Information on this post is based on current information available to us on the 17 March 2021. Please note travel regulations related to Covid-19 are changing continually and we advise you to consult your travel agent before booking a trip to Africa.

It’s been a year now and many of you will be yearning to get back to Africa and travel within Africa. The good news is travel has started opening up and a number of intrepid travellers are already taking advantage of these times to do a safari.

Here’s our top reasons for recommending a safari now:

• Safaris are naturally perfect for social distancing. They are open-air experiences in uncrowded places.
• The reserves and lodges have strict protocols in place.
• You're giving money to conservation as well as communities in need. Tourism is the single biggest contributor to conservation in Africa and is one of the few holiday types where you can make a difference by merely coming on holiday.
• Right now, wildlife viewing is superb because there are so few visitors.
• Working remotely? No problem - Most lodges have good wi-fi connection making staying in contact very easy.

Africa wants you back and are making it as easy as possible whiles still keeping safety a priority. The African CDC (Centre for Disease control and prevention) is a brilliant resource offering travellers the following information,

• The latest travel restrictions and entry requirements applicable to the entire stretch of your journey.
• Database of authorised laboratories and vaccination compliance information.
• Africa CDC “mutual recognition protocol” for COVID-19 testing and test results, and vaccination certificates (including yellow fever and a future COVID-19 vaccine).
• Simplified health-related immigration processing for travellers and port officials.

Link to Africa CDC

Summary of COVID-19 Information on Africa:

Flying to/from Africa

Most international commercial airlines require passengers to produce a certificate of a negative COVID-19 PCR test that has been conducted within 72 hours of departure. The same may be required when arriving at any transit airport or back in your home country. Many lodges/hotels have systems in place to assist travellers getting their COVID-19 tests.

Popular safari destinations:

Botswana

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• Present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 72 hours of departure for Botswana.
• Undergo health screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Stay in contact with the local health authority for a period of 14 days while self-monitoring.


Mandatory quarantine


• Any visitor showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to undergo a PCR test, and possible isolation and or quarantine for 14 days.

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

Present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of departure from Botswana. Most lodges have systems in place to help guests accommodate these requirements.

Kenya

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

Before arriving in Kenya, passengers are required to submit their COVID-19 test certificates to generate a Trusted Travel (TT) code.

A negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is required, obtained no later than 96 hours prior to departure from your home country.

• 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 reported case of COVID-19 on a flight or if the above symptoms are detected, all passengers within two rows of the passenger with the symptoms will be quarantined for testing at designated airport hotels. If the test results are negative, they will be allowed to leave the facility.
• It is mandatory for all passengers arriving in Kenya to complete the Travelers Health Surveillance Form by the Ministry of Health online prior to disembarkation. Passengers will receive a QR code after completing the form and will be required to display it to a Port Health Official to proceed through immigration.
• Strict infection prevention and control measures have to be followed: social distancing, good hand hygiene, and the wearing of masks remain mandatory.


Mandatory quarantine


• Please check this link to check if your departure country requires a 14 day mandatory quarantine - https://www.kcaa.or.ke/quarantine-exempted-states


Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure


• Passengers departing Kenya are required to have a Trusted Travel (TT) code for their COVID-19 test certificates if their destination countries, airlines or transit airports require PCR tests. Visit www.africacdc.org/trusted-travel to check the test requirements of transit and destination countries.
• See a list of laboratories that have been approved to carry out COVID-19 PCR tests and issue certificates and TT codes.

Namibia

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 72 hours of boarding the flight to Namibia.
• Undergo health screening and temperature testing.
• Submit your full trip itinerary.
Mandatory quarantine
• Not required, unless a traveller's PCR test is older than 72 hours (but less than seven days) – supervised quarantine of seven days is then required.
Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure
• A negative COVID-19 test certificate, conducted within 48 hours of departing Namibia, if your country of origin requires it.

Rwanda

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• Provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), performed within 120 hours of departure for Rwanda. Other tests such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDT) are not accepted.
• Complete the Passenger Locator Form and upload your COVID-19 test certificate via www.rbc.gov.rw/travel prior to arrival.
• If you are visiting any national park in Rwanda, you are required to schedule your visit within 72 hours of receiving a negative PCR test result. If your visit/s are more than 72 hours after the initial test on arrival in Rwanda, you will be required to take another COVID-19 test before visiting the parks.
• Follow preventive measures while travelling in Rwanda: physical distancing where possible; the wearing of masks is mandatory; and temperature screenings before entering certain buildings are mandatory.
• All travellers departing from Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19, with the RT-PCR test performed within 120 hours before departure. The Rwanda Development Board has advised that as long as travellers depart within 120 hours of their RT-PCR test on arrival, they do not require another test.


Mandatory quarantine


• All travellers arriving in Rwanda will be screened upon entry and take a second RT-PCR test to confirm the negative results of the test done prior to arrival. You will be required to wait about 24 hours for these test results in a designated transit hotel. The Government of Rwanda has negotiated special rates at designated transit hotels for the 24-hour waiting period.

South Africa

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• Complete a Traveller Health Questionnaire (THQ) not more than 2 days before arrival. The same applies when leaving South Africa.
• Provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, obtained not more than 72 hours (3 days) from the time of departure for South Africa. The test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and the certificate must have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test.
• Undergo screening for any COVID-19 symptoms and/or for contact with people who have been infected with the virus.
• Download the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app.


Mandatory quarantine
Not required unless:


• Arriving passengers fail to present a valid and negative COVID-19 PCR test. This will require quarantine at own cost.
• Travellers display any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with an infected person. A mandatory COVID-19 test will be required at their own cost. If this test result is positive, travellers will be subjected to a 10-day quarantine at a designated site, at their own cost.

Tanzania

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• If you are travelling with an airline that requires a negative COVID-19 certificate, or if your country of origin requires a negative COVID-19 certificate upon departure, then Tanzania will also request the certificate on arrival. All other travellers do not require a negative COVID-19 certificate, although it is recommended that all travellers have the certificate as a precautionary measure.
• Arriving passengers showing any symptoms or signs of COVID-19 will be required to undergo enhanced health screening and may be tested for COVID-19.
• While in Tanzania, visitors will be expected to adhere to full protective measures against the spread of COVID-19.


Mandatory quarantine

• Not required.

Zambia

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• Provide a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test that has been conducted within 7 days of arriving in Zambia.
• Adhere to COVID-19 regulations like physical distancing, wearing face masks, and personal hygiene. You will also need to monitor yourself daily for 14 days post arrival for symptoms of the virus and report any occurrence to the nearest health facility.
• Travellers leaving Zambia will only be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate when flying with an airline or to a country that requires said certificate.


Mandatory quarantine


• All international visitors are screened on arrival. If you show any signs of COVID-19, you will have to quarantine for 14 days.


Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure

Obtain a Travel Certificate from the Ministry of Health, originating from Zambia, if your destination or airline requires a COVID-19 test certificate. To obtain a Travel Certificate, travellers must present their passports and COVID-19 test results at one of these offices:


• University Teaching Hospital (UTH)
• District Health Office (DHO)
• Public Health Office (PHO)
• Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI)
• Adult Infectious Disease Center (AIDC) at UTH

Zimbabwe

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

• Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, obtained from a recognised facility within 48 hours of departure for Zimbabwe.
• Undergo health screening and temperature testing.
• Social distancing, hand sanitisation and the wearing of masks are mandatory.


Mandatory quarantine


• Not required unless travellers show symptoms of the virus or don't have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate on arrival – they are then required to stay at a designated isolation facility for 7 days, then self- isolate for another 7 days. A fee of $60 will be levied on travellers tested at ports of entry.