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COVID-19 Travel Requirements | Sub-Saharan Africa

After a long season of varying travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has opened up again. To assist you with your travel plans, we have compiled a summary of COVID-19 travel requirements to be aware of when visiting one of the Sub-Saharan countries we operate in. As the impact of COVID-19 constantly changes, it is important to seek out other reliable sources of information such as the CDC’s Travel Notices and Africa Travel Advice & S afety as you make your plans.

Internally, we have developed COVID-19 protocols that are aligned with local government authorities and the WHO and have received the World Travel & Tourism Council’s stamp of approval. Remember that Travel and Medical Insurance that adequately cover COVID-19 related expenses are compulsory for all those traveling with us. All travelers are also advised to adhere to social distancing, good hygiene practices, mask-wearing, and self-monitoring actions as recommended by the WHO regardless of their destination country’s laws and regulations.

Select the country you are planning to travel to:

Botswana
Ghana
Kenya
Namibia
Rwanda
South Africa
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Travel Requirements per Country

Botswana

General

From 28 September 2022, Botswana dropped all COVID-19 protocols including the wearing of masks in public places and the need for a PCR test at the point of entry.
Travelers entering Botswana no longer need to be vaccinated or show proof of vaccination for entry.

At Departure

Travelers must adhere to the entry requirements relevant to their destination country.

Ghana

Before Travel

Complete an online Health Declaration Form.
Obtain your Travel Certificate from the Ghana Health Service via the same link above.
Wear a face mask throughout the flight and upon landing.

On Arrival

Those above 18 years of age will be required to provide full proof of vaccination (including any booster doses due) to be allowed to enter the country.
Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated travelers under 18 years old are exempted from testing requirements.

Mandatory Testing/Quarantine

Non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers over 18 years of age will be subject to a mandatory COVID-19 test (Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay Test) on arrival. The test will be conducted before baggage collection at USD150 per passenger. Payment should be made online before boarding. Results will be out within 30 minutes. Passengers should be prepared for additional time to move through and exit the airport as this time may be extended during busy periods.
Travelers should be prepared to comply with Ghana’s COVID-19 health protocols which may involve time in quarantine or a government health facility at their own cost.
Transit passengers will also be required to be tested as above (unless they will remain in the airport throughout or have been diverted to Ghana due to an emergency).

At Departure

Travelers must adhere to the entry requirements relevant to their destination country.

Kenya

Before Travel

Fully vaccinated passengers (including all boosters that may be due) are exempted from the negative PCR test requirement.
Unvaccinated travelers over 12 years old must present negative PCR test results (conducted within 72 hours of departure for Kenya). They will also need to take a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival at their own cost (USD30).
Upload vaccination and PCR test results via the Global Haven partnership verification tool before travel. There will be no paper verification at the port of entry.
Complete the Travelers Health Surveillance Form by the Ministry of Health online before disembarking.
Fill out your passenger details on the Jitenge mobile application.

On Arrival

Display the QR code received after completing the form to a Port Health Official to proceed through immigration.
Mask wearing is mandatory within the country.

Mandatory Testing/Quarantine

Any traveler who tests positive after a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival will have to take a PCR test at their own cost (USD50) and self-isolate.

At Departure

Present a Trusted Travel (TT) code for COVID-19 test results if the destination country, the airline of choice, or transit airports require PCR tests.
These laboratories have been approved to carry out COVID-19 PCR tests and issue results and TT codes.
If your certificate has not been verified, you will not be allowed to leave Kenya.

Namibia

On Arrival

As of 25 August 2022, adults and children under 12 years are not required to present a vaccination certificate or negative PCR test to enter Namibia.
International travelers must take out valid insurance that covers medical care or an unexpected extended stay.

At Departure

Travelers must adhere to the entry requirements relevant to their destination country.

Rwanda

On Arrival

It is no longer a requirement to present valid COVID-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination to enter Rwanda.
Some meeting venues and national parks will still conduct mandatory COVID-19 tests before entry is permitted.

At Departure

Travelers must adhere to the entry requirements relevant to their destination country.

South Africa

All COVID-19 Health Act regulations were withdrawn as of 22 June 2022 as stated in a Repeal Letter that was issued in accordance with the National Health Act Regulations relating to the Surveillance and Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions. A set of health and hygiene protocols that cover the minimum standards for all persons participating in EDU Africa programs in Africa replaced our COVID-19 protocols in South Africa.

Vaccination Certificates

Not required

Proof of negative COVID-19 test results

Not required

Quarantine Requirements

None

Tanzania

Before Travel

All travelers (including children) must complete a Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form, to be submitted within 24 hours before arrival in Tanzania. A Unique Health Code will be issued upon submission. This will be requested during primary screening on arrival.

On Arrival

Those who are fully vaccinated will be exempted from any testing requirements
All those above 12 years of age must present valid COVID-19 negative RT-PCR test results (conducted within 96 hours of departure for Tanzania).
Enhanced screening and rapid COVID-19 testing are required (costs USD25 per person).
Strict observance of social distancing, mask-wearing, and the use of hand sanitizers is to be maintained at all times within the airport and during the stay in the country.

For Departure

If you need proof of a negative PCR test for your destination country, the Tanzanian Government advises that travelers have their tests taken at a Regional Hospital at least five days before travel. Tests can be booked on the Ministry of Health’s online booking system.

Zambia

On Arrival

Those who are fully vaccinated will be exempted from any testing requirements
Present valid COVID-19 negative PCR test results (conducted within 72 hours of departure for Zambia).
Screening for COVID-19 symptoms. Quarantine for 14 days if any symptoms are present.

Mandatory Testing/Quarantine

Self-monitor for 14 days and report any concerning symptoms to the nearest health facility.

At Departure

Present valid COVID-19 negative PCR test results only if traveling to a country that requires them or flying with an airline that mandates it. To obtain a travel document from the Ministry of Health, travelers must take their passports and test results to one of the following offices:
- University Teaching Hospital (UTH)
- District Health Office (DHO)
- Public Health Office (PHO)
- Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI)
- Adult Infectious Disease Center (AIDC) at UTH

Zimbabwe

On Arrival

Fully vaccinated travelers and children under 12 will be exempted from any testing requirements. The vaccination card/certificate does not require a QR code. However, it should be printed rather than only carrying a digital version.
Those who are not fully vaccinated must present valid COVID-19 negative PCR test results (conducted within 48 hours of departure for Zimbabwe).
Screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
Social distancing, hand sanitization, and mask-wearing are still mandatory in some areas.

Mandatory Testing/Quarantine

Not required unless:

A traveler exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 upon screening or fails to present valid COVID-19 negative PCR test results (conducted within 48 hours of departure for Zimbabwe). In such cases, seven days of isolation in a designated facility and a further seven days of self-isolation will be mandated. A fee of USD60 will be levied for all COVID-19 tests conducted at ports of entry.

At Departure

Present valid COVID-19 negative PCR test results if traveling to a country requiring them or flying with an airline that mandates it.

As always, we look forward to developing and facilitating your in-country Faculty-led, School, or Service-Learning program as we do our best to ensure safe and Transformative Learning Journeys.

Last updated: 13 January 2023