There are many good reasons to procrastinate booking a holiday. But not knowing if you need a visa shouldn’t be one of them. Luckily, when you travel with Rhino Africa, you’re not left to Google your way through the bureaucracy. We’ve created this no-nonsense, country-by-country visa guide for some of the most popular safari destinations in Africa (and a few island add-ons, too). So, whether you’re dreaming of game drives in the Serengeti or scuba diving in the Seychelles, you’ll know exactly what paperwork stands between you and your next big adventure.
The only thing you’ll scout for is adventure, Image Credit: Wilderness Vumbura Plains
Passport and Paperwork 101
Before we dive into country-specific red tape, let’s cover the universal fine print.
Your passport needs to:
✅ Be valid for at least six months after your intended departure date
✅ Have two blank visa pages that face one another like an open book – per country you intend to visit on your itinerary. And no, the half-stamped page hiding at the back won’t cut it.
Travelling with Minors?
✅ Throughout most of Africa, if you’re travelling with a minor (under 18), we recommend carrying an unabridged birth certificate.
✅ Over and above this, if the minor is travelling with only one parent or with neither, a certified letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) (or a court order, if applicable) is required for entry. Your consultant will confirm whether this applies to your specific bespoke itinerary.
Smooth family travel starts with the right paperwork – your consultant will tell you what’s needed, Image Credit: Natural Selection
Do I Need a Visa for South Africa?
For most passport holders, the answer is no. Citizens from the UK, most EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Cost: Free
- Process: Stamp on arrival
- Processing time: Instant – welcome to South Africa
Pro tip: For our valued Indian and Mexican (amongst others) passport holders, you’ll need to get your visa sorted before you go – and chances are, the same goes for most of the destinations on this list.
No visa needed to land in lights like these
Do I Need a Visa for Namibia?
Namibia doesn’t hand out visa-free entry as generously as you might expect. Most non-African passport holders will need a visa, including those from the UK, US, EU, Australia and Canada.
The good news? You can apply online in advance (we recommend using our partner Sherpa) and skip the extra queue at the airport or border. Or, if you like living on the edge, visas are still available on arrival – just prepare to wait.
- Cost: NAD 1,600 (around USD 90)
- Process: Visa is required for most nationalities
- Processing time: On arrival or online (apply at least two weeks in advance)
Pro tip: Travelling with kids under 18? Namibia requires unabridged birth certificates at the border, no exceptions.
Visa-free and fog-draped, Namibia keeps things effortless
Do I Need a Visa for Botswana?
Botswana has long been one of Africa’s most stable safari gems – and good news: many travellers don’t need a visa to visit. This includes citizens from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Cost: Free
- Process: Stamp on arrival
- Processing time: Immediate
Pro tip: If you’re travelling with children under 18, Botswana (like Namibia) requires unabridged birth certificates.
Botswana welcomes you – and your trunks – visa-free
Do I Need a Visa for Zimbabwe?
If you’re travelling on a non-African passport, chances are high that you’ll need a visa for Zimbabwe. While there’s a government eVisa platform, it’s notoriously glitchy – slow to load, slower to process, and best avoided. Our advice? Skip the tech roulette and get your visa on arrival. It’s reliable and saves the pre-trip frustration.
- Cost: For most, Single entry: USD 30, Double entry: USD 45, Multiple-entry: USD 55–160, but it does vary, depending on nationality
- Process:
Visa is required for most nationalities - Processing time: On arrival
Pro tip: Zimbabwe now requires all travellers to complete an online immigration declaration form before arrival. It’s quick to fill in, and if you complete and print it out beforehand, it can seriously cut down your wait time at the airport. One form per traveller.
Bonus tip: Planning day trips to Zambia or Botswana while staying at Victoria Falls? Ask for a KAZA UniVisa when you land (USD 50). It covers multiple entries into Zimbabwe and Zambia for up to 30 days – no extra admin each time you cross the border.
Zimbabwe’s eVisa makes this bucket list breeze-by simple
Do I Need a Visa for Zambia?
For most travellers – including those from the UK, US, EU, Canada, and Australia – no visa is required to enter Zambia. That said, if you’re flying in, you’ll need to show proof of a return air ticket on arrival.
If you’re from a country that does require a visa (many South American passports fall into this category), you can usually purchase one on arrival – no need to mess about with embassy visits or sketchy online portals.
- Cost: Free for most. If you do need a visa, expect to pay USD 25–70, depending on your nationality
- Process: Stamp on arrival
- Processing time: Instant – welcome to Zambia
Zambia’s sunsets shine almost as bright as eVisas
Do I Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes – almost always. Unless you’re from a visa-exempt country (very few are), you’ll need a visa to visit Tanzania. The good news? It’s all online now. No embassy drama. This can still be purchased on arrival, yes, and can be purchased via a government eVisa site.
However, here’s the catch: like Zimbabwe, the government site is known for technical bugs, delays, and the occasional crash mid-application.
Our advice? Save yourself the hassle and apply in advance via Sherpa. It’s faster, far less temperamental, and cuts down your time in airport queues.
- Cost: Single entry: USD 50 (most countries), US citizens: USD 100 (multiple-entry visa required)
- Process: Apply online with Sherpa, upload your passport, itinerary, and a passport-style photo
- Processing time: Approval typically takes five to ten working days on average, but we recommend starting the process at least 14 working days before travel. If you’re heading out in peak season, give it three weeks just to be safe.
Swift and simple – Tanzania’s eVisa keeps up beautifully
Do I Need a Visa for Kenya?
Yes – although it’s not technically called a visa anymore. As of January 2024, Kenya requires all travellers to hold an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). There’s no visa or eTA on arrival anymore – if you show up without one, you’re not getting in. Simple as that.
- Cost: Around USD 30–36 (varies slightly depending on exchange rates)
- Process: Apply online at etakenya.go.ke, submit your passport, photo, travel details, proof of confirmed accommodation, and return flight details, and your travel itinerary
- Processing time: Apply 3‑90 days before travel, but give it at least three working days to be safe
Pro tip: The eTA is valid for a single entry into Kenya. That said, if you temporarily head into one of Kenya’s East African neighbours (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, or the DRC), your eTA will still be valid when you re-enter Kenya. Step outside the EAC region, though, and you’ll need to apply for a new one.
Kenya’s eTA clears the path to views like this
Do I Need a Visa for Seychelles?
Nope. All nationalities are visa-free for short stays (up to 90 days), but you will need an e‑Border Travel Authorisation before you arrive in Seychelles.
- Cost: Approximately USD 12 – USD 13 standard processing (not premium)
- Process: Apply at seychelles.govtas.com, upload passport, return ticket, accommodation, proof of funds
- Processing time: Apply within 30 days of travel, no less than 1 week prior to arrival, and expect a decision in around 24 hours
Prop tip: Visitor’s permit on arrival is obtainable visa-free, initially valid for three months.
Visa-free and carefree in the Seychelles
Do I Need a Visa for Mauritius?
Most travellers don’t need a visa to visit Mauritius for tourism (up to 90 days). That includes UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian, and South African passport holders.
But before you start dreaming about palm trees and punchy rum cocktails, there’s one formality to tick off: all travellers must complete the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form online. It’s essentially a health declaration and helps speed things up at immigration. You will need to print a copy of the completed form with a QR code to present to officials upon arrival. No QR, no entry.
- Cost: Free
- Process: Stamp on arrival
- Processing time: Immediate
Pro tip: You must show proof of accommodation and a return ticket.
Visa-free Mauritius makes a splash from every angle
Do I Need a Visa for the Maldives?
It’s a smooth entry into the Maldives, too. All nationalities receive a 30-day visa on arrival for free.
What you do need is to complete an electronic travel declaration via imuga.immigration.gov.mv within 96 hours (4 days) PRIOR TO TRAVEL. It’s quick and painless – but make sure you print a hard copy for good measure.
- Cost: Free
- Process: Stamp on arrival
- Processing Time: Immediate
Maldives gives you 30 visa-free days in paradise
Do I Need a Visa for Madagascar?
Yes, you’ll need a visa for Madagascar, but it’s an easy process. You can get a visa on arrival or apply online for an eVisa before you fly. Wonderfully, this eVisa site consistently works very well!
- Cost: Up to 15 days: ~USD 12, 16–30 days: ~USD 41, 31–60 days: ~USD 47
- Process: Apply online via evisamada.gov.mg
- Processing time: 48–72 hours
Getting into Madagascar is easier than this leap
Do I Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania – so yes, you need a Tanzanian visa or eVisa. If you skipped the Tanzania section above, scroll back – the same rules apply here.
But, as of 1 October 2024, there’s something new to add to your checklist: Inbound Travel Insurance is now mandatory for all non-residents visiting Zanzibar. This insurance provides peace of mind during your stay (up to 92 days) by offering comprehensive coverage for emergencies, including medical evacuations and repatriation.
Even if you’re already covered elsewhere, this policy, issued by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, is non-negotiable. Think of it as the region’s version of a visa: no cover, no entry.
- Cost: Currently USD 44
- Process: Easily secure your insurance by applying at visitzanzibar.go.tz before embarking on your journey to Africa
- Processing time: A QR code is sent to your email within around 30 minutes – you’ll need to present this at customs on arrival
Zanzibar’s shores are visa-worthy – Tanzania’s eVisa applies here
Do I Need a Visa for La Réunion?
No visa is required for most travellers – but there’s a catch: La Réunion is technically part of France. So, the same entry rules apply.
UK, EU, US, and Canadian citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. South African citizens need a Schengen visa (yep – even though it’s in the Indian Ocean).
Tropical France? Oui. Visa stress? Non, merci
Double-Check Before You Jet
Visa rules can and do change – often with little warning and a lot of fine print. While we’ve done our best to provide accurate, up-to-date information, confirming the latest entry requirements is essential before you travel.
We recommend checking with the relevant embassy or official government site, especially if your passport has specific restrictions or you’re travelling with minors.
A little prep goes far – check visa requirements before travel
Let’s Welcome You to Africa!
So, do you need a visa to go on a safari with Rhino Africa? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. But that’s the magic of booking your trip with us!
We know all the on-the-ground details as and when they change, and we’ll be your Wilderness Guides through it all. Let’s start planning and take all the uncertainty out of your much-deserved holiday in Africa.
