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.

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.

COVID-19 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PER COUNTRY IN AFRICA

USA Entry Requirements (updated 1/27)

  • A negative PCR OR ANTIGEN test within 3 days of flight to USA.
  • If previously tested positive within 3 months of travel & cleared to end isolation, one can provide previous positive results + letter from a doctor stating cleared to travel. Results+Letter referred to as “documentation of recovery” (applies even when vaccinated).
  • Always check airline rules (KLM requires both PCR and antigen)

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 8/20

  • 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:
  • For your departure from Kenya, you will need to fill out the Trusted Travel (TT) Initiative again.
    • Please note that the process for departure from Kenya is the same as the steps in the attached guide, with the exception of section 8 – choose option A rather than B.
  • PCR test required within 72 hours of departure

Updated 3/2

  • Most of Europe and the US cannot travel to Madagascar.

Updated 7/9

  • Through August 31, 2021, travelers that have been in South Africa or Brazil within the last 15 days are not allowed entry.
  • All travelers aged 18 and over must present a vaccination card showing their full vaccination sequence completed at least 14 days before arrival, as well as a negative PCR COVID test that was administered within 5 to 7 days of departure from their final embarkation point to Mauritius. Travelers under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement as long as they are traveling with vaccinated adults.
  • Through September 30, 2021, all travelers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at the airport, and have to remain in the facilities/beach area of their certified COVID safe resort.
  • Beginning October 1, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers are welcome to fully move about the island and need to present a negative PCR COVID test administered within 72hrs upon arrival to Mauritius.

Updated 2/18

  • Travelers entering Morocco by air must present negative test results from a PCR test carried out less than 72 hours before boarding.
    • Children under the age of 11 are exempt from this requirement.
  • All passengers must complete this passenger health form, then print and sign the form.
  • Air travel to and from Morocco remains restricted to specific categories of travelers. Citizens and residents of Morocco and, as of September 6, foreign nationals of visa-exempt countries (which includes U.S. citizens) with reservations with Moroccan hotels or travel agencies are allowed to enter and depart. 

Updated 1/27

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

Updated 8/16

  • A negative antigen or PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
    • Proof of medical insurance also required upon arrival
  • This questionnaire must be completed before arrival
  • Exit requirements dependent upon airline/next destination

Updated 6/15

  • 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.
  • All travelers will be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival then taken to a designated hotel for 24 hours, awaiting results (USD 60 per traveler).
  • Travelers are required to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to each park entry and test within 72 hours of each chimp/gorilla trek to protect the health of the primates.
  • Travelers departing Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. Travelers must book and pay for their tests at least two days (48 hours) prior to departure through the online platform here.
  • As of June 15, you cannot enter Rwanda from Uganda without mandatory 7-day quarantine.

Updated 5/25

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
  • All travelers must submit an application for approval through seychelles.govtas.com
  • The Seychelles Islands allow entry to visitors from all countries. For the time being this excludes South Africa and Brazil. Visitors who have been in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the last 14 days preceding their arrival in Seychelles will not be allowed entry. Visitors’ vaccination status will not affect their entry. However, visitors are strongly encouraged to be fully immunized before travel.
  • All visitors must have valid travel health insurance to cover potential COVID-19 related costs (isolation, quarantine, and treatment).

Updated 8/23

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
    • The test must be conducted by a certified DR/LAB and the results must have the name and signature of dr/lab that conducted the test.
    • Bring along multiple printed copies of results.
  • All travelers are required to download the COVID Alert SA application on their mobile phones.
  • Must complete the following for arrival
  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of 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.
  • Travelers are required to fill out the Departing South Africa Form before exiting
  • Travelers are not able to enter Dubai if they 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 5/4

  • A negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival in Tanzania
  • All travelers will be subjected to enhanced screening including a rapid test on arrival at a cost of US$25 per person.
  • Traveller Surveillance Form must be filled out online by ALL TZ travelers within 24hrs of arrival. Travelers will receive a confirmation code, including a Unique Health Code, to be presented during primary screening upon arrival.
  • A negative test result within 14 days is required to enter Mahale National Park in order to protect the primates
  • Exit requirements are dependent upon the airline/next destination

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 8/26

  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours prior to boarding the first flight to Uganda. Visas also must be secured online, in advance.
  • All travelers arriving into Uganda – regardless of age, vaccination status and country of origin – will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival.
  • PCR COVID-19 test will be administered by government accredited labs offering expedited results.
  • Using the online form linked here, the test cost is $55 (to be paid in USD cash on arrival). This online system will help ensure that long waits in the test facility are avoided.
  • Upon arrival at the EBB airport, travelers will clear customs and immigration, collect baggage, and head to the UTB desk near the exit (Uganda Tourism Board). Once checked in there, a UTB representative will locate travelers’ online forms, and connect them to the DMC driver guide who will drive them to the test facility where a test will be performed. Travelers will then be taken to their hotel to await results. These services are only available by completing the online form in advance and adding all necessary local DMC info. Approved waiting hotels include Karibu Guesthouse, The Boma Hotel, Hotel No. 5.
  • For those travelers not utilizing the online form, the cost will be $65 per test and UTB will not be able to assist on arrival.
  • Another negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of departure
  • There is a nationwide 9 pm curfew

Updated 8/16

  • Unvaccinated Travelers entering from “high risk countries” South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, France, Germany, Italy, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, and Tunisia will be tested on arrival AND (regardless of test result) must 14 day self-quarantine.
  • Fully vaccinated travelers are still required to present negative PCR results 72 hours prior but DO NOT need to quarantine for any period of time. Bring proof of fully vaccinated status
  • A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival
  • A Health Questionnaire must be completed upon arrival
  • A Ministry of Health certification will be given to you by your tour operator/booking agent
  • With your negative test results, you will need to obtain a Trusted Travel Code from trustedtravel.panabios.org prior to arrival as well as upon departure from Zambia.

Updated 1/27

  • A negative PCR test is required within 48 hrs of arrival
  • Travelers must complete the Health Questionnaire on arrival
  • 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.

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.