Some good news for travel to Botswana.

As of 14 February 2022, fully vaccinated travellers no longer require to have a negative PCR test in order to enter Botswana.

*All persons entering must show proof that they have been fully vaccinated. If a traveller is overdue for a booster shot, they are no longer regarded as fully vaccinated, until they have taken the booster shot.

When a person is not fully vaccinated, they will be required to present a negative PCR Covid-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of arrival or departure.

​Covid-19 Travel issues have added a new set of terms for all of us in Tourism… here is some useful information

PCR test = polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This test is performed to detect genetic material from a specific organism, in this case, a virus. The test detects the presence of a virus if you are infected at the time of the test. This is considered the best test for detecting Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2, and its variants). The virus can be detected within days of infection, even in people who have no symptoms. The test can be done in a clinic or hospital. They are also often available on a ''drive-through'' basis in many countries.

Turnaround time is generally in the 2-3 day range but results can be obtained in as little as 24 hours.

This test uses a swab to take a sample from a person’s nose or throat.

A negative PCR test is needed for entry into most countries. Generally you need a certificate that is valid within 72 hours prior to travel (in some cases, 48 hours). This needs to be printed out and available to show at the airport both when checking-in and upon arrival at your destination.

All travellers are responsible for the cost of the PCR test.


Rapid Antigen Test = identifies people who are currently infected with the coronavirus. It may be used as a quick test to detect active infections. Antigen tests can identify the virus in the nose and throat secretions. It does this by looking for proteins from the virus (as opposed to the diagnostic test, which looks for genetic material). This test can be done in a clinic, hospital or at an Airport.

Turnaround time for results is usually very quick and in some cases, results can be reported within 15 minutes.

The specimen is collected with a swab that reaches less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) inside the nose.

In some cases these are being requested upon arrival, as an additional precaution (for instance in Botswana, where the test is free).

​Kenya is not only open for tourists, but the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has introduced a reduction in park entry fees until 30 June 2021.

Some notes pertaining to arrivals:
• All International passengers are required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility or at their Kenyan residence – there is an extensive list of exempt countries though.
• All passengers on international flights must show a negative COVID-19 certificate on arrival, obtained no later than 96 hours prior to departure from their home country.
• If there is a reported case of COVID-19 on a flight or if symptoms are detected, all passengers within two rows of the passenger with the symptoms will be quarantined for testing. If the test results are negative, they will be allowed to leave the facility.
• It is mandatory for all passengers arriving in Kenya to complete the Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form. This must be completed online prior to disembarkation. Passengers  receive a QR code after completing the form and will be required to display it to a Port Health Official to proceed through immigration.
• Strict infection prevention and control measures have to be followed: social distancing, good hand hygiene, and the wearing of masks remain mandatory.
Tanzania was one of the first countries to open its borders. If you are travel with an airline that requires a negative COVID-19 certificate, or if your country of origin requires one upon departure, then Tanzania will request the certificate on arrival. It is, however, recommended that all travellers have the certificate as a precautionary measure.

Please note:
• Arriving passengers showing any symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to undergo enhanced health screening and may also be tested for COVID-19.
• Whilst in Tanzania, visitors will be expected to adhere to full protective measures against the spread of COVID-19.
Malawi has opened Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe is open for International arrivals.

Please note:
• All travellers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result, conducted within 10 days before departure for Malawi.
• All passengers are required to complete a health declaration form and undergo basic screening.
• All arriving passengers are required to self-isolate at the address they declare on arrival for a period of 14 days.
• All departing passengers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result, conducted within 10 days before departure from Malawi.
Rwanda's airports reopened for scheduled commercial flights on 1 August 2020.

Please note:
• All travellers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), performed within 120 hours of departure for Rwanda.
• Prior to arrival, all travellers must complete the Passenger Locator Form.
• All travellers will be screened upon entry and take a second RT-PCR test to confirm the negative results of the test done prior to arrival. You will be required to wait about 24 hours for these test results in a designated transit hotel. The Government of Rwanda has negotiated special rates at designated transit hotels for the 24-hour waiting period.
• All travellers departing from Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19, with the RT-PCR test performed within 120 hours before departure. However, as long as travellers depart within 120 hours of their RT-PCR test on arrival, they do not require another test.
• Preventive measures must be followed while travelling in Rwanda: physical distancing where possible; the wearing of masks is mandatory; and temperature screenings before entering certain buildings are mandatory.
• All tourists will be allowed to visit Rwanda's attractions and destinations after testing negative for COVID-19 in two consecutive tests.
South Africa is due to open for tourism on 1 October 2020. The only International Airports to open are in Johannesburg (OR Tambo), Cape Town, and Durban (King Shaka).

To be noted:
• Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival, conducted within 72 hours of departure for South Africa.
• Travellers arriving without a negative COVID-19 test certificate will be required to quarantine at their own cost.
Zimbabwe is also due to open for International visitors on 1 October (International Airports only.)

Note:
• All travellers will be required to present a PCR COVID-19 clearance certificate issued by a recognised facility within 48 hours of departure for Zimbabwe.
• All travellers will undergo health screening and temperature testing.
• Social distancing, hand sanitisation and the wearing of masks are mandatory.
Zambia is already open

Please note: 
All tourists entering Zambia are required to have undergone a SARS CoV2 PCR test within 14 days of arrival and have tested negative. Evidence of a negative test result must be produced on arrival. 

All tourists will undergo health screening on arrival. Symptomatic travellers with temperatures 38 degrees (Celsius) and higher will  be tested for CoVID19 and will be quarantined until the results are available.

All tourists must adhere to the recommended CoVID19 prevention measures during their stay - maintaining social distance, wearing a mask and maintaining personal hygiene.

This is information is up to date at present, but is liable to change at little or no notice. 

​Frankfurt to Johannesburg...and more

From October 1 (subject to final government approval ) the Lufthansa Group intends to offer regular commercial flights to and from South Africa.

“We believe this signifies the start of a turnaround point for all our local customers and business partners in the travel industry which endured many hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said GM Southern Africa and East Africa for the Lufthansa Group, Dr André Schulz, in an open letter to the travel trade over the weekend.

Lufthansa will offer 3 weekly flights between Johannesburg and Frankfurt, operated on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

“We will also be offering a weekly service between Johannesburg and Zurich with SWISS International Air Lines,” added Schulz.

He said Lufthansa would also introduce twice weekly direct services between Cape Town and Frankfurt later in October.

“Depending on travel demand for the upcoming high season, we will further increase our capacity to and from South Africa,” said Schulz.

Lusaka to Johannesburg...

Proflight has announced new flights connecting Lusaka and Johannesburg which will start on 1st October.

Mondays & Wednesdays:
              Lusaka – OR Tambo 08:00 – 10:00
              OR Tambo – Lusaka 12:00 – 14:00

Fridays & Sundays:
             Lusaka – OR Tambo 12:00 – 14:00
             OR Tambo – Lusaka 15:00 – 17:00

Prices start at US $ 430 return.

With the correct connections, these flights allow smooth connections from and back onto international flights in Johannesburg. Proflight  are looking to add more flights as demand picks up.

Of recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding the treatment of wildlife in terms of Sanctuaries, Rehabilitation facilities, and general human/ animal interactions.

This is an issue that has come to the fore when Tourists are offered activities and interactions that should no longer be tolerated.... well-known examples being Lion Cub petting, African Elephant Back riding, for example. More and more travellers are sensitive to such issues, as they should be .

There are some international guidelines which are available, particularly in the UK and Dutch markets. From an African perspective, SATSA (Southern African Tourism Association - of which we are members), has done some research and work on putting together guidelines.

At present these are for Southern African countries, but are also relevant for any situation where there are human/ animal interactions. In this case, the animals are species which are deemed to be wild, rather than domesticated. 

SATSA has just published a useful guide for Travellers wishing to know more about Human/ Animal interaction, which we have included below as a downloadable PDF document.

We hope that you find this useful!