Passport & Visa Requirements

Please note that you may wish to check with the embassy of the country in question about the updated visa and passport information that is required for travel in Africa. We cannot guarantee that the information below is not subject to change. OverlandingAfrica.com are only a phone call away and are always eager to help and give advice about the specific visas or travel passes that you might need.

Passport

Please note that all visitors to Africa must be in possession of a full passport which is valid for at least six months after the finish date of a tour. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages before entering South Africa and it is safe TO ALWAYS have at least one blank page per country.

Remember that most countries will stamp your passports on arrival and departure, that is why you will need blank pages. If there is no room to stamp your passport you may not be allowed entry into that country!

Keep Copies

As a safety precaution always take photocopies of your passport with you and leave a set of copies at home. If possible, try to get your copies certified, as it makes your life a lot easier in case of loss. Do not keep the copies inside your passport

Visa Guidelines

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information pertaining to visas is up to date, it is still your responsibility to check on visa requirements based on the nationality of your passport. Visa requirements can change with little or no notice.

BOTSWANA

Certain nationalities require visas for Botswana. Please note that these visas take approximately 14 - 30 working days to issue depending on the nationality.
When applying for a visa, the ORIGINAL passport has to be submitted.
Botswana Consulate: Tel +27 11 4033748/9 Fax +27 11 4031384

KENYA

Certain nationalities require visas for Kenya.
Kenyan High Commission: Tel +27 12 3622249/50/51
Fax +27 12 3622252

Yellow Fever certificates are required, in addition to the visa requirements.
Travellers are also advised to be immunized against cholera although it is not a requirement.
Travellers are advised to take Anti-Malaria pills 2 weeks before entering Kenya and to continue with the dosage while in the country and 2 weeks after departure.

LESOTHO

Certain nationalities require visas, departure permits and / or re-entry permits into South Africa.
The following countries do not require a visa:
Austria; Belgium; France; Germany; Hong Kong; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Netherlands; New Zealand; Portugal; San Marino; South Korea; Spain; Switzerland and USA
Lesotho High Commission: Tel +27 12 467648 Fax +27 12 467649

MALAWI

Certain nationalities require visas for Malawi. Please apply for these visas well in advance.
New Airport Departure Tax: International : US$ 30.00 and Domestic : MK 200.00
Malawi Consulate General: Fax: +27 11 807 7790
Immigration Officer at the Malawi Consulate-General in Sandton: Cell: 082 908 7159

MOZAMBIQUE

All nationalities except those stated below need visas.
Mozambique Consulate General: Tel +27 11 3361819/1810
Fax +27 11 3369921
Mozambique Consulate: Tel + 27 21 4262944/5 Fax + 27 21 4262946

The Mozambican government has advised that all persons travelling to the country are to obtain visas prior to their departure, as certain entry visas will not be issued upon arrival at any border post or airport. South Africans and Mozambicans travelling between the two neighbouring countries no longer require an entry visa as from Monday April 18, 2005.

NAMIBIA

Certain nationalities require visas for Namibia. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after date of entry.

Namibia Tourism Board: Tel +27 12 4193190/1 Fax +27 12 4215840

SWAZILAND

Certain nationalities require visas, departure permits and / or re-entry permits into South Africa.

Swaziland Consulate: Tel +27 11 4032050/36 Fax +27 11 4037473

TANZANIA (including ZANZIBAR)

All nationalities require visas for Tanzania these need to be applied for in advance. Please note that anyone holding an Israeli passport will require a minimum of one week to process their visa. For those returning to Tanzania, border officials often allow re-entry with the single entry visa used on the northbound trip as long as they are told about this on the first entry to Tanzania.

This may change at any time though and an additional visa may be required.

High Commission of Tanzania: Tel +27 12 3424393/71 Fax +27 12 43438

ZAMBIA

All foreign passport holders with the exception of most citizens of Commonwealth member countries, have to obtain a visa for Zambia. However, visa waivers are available, and we will be able to assist with these arrangements.
Contact details for the Zambian High Commission, in South Africa: Fax +27 12 3260263

ZIMBABWE

Certain nationalities require visas for Zimbabwe. These must be applied for in advance although they are starting to issue visas at the border. Check with the embassy when enquiring. These visas take approximately 7-14 working days to process.

Zimbabwe Consulate: Tel +27 11 8382156/9 Fax +27 11 8385620