVID-19 protocols in place, regardless of vaccination status.
COVID-19 negative test or vaccination certificate is only required if the destination country or airline requires it.
Airlines Flying into Botswana
Private charter flights, Airlink, Air Botswana, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airways.
Our Recommended LuxVenture Trip in Botswana:
The country is open to all international travelers. As from 22 June 2022, all restrictions were lifted.
All ports of entry are open.
The Government of Zimbabwe has lifted all border control measures. So tourists are no longer required to produce COVID-19 vaccination certificates and negative COVID PCR tests at ports of entry or at tourist resorts around the country.
The wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory in public gatherings.
Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Airlink and Fastjet.
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.
Airport opened:
All airports are currently open.
COVID-19 protocols on arrival:
Ethiopian Airlines
Mozambique is open for international travel.
Maputo International Airport is part of the Airport Health Accreditation Programme
All countries are allowed to travel to Mozambique.
Fully vaccinated:
If not fully vaccinated:
Flights approved from Ethiopia, Kenya, Qatar, Portugal, Turkey and South Africa (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
Zambia has removed all of its COVID-related visa requirements, the Zambia National Public Health Institute announced on 22 March.
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 always check restrictions for your home country and your destination for your travels before you book and before your travel with regards to Africa travel restrictions. The above information is subject to change, however is updated regularly. Please also check with your airline. We can not be held liable for any sudden changes. It is time to rediscover wonder in some of most breath-taking COVID safe destinations in Africa. Get in touch with one of Ker & Downey® Africa’s expert LuxVenture® Designers today to plan your dream safari or beach escape that showcases the very best of this magical continent!
Ker & Downey® Africa is compliant with COVID-19 Industry Protocols.
Head office: 7 Bree Street, 6th Floor, Touchstone House, Cape Town, South Africa
+27 (0)21 201 2484
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Ker & Downey® Africa is compliant with COVID-19 Industry Protocols.
