Many of our current clients as well as potential travellers interested in safari have been asking about border closures and flight schedules. Thanks to our direct line of communication with our trusted on-the-ground partners throughout Africa, cross-referenced with official government entities, we’ve compiled a one-stop informational resource with real-time updates on travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Here’s the latest on safari travel to Africa…
Open / To Open
Seychelles
From 1 June 2020, the Seychelles gradually started reopening its borders to visitors from low-risk countries travelling via private jets and direct chartered flights. Visitors are advised that visa applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis as per public health orders. All visitors are required to send COVID-19 test results to the Seychelles Department of Health prior to boarding a plane. Visitors should also have their results (showing negative) on hand when arriving in the Seychelles, as well as certification by their local health authorities confirming that they’ve taken a test 48 hours or less prior to boarding the flight.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- 1 June 2020
Health screening and quarantine protocols on arrival:
- Strict screening processes on arrival – health check forms, symptomatic checks, temperature scans and potential antigen tests.
Countries allowed to travel to the destination:
- Australia, Austria, Botswana, China, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Luxemberg, Mauritius, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Thailand.
- The following countries appear to be under good control and could be considered with effect from mid-July 2020: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Serbia, and South Korea.
Airlines flying into the destination:
- Private jets and direct chartered flights from the above countries.
Tanzania
The government of Tanzania announced on 18 May 2020 that it will lift the ban on international flights arriving and departing from the country. Scheduled and non-scheduled international flights will reopen from 1 July 2020. All hotels and other tourist facilities in the country must go through a COVID-19 certification process, and official documents must be placed at the entrances of all facilities. The Tanzanian government has also directed all the country’s tourism entities to appoint and adequately train COVID-19 liaison officers to be the point of contact with its Health Ministry.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- 1 July 2020
Health screening and quarantine protocols on arrival:
- No visitors will be subjected to 14 days quarantine when landing in Tanzania.
- Visitors will be expected to adhere to full protective measures against the spread of COVID-19.
Countries allowed to travel to the destination:
- All – if passengers’ body temperatures test normal, they will be able to enter the country without being quarantined.
Airlines flying into the destination:
- Air Tanzania could resume operations to other countries that have re-opened for international travel, or for passengers looking to fly with the airline – to be confirmed.
In Discussion
Mauritius
Since 11 May 2020, this Indian Ocean island has reported no confirmed cases of COVID-19. Its current lockdown restrictions will be re-evaluated on 15 June 2020.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Might start opening gradually from 1 July 2020 – to be confirmed.
Namibia
Namibia has suspended the issuance of visitor visas on arrival and implemented a travel ban on foreign nationals from coronavirus-affected countries such as China, Iran, Korea, UK, USA, Japan, and the Schengen states.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Gradual reopening of borders to selected countries (yet to be confirmed) proposed from 1 July 2020.
Health screening and quarantine protocols on arrival:
- Mandatory screening will be conducted at all ports of entry.
- All returning Namibians and permanent residents arriving from affected countries will be subject to a 14-day, supervised self-quarantine.
South Africa
The South African government has issued a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries, cancelled visitor visas and revoked previously granted visas. As the country’s risk-adjusted approach to COVID-19 is based on five lockdown levels (South Africa is currently in Level 3), the reopening dates for international tourism have not been defined.
Recent media reports claiming that South Africa will only reopen for international travel in 2021 are false. The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) will present a data-driven plan at a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee meeting on 9 June 2020, advocating for an earlier phased reopening of international tourism from as soon as September 2020.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Possibly September 2020 – to be confirmed.
Awaiting Further Information
Botswana
The Government of Botswana has banned entry of all visitors (except residents) from high-risk countries.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Unknown
Kenya
The Kenyan government has extended the ban on international flights for a further 30 days, as from 7 June 2020. Only Kenyan citizens and people with valid residency permits will be allowed to enter, subject to self-quarantine or quarantine at a facility designated by the government.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Unknown
Mozambique
Mozambique has suspended international passenger flights, as well as the issuance of visas and travel documents until further notice.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Unknown
Rwanda
Rwanda
All arriving and departing commercial passenger flights were suspended from 20 March 2020. While borders to Rwanda are currently closed to international travellers, businesses within the country are starting to resume operations.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Unknown
Uganda
Entebbe International Airport remains closed and there is no indication of when Uganda will reopen for tourism. All the country’s national parks and primate parks are also closed.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Unknown
Zambia
Zambia is not explicitly denying entry to foreign nationals. However, no visitor visas are being issued until further notice, and travellers arriving with existing visitor visas or applying for visas on arrival for non-essential purposes will not be permitted entry. All international flights are redirected to land and depart from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, and non-essential travel to countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases are suspended.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Although borders are officially open, no visitor visas are being issued.
Health screening and quarantine protocols on arrival:
- All international visitors are screened on arrival.
- Mandatory quarantine (minimum of 14 days) for all travellers from high-risk areas.
- While awaiting test results, travellers will be isolated at designated government facilities or alternatively at designated lodges and hotels at their own cost.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe remains under indefinite lockdown, subject to fortnightly reviews. Zimbabwe’s borders are closed, except for returning Zimbabwean nationals and permit holders.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
- Unknown
