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.

Just as we all thought that life might be getting back to normal slightly - we are now faced with the Omicron variant. Apart from the fact that many of us are now more familiar with the Greek Alphabet than previously thought possible, it means that International borders are, once again, closed for Southern Africa. Some flights are set to resume soon,  but mostly for repatriation purposes.

This set-back means that 2021 ends with the proverbial whimper - allowing us to look forward to 2022 all the more.

We are told that it will be a couple of weeks before the Scientists have a better idea of what dangers the Omicron variant might pose.

As information is ever changing, we recommend that you use these policies as a guide, but to contact us close to your travel time so that we can verify the latest information for you.

At present, the testing is going well, and does not seem to be causing any delay issues for guests. Southern Africa is definitely open for business.

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is open to international travel, subject to health and safety protocols. South African citizens and permanent residents are allowed entry into South Africa regardless of where you are travelling from, provided you adhere to the entry requirements (see below).

South Africa is currently under Level 2 lock-down where a curfew of 23:00 - 04:00 has been instated. This curfew may affect your flight schedule, so please check with the airline you are flying.

International entry requirements into South Africa:
Valid passport and E-Ticket
*Visa to enter South Africa (if applicable)

1.    Upon arrival into South Africa, all travellers must present a negative PCR or Covid-19 test certificate not older than 72 hours from departure time from the country of origin.
2.    Tests must be conducted and signed by a certified medical practitioner. South African authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of test certificates.
3.    Passengers and crew entering South Africa via Johannesburg must fill in the digital Travel Health Questionnaire here. Once completed, you will be issued a unique number (look-up ID), to present to the Port Health Officers as part of the screening process, along with any other entry requirements.
4.    Children below the age of 5 years do not need to provide a PCR test. Children over 5 years must produce a negative PCR test to enter South Africa. Should your child display positive symptoms or a parent tests positive while in South Africa, children below 6 years old may self-isolate with the parent without needing a test. Children under 2 years old do not have to wear masks on airplanes.
5.    Any traveller who exhibits Covid-19 symptoms when screened upon arrival will be required to take a Covid-19 test at their own expense. Should the test display positive results, travellers will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 10 days at their own expense.
6.    All travellers must complete an Entry Health Screen Form either prior to or on arrival.
7.    All travellers will be screened by Port Health Officials upon arrival and departure. Those presenting symptoms must remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is carried out.
8.    All travellers must wear masks at all times within the airport or port of entry. Children below six years old do not need to wear face masks in public spaces.
9.    Travellers must show proof of accommodation or address in South Africa in the event self-quarantine is required.

The following airports are open for international travel: OR Tambo in Johannesburg, Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg, King Shaka in Durban, Cape Town International Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit.

Travellers are encouraged to install the COVID Alert SA mobile app.

PLEASE PRINT OUT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to present at check-in before boarding your flight to South Africa.

*Please note that certain visas on arrival have been revoked and must be applied for prior to arrival in South Africa. Please check with your nearest SA Embassy.

South Africa does not require a negative PCR test for departure, unless it is required by the country you’re travelling to. Certain countries require negative PCR when transiting through them.
For a list of where to get tested, visit Pathcare, Lancet and Ampath.

Before departing South Africa, remember to complete the Exit Health Form.

NAMIBIA

Negative PCR test result not older than 7 days prior to arrival, in English.
Open for international travel -     Yes

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival:
•    Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 7 days of arriving in Namibia.
•    Undergo health screening and temperature testing.
•    Submit your full trip itinerary.

Mandatory quarantine
•    Not required, unless a traveller's PCR test is older than 7 days.
•    If PCR test is older than 7 days, a traveller will be placed in quarantine and required to take a COVID test on the same day at own cost. If the result is negative, quarantine for 14 days is required at own cost.
Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure
•    A negative COVID-19 test certificate, conducted within 48 hours of departing Namibia, if your country of origin requires it.
Countries allowed to travel to the destination
•    All

BOTSWANA

Negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Open for international travel -    Yes

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival
•    Present a printed original test certificate of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 72 hours of departure for Botswana.
•    Undergo health screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
•    If arriving at Maun Airport, a Rapid Antigen Test (free of charge) is required. Results are available after about 15 minutes.
•    Complete a traveller locator form with accurate contact information while in Botswana so that the local Health Authority can contact you, if necessary, within 14 days.

Mandatory quarantine
Any visitor showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to undergo a PCR test, and possible isolation and or quarantine for 14 days.
Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on departure
Travellers are required to undergo a PCR test 24 hours before departing Botswana. This can be done via one of two options:
•    Option 1: Arrange in-camp testing – a qualified practitioner is flown to your camp or lodge to conduct a PCR test. This has to be booked 36 hours in advance, online bookings are essential, and a minimum of two guests is required. Guests are liable for all costs.
•    Option 2: Do the PCR test in Maun or Kasane Airport – bookings are essential. Your Africa Safari Expert can arrange this for you. Test results are available within 24 hours.

ZAMBIA

All travellers require a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of departure from country of origin and need to adhere to recommended Covid-19 prevention measures.

They will need to monitor themselves daily for 10 days for symptoms of the virus and report any occurrence to the nearest health facility.

All arrivals from high-risk countries*will be retested for Covid-19 on arrival or within 48hrs, at their own cost, regardless of having a negative PCR test certificate and will need to self-quarantine for 14 days (see list of high-risk countries indicated at the end of document).

Vaccination–Not a requirement to enter the country but travellers who have been fully vaccinated and in possession of the supporting documentation will be exempt from 14-day quarantine requirement.

Those from high-risk countries will still require retesting on arrival or within 48 hours.

Transit through high-risk countries–if coming from a low-risk country is permissible without requiring quarantine time on arrival in Zambia. Transit must be brief/direct.

Arrivals without a negative test will not be allowed in the country. Note: Children under 5 are exempt from PCR test requirement for arriving into Zambia. PCR Testing: can be done in Livingstone and Lusaka with 24-48hr turnaround time. Cost is between US$100 andUS$150 pp depending on the turnaround times required. A government issued Travel Certificate is also necessary for all departures from Zambia–this is issued after the PCR results. Positive PCR result within the country will require 14-day quarantine at a facility (hospital or isolation centre) as identified by the Department of Health.

*High Risk countries list as per Zambia authorities as of 24 May 2021.
This list is regularly updated, so subject to change.
1. India
2. Iran
3. Turkey
4. France
5. Germany
6. Russia
7. Brazil
8. Argentina
9. South Africa
10. Egypt
11. Tunisia
12. Ethiopia
13. Kenya
14. Italy
15. Tanzania

MALAWI

Malawi: Blantyre and Lilongwe International Airports are open.
Travelers require a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of arrival and need to adhere to recommended Covid-19 prevention measures.

PCR Testing: can be done in Lilongwe with 24-48hr turnaround time. Cost is between US$50 and100 pp depending on the turnaround times required. Positive PCR result within the country will require 14-day quarantine at a facility (hospital or isolation centre) as identified by the Department of Health.

ZIMBABWE

Both Harare and Victoria Falls are open for International flights.

A negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours of departure from country of origin and adherence to recommended Covid-19 prevention measures.

PCR Testing: can be done in Victoria Falls and Harare with 2hr (for Victoria Falls and Harare Airports) to 48 hr turnaround time. Cost is between US$60and US$100 pp depending on the turnaround times required and facility used.

Positive PCR result within the country will require 14-dayquarantine at a facility (hospital or isolation centre) as identified by the Department of Health.