Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

Charter Airline Luggage Limitations
Please note that the luggage restriction on the scheduled charter flights in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe is 20kgs (44lbs) per person which needs to be packed in soft-sided duffel bags. This weight limitation includes your hand luggage.

In Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia the luggage limit is 15Kgs (33lbs) per person packed in soft-sided duffel bags. This weight limitation includes your hand luggage.

Note that seat rate charter flights operate a shuttle service and guests may be collected at other camps before proceeding to your destination.

Visas
Certain countries in Africa require you to obtain travel authorisation ahead of your arrival in those countries. For some travellers, the online application portals can be challenging to use, causing frustration and anxiety. If you do not want to navigate the online process yourself, feel free to contact a specialist visa agency such as Visa HQ to assist you.    

Yellow Fever
Please note that you need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for travel to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. You must travel with the original certificate as you may be asked for proof thereof.  

Malaria Medication
We recommend that you take malaria prophylactics as you will be travelling to a malaria risk area. You will need to liaise with your primary care physician or travel clinic regarding the medication most suited to your needs. We're not able to recommend which one to take as it depends on other medication you're currently taking / any medical conditions etc.

Flights via the United Kingdom
From 8 January 2025, all USA passport holders will require a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if travelling through, or even transiting, the UK. For other nationalities, click here to see when you can apply for an ETA: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

The cost is currently £10 per person. Everyone needs an ETA, including infants and children. NOTE that you need to complete the ETA application prior to your arrival in the UK. It usually takes 3 working days for your ETA to be approved.  

The most convenient way to apply is on the app: download the UK ETA app from the App Store or Google Play. If you are unable to access the app, you can apply online by clicking here: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply

Visa Note for South Africa
American, Canadian and EU passport holders do not require a visa for entry to South Africa. However, you are required to have at least two consecutive blank visa pages in your passport, per country visited, to be allowed entry. Please ensure that your passports are valid for at least 30 days after your date of departure from South Africa.    

Visa Note for Botswana  
American, Canadian and EU passport holders do not require a visa for entry to Botswana. However, you are required to have at least two consecutive blank visa pages in your passport, per country visited, to be allowed entry. Please ensure that your passports are valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry into Botswana.

Please be aware - all children under the age of 18 years must travel with an unabridged birth certificate for entry into Botswana, clearly showing the details of both parents. Both parents need to be travelling with the child. If this is not the case, additional documentation may be required. Please contact us for further info.

Visa Note for Zambia
Zambia has waived all visa fees (including day trip visas), for nationals from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

All other nationalities are required to pay for their Zambian visas. The entry fee is currently US$50 per person (subject to change). You can purchase your visa at Livingstone / Lusaka Airports on arrival. If you plan to visit both sides of the Falls you can purchase a Kaza Visa for US$50 per person which allows you access to both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Please note that you will need to have cash available to purchase your visa as they do not accept credit cards. (Most African countries only accept USD bills that are in excellent condition and dated 2006 or later).

Visa Note for Zimbabwe
Most passport holders can purchase their visa for Zimbabwe on arrival at a cost of US$30 (subject to change). NOTE the following exceptions: visas for Canadian nationals are US$75  per person and for British / Irish passport holders, it's US$55 per person.

Please note that you will need to have cash available to purchase your visa as they do not accept credit cards. (Most African countries only accept USD bills that are in excellent condition and dated 2006 or later).

Visa Note for Mozambique
The E-Visa site and implementation of the registration process has NOT been successful, and Mozambique is now rolling out a Visa exemption implementation.

This means the temporary suspension of the pre-registration process for visitors from visa-exempt countries.

Clients can now enter Mozambique without any form of pre-registration (a temporary measure to provide flexibility and convenience for visitors).

Upon entry into Mozambique clients from visa-exempt countries now only require the following:

*Pay MZN 650.00 (at the current rate of exchange this is USD10.00 or R180.00).

There are credit card facilities available but cash is preferred. No change is available, so please ensure you have the correct amount in cash handy. USD and South African Rand are both accepted.

*Provide a valid passport with 6 months validity AFTER the last day of your stay in Mozambique, plus 3 blank pages.

*Provide confirmation of your round-trip flight details (return tickets)

*Proof of accommodation in the form of a letter from your accommodation provider

Visa Note for Namibia 
Currently American, Canadian and EU passport holders do not require a visa for entry to Namibia. However, you are required to have at least three consecutive blank visa pages in your passport, per country visited, to be allowed entry. Please ensure that your passports are valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry.

NOTE that as of 1 April 2025, Namibia’s new visa regulations come into effect. This means that 31 countries who did not previously require visas will now require them. The affected countries include the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, France, Germany, amongst others. The visa fee will be N$1,600 per person (around USD90). You may obtain your visas at the airport on arrival.

Please be aware - all children under the age of 18 years must travel with an unabridged birth certificate for entry into Namibia, clearly showing the details of both parents. Both parents need to be travelling with the child. If this is not the case, additional documentation may be required. Please contact us for further info.

Visa Note for Seychelles
A visa is not required for stays up to 30 days.

On arrival, travelers need to provide proof of onward or return transportation, a confirmed accommodation booking and proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay. They will then be issued a Visitor's Permit which is valid for a stay of up to 30 days.

All visitors must apply for entry through the Health Travel Authorisation platform prior to their arrival in the Seychelles. Please visit https://seychelles.govtas.com/ This health authorisation is essential for travel and will be required when you check in for your flight. Visitors will not be permitted to board their flight without the authorisation being in place.

Visa Note for Kenya
Kenya has implemented an eTA (electronic travel authorisation) system. This is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya. The possession of an eTA is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya. Admissibility will be determined at the point of entry.

All visitors are required to apply for an eTA prior to arrival in Kenya by clicking here - https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en

The cost is currently US$32.50 per traveller, plus bank and processing fees.

For most travelers, a single entry eTA will be sufficient. If you are visiting neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda and then returning to Kenya afterwards, you will be able to use the same eTA for re-entry – provided you do not return to your country of residence between visits.

NOTE that the eTA is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue, so please don’t apply too early. If the eTA expires prior to your arrival in Kenya, you will need to start a new application. The eTA is only required for entry into Kenya - there is no need to re-apply for an eTA if it expires whilst you are in Kenya.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Kenya, and you require at least two blank visa pages in your passport.

IMPORTANT: Single use plastic bags are banned in Kenya. Arriving visitors are requested to avoid bringing single use plastic bags into the country. Being in possession of a single use plastic bag is an offence and offenders could be penalised.

Visa Note for Tanzania
US passport holders can purchase their visa for Tanzania at the port of entry at a cost of US$100 per person. Please have the exact amount in cash available as they do not accept credit cards. (Please note that East African countries only accept USD bills that are in excellent condition and dated 2006 or later).

Note that, should you be arriving in Tanzania from Kenya, via the Isebania border post, you must apply for your Tanzanian visa ahead of your arrival.

Because the arrival visa process can take a long time, we suggest that you apply for your e-visa prior to travel by clicking on this link - https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ Guidelines are available here which provides further information on what you’ll need for the application process: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/guidelines

If you are visiting neighbouring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda or Uganda and then returning to Tanzania afterwards, you will be able to use the same visa for re-entry – provided you do not return to your country of residence between visits. Keep in mind that Zanzibar is part of Tanzania.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Tanzania. You are also required to have at least two blank visa pages in your passport.

CROSSING THE BORDER FROM THE MASAAI MARA (KENYA) TO THE SERENGETI (TANZANIA) – ISEBANIA BORDER POST

You will fly from your safari lodge to the Migori Airstrip – from here, you will board a shared bus (arranged by the airline) to the immigration check point. After you’ve completed the border formalities, you will continue by bus to the Tarime Airstrip. From here you will fly to your safari lodge in the Serengeti.

Though it is usually possible to get your visa for Tanzania on arrival, for this border crossing you MUST get your Tanzania visa in advance. This is due to the time constraints imposed by the airlines as the flights need to stick to the scheduled times.

Travellers must have the following documents ready when crossing from Kenya to Tanzania:

Passport
Yellow fever certificate
E-visa
Completed entry declaration form

Visa Note for Uganda
Uganda Immigration have implemented the use of electronic visas. All visitors who require an entry visa must apply through the online application system prior to arrival by clicking  here: https://visas.immigration.go.ug.

You are required to upload clear copies of the bio-data page of your passport, your Yellow Fever certificate and a recent passport photo.

On completion of the online application you will receive a barcoded e-mail notification. Print out this e-mail and bring it along with you to Uganda.

Upon arrival you must present the barcoded e-mail to the relevant authorities.

The immigration officer will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints, collect your photo and request the US$50 cash payment for the visa. (Please note: Uganda only accepts USD bills dated 2006 or later, and bills that are in excellent condition). A visa sticker will be printed with your photo and placed in your passport.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry into Uganda, and you’re required to have at least two blank visa pages in your passport.

It is possible to get an East Africa Tourist Visa which covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on a single visa. Note that Tanzania is not included and if you have travelled to Tanzania and then return to either Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya, the East Africa visa will no longer be valid. You need to lodge the application with the first country on your itinerary (note that if Kenya is the first country on your itinerary, the East Africa Tourist Visa does not apply and you will need to obtain separate visas for each country).

Visitors to Uganda who will be participating in gorilla trekking activities are required to wear a mask while with the gorillas.

NOTE that e-cigarettes have been BANNED in Uganda.

Uganda is one of the 35 countries globally where e-cigarettes are banned according to World Health Organization (WHO). Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that emit a vaporized solution to inhale. These include e-hookahs, vaporizer cigarettes, vapes, and vape pens.

Please do not carry these items, even if you don't intend on using them.

Visa Note Rwanda
Visas may be obtained on arrival at Kigali International Airport. The cost is currently US$50 per person and must be paid in cash.

You can also apply for a Rwanda e-visa online, please follow this link - https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services   

When the site loads – go to Immigration and Emigration to complete the visa application.

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of arrival in Rwanda. You also require at least two blank visa pages in your passport.

It is possible to get an East African Tourist Visa that covers entry to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. These need to be purchased from the first country of entry. Please note that this visa does not cover entry into Tanzania and if you enter Tanzania from one of these other countries having travelled on the EA Visa, the East African Tourist Visa will no longer be valid. You need to lodge the application with the first country on your itinerary (note that if Kenya is the first country on your itinerary, the East Africa Tourist Visa does not apply and you will need to obtain separate visas for each country).

Travellers over the age of 5 years who are scheduled to visit the primates at the Volcanoes, Nyungwe and / or Gishwati-Mukura National Parks are required to wear a mask during their visit.