We often find ourselves offering advice with regards to tourist visas, as they are a requirement for many African countries including Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. In some cases you can get a visa on arrival at the airport, in others you will need to plan ahead and get one from the embassy in advance. If you have a choice, getting a visa in advance does not necessarily save you time when you arrive at the airport, but it does save you from having to part with some precious foreign currency on arrival.
The KAZA Univisa
The new KAZA UniVisa allows visitors entry to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and is available for USD 50 at the local airports, and land border crossings close to Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Perfect for visitors looking to see the Falls from both countries, and highly recommended during the “low-flow” seasons when staying on the Zambian side.
The East Africa Tourist Visa
Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda announced the birth of a new “East African” tourist visa, in January 2014. The tourist visa will be valid for entry into all 3 countries. Unfortunately we don’t know exactly when this visa will be available, and the embassies could not offer up an exact date. But we will keep you informed, and you can also check the respective Consulate/Embassy web sites for further updates!
Who You Gonna Call? …
We usually recommend you first call the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to find out the most current requirements. Regulations can change day by day and we try and keep up with them, but it’s not always possible. The rules also vary depending on your nationality. Even in our own office we have different experiences, Yvette rarely needs to bother with visas in Africa, since she holds a South African passport; Anouk has a Dutch passport and visa fees are often different for her than US passport holders. Don’t wait until the last minute to call, as you may not get through the first time you try.
Questions to Ask When You Call the Embassy or Consulate

• Can the tourist visa be issued at the airport or land border – or do you need to get it in advance? (See below for our list)
• Will you need proof of an airline ticket purchase or tour itinerary?
• How long is the tourist visa valid for?
• Does the validity of the tourist visa start once issued, or on arrival in the country?
• How much does it cost and what is the accepted method of payment?
• Ask if you need a “single” or “multiple” entry visa based on your planned trip itinerary
• How long does it take to process the visa?

Once you’ve gathered all the information, make sure you get the right application form and follow all the guidelines. It’s likely you will need some passport photos, a money order, and a passport with blank pages that is valid for at least six months after you arrive in the country.
Start Early!
We recommend you start the visa process at least a month before you depart on your trip so you have ample time to get your passport back with the visa in it. If you need multiple visas for a safari that encompasses several countries it may be worth using a visa agency to avoid a lot of mailing back and forth.

Countries Where a Tourist Visa is Required Before Arrival

• Madagascar
• Mozambique

Countries Where a Tourist Visa Can Be Acquired On Arrival (Payable in USD Cash) – or as an *E-Visa before departure

• Egypt – US $15
• Zimbabwe – US $30 (single entry) /$50 (double entry)
• *Zambia – US $50 (single entry) /US $80 (multiple entry)/ US $20 (day trip). Visa fees are now payable by VISA, MasterCard or American Express.
• Uganda – US $50 (single entry) /US $90 (multiple entry)
• Tanzania – US $100
• *Kenya – US $50

Note: If you are in transit through Kenya from/to any other East African country and will be in country for 24 hours or less, you are only required to purchase an East Africa visitor’s pass/transit at US$20. Please request this pass on arrival from Immigration and be prepared to provide proof of your itinerary
Countries Where a Tourist Visa is NOT required

• South Africa
• Botswana
• Rwanda
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• The Seychelles

Be Informed – Know your Zim from your Zam
Part of what we strive for at African Portfolio is to provide unique, customized itineraries for our clients. We love to involve our clients with the planning and choosing of hotels, routes and safaris. By being informed about your trip every step of the way, you will know exactly what borders you may be crossing, and what cities you will be flying into. This will make it easy to ensure you get the right tourist visa in good time for your trip of a lifetime!
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