With health and safety guidelines in place, Africa is open and ready to welcome you back. Plus, with most safari lodges situated in remote areas, they’re about as safe as you can possibly get. Below we’ve outlined each country’s entry requirements and our travel experts are here to help you every step of the way.

COVID-19 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PER COUNTRY IN AFRICA

USA Entry Requirements (updated 11/23)

  • Fully vaccinated: negative PCR or ANTIGEN test within 3 days of departing flight to USA
  • Non-vaccinated: negative PCR or ANTIGEN test within 1 day of departing flight to USA
  • Always check airline rules, as some airlines require PCR test
  • Check the CDC website before traveling

Updated 1/27

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
  • Electronic copies of results not accepted
  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hrs of departure

Updated 7/1

  • Fully vaccinated travelers will be permitted to enter Egypt without proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The certificate must have a QR code.
  • Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 6 must have proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test conducted 96 hours prior to departure of the last direct flight to Egypt is required for all travelers arriving from the USA into Egypt.
  • Electronic copies of results not accepted
  • Proof of insurance required and fill out Public Health Card on arrival
  • The certificate must be stamped and signed by an accredited laboratory and must indicate that the test was a “nasal swab” with “RT-PCR” listed as the test type.

Updated 8/9

  • Negative PCR test within 120 hours starting from the time sample is given.
  • Must complete a health form on arrival
  • There is a mandatory 7-day self-isolation upon arrival for US travelers
  • All those traveling to or transiting through Ethiopia over the age of 12 must present a negative PCR COVID test that was administered within 120 hours (5 days) prior to arrival. With your negative test results, you will need to obtain a Trusted Travel Code from trustedtravel.panabios.org prior to arrival. Travelers will receive an SMS and/or email from PanaBIOS ([email protected]) with instructions on how to generate a Travel Code. If you have any issues, take a screenshot to show you attempted to comply.

Updated 11/16

  • A negative PCR test is required within 96 hours of arrival (from the country of origin).
  • You must complete and obtain 3 QR codes from each of the forms linked below:
    • Kenya – Travelers Health Surveillance Form
      • Must be complete within 5 days prior to arrival.
      • Once you have your COVID results prior to your departure, you must obtain a QR code by completing this
      • After you register on the website, the code is sent to your email.
      • It is recommended to print out a copy.
  • Test results from labs in Kenya will include a Trusted Traveler code to present on departure. There is no need to upload to Panabois.

Updated 11/17

  • The government indicated that there will be a list of countries whose citizens cannot enter Madagascar due to the high prevalence of Covid-19. As yet, this list has not been published.
  • Passengers must take a PCR test on arrival into the country and quarantine while they await results (24 – 48hrs).
  • Currently, there are no vaccine requirements for entry into the country.
  • A negative RT-PCR is required within 72 hrs prior to departure.

Updated 11/17

  • A negative RT-PCR is required within 72 hours prior to arrival
  • A negative RT-PCR is required within 72 hours prior to departure

Updated 9/25

  • US travelers are required to show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate done at least 2 weeks before arrival, and/or a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival
  • All passengers must complete a passenger health form: http://www.onda.ma/form.php

Updated 1/27

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hrs of arrival
  • Exit requirements dependent upon airline/next destination

Updated 11/16

  • A negative antigen or PCR test is required within 7 days of arrival
    • Proof of medical insurance and trip interruption also required upon arrival
  • This questionnaire must be completed before arrival

Updated 11/19

  • All travelers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to first departure (from the country of origin)
  • Travelers must complete this Passenger Locator form within 72 hours of departure. A negative test is needed to complete the form. On completion of the form, travelers will be provided with a Unique Health Code (UHC) which must be presented on arrival.
  • A PCR test is required on arrival $60 (12-24hr turnaround)
    • Fully vaccinated (and children under 18) are not expected to quarantine and may proceed with itinerary, but should isolate at destination until test result
    • Unvaccinated travelers must remain in designated hotel room until test result (~12 hours)
  • PCR test is required within 72 hrs of entry to each park and within 72 hours of each chimp/gorilla trek to protect the health of the primates.
  • Volcanoes National Park Indemnity form due one week prior to trek dates listed (do not list signature date)
  • Travelers departing Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. For short stays, the test taken upon arrival will suffice for departure.

Updated 11/15

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
  • Following receipt of a negative test, all travelers must submit an application for approval through seychelles.govtas.com 
  • Booking vouchers are needed for proof of the duration of stay
  • All visitors must have valid travel health insurance to cover potential COVID-19 related costs (isolation, quarantine, and treatment).

Updated 11/16

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
    • Bring along multiple printed copies of results.
  • South Africa Arrival Health Screen form will be provided on the plane prior to arrival.
  • Travelers are required to fill out the Departing South Africa Form before exiting. This will be provided upon departure.
  • You will not be able to enter Dubai if you have been in South Africa within 14 days of departure to Dubai. This includes transiting in other countries within 14 days before traveling to Dubai.

Updated 11/17

  • A negative PCR test must be taken within 96 hours prior to departure to Tanzania
  • All travelers will be subjected to enhanced screening including a rapid test on arrival at a cost of US$10 per person to mainland Tanzania or US$25 per person to Zanzibar. Cash only.
  • Traveller Surveillance Form must be filled out online by ALL travelers within 24hrs of arrival. Travelers will receive a confirmation code, including a Unique Health Code, to be presented during primary screening upon arrival.

    • For Zanzibar arrivals, use this form (if not working, use the link above for mainland arrival)
  • A negative test result within 14 days is required to enter Mahale National Park in order to protect the primates

Updated 2/11

  • A negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate is required no more than 72 hours before departure.
  • You will not be able to enter Dubai if you have been in South Africa within 14 days of departure to Dubai. This includes transiting in other countries within 14 days before traveling to Dubai.
  • You may need to take another COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result.
  • Click here for the most updated protocols.

Updated 11/3

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours prior to departure – only printed copies are acceptable.
  • All travelers are required to have a COVID-19 PCR test ($30/test) conducted upon arrival in Uganda. Test results are typically available within 2 hours and travelers can wait at their hotel. Once negative results are received, you may proceed with your itinerary.
  • All travelers are required to complete this health form before arriving in Uganda. Select TOURISM as the reason for travel.
  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of departure.

Updated 11/16

  • A negative PCR test is required 72 hours prior to departure
  • All travelers from “High Risk” countries will be required to undergo mandatory testing upon entry and quarantine for 14 days at home or until the entry test returns negative.
  • High-risk countries are defined by GRZ as countries with more than 200 cases per 1,000,000 people. Currently, they include; Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Peru, Maldives, Iraq, Costa Rica, Panama, Tunisia, Fiji, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mongolia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Suriname.
  • A health questionnaire must be completed upon arrival

Updated 11/18

  • A negative PCR test is required within 48 hrs of arrival
  • Travelers must complete the Health Questionnaire on arrival
  • When in transit to or from airports, or on a day trip, between Zimbabwe and Botswana or Zambia: Travelers are exempt from the vaccination proof as long as they enter and exit from Zimbabwe on the same day. If overnighting, the traveler must provide BOTH a vaccination certificate (fully vaccinated) and a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours to enter Zimbabwe. Those under 18 years old do not require the vaccination certificate but must produce a negative RT-PCR test.
  • A negative test required within 72 hours of departure

COVID-19 TREND’S WE’VE NOTICED ON SAFARI

Our key partners in Africa have been proactive in their approach to COVID-19 with improved health and safety guidelines designed to keep you safe when you do make it back out on safari. We’ll be able to share a specific list of safety precautions for the airlines you’ll be flying and the properties you’ll be visiting once we begin working on an itinerary for you. In the meantime, here are a few trends we’ve noticed:

  • Safety protocols are created with careful consideration and consolidation of the recommendations from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, Would Tourism Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and health professionals with safari knowledge.
  • In some countries, in order for a property to legally open, they must pass a rigorous process and site inspection by the Ministry of Health. Properties are reevaluated by the Ministry of Health every three months.
  • Staff are required to have their temperatures taken and recorded every morning in line with government guidelines. Guests’ temperatures are also checked upon arrival and again daily.
  • All vehicles are sanitized before and after each use and drivers are required to wear appropriate protective gear.
  • Where possible, properties are providing a private vehicle. In many cases, if a private vehicle is unavailable, the vehicle capacity is limited to provide sufficient distance between groups/couples. If a group traveling together is more than four passengers, guests can share the vehicle up to a standard six.
  • All community-based activities are canceled for the foreseeable future to reduce unnecessary risk to guests, staff, and the local community.
  • Staff are using gloves to handle luggage and wipe down handles with alcohol wipes before carefully placing luggage in guests’ rooms.
  • Bottles of hand sanitizes are available in all public areas for guest use, all guest rooms, on each member of staff, and on all game activities and safari vehicles.
  • At this time, communal dining is discontinued. All dining is now offered within your travel group and set apart from one another, staggered at different times and locations to limit exposure to other travelers. Meals will be served individually plated or as a table sharing platter with bottles of water and wine left on your table for self-serving.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO GO ON SAFARI NOW?

Read our interview with our guests, who were among the first U.S. citizens to visit East Africa in August 2020 after its borders reopened to international tourists. Our guests share insights about their experience traveling to Africa in a pandemic, from international flights to what it’s like on the ground.

SOCIAL DISTANCING IS THE NATURE OF SAFARI

OPEN-AIR BENEFIT
The allure of safari is being in a far-away place in an exclusive setting, which makes it the perfect location for a socially distanced getaway. In addition, most safari properties have open-air walkways with rooms that are spaced well apart and allow for natural airflow.

EXCLUSIVE-USE PROPERTIES
If you’d like to completely avoid crossing paths with anyone outside your own travel party, we recommend focusing on exclusive-use accommodations. This will eliminate any common areas that could be shared with other guests. You can view a complete directory of Africa’s Private Safari Lodges & Villas here.

PRIVATE EXPERIENCES
There are a number of ways to enhance the exclusivity of your experience on safari, such as upgrading to a private game drive, organizing a private charter, or booking a private tour.

WHAT IF SAFARI PLANS CHANGE?

If you find yourself a few months out from your intended departure date and you are still not comfortable with the thought of traveling due to COVID-19, we will go above and beyond to help you postpone your trip. This is where the power of relationships comes into play. We will negotiate with our partners on your behalf to score the best possible outcome for you.

Should you choose to cancel your trip, our normal payment terms will apply:

 
Cancellation Penalties Per Person
90+ days prior to travel Deposit Paid (25% of land costs + 100% of internal
airfare + 100% of insurance)
61-89 days prior to travel 50%
0-60 days prior to travel 100%

YOUR IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES & CONSERVATION IN AFRICA

In Africa, an average of seven people are dependent on one salaried family member to sustain them. Imagine the ripple effect of the loss of employment due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The lack of activity within camps and their surrounding wildlife reserves also makes it easier for poachers to move through normally protected areas without being noticed. This has resulted in a spike in poaching incidents within Africa in recent months. While this is certainly sobering news, it is not irreversible.

One of the greatest ways you can have an impact on Africa’s wildlife and its people is simply by traveling and being aware of where your money goes and what it supports. If you are interested in contributing directly to staff members or to anti-poaching initiatives, we invite you to make a donation to our nonprofit, Alluring Impact.

We are forever grateful for the generosity of our guests and we look forward to welcoming you back to Africa soon.