Journeys by Design

Open Borders

Updated 31st March, 2021

A significant number of African countries have opened up to international travel.

Each has its own Covid-19 protocol, as do airlines and countries of origin. This rolling information page has been set up to help travellers make decisions as to when and where they can travel – without undergoing long periods of mandatory quarantine. Do note that, depending on country, children below a certain age are likely to be exempt from following certain protocols.

Do have a browse of the below. And if you’d like to travel, please do get in touch. We can make it happen – now and in the medium and long term.

Botswana

Botswana opened up to private charter flights from 1st November 2020. As of 9th November, it opened to commercial airlines. Entry is allowed via Gaborone, Maun, Francistown, and Kasane international airports. Protocol followed, international travellers will not be required to quarantine.

protocol

1. All passenger should be in possession of proof of a negative RT PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to entry into Botswana.

2. Travellers should be in possession of travel insurance in the event that he/she contracts COVID-19 during the period of travel.

3. All travellers are symptom screened on arrival and suspect cases quarantined at an identified location or to health facility – should this be necessary.

4. All travellers are to self-monitor for 14 days, and to be available during this time for contact with a relevant local health authority.

5. Only travellers whose airline or country demand it are required to present a COVID 19 negative PCR test certificate on departure. These are generally no older than 72 hours. A fly-in test can be arranged for travellers in the Okavango Delta region or tests are carried out in Maun or Kasane airports the day before travel. Tests are bookable & paid for online.

Please note that Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Congo Brazzaville

Congo Brazzaville – Republic of Congo – has opened its airports to international. As long as protocol is followed, all travellers are exempt from quarantine. Odzala camps are closed until April 1, 2021.

Protocol

1. On arrival, all travellers are required to present Covid-19 PCR negative certificate taken within 72 hours of entry.

2. All travellers will be symptom screened upon arrival.

3. On departure, all travellers must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test, taken within 72 hrs prior to departure.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Ethiopia

Northern Ethiopia – specifically Tigray area – is undergoing significant unrest. Tensions are such that the FCO and US State Department is advising against all but essential travel. Once it abates, is is supposed that Covid-19 protocol for Ethiopia travel will remain in place, with international leisure travellers exempt from having to quarantine.

Protocol

1. All travellers must present a negative RT PCR test certificate for COVID-19 before boarding a flight. The test must be taken within 120 hours of arrival. It has to be a PCR – rapid diagnostic antibody tests will not be accepted.

2. Children less than or equal to 12 years of age are exempted from the RT PCR test certificate requirement.

3. Proof of a negative PCR test does not apply to travellers in transit. No quarantine is required if flight transit times are less then eight hours, though transit travellers are required to remain in the airport. For transits over eight hours, travellers will be put up in a designated transit hotel for the duration of their transfer time.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Kenya

Kenya opened to international travel from all destinations as of 1st August 2020. As long as protocol is followed, travellers arriving from low and medium risk countries are exempt from quarantine.

Stop press: As of 29th March, travel in five counties – including Nairobi – are subject to extra restrictions. Domestic flight bans to and from the counties include international traveller arrangements.

Protocol

1. Travellers are required to complete a Travellers Health Surveillance Form and register with the Trusted Travel Code before departing for Kenya.

2. They must also be in possession of a negative PCR Covid-19 test certificate obtained no later than 96 hours prior to departure from their home country.

3. All travellers are symptom screened on arrival and must follow infection prevention and containment regulations.

4. Travellers travelling from non-exempt countries will have to quarantine for 14 days at government designated facilities or at their place of residence.

5. Departing travellers travelling by airlines or to countries requiring a negative PCR Covid-19 test must present it on departure. Those not required to present a negative test will need to present proof of this and their Trusted Travel Code.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights. Also, if transiting via Kenya, travellers need to ensure that their PCR negative certificate remains in date for the duration of the transfer. Travellers whose certificates expire while in transit will be required to deposit their passport with the airport Port of Health Authorities and be tested in a recognised facility at their own cost.

Madagascar

Madagascar will suspend international flights to and from Nosy Be from 27th March for 15 days. Once the ban is lifted, we assume protocol will resume as shared below, though there will still be no travel to mainland Madagascar.

protocol

1. All arriving passengers are required to present a return air ticket and a negative result for a Covid-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of departure.

2. A letter of commitment must be signed by arriving passengers, acknowledging the Covid-related health measures in Madagascar.

3. All visitors must complete a health form and comply with all airport health procedures, including temperature scans and using the disinfected wayfinding corridor.

4. A PCR test is required to be taken within 72 hours prior to departure from Madagascar.

Please note that Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Malawi

Malawi is open to international travel. So long as protocol is followed, travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival.

protocol

1. According to ATTA sources on the ground, all travellers will be required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. It was previously 10 days, but this appears to have changed.

2. All travellers must fill in a health declaration form which includes information about where they are going and staying.

3. Travellers presenting negative tests are free to travel. However, they are required to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after arrival, observe current preventive measures in the country. and report to health authorities in their respective districts if they develop symptoms.

4. Departing travellers are required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 days of departure. Mandatory testing may take place at the airport if travellers fail to present a test or are presenting symptoms.

Please note that Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to take Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Mozambique

Mozambique opened to comprehensive international travel November 2020. Protocol followed, all travellers will be exempt from quarantine.

1. On arrival, all travellers will be required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of departure.

2. Travellers without negative test certificates or shown to be in direct contact with someone who has Covid-19 will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to take Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Namibia

Namibia opened to international travel as of 1st September 2020. Protocol followed, all travellers arriving at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek will be exempt from quarantine. The land border between Namibia and South Africa has been opened at two key checkpoints.

protocol

1. All travellers are required to complete a short health questionnaire prior to departure.

2. All travellers are required to arrive with a negative SARS-COV-2 PCR test that is no older than 7 days and was issued by a certified laboratory in the country of issue.

3. Upon arrival, travellers will have to submit a very short Covid-19 Surveillance Form, which is simply a synopsis of the planned trip with contact numbers and a declaration of health.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to take Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Principe

São Tomé and Principe opened its borders to international travel 16 July 2020. As long as protocol is followed, all travellers are exempt from quarantine.

protocol

1. All travellers are required to have proof of a negative Coronavirus test taken in the 72 hours prior to their arrival.

2. Upon arrival, travellers will be symptom screened. Symptomatic travellers will undergo rapid testing.

3. Travellers departing from São Tomé must also undergo a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departure

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Rwanda

Rwanda opened up to commercial international flights 1st August 2020. All travellers must quarantine for 24 hours upon arrival. The below protocol applies to international travellers scheduled to stay in national parks.

protocol

1. All arrivals must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure. It must be a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time PCR test. Other tests are not accepted.

2. Prior to arrival, travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form, which includes uploading their PCR test. Upon submission, all travellers are issued a Unique Health Code, to be presented on arrival.

3. Upon arrival, travellers must have a second PCR test and quarantine at a government designated hotel while awaiting its results. The test takes 8 hours to return for tourists.

4. Having tested negative, all travellers irrespective of country of origin are free to travel. However, note that travellers are required to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to visiting Rwanda’s National Parks, apart from Akagera National Park. If visiting visiting Akagera National Park, travellers are required to take a rapid antigen test.

5. In preparation for departing Rwanda, all travellers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure.

Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation – if necessary – for park entrance, and certainly for their return or onward flights.

Seychelles

Seychelles welcomes travellers irrespective of their vaccination status, subject to the below protocol.

Please note that travellers who have been to South Africa within the 14 days preceding arrival to Seychelles continue to be disallowed entry.

protocol

1. All travellers must apply for a Health Travel Authorisation form 72 hours before the day of their day of departure to Seychelles.

2. Upon arrival, all travellers must present a negative Covid-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

3. Visitors must ensure that accommodation bookings are made only at licensed establishments or liveaboards that have been certified by the Public Health Authority. Refer to the list of certified accommodation.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

South Africa

South Africa opened its borders to all international travel from 12th November 2020. As long as protocol is followed, travellers from all countries will be exempt from quarantine. Please note that Fastjet flights between JNB – VFA are suspended until 15th March

protocol

1. All travellers will be required to fill in a Travel Health Questionnaire before disembarking. International travel is restricted via three international airports: OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka.

2. All travellers to arrive with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

3. Upon arrival, all travellers will be screened and those showing symptoms will be quarantined until they test negative for Covid-19.

4. All travellers will be asked to download the government’s contact and alert app.

5. Departing travellers will be required to complete a Traveller Health Questionnaire.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Sudan

Sudan opened to very limited international travel 13 July 2020. This has improved, but commercial options remain limited. As long as protocol is followed, all travellers are exempt from quarantine.

protocol

1. All travellers are required to have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 72 hours prior to their arrival.

2. Upon arrival, travellers will be symptom screened. Suspected COVID-19 cases will need to quarantine for 14 days.

3. All travellers must provide details of their original place of travel, transit, onward destination(s), and contact details.

4. All departing travellers must take a PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

Please note that, if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Tanzania

Tanzania opened its borders to international travel 18th May 2020. Travellers are not required to quarantine.

Protocol

1. Upon arrival, all travellers from countries and / or using airlines that require it will be asked to show their a negative PCR test result.

2. Those travellers from countries and / or using airlines that don’t require a negative PCR test result will not be asked to show it upon arrival. However, the advice is if you have one, carry it.

3. Travellers will be screened and may be tested if displaying symptoms.

Please note that Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Uganda

Uganda opened its borders to international travel 1st October. As long as protocol is followed, all travellers are exempt from quarantine.

protocol

1. Upon arrival, all travellers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

2. According to Entebbe Airport operating procedures, all travellers will be symptom screened on arrival. Symptomatic travellers will be quarantined and tested at Entebbe Referral Hospital. Test results will take between 24 and 48 hours. Travellers testing positive will be further quarantined or medically evacuated at their own cost.

3. Tour operators are instructed to ensure that their travellers proceed directly to their place of stay.

4. At the moment, all travellers departing Uganda are required to present a negative PCR test taken within 120 hours of departure. There are a number of local test centres to support the requirement.

5. Travellers returning to countries that do not require evidence of a negative PCR test require special clearance from those countries in order to board their plane.

Please note that Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Zambia

Zambia is open to international travel. As long as protocol is followed, all travellers are exempt from quarantine.

Protocol

1. According to airport guidelines, all travellers will fill out a Traveller Health Questionnaire prior to disembarking from their plane.

2. Upon arrival, all travellers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. If travellers arrive without one, they will be refused entry.

3. All travellers will be symptom screened. Those with temperatures equal to or above 38C will be tested. If exhibiting a cluster of symptoms, they will be quarantined to await the outcome of their test.

4. Travellers must adhere to the country’s infection mitigation and control procedures, monitor themselves for 14 days maximum following arrival, and report any symptoms during this time to the nearest health facility.

5. Travellers who’s destination or airline requires a COVID -negative test certificate must obtain a Travel Certificate from the Ministry of Health, originating from Zambia only.

Please also note that if required, Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested and obtain a Travel Certificate in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe opened to international travel as of 1st October 2020. Land borders are currently closed. As long as protocol is followed, all international travellers are now exempt from quarantine.

Protocol

1. All arrivals must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departures.

2. Upon arrival, all travellers will be subject to symptom screening. Travellers exhibiting symptoms will be tested. Tests – $60 fee – are available at the airport with a two-hour turn around. If positive, travellers are monitored by a Rapid Response team. Symptomatic travellers are quarantined in a medical facility. Asymptomatic travellers are quarantined at a designated lodge or private home.

3. Travellers leaving Zimbabwe are required to present a negative test for COVID-19 taken within the previous 7 days.

Please note that Journeys by Design will arrange for travellers to be Covid-19 PCR tested in preparation for their return or onward flights.

Information sourced from ATTA and individual country tourist boards. When planning to travel, please find further information with your country of origin’s government travel advice. This is a fast-moving landscape: any inaccuracies, please let us know. In the meantime, please do have a browse (below) of the open border countries’ areas and accommodation.