A valid passport is required for all international travel. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from your trip. In certain cases foreign passport holders require entry, re-entry or departure permits and/or visas to enter a country. You should also have two blank pages in your passport for every country you visit.
Please contact the relevant authorities and embassies in good time to check and arrange the necessary permits and visas at least three weeks prior to your departure.
Don’t trust websites (such as wikipedia) as information can be outdated.
All travellers must be in possession of a valid onward/return air ticket or proof of other means of transport enabling the traveller to leave the country in which your adventure tour terminates. Alternatively you must have proof of sufficient funds (e.g. credit card) enabling you to purchase an air ticket to leave the country.
Crossing borders with a group of people can take some time so we’d advise you to get as many of your visas beforehand as possible. Also, as border regulations change so frequently it is a lot more comforting to know that you have your e-visas ready to go! E-visas can take a couple of weeks to process so don’t leave it too late.
There is an excellent visa company called iVisa that we recommend our travellers use to get e-visas. It does cost a little extra but it also provides you with a level of comfort knowing that everything is organised. You will need to provide your details and, in some instances, you will be requested to provide a letter of invitation or a travel reservation – I can provide this for you when you’re ready to proceed.
SOUTHERN AFRICA:
MALAWI:
Visas for Malawi can’t be obtained from the border, you can apply for an e-visa for Malawi by using this link: https://www.evisa.gov.mw/ Please note that your card does need to be 3D Secure in order to use this link. If it doesn’t work, please use the iVisa link.
SOUTH AFRICA:
90 Day Tourist Visas can be obtained at the port of entry (for free), however, please see this list for more information (http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries).
NAMIBIA:
90 Day Tourist Visas can be obtained at the port of entry for most nationalities (for free), however, please see this page for more information (https://visitnamibia.com.na/visa-information/)
BOTSWANA:
90 day tourist visas can be obtained at the port of entry for most nationalities (for free), however, please see this page for more information (https://www.handyvisa.com/visa-policy/botswana/).
ZIMBABWE:
Tourist visas can be obtained at the port of entry for most nationalities for +/- US$50, however please see this page for more information (https://www.evisa.gov.zw/regime)
For Zambia and Zimbabwe, you can get a KAZA Univisa, this visa entitles you to visit both Zimbabwe and Zambia multiple times within 30 days, so long as you stay within these countries. This visa will also cover you for a day trip into Botswana through the Kazungula border. Apply for this visa at your port of entry for +/- US$ 50.
ZAMBIA:
Tourist visas can be obtained at the port of entry for most nationalities for +/- US$ 50, however, please see this page for more information (https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/for-visitors/).
SWAZILAND:
30 Day Tourist Visas can be obtained at the port of entry for most nationalities (for free), however, please see this page for more information (https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/visa-guide/)
MOZAMBIQUE:
30 Day Tourist Visas can be obtained at the port of entry for most nationalities for +/- US$60.
EAST AFRICA:
TANZANIA (MAINLAND AND ZANZIBAR):
A visa is obtainable at the border for +/- 50 – 100 US$s. Alternatively, you can apply online for a visa here: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/guidelines
KENYA:
Visas for Kenya need to be obtained before you travel. You can do this on their government website: https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html . A single-entry e-visa for Kenya allows you to enter, exit and re-enter the country after visiting either Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda, without having to purchase a multiple-entry visa.
If you plan on visiting Uganda and Kenya, you can apply for an East Africa Visa and use it multiple times. The issuing country should be your first entry port.
UGANDA:
Visas for Uganda need to be obtained before you travel. You can do this on their government website: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/, and if you’re visiting Kenya too, opt for the East Africa Visa.
The visa requirements do change from time to time and although I do my utmost to give you the most up to date information, it is important to double check everything before you travel. You are personally responsible for ensuring that passports, visas, vaccination certificate sand other travel documents are in order.
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the traveller and that AfricanOverlandTours.com and Escape 4 Africa Travel will not be held responsible for a traveller being denied entry should they not be in the possession of the relevant visas.
How to find Embassy contact info?
Visit this useful website GoAbroad.com, get the details and phone the nearest consulate for up to date information.
