Safari.com
“Your Journey to Africa Starts Here: Growth, Grace & Grandeur!”
Table of Contents
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Visa Requirements
Where and how to apply
Most travellers are required to apply for a visa to enter countries in East Africa. Each country has its own portal and timing rules, so start early.
Rwanda
Apply online through the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration portal. Processing is typically three to seven working days. We strongly recommend starting the application at least three weeks before your travel date to avoid delays.
Uganda
Apply for the Uganda Single Entry Tourist eVisa online through the official Immigration Portal.
The eVisa is valid for six months from issue, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
Kenya
Kenya replaced its visa system with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in January 2024. Apply online through the official Kenya ETA portal before you travel.
See our Kenya ETA application guide for the full walkthrough.
Tanzania
Travellers to Tanzania have two options, the Online Visa Platform and the On-Arrival Visa Platform. We strongly recommend that all travellers apply through the Online Visa Platform.
The On-Arrival Platform is for travellers not classified under the referral visa category, which can be verified on the official visa website.
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Visa Requirements
Types of visas
We strongly recommend starting the application process at least four weeks before your travel date to avoid delays.
- Single Entry
- The standard option for most safari travellers. Kenya’s 90-day single-entry ETA is the most popular for trips focused on Kenya alone.
- Multiple Entry
- Available for Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda where you plan to leave and re-enter on the same trip.
- American passport holders holidaying in Tanzania are required to apply for a Multiple Entry Visa.
- Kenya now issues a 5-year multiple-entry ETA for frequent visitors, with up to 90 days per stay.
- East Africa Tourist Visa
- Valid for three months and available to travellers visiting Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya on a single trip.
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Visa Requirements
Requirements for applying
The required information varies depending on the visa type, but all travellers must provide the following.
- Passport
- Valid for at least six months after arrival, with one blank page.
- Passport biometric page
- A clear colour copy.
- Passport-style photograph
- Recent, taken against a plain background.
- Return flight ticket
- Confirmation of onward or return travel.
- Contact details
- Email address and phone numbers.
- Itinerary confirmation
- A copy of your planned itinerary in East Africa.
- Proof of accommodation
- Booking confirmations for each stay.
- Payment method
- Visa, Mastercard or SWIFT transfer.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Required where applicable; your safari specialist will flag the current entry rules before you fly.
“Travelling allows you to become so many different versions of yourself.”
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Visa Requirements
Visa cost and processing time
Fees vary depending on the type of visa required. No refunds are available for visa applications, so make sure you prepare the correct fee for the visa you are applying for.
Fees & payments
Fees vary by country and visa type. As a guide, the Tanzania Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa is $50 USD; US passport holders to Tanzania can only apply for the Multiple Entry Visa at $100 USD. Kenya and the East Africa Tourist Visa are priced separately.
Processing time
Processing times vary by country: Rwanda is three to seven working days, Kenya’s ETA from three working days, Tanzania from ten working days. Start the application at least four weeks before your travel date to avoid delays.
Check via Sherpa for your passport
- Tanzania
- US passport ·UK passport ·Australian passport
- Uganda
- US passport ·UK passport ·Australian passport
- Rwanda
- US passport ·UK passport ·Australian passport
Travelling on a different passport? Click any link above and change the country of passport issue on Sherpa.
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