Skip to Content
Safaris & Customized Travel
Safaris by Experience
View All Safaris
North Africa
Central Africa
View All Destinations

EAST AFRICA TRAVEL UPDATE

January 14, 2021 East Africa Bush Tails

Dear Safaris, 

Happy New Year to you all. Please take note of the following requirements throughout East Africa, with a special emphasis on the amended requirements for Kenya.

1. Only travelers departing Kenya, whose airline or destination country requires a PCR based COVID-19 negative test will be required to use the Trusted Travel website to obtain a Trusted Travel code prior to departure. Africa Adventure Company can make arrangements in Nairobi for this test at an approved testing facility.

In addition, we are able to facilitate testing in select safari destinations. These are subject to availability and accessibility, with the test results received 48 hours after the collection of the sample. Please note that the costs of COVID-19 testing outside of Nairobi vary, please contact your safari consultant for further details.  

KENYA

  • All arriving passengers on international flights whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5°C (99.5°F), do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms, have negative PCR based COVID-19 test carried out within 96 hours before travel and are from countries considered low to medium risk COVID-19 transmission areas shall be exempt from quarantine;
  • As of 11 January 2020, departing passengers whose airline or destination country require a negative PCR based COVID-19 test are required to utilise the Trusted Travel website for the approved facility.
  • All passengers travelling to Kenya are required to obtain their visas online via www.evisa.go.ke;
  • Face masks are to be worn by all people at all times in public places;
  • Temperature checks will continue to be conducted in public places; and 
  • Social distancing of 1.5 m apart is required at all times.

TANZANIA

  • All travellers entering The United Republic of Tanzania will undergo temperature screening upon arrival and must complete a Health Declaration form to be submitted upon entry;
  • There are no self-quarantine requirements for travellers arriving into the country who are not showing any COVID-19 symptoms; 
  • Requirements for travellers departing Tanzania will be in line with the requirements issued by the travellers’ respective airline or destination country. COVID-19 PCR testing is currently available as follows: 
    • Dar Es Salaam, USD 100 per person per test, test results available between 24 and 48 hours of sample collection,
    • Arusha, USD 100 per person per test, test results available between 48 and 72 hours of sample collection, or
    • Zanzibar, USD 120 per person, test results available between 48 and 96 hours of sample collection;
  • Please note that the current government advice is for travellers to undergo COVID-19 testing a minimum of 5 days prior to departure (depending on the specific airline and destination country requirements) to ensure adequate time is allowed for test results to be received;
  • Face masks are to be worn by all people at all times in public places; and
  • Social distancing of 1.5 m apart is required at all times.

UGANDA 

  • All arriving passengers on international flights whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5°C (99.5°F), do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms and have negative PCR based COVID-19 test carried out within 120 hours before boarding the aircraft shall be exempt from quarantine;
  • All departing passengers are required to present a negative PCR based COVID-19 test carried out no longer than 120 hours before departure from Uganda (the 120 hours begins from the moment of sample collection). Africa Adventure Company can pre-arrange this. 
  • The nationwide curfew remains in place between 2100 and 0600;
  • Face masks are to be worn by all people above the age of 6 years old at all times in public places; and
  • Social distancing of 1.5 m apart is required at all times.

 RWANDA 

  • All travellers arriving in to, and departing from Rwanda must be tested negative for COVID-19 within 120 hours of departure (meaning that you get tested and get results no more than 5 days before your first flight);
  • The only accepted test for passengers entering Rwanda is a SARS-CoV 2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), (other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted);
  • Arriving travellers are required to complete the passenger locator form, and upload the COVID-19 test certificate, please see the passenger locator form link on www.rbc.gov.rw
  • Departing travellers are encouraged to book and pay for their tests at least 2 days prior to departure. Africa Adventure Company can pre-arrange this. 
  • All travellers arriving in Rwanda will be screened upon entry and be given a second test to confirm the negative results of the first test done prior to arrival, the test is to the cost of the guest, at USD 60 per person per test (can prepay);
  • All arriving travellers are required to complete 24 hours in a designated transit hotel while awaiting the results of the second test, and we recommend accommodation in the following hotels:
    • Kigali Marriott Hotel,
    • Kigali Serena Hotel, or
    •  
  • Following 24 hours, guests’ results will be received via SMS or email. In the event of a negative test, guests will be invited to check out and proceed on their Rwanda safari. In the event of a positive test, guests will be transported to a medical facility for medical attention, at their own cost;
  • All travellers must be tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to visiting any of Rwanda’s National Parks;
  • A nationwide curfew is in place between 2000 and 0400; and 
  • Face masks are to be worn by all people at all times in public places.

Please note that due to the ever changing situation, the above mentioned requirements are subject to change at any time. We will continue to monitor the situation throughout East Africa and endeavour to update you as soon as changes are made.