Tourist Visas for Africa

Updated: 12th March 2025

VISA PROCUREMENT

Please be advised that visa and entry requirements are subject to change, often with little or no notice and visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. It is essential that you check the entry requirements of every country you will be visiting with the local embassy, consulate or a reputable visa handling company for the most up to date visa information before you travel. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Africa and that you have enough blank pages in your passport for all of the visas you require.

Vaccination Certificates: Some African countries still require you to show proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before departure. In addition to this, anyone travelling from a Yellow Fever infected country may also be required to show Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate upon arrival to be granted entry. Entry and exit requirements may be announced and altered at short notice so it is essential you check these requirements before you travel.

Kenya Visa Requirements

There are no visa requirements to enter Kenya but all nationalities must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online in advance of arrival. NB: This may take up to 7 days to process, please allow sufficient time as delays may occur. Please visit https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en for more information.

Your eTA is valid for a single entry into Kenya. However, there are some exceptions to this. Your eTA remains valid for more than one entry if:
You visit one of the following EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, AND you don't visit any other country, AND your eTA has not expired (90 days from issuance).

Tanzania Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. UK, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders can get a visa, which is valid for 3 months, upon arrival or apply for an e-visa before you travel. South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Tanzania for up to 90 days.

If you're a resident of the UK and would like someone to handle your visa application for you then we recommend CIBTvisas.

Starting, 01 October 2024, Zanzibar requires all visitors to the island to obtain the ‘Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance’ from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for the duration of their stay (up to 92 days). The mandatory insurance costs USD 44 per person and must be purchased in advance and in addition to any existing travel insurance you may possess. Failure to comply with this mandatory requirement may result in travellers being denied entry to Zanzibar. To purchase this ‘Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance’ please visit: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz

Malawi Visa Requirements

Most nationalities, including UK, Ireland, South African, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to enter Malawi. You must be able to show valid return or onward tickets.

Zambia Visa Requirements

South African, UK, Ireland, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, do not require a visa to enter Zambia. You must be able to show valid return or onward tickets.

Zimbabwe Visa Requirements

South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Zimbabwe. Most nationalities, including UK, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, require a visa to enter Zimbabwe which can be obtained upon arrival or in advance from an embassy.

Botswana Visa Requirements

Most nationalities, including UK, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders, do not require a visa to visit Botswana for up to 90 days.

Namibia Visa Requirements

From 01 April 2025 most nationalities, including UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian passport holders, require a visa to enter Namibia.

Visa On Arrival is offered at the following ports of entry: Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, Ariamsvlei, Impalila, Katima Mulilo, Mohembo, Ngoma, Noordoewer, Oshikango, Oranjemund, Trans Kalahari Border Posts, Walvis Bay Harbour and Walvis Bay Airport.

Alternatively, you can submit an Online Visa On Arrival Application before you travel via https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na. This will help to avoid issues and delays at the border.

South Africa Visa Requirements

Most nationalities, including UK, USA, Canadian, New Zealand & Australian passport holders, do not require a visa to visit South Africa for up to 90 days.

Travelling to or through South Africa with children

There are special requirements for travelling to South Africa with children under the age of 18. Please contact the South African High Commission or the South African Department of Home Affairs for further information relating to these requirements. If you do not carry the correct documentation you will not be allowed to enter the country. Obtaining the correct paperwork is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours.

Mozambique Visa Requirements

South African passport holders do not require a visa for Mozambique. A visa exemption program has been introduced for several nationalities, including UK, USA, Canada and Ireland for a 30-day stay. These visa-exempt nationals pay a processing fee of MZN 650 on arrival (fee subject to change).

Nationalities not covered by the visa exemption program including New Zealand and Australia do require a visa. Tourists are usually able to get a single-entry visa valid for 30 days on arrival for USD$50. You may be required to produce a copy of your flight itinerary and travel voucher at the border so make sure you have these to hand when you cross the border.

You can also obtain a visa in advance from your local Mozambique Embassy or Consulate. For countries without Mozambique consular representation, including Australia and New Zealand, a visa can be obtained from the Mozambique Embassy in Johannesburg which is open Monday – Friday. For more information please contact the embassy. You will need to arrive into Johannesburg a few days prior to your tour departure date in order to get the visa processed.

Mozambique visa regulations change frequently and without notice, so it is essential that all nationalities check the latest advice with the Mozambique embassy.

Uganda Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda including UK, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders. Visas must be obtained in advance of travel.

Apply for a Uganda EVisa online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/. Please note: this may take up to 7 days to process, please allow sufficient time as delays may occur.

Further Resources

For more information on visa requirements for Africa including embassy links and details for passport holders of other nationalities, please refer to Project Visa.

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