African countries re-open for tourism

We have compiled a list of African countries re-open for tourism in Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. These countries have opened their borders again for post Covid-19 travel. We will update this list as new information for each country is made available.

Many of these countries have been awarded a #SafeTravels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council.

**Last Update 08 October 2020

List of African countries re-open for tourism

Tanzania is open for tourists to visit.

Tanzania and Zanzibar opened their borders in June, with international airlines returning to Dar es Salaam International Airport and Zanzibar. More flights are starting soon into Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International Airports as demand increases. Local charter operators are back in the air ferrying guests from Dar es Salaam to various airstrips around the country. Tanzania required all tourism operations to apply for a Covid-19 Certificate ensuring compliance with strict health and safety guidelines.
Airports open: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Kilimanjaro.
Quarantine: No
Safety protocols on arrival: Masks mandatory, temperature and screening at the airport. Anyone showing signs of illness will be required to take a Covid-19 test and perhaps quarantine
Lodges open: More and more lodges are reopening with the majority of hotels and lodges to be open by 1 September.

#SafeTravels: YES

Read: Tanzania Travel Info

Kenya is open for tourists to visit.

Kenya has now opened its borders for visitors. The World Travel and Tourism Council has given Kenya the Safe Travel Stamp, acknowledging that Kenya has adopted the global standards in health and hygiene in a post Covid-19 world. Kenyan Airways is starting to reopen more of its routes and Emirates is also flying into Nairobi on certain dates.

Airports Open: Nairobi International on 1 August
Quarantine on arrival: None, unless showing signs of illness.
Safety protocols on arrival: Masks mandatory, temperature and screening at the airport. A Covid-19 negative test to be produced on arrival, no older than 96 hours. Anyone showing signs of illness will be required to take a Covid-19 test. Guests from this list of nationalities are allowed to visit. The list sits at over 130 countries so far. Guests need to complete a health questionnaire online before travelling, once submitted a QR code is sent to the traveller to show the officials at immigration on arrival. The form can be completed here: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/
Lodges open: Many lodges are open to locals and ready for the international visitors to arrive.

Only certain passport holders are allowed entry at the moment, please check with your Kenya High Commission to see if your passport is allowed. For example travellers from certain US States will be allowed in, not all.

#SafeTravels: YES

Read:

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Rwanda is open for tourists to visit.

Rwanda has opened their borders to all countries, however with some very strict rules. These protocols are in place to protect the Rwandans and the wildlife like Gorilla’s who can pick up many of the viruses humans carry.

Airports Open: Kigali International on 1 August
Quarantine on arrival: 24 hours
Safety protocols on arrival: All visitors are to bring proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken just before they left their home country – not more than 72 hours old when they land. On arrival all visitors will be given another test and be required to spend 24 hours in a hotel in Kigali waiting for the results.
Lodges open: Hotels and lodges are ready for the international visitors to arrive.

#SafeTravels: YES

Read: Singita opens an incredible lodge in Rwanda.

South Africa is open for tourists to visit.

South Africa have opened their borders to a select list of countries, however with some very strict rules.

Airports Open: Cape Town International, OR Tambo International in Johannesburg and King Shaka International in Durban on 01 October

Airlines: Ethiopian, Emirates, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa

Quarantine on arrival: None

Safety protocols on arrival: All visitors are to bring proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken just before they left their home country so it is not more than 72 hours old. when they land. On arrival, masks are mandatory, temperature and screening at the airport. The list of allowed nationalities is still forth coming and we will update as soon as we can. This list will be people from countries with high infection rates will not be allowed. All travellers must download South Africa Corona Virus Alert App. Business travellers will need to apply to be allowed in if from a high risk area.

Lodges open: Hotels and lodges are ready for international visitors to arrive.

Current countries NOT allowed in yet: (List will be re-evaluated every 2 weeks. Here is the official page)

Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Suriname, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, and Venezuela.

#SafeTravels: The City of Cape Town has been awarded the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp!

Read: Kruger Park Accommodation Specials

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Zambia is open for tourists to visit.

Zambia has opened their borders again.

Airports Open: Lusaka Airport, however currently only Kenya Airways is flying. Domestically twice a week from Lusaka to Mfuwe and Livingstone.
Quarantine on arrival: None, unless showing signs of illness. All visitors must complete this application before arrival https://eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/#/home and then travel with the returned letter of approval.
Safety protocols on arrival: Masks mandatory, temperature and screening at the airport. A Covid-19 negative test to be produced on arrival, no older than 14 days in order to purchase a visa on arrival.
Lodges open: Many lodges are open to locals and ready for the international visitors to arrive.

#SafeTravels: NO

Sun Safaris-Walking Safaris in Africa (2) — Walking across the Luangwa River in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – Bushcamps Company

Read: Top Zambia Safari Accommodation ideas

Namibia is open for tourists to visit.

Namibia has opened their borders again.

Airports Open: Windhoek International Airport.
Quarantine on arrival: None, unless showing signs of illness.
Safety protocols on arrival: On arrival complete a questionnaire and provide a full printout of your itinerary with contact details. A PCR Covid-19 negative test to be produced on arrival, no older than 72 hours. You will need to have a Covid-19 swab test on day 5 of being in country, while on your trip. A full itinerary needs to be provided on arrival.
Lodges open: Many lodges are open to locals and ready for the international visitors to arrive.

#SafeTravels: YES

Read: Incredible Fly-in safari to Namibia

Zimbabwe is open for tourists to visit.

Zimbabwe will open their airports for international visitors on 1 October. More information will be shared when received.

Airports Open: 01 October 2020
Quarantine on arrival: No
Safety protocols on arrival: A Covid-19 negative test to be produced on arrival, no older than 48 hours. Masks mandatory, temperature, and screening at the airport. Anyone showing signs of illness will be required to retake a Covid-19 test.
Lodges open: Many lodges are open to locals and ready for international visitors to arrive.

#SafeTravels: No

Read: Top Safari accommodation options for Zimbabwe

Uganda is open for tourists to visit.

Uganda is open for international visitors from 1 October.

Airports Open: 21 September

Airlines: Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Turkish, Qatar
Quarantine on arrival: no
Safety protocols on arrival: All visitors are to bring proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken just before they left their home country so it is not more than 72 hours old on arrival. On arrival, masks are mandatory, temperature and screening at the airport. When leaving Uganda you need to present another negative PCR Covid-19 test. If you do not need to provide a PCR test at your destination after Uganda, you will need to prove this to avoid the test.
Lodges open: Many lodges are open to locals and ready for the international visitors to arrive.

#SafeTravels: No