Tourist Visas for Africa

VISA PROCUREMENT

Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. 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.

The majority of visas in Africa can be obtained at the border however it is essential that you check the visa 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. African countries are in a continual state of political flux and visa requirements can change overnight.

Kenya Visa Requirements

South African passport holders do not require a visa for Kenya. Most nationalities, including UK, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, require a visa to enter Kenya.

You can apply for a Kenya EVisa online at http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html. The visa process can take up to 7 working days.

If you're a resident of the UK and would like someone to handle your electronic visa application for you then we recommend CIBTvisas. Please follow this link for more details on how to start your visa application with them -http://www.cibtvisas.co.uk/onthego

East Africa Tourist Visa

If you are planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then you can apply for an East Africa tourist visa which will cover all countries. The visa allows multiple entry into these countries and is valid for 90 days. It can be applied for in advance or upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport.

For further details click here.

Tanzania Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. UK, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders can get a visa, which is valid for 3 months, upon arrival or in advance from the Tanzania embassy.

If you're a resident of the UK and would like someone to handle your visa application for you then we recommend CIBTvisas. Please follow this link for more details on how to start your visa application with them - http://www.cibtvisas.co.uk/onthego

Malawi Visa Requirements

As of the 1st October 2015 passport holders of (but not limited to) UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will be charged a visa fee at the border into Malawi. The cost is $50 for a 7 day transit visa and $75 for a 90 day single entry visa. Please contact your local Malawian embassy/high commission for further information.

Zambia Visa Requirements

South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Zambia. Most nationalities, including UK, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, require a visa to enter Zambia which can be obtained upon arrival.

KAZA Visa

Zimbabwe and Zambia have re-introduced the popular, and much-awaited KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi) “Uni-Visa”, which allows visitors to stay in either (or both) countries for up to 30 days for a single payment of US$50.

The UniVisa is available at Harare, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and Livingstone International airports, the Victoria Falls land border (Zimbabwe/Zambia) and the Kazungula land border (Zimbabwe/Zambia/Botswana).

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.

KAZA Visa

Zimbabwe and Zambia have re-introduced the popular, and much-awaited KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi) “Uni-Visa”, which allows visitors to stay in either (or both) countries for up to 30 days for a single payment of US$50.

The UniVisa is available at Harare, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and Livingstone International airports, the Victoria Falls land border (Zimbabwe/Zambia) and the Kazungula land border (Zimbabwe/Zambia/Botswana).

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 30 days.

Namibia Visa Requirements

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

South Africa Visa Requirements

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

New Zealand Passport Holders

Since 16th January 2017 all New Zealand passport holders have been required to obtain a visa prior to travelling to South Africa.

If travelling to South Africa with us you will need to let us know you are travelling on a New Zealand passport and we will arrange for a letter confirming your tour and accommodation in South Africa to be sent to you so you can include this on your visa application.

Applicants who wish to apply for visas to visit South Africa no longer need to travel to the High Commission in Wellington but instead will need to visit the South African Visa Application Centres (run by VFS Global) in Wellington or Auckland. These two centres are responsible for receiving all applications from 14 February 2017.

The new VFS Global Visa Application Centres (VAC) will offer an easier, more accessible visa application process for applicants with the help of an appointment-based system, easy fee collection, along with a secure dispatch system. Walk-ins will also be accommodated. The South African High Commission remains the sole authority for processing and issuing visas.

New Zealand passport holders in Australia do not have to travel to New Zealand and can apply for visas at the South African High Commission in Canberra, they need only present a bill from their municipality or telephone account indicating their residence in Australia. Those in other countries can also submit their applications at the nearest South African Embassy, High Commission or local VFS VAC.

For details on where to apply - please see South African Visa Requirements.

Travelling to or through South Africa with children

From 1 June 2015 parents travelling with children into or out of South Africa, or transiting in South Africa will be asked to show the child’s unabridged (full) birth certificate which lists the child’s details and both parents’ details. The abridged (short) birth certificate which only lists the child’s details won’t be accepted. Uncertified copies of birth certificates or copies of the parents/guardians identification will not be accepted. A parental contact affidavit (PCA) must have a certified copy of the parent’s/guardian’s identification (ie passport) attached to it.

Where only one parent is accompanying a child, parental or legal consent for the child to travel (eg an affidavit from the other parent or – if applicable – a death certificate) is required and there are other requirements for children travelling unaccompanied or with adults who are not their parents.

If you are travelling with children (under 18) it is essential that you contact the South African High Commission or the South African Department of Home Affairs for further information relating to these regulations. 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.

Please note: From the 11th November 2019, only a valid passport will be required for foreign minors travelling to South Africa.

Ethiopia Visa Requirements

Most nationalities including UK, Ireland, South Africa, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders, require a visa to enter Ethiopia which can be obtained upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, or in advance from an embassy or online. However, we advise against obtaining on arrival as a visa on arrival not only requires visitors to travel with sensitive documents but also involves waiting in long lines at the border.

UK, Australian, New Zealand, South African, USA and Canadian passport holders can take advantage of Ethiopia’s online visa service (subject to eligibility). Information about the Electronic visa for Ethiopia process can be found at: https://www.evisa.gov.et/ At present the cost of a single entry visa for up to 90 days is USD $72 for UK, Ireland, South Africa, USA, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders.

For travellers holding passports for other nationalities, please refer to Project Visa for more information.

Madagascar Visa Requirements

All nationalities require an entry visa to visit Madagascar which can be obtained upon arrival. A 30-day tourist visa is free of charge at the airport on arrival. You will be asked for evidence of onward or return travel on arrival in Madagascar.

Uganda Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. UK, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders can get a visa, which is valid for 3 months (or 6 months for a multiple entry), upon arrival or in advance from an embassy.

East Africa Tourist Visa

If you are planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then you can apply for an East Africa tourist visa which will cover all countries. The visa allows multiple entry into these countries and is valid for 90 days. It can be applied for in advance or upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport.

Rwanda Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa for Rwanda, including USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders.

In Rwanda the visa on arrival system has been replaced by an online visa that you need to apply for three days before arriving. If you are travelling on one of our Overland Camping Safaris your trip leader will advise if you will be gorilla trekking in Rwanda at the pre departure meeting and give instructions on how to apply for the visa. Payment is made at the border.

East Africa Tourist Visa

If you are planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then you can apply for an East Africa tourist visa which will cover all countries. The visa allows multiple entry into these countries and is valid for 90 days. It can be applied for in advance or upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport.

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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