What You Need To Know

Passports must have a validity of at least six months longer than your intended stay in Africa. The following information is provided as guide only for Australian passport holders. Prior to your trip it is your responsibility to ensure you have the most up to date information about passport and visa requirements. South Africa: A visitor's entry permit is issued on arrival in South Africa and is valid for 90 days travel or less. South Africa now requires 2 blank visa pages in your passport. From 01 June 2015 parents travelling with children are required to provide an unabridged birth certificate of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children, and applies to both foreigners and South Africans alike.  When children are travelling with one parent only, or with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parent/s proving permission for the children to travel. Botswana: No tourist visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days. From 01 October 2016 parents travelling with children are required to provide an unabridged birth certificate of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children.  When children are travelling with one parent only, or with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parent/s proving permission for the children to travel.   Namibia: A visitors entry permit is issued on arrival in Namibia and is valid for 90 days travel or less. Parents travelling with children are required to provide an unabridged birth certificate of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children.  When children are travelling with one parent only, or with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parent/s proving permission for the children to travel.  Zimbabwe: Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 30 days. Visas can be issued electronically by visiting the Embassy of Zimbabwe website (www.zimembassycanberra.org.au) or on arrival in Zimbabwe (payable in US Dollars cash only). Zambia: Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 30 days. Visas can be issued on arrival in Zambia (payable in US Dollars cash only). Mozambique: Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 30 days. As there is no Mozambique representation in Australia this visa can be obtained on arrival in Mozambique (payable in US Dollars cash only). Kenya: Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 90 days. Visas can be obtained on arrival or by applying to the Kenya High Commission (www.kenya.asn.au)  (payable in US Dollars cash only). Tanzania: Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 90 days. Visas can be obtained on arrival in Tanzania (payable in US Dollars cash only). Uganda: Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 90 days. Visas can be obtained on arrival or by applying to the Uganda High Commission (www.ugandahighcommission.org) (payable in US Dollars cash only). Rwanda:  Visas are required for a stay of up to a maximum of 15 days. Visas can be obtained on arrival in Rwanda (payable in US Dollars cash only). Uni-Visa: The Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe have just launched the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area Uni-Visa. The Uni-Visa will be valid for 30 days as long as clients remain in Zambia and Zimbabwe. During this time clients are able to cross over between the two countries as many times as they wish. It will also cover clients visiting Botswana for a day trip only, crossing via the Kazangula border post only (clients staying overnight in Botswana will be required to purchase a new visa on return to Zambia/Zimbabwe). The standard Uni-Visa fee is US$50 per person and is available at:

• Livingstone International Airport
• Lusaka International Airport
• Victoria Falls International Airport
• Harare International Airport
• The Victoria Falls land border between Zimbabwe and Zambia
• Kazangula land border between Botswana and Zambia/Botswana and Zimbabwe.

We recommend you contact your doctor (or a travel medical centre) for health advice for the countries you are travelling in in Africa. Some areas in southern Africa have malaria and anti-malarial medication may be recommended. Your doctor (or travel medical centre) can advise you on this as well as appropriate anti-malarial medication for children. They can also advise you on other necessary vaccinations that may be required. Vaccinations against Yellow Fever are compulsory in East Africa and Zambia. Many other countries require proof of a valid vaccination card if you have visited or been in transit in these countries.

The fabulous national parks of southern Africa need a lot of work and input to keep them in the great condition they are and to ensure the animals and birds have the habitat and environment they need to thrive. All this takes the time and effort of the fantastic national parks staff and also money. Compared to Australia the national park fees are not that expensive: South Africa - Kruger National Park ZAR 240 (approx AUD$25) per person per day, other national parks ZAR120 (approx AUD$12) per person per day Wildcard - if you are visiting SA national parks for more than 5 days and there are two or more people (especially a family) then this is the best option (see https://www2.sanparks.org/wild_new/). For example a 21 day itinerary from Cape Town to Johannesburg may see you visit Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town), Tsitsikamma (Garden Route), Addo (Port Elizabeth), Hluhluwe-Umfolozi (KZN) & Kruger National Parks and a wild card may be your best option for national parks fees. Botswana - BWP 80 per person per day plus extra for your vehicle. Namibia - NAD 90 per person per day. Zimbabwe - Hwange & Mana Pools - USD$20 (approx AUD$27) per person per day, however if you stay in the park this fee will cover you for 5 days. Victoria Falls National Park - USD$30 per day (approx AUD$40). Zambia - This is the most expensive - USD$20 (approx AUD$27) per person per day and extra for your vehicle. Kids under 12 are normally charged half price for entry into the national parks. These fees are so worth while as they ensure these special areas will be there for generations to come.