Visa requirements for travelling in Southern africa

 Visas are often viewed as difficult or confusing since there are many different requirements, methods of application and types of visa to choose between, before even applying for one. Some countries may require you to pay for a visa and then sometimes in US Dollars, sometimes in their own currency. Some countries require proof vaccination against yellow fever and some do not. Please don’t be deterred from a trip of a lifetime by seemingly complicated visa arrangements.
 
This blog has been created from researching the latest and most up to date information for visa requirements throughout Southern Africa, to make travel as simple and stress free as possible. We will be publishing another blog on visa requirements for East Africa soon.
 
The following information is correct at time of publication, however it is always best to contact the respective representatives in your country for full up to date advice prior to travel. 

South Africa
 
South Africa is Africa’s most visited country and the home of Beat About The Bush. There have been a few alterations to South Africa’s travel requirements in the past few years, so even if you have visited the Republic many times it is always worth ensuring you are up to date with the latest information.
 
Upon arrival in South Africa passport holders of certain countries will be granted a visitors permit for travel in the Republic of up to 90 days. Here is a list of passport holders who will receive this visa.
 
The requirements for entry to South Africa are as follows:

• Make sure your passport has at least 2 empty pages and that there is over 6 months left before it’s expiry date from your date of entry to the country.
• It is advisable to have a copy of your departure flights & itinerary with you.
• It is advisable to have a document no older than 3 months, demonstrating that you have sufficient funds for your visit to South Africa.
• If you are travelling with children under the age of 18 you must produce the unabridged birth certificate for each child travelling.
  • If only one parent is travelling they must have written consent from the other parent for travelling with the child.
  • OR a court order granting the same permissions.
  • In the event of a widow/widower travelling with children a death certificate of the other parent is required.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you have travelled through a country where yellow fever is endemic, this can include airport transits in the yellow fever countries. Here is a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission & a list of the countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers who arrive from or who are travelling to a yellow fever risk country.

 
Usually tourist entry to South Africa is granted for a full 90 days but it is advisable to check your stamp before leaving the immigration desk that you have been granted enough time for your full trip.
 
Here is the link to the South African Home Affairs website: http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/countries-exempt-from-sa-visas
 
SOUTH AFRICAN IMMIGRATION LAWS REGARDING CHILDREN ARE APPLICABLE ALSO IF ONLY PASSING THROUGH THE COUNTRY TO A DIFFERENT DESTINATION. 

Sanctuary Retreat's Chief's Camp, Okavango Delta

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Botswana
 
All citizens of countries that are part of the Commonwealth (except those from; Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) can enter Botswana without a visa. On arrival you are granted a permit allowing you to stay up to 30 days in the country.
Here is the full list of countries exempt from needing a visa for Botswana.
 
The requirements for entry to Botswana are as follows:

• Make sure your passport has at least 3 empty pages and that there is over 6 months left before it’s expiry date from your date of entry to the country.
• Have a copy of your departure flights, itinerary  & confirmation of lodges/hotels you are staying at with you.
• It is advisable to have the address of your destination.
• It is advisable to have a document no older than 3 months that shows you have sufficient funds for your visit to Botswana.
• If you are travelling with children under the age of 18 you must produce the unabridged birth certificate for every child.
  • If only one parent is travelling they must have written consent from the other parent for travel.
  • OR a court order granting the same permissions.
  • In the event of a widow/widower travelling with children a death certificate of the other parent is required.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you have travelled through a country where yellow fever is endemic, this can include airport transits in the yellow fever countries. Here is a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission & a list of the countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers who arrive from or who are travelling to a yellow fever risk country.

 
Here is the link to the Botswana Home Affairs website: http://www.gov.bw/en/Visitors/Topics/Before-You-Go/Before-You-Go1/
 
Usually entry to Botswana is granted for the full 30 days but it is advisable to check your stamp before leaving the immigration desk that you have been granted enough time for your full trip.

Zambia
 
Here is a list of the countries whose citizens will need a visa either granted online, on arrival or beforehand at a mission in their country. The Zambian tourist visa lasts up to 90 days.  A single entry visa to Zambia costs US$50.00 per person and must be paid in cash. Bank notes that are older than 2006 will not be accepted and it is advisable to have small notes as this value can change and change will not be given.

• Make sure your passport has at least 3 empty pages and that there is over 6 months left before it’s expiry date from your date of entry to the country.
• It is advisable to have a copy of your departure flights, itinerary and confirmations for the hotel/lodges you will stay at with you.
• It is advisable to have the address of your destination.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you have travelled through a country where yellow fever is endemic, this can include airport transits in the yellow fever countries. Here is a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission & a list of the countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers who arrive from or who are travelling to a yellow fever risk country.

 
Zambia is one of the countries paving the way forward for visa services by making it possible to apply for your visa online prior to arrival. Once granted approval you must enter the country within 90 days of your approval letter, otherwise you must make another application.  Apply online here: https://evisa.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/#/
 
You will enter your basic passport information and details of your itinerary including addresses of your lodge and hotels whilst in Zambia.
Please note that the KAZA UNIVISA is not available online.
 
Processing time can take a few days to a working week and you will be emailed an approval letter. This is what you will present to the immigration officer upon arrival in Zambia to grant you a visa and this is when you do your payment. Commencing on 9th March 2018 it is now possible to pay for your e-visa securely online with most credit or debit cards.
 
Usually entry to Zambia can be granted for 90 days but it is advisable to check your stamp before leaving the immigration desk that you have been granted enough time for your full trip. 

Zimbabwe
 
Here is a list of countries that will be granted entry to Zimbabwe upon arrival and payment of visa fees.  A single entry visa to Zimbabwe may cost up to US$50.00 per person. Bank notes that are older than 2006 will not be accepted and it is advisable to have small notes as this value can change and change will not be given.

• Make sure your passport has at least 3 empty pages and that there is over 6 months left before it’s expiry date from your date of entry to the country.
• It is advisable to have a copy of your departure flights, itinerary and confirmations for the hotel/lodges you will stay at with you.
• Have the address of your destination.
• Travel with a passport photo
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you have travelled through a country where yellow fever is endemic, this can include airport transits in the yellow fever countries. Here is a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission & a list of the countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers who arrive from or who are travelling to a yellow fever risk country.

 
Zimbabwe also offers visa applications online prior to arrival, although please note that the border officials have the right to deny entry to any persons regardless of their possession of an e-visa. Once again you’ll complete the application online and you will only pay for your visa when you have arrived in Zimbabwe. The average time to wait for an e-visa is two days. The e-visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Apply for your e-visa here.
 
Please note that the KAZA UNIVISA is not available online through Zimbabwe’s e-visa scheme.
 
Usually entry to Zimbabwe is granted for 30 days but it is advisable to check your stamp before leaving the immigration desk that you have been granted enough time for your full trip. 

Zambia & Zimbabwe
 
The KAZA UNIVISA was first introduced in December 2016. It is one visa which allows entry to both Zambia & Zimbabwe and available on arrival to citizens of eligible countries at these certain ports of entry . It costs $50.00 per person and allows for multiple entries for up to 30 days providing the holder remains in Zimbabwe or Zambia.  It also covers Day Trips to Botswana via the Kazangula Border, only.  
The KAZA UNIVISA is not available online. Here is a list of the countries whose citizens are eligible for the KAZA UNIVISA.

​Namibia
 
Here is a list of countries that are exempt from visa requirements to Namibia, for these visas.
 

• Make sure your passport has at least 3 empty pages and that there is over 6 months left before it’s expiry date from your date of entry to the country.
• It is advisable to have a copy of your departure flights & itinerary with you.
• It is advisable to have the address of your destination.
• It is advisable to have a passport photo
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you have travelled through a country where yellow fever is endemic, this can include airport transits in the yellow fever countries. Here is a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission & a list of the countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers who arrive from or who are travelling to a yellow fever risk country.

 
Usually entry to Namibia is granted for 90 days but it is worth checking your stamp before leaving the immigration desk that you have been granted enough time for your full trip.