Many of our current clients as well as potential travellers interested in safari have been asking about border closures and flight schedules. Thanks to our direct line of communication with our trusted on-the-ground partners throughout Africa, cross-referenced with official government entities, we’ve compiled a one-stop informational resource with real-time updates on travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Here’s the latest on safari travel to Africa…
Open / To Open
Kenya
*Approved and recognised user of the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safety Stamp.*
On 6 July 2020, the Kenyan government announced that local air travel will resume operations from 15 July 2020 and that international travel will resume from 1 August 2020. Kenya's Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has implemented a reduction in park entry fees from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
1 August 2020
Health screening and COVID-19 protocols
All passengers on international flights must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate on arrival, obtained no later than 96 hours prior to departure from their home country.
Body temperatures must test below 37.5°C (99.5°F) and visitors must have no persistent cough, no difficulty breathing, and no other flu-like symptoms.
If there is a reported case of COVID-19 on a flight or if the above symptoms are detected, all passengers within two rows of the passenger with the symptoms will be quarantined for testing at designated airport hotels. 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 Travelers Health Surveillance Form by the Ministry of Health. The form is found here and must be completed online prior to disembarkation. Passengers will 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.
Mandatory quarantine
All passengers arriving on international flights are required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility or at their Kenyan residence. These countries are exempt from mandatory quarantine.
Countries allowed to travel to the destination
All
Airlines flying into the destination
Kenyan Airways will resume international flights from 1 August 2020. The airline's COVID-19 certificate validity for all inbound flights to Kenya is 96 hours. For outbound flights from Kenya, a COVID-19 certificate is not required unless your country of transit or destination requires one.
All passengers aboard any Emirates flight require a negative COVID-19 certificate, obtained no later than 96 hours prior to flight departure.
Mauritius
Since 11 May 2020, this Indian Ocean island has reported no confirmed cases of COVID-19. The suspension on international commercial flights will remain in place until 31 August 2020.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
1 September 2020
Airlines flying into the destination:
Air Mauritius announced that their flights are scheduled to resume on 1 September 2020, subject to the opening of borders and the lifting of travel restrictions.
Rwanda
Rwanda's airports will reopen for scheduled commercial flights on 1 August 2020. The government has made a selection of promotional offers (including discounted gorilla trekking permits) available to foreign visitors until 31 December 2020.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
1 August 2020
Health screening and quarantine protocols on arrival:
Visitors are expected to test negative for COVID-19 after taking a test in their country of origin at an ISO-certified laboratory, 72 hours before departure. Test results must be submitted to lab@rbc.gov.rw before departure and also upon arriving in Rwanda.
A second COVID-19 test must be taken upon arrival. Visitors will be expected to wait for test results for about 24 hours at designated hotels at their own cost.
Visitors who are not able to test in their country of origin can be tested twice in Rwanda. The first test will be taken upon arrival, while the second test will be taken 48 hours after arrival.
Departing visitors will also be offered a COVID-19 test at the airport.
The cost of the COVID-19 test will be included in visitors' tour packages.
Countries allowed to travel to the destination:
All tourists will be allowed to visit Rwanda's attractions and destinations after testing negative for COVID-19 in two consecutive tests.
Airlines flying into the destination:
Charter flights (individual and groups) from 17 June 2020.
Commercial airlines from 1 August 2020.
Seychelles
From 1 June 2020, the Seychelles gradually started reopening its borders to visitors from low-risk countries travelling via private jets and direct chartered flights. After successfully implementing this first phase, the Seychelles will reopen for commercial flights from 1 August 2020.
Visitors must have negative COVID-19 PCR certificates from authorised laboratories dated no more than 72 hours from the date of travel. If a PCR test is not available, a Rapid Antigen test will be required. All visitors are required to send negative COVID-19 test results as well as flight and accommodation details to the Seychelles Public Health Authority prior to boarding a plane.
Open for international travel / date of reopening:
1 June 2020 (private jets and direct chartered flights)
1 August 2020 (commercial flights)
Health screening and quarantine protocols on arrival:
Strict screening processes on arrival – health check forms, symptomatic checks, temperature scans and potential Rapid Antigen tests.
Countries allowed to travel to the destination:
Low risk countries: Belgium, China, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Thailand.
Medium risk countries: France, Austria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and UAE.
Airlines flying into the destination:
Private jets and direct chartered flights from the above countries.
Commercial flights from the above countries from 1 August 2020.
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