Southern & East Africa: Entry Requirements and COVID-19 Protocols

Note: The information is correct to the best of Giltedge’s knowledge at time of publication and is updated regularly.

How we travel has changed tremendously. But as one of the world’s leading tour operators, Giltedge is committed to ensuring the safety of our guests and staff. Our expert team will advise you on your post-Covid holiday to Africa.

We suggest that you visit the official government website of the country you’re going to visit. Please also check your airline’s travel regulations prior to departure.

Please note that RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) and the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests are different. RDT results and home test results are unlikely to be accepted.

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SOUTHERN AFRICA REQUIREMENTS

International Reopened Date:

• 12 November 2020
• Entry currently into King Shaka International (Durban), OR Tambo International (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, Lanseria and Kruger Mpumalanga Airports

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Cape Town only

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No

Entry Conditions (as of 23 June 2022):

• None

Departure:

• Covid-19 negative test only required if specified by airline/onward destination

In country testing:

• Testing sites: Widely available
• Length of time to get results: 24 – 48 hours
• Cost: +/- R850
• Remote Testing: Yes

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International Reopened Date:

• 09 November 2020  – Gabarone, Maun and Kasane Airports
• 01 December 2020 –  Francistown Airport
• 01 December 2020 – ground crossing resumed at commercial border points including Kazangula

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No – unless displaying symptoms on arrival, will be required to undertake mandatory testing, , possible isolation and or quarantine

   Entry conditions (as of 28 September 2022):

• None

Departure:

• Covid-19 negative test only required if specified by airline/onward destination

Testing in country:

• Testing sites: Done in various sites across the country. Many options provided through private labs in the main access points like Maun.  Remote testing:
• Length of time to get results: 24 hours
• Cost: $60-$90
• Remote Testing: Yes / from $300

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International Reopened Date:

• 1 September 2020, Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek)

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No – unless a guest shows COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive they will be subjected to quarantine at own cost for a period of 10 days.

Entry Conditions (as of 18 Aug 2022):

• None

Other Conditions:

• The wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory, but is encouraged in gatherings or meetings.

On departure:

Covid-19 negative test only required if specified by airline/onward destination

Testing in country:

• Testing sites: Windhoek
• Remote testing: Yes/allow  48 hours
• Length of time to get results: Super Express = 6hours to 48 hours
• Cost: Standard PCR = $80 Super Express = $140

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International Reopened Date:

•  11 September 2020.

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No – only if arrival with PCR test older than 72 hours

Entry Conditions

Prior to Arrival:

• Fully vaccinated (no booster required) & under 11 years =  NO PCR test
• Unvaccinated & under 11 years = negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of boarding
• Those without PCR test, those who test positive or in contact with someone who has tested positive will be required to self isolate for 14 days.
• All travellers are required to provide their contact details to the Mozambican authorities.

 On departure:

Covid-19 test only required if specified by airline / onward destination

Testing in country:

• Testing sites: Vilanculos & Maputo
• Length of time to get results: 24 hours
• Cost: $100
• Remote testing: Yes / $100-$250

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International Reopened Date:

•  25 June 2020
• Visas issued on arrival, via e-visas or Zambian missions abroad (as per nationality of traveller)

Entry Conditions:

On Arrival:

• Fully vaccinated (no booster required) = no COVID PCR test
• Unvaccinated = negative COVID test no older than 72 hours prior to departure from your country of origin.
• These rules do not apply to children younger than 12 years old who will not have to be tested.
• All travellers as of 06 December 2021 will have to provide proof of vaccination certificates
• Travelers Health Questionnaires will be provided to all airlines entering Zambia, pre-filled on board the aircraft and surrendered to health staff at the airport for review.
• All travellers entering the airport will be subjected to temperature and symptom screening.

Other Conditions:

• Visitors need to follow COVID-19 regulations like physical distancing, wearing face masks and personal hygiene. They need to monitor themselves for 10 days for virus symptoms and report any occurrence to the nearest health facility.
• Temperature checks may continue to be conducted before entering public places, shops etc.

 On departure:

• Covid-19 test only required if specified by airline /onward destination
• Passengers must obtain a Travel Certificate from Ministry of Health however this is automatically done by DMC or lodge or camp.

Testing in country:

• Testing sites: Lusaka & Livingstone
• Length of time to get results: 24 hours
• Cost: Lusaka – $150 / Livingstone – $150 / Luangwa – $250 / Lower Zambezi ranges from $300 – $550 depending on group size
• Remote testing available: Swabs are flown to Lusaka for processing

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International Reopened Date:

• 01 October 2020

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No, provided that travellers present a negative COVID certificate dated no longer than 48 hours prior to departure
• Travellers who test positive must go into a local quarantine centre for 10 days if they have no symptoms, or 13 days if they are symptomatic. Quarantine is at the traveller’s expense.

Entry Conditions:

Prior to Arrival:

• Fully vaccinated (no booster required) = no COVID PCR test
• Unvaccinated = negative COVID test no older than 48 hours prior to departure from your country of origin.
• Children below the age of 12 do NOT need a PCR test (even if vaccinated)

On Arrival:

• Guest temperature to be checked with non-contact thermometer on arrival – anyone recording a temperature equal to or higher than 38°C will be required to have a PCR COVID-19 test at their own cost.
• Travellers to complete a health questionnaire & provide details for Covid-19 tracking
• Travellers who test positive must then go into a local designated isolation centre for 10 days if they have no symptoms, or 13 days if they are symptomatic. Isolation is at the traveller’s expense.
• After isolation, travellers will need to be retested before they are provided with release documents and permitted to travel home or on to their next destination
• Travellers must adhere to COVID-19 regulations like physical distancing, wearing face masks, and personal hygiene

Other conditions  :

• Curfew 24h00 to 05h30

On departure:

• Testing sites: Vic Falls, Harare & Bulawayo
• Length of time to get results: 24 hours
• Cost: $60
• Remote testing: Yes, from Victoria Falls by Ace Ambulance

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EAST AFRICA REQUIREMENTS

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Country	Airport Borders Open	Land Borders Open	PCR testing Necessary with Vaccination Certificate	Quarantine on Arrival	PCR test on trusted travel platform	PCR Testing Prior to Arrival	Other National COVID Protocols	Vaccination OR PCR test for children 5-18 years	Vaccination	Tests on arrival	Departure requirements
Kenya	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	If not fully vaccinated = negative PCR test 72 hours from the time of departure	None	PCR required if unvaccinated (children under 12 years are exempt)	Proof of full vaccination   = no need for PCR test	Unvaccinated = antigen test on arrival $30 pp	Check with airline / destination country
Rwanda	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	None	No	No	No	None
Tanzania/ Zanzibar	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	If not fully vaccinated =  negative PCR test (with QR code) within the 72 hours before departure	None	Yes	Proof of full vaccination   = no need for PCR test	No	Check with airline / destination country
Uganda	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	If not fully vaccinated = negative PCR test 72 hours from the time of departure	All travellers to complete a Traveller health questionnaire prior to arrival or upon arrival.	Yes	Proof of full vaccination   = no need for PCR test	No	Negative PCR if unvaccinated 72 hours prior to departure

International Reopened Date:

• 1 August 2020 International flight
• 01 May 2021 Domestic flights

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Yes

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No

Entry Conditions:

Prior to Arrival:

• Fully vaccinated = NO PCR test   * Vaccination means having received the prescribed doses of specific vaccine latest shot at least fourteen (14) days before arrival (not including the day of vaccination).
• All unvaccinated travellers under the age of 12  =  negative PCR test within 72 hours  before arrival (children under 5 are exempt)
• Unvaccinated travelers arriving at any point of entry shall be subjected to rapid antigen test at their own cost of 30 USD

On Arrival:

• Guest’s temperatures checked with a non-contact thermometer on arrival, body temperatures must test below 37.5 °C (99.5°F) and visitors must have no persistent cough, no difficulty breathing, and no other flu-like symptoms.
• If there is a case of Covid-19 on the flight or a passenger exhibiting the above symptoms, all passengers within 2 rows will be taken to a government quarantine facility at their own cost and will be subject to a COVID-19 test. If the test results are negative, they are allowed to leave the facility.

Other Conditions:

• Visitors to follow the COVID-19 regulations like physical distancing, wearing face masks, and personal hygiene

On departure:

• Passengers travelling out of Kenya will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the destination country.
• A person intending to travel outside Kenya to a destination that requires a COVID-19 test must take the test from an approved laboratory in Kenya. Once the test is done, the traveller will receive an email from admin@panabios.org or their lab contact with their Trusted Travel – TT – certificate.
• On the certificate, they will find the Trusted Testing Code (TT Code) which shows that the test was done in an approved Trusted Lab. The TT Code is used as evidence of the test to generate a Travel Code (TC) for international travel.
• TT Code and TC are standard travel clearance requirements for international travel in a health emergency. Travellers must endeavour to check the test requirements of transit and destination countries as well as the latest list of Trusted Labs on xchange.panabios.org or www.africacdc.org/trusted-travel  to ensure that their tests remain valid for the duration of their full trip.
• Covid-19 test only required if specified by airline
• If required, test must be digitally verified & TT code obtained as per above

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International Reopened Date:

• 1 August 2020

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Yes

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No

Entry Conditions:

         Prior to Arrival:

• None
• All travellers are encouraged to be fully vaccinated but it is not a requirement

   Other Conditions:

• Face masks recommended in public

National Parks:

• Certain meeting venues and national parks require Covid tests. Testing is available at health facilities and other designated sites for 5,000 RWF (or US$5) for rapid antigen tests, and 50,000 RWF (or US$50) for PCR tests (required to access Virunga National Park).

Test results will be shared by SMS or email, and via the online portal accessible at www.rbc.gov.rw. In case of difficulty obtaining results, contact the RBC Medical Team on 114 or covid@rbc.gov.rw.

 Testing in country:

• Testing sites: all around country
• Length of time to get results: 24 hours
• Cost: $50
• Remote testing: Yes. Cost = $70 – $150

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International Reopened Date:

• 18 May 2020

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Yes

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No

Entry Conditions:

• Fully vaccinated = NO PCR – present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification upon arrival. The only accepted vaccines are those which have been approved by the URT and the World Health Organization.
• Not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country policy =  negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate with QR code upon arrival obtained within 72 hours before departure to Tanzania
• Children aged 5 years and below will be exempted from both RT PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests requirements.
• Passengers showing symptoms of COVD-19 will be subject to further testing and may be required to quarantine at a government designated facility as their own cost
• All arriving passengers are to wear masks for travel and dispose of them when exiting the airport

Other Conditions:

• International travelers must have valid health/medical insurance before arrival
• International travelers are encouraged to apply for online e-visas prior to arrival
• Hotels, lodges, and restaurants have reopened, with social distancing measures and increased health and safety measures in place
• While in the country, all international travelers should observe adherence to Infection Prevention and Control measures such as hand hygiene, wearing masks and keeping physical distancing as deemed appropriate
• Curfew 21h00 – 05h00

 On departure:

Presentation of negative PCR test if required by airline or onward destination.

Please note that the current government advice is for travellers to undergo COVID-19 testing a minimum of 5 days prior to departure (depending on the specific airline and destination country requirements) to ensure adequate time is allowed for test results to be received

Testing in country:

• Testing sites: Dar, Arusha, Zanzibar & Manyara, Kili, Grumeti & Seronera.
• Length of time to get results: 48 hours (24 hours in Dar)
• Cost: $100
• Remote testing: Yes / variable

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International Reopened Date:

• 1 October 2020

Quarantine on Arrival:

• No – if passenger tests positive for Covid-19 they will be taken to a treatment centre or repatriated for treatment outside of Uganda at their own cost.

Entry Conditions:

• Fully vaccinated  = NO COVID PCR test
• Unvaccinated = negative COVID test no older than 72 hours prior to departure from your country of origin.
• Children under 5 are exempt from above
• Upon arrival, as long as you have one of the above, your body temperature is less than 37.5 degrees and you do not display any flu like symptoms, you will be exempt quarantine on arrival.
• A passenger who shows signs of symptoms will be taken to an isolation centre.
• Any traveler who tests positive of Covid-19 will be evacuated by Ministry of Health to a designated Covid-19 isolation facility.

Other Conditions:

• The nationwide curfew continues between 19h00 and 06h30
• Face masks mandatory

 On departure:

• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated guests must have had a negative PCR COVID 19 test done within 72 hours before departure from Uganda

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INDIAN OCEAN ISLAND REQUIREMENTS

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Country	Airport Borders Open	Land Borders Open	PCR Testing Prior to Arrival	PCR Testing for Minors <5 Years on Arrival	PCR testing Necessary with Vaccination Certificate	Quarantine on Arrival	Other National COVID Protocols
Madagascar	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	None
Maldives	Yes	Yes	No -  All tourists arriving in the Maldives will still be required to complete the Online TravellerHealth Declaration form via https://travel.immigration.gov.mv/96 HRS PRIOR TO TRAVEL	No	No	No	None
Mauritius	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Mandatory mask wearing in hospitals, ports, airports and on public transport
Seychelles	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	None

International Reopened Date:

• 05 March 2022

Entry Conditions:

• None

Other Conditions:

• Face masks mandatory

International Reopened Date:

• 15th July 2020

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Yes

Quarantine on arrival:

• No

Entry Conditions:

• All tourists arriving in the Maldives will still be required to complete the Online TravellerHealth Declaration form via https://travel.immigration.gov.mv/96 HRS PRIOR TO TRAVEL

Prior to Arrival:

• Pre-arrival PCR test is NOT required for all passengers arriving in the Maldives.

On Arrival:

• All tourists will undergo non-intrusive temperature checks and screening on arrival to the Maldives

Other Conditions:

• All tourist facilities will have access to medical services, well-managed stock of PPE and a COVID-19 safety manager.

International Reopening Date:

• 15 July 2021

Entry conditions:

• None

The MTPA recommends that the All in One Mauritius travel form be filled in by visitors before departure. The form, with its QR code, should then be printed out and presented at the airport on arrival. Failing that, the disembarkation card can be filled in on arrival.

The form can be found at https://safemauritius.govmu.org/

On arrival:

• All travellers must fill out the mandatory health forms before or during your flight to Mauritius. To save time, you can fill out the All in One Travel Form  Safe Mauritius (govmu.org)

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Yes

International Reopened Date:

• 1^st August 2020

Entry Conditions:

• Complete Travel Declaration
• Health Travel Authorisation must be done for entry to Seychelles at www.seychelles.govtas.com
• Valid Travel & Health insurance to cover potential COVID-19 related costs2.

       On Arrival:

• May be subject to routine health screening.

Other Conditions:

• Information regarding the safety of visitors including further measures taken are available on the Tourism Department’s website via the following link: http://tourism.gov.sc/covid-19-guidelines/

 

–> SEE TANZANIA