COVID travel requirements for African countries
Editor's Note
Editor's note: This post was updated with new information on September 28, 2020.
The list of countries around the world that are opening back up for Americans is rapidly expanding despite the growing cases in the United States. As we've been reporting, several African nations have already opened for U.S. tourists including Egypt and Rwanda. Now several more are either open or in the process of reopening. Here's what we know.
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Democratic Republic of Congo
COVID-19 test required: No
Other restrictions: 14-day quarantine on arrival, symptom screenings
What’s open: Most businesses and parks
The Democratic Republic of Congo is perhaps best known for the Virunga National Park home to the mountain gorilla. The country reopened its borders in August, and most businesses and schools are now open. Unfortunately, Virunga National Park is not set to open until 2021 according to a TPG reader. (I've reached out to the park for confirmation).
Visitors must undergo a health screening on arrival. Americans also need a visa to visit.
It does not appear any kind of test before arrival is required.
You'll also have to quarantine for 14 days at your hotel or home. The U.S. embassy writes, "All international passengers are required to self-quarantine for two weeks in their residence or hotel for 14 days upon arrival. Passengers in transit will be quarantined at their expense at designated facilities until they resume their travels."
Egypt
COVID-19 test required: Yes
- 96 hours before departure
- PCR test required
- PCR test available upon arrival
Other restrictions: None
What’s Open: All tourist sites
Related: Egypt reopening
Americans will need a tourist visa available on arrival or before arrival via online enrollment. There are no quarantine requirements though you will need a negative COVID-19 PCR test. The U.S. embassy says passengers coming from North America can have a test within 96 hours. You also have to have the physical test results. No digital documents are being accepted.
There is testing on arrival available at Hurghada (HRG), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), Marsa Alam (RMF) and Taba (TCP) airports. Those tests are $30, but that's cheaper than in much of the U.S.
No quarantine is required for Americans.
Kenya
COVID-19 test required: Yes
- Within 96 hours of arrival
- PCR test required
Other restrictions: Symptom screening on arrival
What’s open: Businesses are open, but curfews are enforced
Kenya has now reopened and Americans are allowed to enter. All visitors need a negative COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours of arrival. They'll also face a health screening on arrival. Quarantine orders have been lifted.
According to the U.S. embassy, there is a curfew, "Nightly curfew hours are from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am."
Kenya requires foreign visitors to fill out forms here.
The State Department has a "level-3" advisory to "reconsider travel," because of coronavirus.
Namibia
COVID-19 test required: Yes
- 72 hours before departure
- PCR test required
Other restrictions: Registration with the government, symptom screening on arrival
What’s open: Most tourist camps, facilities
Namibia reopened its international borders on Sept 1. All arriving tourists have to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Related: A safari in Namibia
Arriving visitors also have to stay at their first lodging for a period of one week. It has to be a government-approved hotel or camp, and arrivals must be registered with the government.
Tanzania
COVID-19 test required: Yes
- 72 hours before departure
- PCR test required
Other restrictions: Symptom screening on arrival
What’s open: All businesses and attractions
Tanzania was among the first African nations to reopen to tourism. At first, tourists only had to undergo a health screening, but now all incoming travelers need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. There is no quarantine required according to the U.S. embassy.
Many tourists are required to have a visa.
Related: Dreaming of Tanzania
There is no curfew, and no quarantine is required.
Zambia
COVID-19 test required: Yes
- Within 14 days of arrival
- PCR test required
Other restrictions: Symptom screening on arrival
What’s open: All tourist sites, some businesses may keep limited hours
Zambia is open to international travelers. The country is known as one of the top safari destinations in Africa and includes Victoria Falls.
Zambia now requires proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within two weeks of arrival. There are health screenings on arrival, and symptomatic visitors will be tested on arrival.
Travelers need a passport and a visa. The U.S. embassy suggests Americans are also now required to quarantine. You can apply for an e-visa online.
President Edgar Lungu said on September 11, 2020, that bars and schools would begin reopening with limited hours.
Keep in mind the U.S. State Department has a "level-3" advisory saying Americans should "reconsider travel," but no outright ban.
Zimbabwe
COVID-19 test required: Yes
- Within 48 hours of arrival
- PCR test required
Other restrictions: Possible quarantine or other screenings on arrival, details TBD
What’s open: All businesses and attractions
Zimbabwe Tourism confirmed that all tourist activities have resumed as of September, and Reuters reports that the country will begin accepting international flights on October 1. In a statement, the government said, “All travelers will be required to have a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) COVID-19 clearance certificate issued by a recognized facility within 48 hours from the date of departure.”
The country had been asking all arriving passengers to self-quarantine for 21 days though that request is expected to be lifted once the international border reopens.
The Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu told media outlets the country was also now allowing all attractions and businesses to reopen including the spectacular Victoria Falls.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.