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.

---

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

Entry Conditions (as of 23 June 2022):

• None

Departure:

• 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

---

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

   Entry conditions (as of 28 September 2022):

• None

Departure:

• 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

---

International Reopened Date:

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

Entry Conditions (as of 18 Aug 2022):

• None

On departure:

• 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

---

International Reopened Date:

•  11 September 2020.

Entry Conditions as of 31 May 2023

• None

 On departure:

• 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

---

International Reopened Date:

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

Entry Conditions (as of 22 Mar 2023):

• None

 On departure:

• Only required if specified by airline /onward destination

International Reopened Date:

• 01 October 2020

Entry Conditions (as of May 2023):

• None

On departure:

• Only if required by airline /onward destination

• 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

---

EAST AFRICA REQUIREMENTS

Scroll for more information ->

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	No	None	No	No	No	Check with airline / destination country
Rwanda	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	None	No	No	No	Check with airline / destination country
Tanzania/ Zanzibar	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	None	No	No	No	Check with airline / destination country
Uganda	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	None	No	No	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

Entry Conditions:

• None

On departure:

• Only if required by airline /onward destination

---

International Reopened Date:

• 1 August 2020

Entry Conditions:

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

  Testing in country:

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

---

International Reopened Date:

• 18 May 2020

WTTC Safety Stamp:

• Yes

Entry Conditions:

• None

Other Conditions:

• International travelers are encouraged to have valid health/medical insurance before arrival
• International travelers are encouraged to apply for online e-visas prior to arrival

 On departure:

• Only if required by airline /onward destination

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

---

International Reopened Date:

• 1 October 2020

Entry Conditions (as of 27 Feb 2023):

• None

 On departure:

• Only if required by airline /onward destination

---

INDIAN OCEAN ISLAND REQUIREMENTS

Scroll for more information ->

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